One of the four cornerstones that the club was built around was “inclusion”. Back in 2008 when the club was in its formative stages, it was important to us to define what it was that we were trying to achieve. Many of the clubs back then concentrated primarily on racing as you needed to be part of a club to be able to race. We didn’t have the 100 year history that many of the clubs had back then, so the skills to organise and run an event were very foreign to us. Coming to the Perth cycling scene from the outside, I did however see a fairly big gap. Many clubs back then had minimal group rides. This was often handled by the “shop rides” and some clubs even directed riders to do the shop ride instead. Our main differentiator was that we had club rides that catered for a variety of people.
When we first met at Coode St, there was only one group. This made things easy, but didn’t give any space for those that were not at a particular fitness/skill level. As the group grew, a faster segment wanted to push harder, so we split. The “fast” group would leave first, and at one stage did a slightly longer route, and then the second group would follow. The second group could not be called the “slow” group, so it became the “main” group.
As time went on and the club grew, it was clear that we were beginning to attract brand new riders that have never ridden in a club let alone a group environment. Social media was in its infancy but we maintained a very active website, so our club was often the first thing appearing when people were looking for rides in Perth. The development or novice group was formed to cater for these newbies and then a “transitional” group that bridged the distance between the novice and main routes.
People often commented that they were attracted to other aspects that mirrored our other cornerstones – “organised” (ride routes published and downloadable), “social” (coffee afterwards) and “safe” (even before ride leaders, there was a standard that was upheld in the groups).
The inclusion part was also in how we ran the club. We have never forced anyone to join the club to be able to ride with us. It is certainly encouraged and if you do ride regularly with us and feel that you are getting something out of it, becoming a member is an easy way of giving back. But another part of that is that you need to be a member to get the kit, so we also don’t enforce a kit policy either. We want people to be proud to represent the club, not have it forced upon them. As much as we love to see as many people in green as we can, we would rather just see them out riding with us.
The rebranding process is currently underway and the EOI for kit suppliers is still open. I have met with a few companies to fully understand what they can do for us and it is great to see such high quality products available to us in Perth. The logo and font is almost finalised, which when added to a new kit design should give us a fresh new look. There has been questions to me an others about when kit can be ordered. Please bear with us, this process takes time and we want to do right by both the club and the members. So as much as I want you in new kit, I want to see you in the right kit, with the right design, for the right price.
From the Committee
As previously mentioned, we will start to communicate out the broad areas that are discussed at the committee meetings that take place every 6 weeks or so. They are hosted at one of the committee members’ house and items are tabled in advance so that good active discussion can take place. If there is something that you think needs to be discussed and implemented by the committee for the club as a whole, please reach out to one of the committee members.
- Review of the 2nd Strategy session run by Gary, looking at attracting and retaining riders
- Discussion on how to ensure details of new riders get to the right people to pass on information
- Revision of Life Membership benefits
- EOI’s back from prospective kit suppliers
- Discussion with AusCycling about a potential criterium circuit
- Discussion around if we require sponsorship during the rebuilding phase
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 (currently on)
Some wonderful roads and scenery unfolded over the last week of cycling. Loving the roads (quiet), the climbs, the local bars and the food here. The climbs feel a lot harder than the Italian trip last year but apparently its actually similar elevations – seems the memory for pain is short. Also, very glad it is not as hot as the rest of Spain. Meanwhile La Vuelta continues elsewhere in Spain.
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
Canola 2026 really turned it on, with perfect weather, empty roads, great organisation and comradery amongst all participants. This is a personal challenge for most who compete with two distances that allow all who cycle to participate.
Photo by Dan Hoey at Broken Media; (L-R: Martyn & Nataasha Lethbridge; Jo McInnes; Mirelle Kerrigan; Carol Dowse; John Phillips; Linda Nelson; Rob Kerrigan and Jimmy Stoichev. Missing from photo but very much participants: Claire Tyrrell; Roger Cadle and Susan Taylor.
Collette Barbour; Shirley Vine, Natalia Tsirigotis and James Fowler participated under the banner of Canola Canaries.
Of the 315 who completed the 93km circuit, Martyn finished 31st for SPR, Claire 43rd; Adam Ralph (unbranded) finished an unsurprising sixth; 222 completed the 53km distance with Mirelle coming first in the group.
Kudos to our new SPR members Jimmy, Roger and James who participated in this event.
Some of us stayed two nights in York which was so much fun – so why not make a weekend of it next year.
Upcoming Racing
- 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)
- ATTA Earlybird 1 (3 Nov)
- MCC Pickering Brook Road Race (22 Nov)
Juniors
Last week we had a very nice ride around Shelley, Manning and Rossmoyne area. We were lucky enough to catch the rain just at the end when we finished at the cafe.
The weather looks fantastic for this weekend too, so it should be a great opportunity for the kids to get out for a ride!
Saturday (29/8)
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
It is always impressive to see a large turnout in club colours. Be seen in green.
One of the reasons we like to keep the size of Saturday groups to around 15 riders, is to limit the physical length of the group on the road. Longer groups are a greater disruption to traffic, and more susceptible to being split at lights. One way to help maintain a compact group is for those on the front to delay accelerating when coming out of corners.
Saturday 29th 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 Canning Vale 42.35km SPR Saturday
Fast & Main: South Lake 51.99km 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 30th August
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Welsh Pat Lawn 65.16km SPR Sunday
Short Hills: Welsh Pat Lawn 65.16km SPR Sunday
Long Hills: Welsh Fall Forrest Patt Lawn Zigzag 89.7km SPR Sunday
Coffee – SnL,Victoria Park
Monday 31st August
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
Currently no ride scheduled – stay tuned for a new Monday ride
Tuesday 1st September
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 2nd September
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 3rd September
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 4th September
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
SPR Friday Alternate 38.43km (Shelley)
Coffee – Hoopla, Kensington