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  • flashpixx started the topic Saturday 14th Feb Transitional Ride in the forum General Discussion 9 years, 10 months ago

    Hello SPR

    Want to share an experience as a solo rider encountering what I think was the Feb 14 Saturday morning SPR trans group ride.

    Riding south on Victoria Ave Dalkeith (Tennis Courts on left – slight inline) I was passed by the group – sort of.

    About half way through the pass it seems the ride leader struggled to maintain pace and the group slowed. I ended up mid bunch, no problems I just kept pace and let things sort themselves out.

    Some observations:

    None of the riders let me know they were there, for us solo riders being passed by a group it is disconcerting when more riders just keep coming! “On yer right” from someone would have been great. “Group on your right even better!”

    When the leader slowed, others passed her, riders jostled and juggled for position. There was no talking that I could hear. The poor ride leader who was clearly struggling was left for dead. What is the group ride policy – does the ride wait for slower riders or abandon them? This poor lass was clearly abandoned.

    There seemed to be no effort to regroup later on. I passed groups of 3 or 4 riders further along the ride.

    I actually came across the lass and another rider, both in SPR gear, riding along the foreshore bike path in South Pert / Vic Park. I guess they abandoned??

    I have been contemplating coming on a SPR ride, but after witnessing this I’m not sure.

    This is not intended to be a spiteful or complaining message, however I am sharing my experiences for the club to do with with ever they deem appropriate.

    See you on the road. Ride safe 🙂

    Regards, Gordon

    • Hi Gordon,

      I appreciate the effort you have made in advising of this incident. This positively helps us sort out problems with ride management and improves the level of riding in the club in all groups.

      I was the ride leader for SPR Transitional group on Sat 14 ride and we rode along Victoria Ave as did our Fast and M1 to M4 groups.

      The section of the ride for SPR Trannies from Christ Church School roundabout to the Waratah Ave war memorial is done as a “solo time trial” rather than a massed group ride. The regroup point for the end of this solo TT is at the UWA bus stop at the bottom The Avenue. On the day all members of the SPR Trannies group (8 at this stage) regrouped and we rode back for coffee at Dome Café.

      On the solo TT section, I rode with the slower riders at the back of the group until we all regrouped.

      Safety and good riding etiquette is of paramount importance to our club and the ride briefing by ride leaders before each ride highlights this.

      I would like to meet with you and do encourage you to come riding with us next Sat if possible. I feel that you could play a significant role in getting the good riding message through and assisting in setting the right standard.

      Hope to see you soon.

      Regards

      Brett Robson, M: 0401279839

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