Road racing has been a little light on this year with it becoming harder and harder to put events on and we are getting pushed further out of town. If you are eligible to race masters or like time trials, then there are options, but for the younger road racers, the pickings are slim. However, it now looks like there are a few bright sparks to close out 2026. Midland has just announced a three race program with two races in Pickering Brook in Sept/Nov and the Midland Traders 100 in October.
The Pickering Brook circuit used to be a staple of the Perth road racing calendar with many races held up there every year. Unfortunately, certain neighbours tried to spoil it and the circuit has been lightly used ever since. It’s not a flat circuit, but no lengthy climbs either. A good race for the punchy riders that want to try to animate the race. It’s also a fairly short course, so if you are new to racing and are worried about getting dropped or lost, then you can’t go to far wrong with this one. Midland also usually run grades down to D or E plus have juniors as well. There should be something for everyone.
The Midland Traders 100 is usually on a much harder course and the premier event for this is the 100km “A” grade men’s race. Again, there should be lots of grades to suit all riders, but expect a harder course and race than the Pickering Brook circuit.
Also in November, Peel are running the State Road Champs on behalf of AusCycling. With the usual Elite and U19 fields, there are also age group masters fields for both male and female riders. Definite bragging rights on the line at this event. Held down at Boddington, this is a much more testing course, as it should be for a state champs. This is always a good day out and lots of opportunity with so many age groups being available.
What this is all leading towards is the last year of the Nationals in Perth and therefore, potentially the last chance at the Gran Fondo. Held on the 10th of January, this is an event not to be missed as racing around Kings Park and the City on closed roads doesn’t come along very often. There were about 850 spots last year and it sold out quickly. So quick that I missed out but managed to get a transfer from someone that unfortunately injured themselves leading up to it. Entries open on the 3rd of Sept, so my advice is to get an entry in even if you are unsure. You can always transfer it later if you don’t want to race.
There will hopefully also be Team Time Trial and Club Criteriums held as part of this cycling festival, so we are hoping to also field teams in these events too. As we did last year, there will be weekly training sessions for the Fondo, hopefully starting in October all the way up to race day. The intent is to follow the same format as last year, with a Women’s only session on Tuesday morning, a shortened three lap session on Friday and a full course session on Sundays. Again these sessions will be open to anyone, not just SPR members.
So after a very slow start to the year and a slew of legacy events no longer running, it is good to see some good solid road racing on the calendar. Time to shave the legs and burn off some of that winter hibernation padding that we tend to put on during the colder months.
Event Information
2026 and 2027 international trips –
SPR is again looking to organise trips overseas after the success of ones to the Italian & Swiss Alps 2025 and The Grand Alps France 2024.
Please complete this brief EOI for the tour
Note: no SPR member nor the club benefit from the organising of these trips – it is intended to extend the cycling experience with fellow cyclists
SPR cycling trip across Northern Spain
Sandra, Alex, Petra, Andy, Serena, Paul and Phil have just started their 14-day cycle across the lush north of Spain called “Green Spain”. The route goes through the Basque country, Cantabria and Asturias regions, one of the best kept secrets in Europe for cycling. The Cantabrian mountains connect all these regions through an extreme lush geographic profile, mild summers and little traffic.
Tour de Cowaramup 18th Oct –
The Tour de Cowaramup charity road bike event is on again this year on Sunday 18 th October. Three distances 60km (piccolo), 85km (medio) and 130km (gran) with funds going to assist men suffering from Prostate Cancer.
Start/ finish: Juniper Estate
Register for normal entry $125 until 30th September, then late registration $145-$180. If no SPR team already established when you go to register, please set up a SPR team based on the distance eg SPR-Gran, SPR-Medio or SPR-Piccolo so others can join you.
We have booked accommodation for three nights at the Leeuwin Apartments as per last year; in Friday 16th October out Monday 19th October 2026. This is now currently full with those who have already put in an EOI. However, in case there is a cancellation or enough new interest, we could book another apartment but would need to know soon via this EOI. Note shorter stays cost the same price. Please contact Carol or Danielle via comdev@southperthrouleurs.com.au for more info.
Canola classic 2026
It has been a few years since SPR formally promoted the Canola Classic and with declining mass road cycling events, participation is key to keeping Western Australia’s cycling community vibrant.
Set in the picturesque Shire of York on Sunday 23 August, cycle routes of 93km (1200m climbing) or 52km (600m climbing) take you from the York township through boundless blooming yellow canola fields of the Avon Valley. Registration costs $145 and $130 + booking fee ~$5 respectively; more information on the ride routes.
York is ~1hr drive from Perth so you can drive up in the morning or stay overnight. Contact Carol at mailto:admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au if you want additional information. So why not support this ride with other SPR members – you can ride or just come up for the weekend to enjoy with wonderful scenery.
Upcoming Racing
- X-Speed Round 3 Road Race (22 Aug)
- WCMCC Herne Hill Road Race (23 Aug)
- ATTA The Panther (Gravel) (30 Aug)
- WCMCC Dog Hill Road Race (30 Aug)
- WCMCC Rockingham Crit (13 Sep)
- MCC Pickering Brook Road Race (20 Sep)
- MCC Midland Traders 100 Road Race (25 Oct)
- AusCycling WA Road State Champs (1 Nov)
- MCC Pickering Brook Road Race (22 Nov)
Juniors
The weather looks fantastic for this weekend so it should be a great opportunity for the kids to get out for a ride!
Saturday (22/8)
We will all meet at 10:30 am in Shelley at our usual spot (https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Bq9tsEyDTef4qbu5):
Our U17 and U15 juniors are invited to join our main club rides from Coode St car park (South Perth) at 7am. I will be there supervising them.
Please check our WhatsApp SPR junior channel for any last minute call. If you are not in the group chat, please let me know if you would like to be included.
Events coming up:
Bike It To Ballidu on 27/9: if you will be going to the gravel event in September, please sign up choosing “SPR team” as your team. The event has several options including short distances for the juniors (11.7km is the shortest ride you can participate in). Check here: https://ballidugravel.com.au/rides/
From the Ride Coordinator
At SPR, we encourage all riders to familiarise themselves with the planned route before joining a group ride. Not knowing the next turn can increase the risk of accidents — for you and others in the group.
Saturday 22nd August
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special
All rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Development group (*) – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday
Transition: Trans Reabold 38.69km SPR Saturday
Fast & Main: Cresswell & Herdsman 48.86km SPR Saturday
Coffee – Dome Westralia Plaza, Perth City
(*) Please note that our Ride Leaders will adjust the composition and route for Development, Transition and Main 4 to suit people and conditions on the day.
Sunday 23rd August
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Grnmt Goose 62.18 km SPR Sunday
Short Hills: Grnmt Goose 62.18 km SPR Sunday
Long Hills: Grnmt Prk Weir MWR 86.91km SPR Sunday
Coffee – SnL,Victoria Park
Monday 24th August
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
Currently no ride scheduled – stay tuned for a new Monday ride
Tuesday 25th August
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Two groups – solid roll through vs relaxed pace
SPR Tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
Coffee – Steamlab, Applecross
Ride starts at 6:30am at Koorak Kings Park Cafe Car Park
Main 4/Transitional/Novice
Kings Park laps at own pace, coffee at 7:30am
Coffee – Koorak, Kings Park
Wednesday 26th August
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
No drop recovery ride
SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)
Coffee – Little Horn, Applecross
Thursday 27th August
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Three groups fast paced roll-throughs
SPR Thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
Coffee – Steamlab, Applecross
Friday 28th August
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
SPR Friday Alternate 38.43km (Shelley)
Coffee – Hoopla, Kensington