All posts by elPrez

Ride routes 23rd – 29th January

So the days have been hot and windy and it certainly feels like summer. The reprieve from the easterly’s that dominated the past 3 or more weeks is welcomed, but it feels like we still have lots of summer to go. We have, however, past the summer solstice, which was the longest day of the year. That means that from that day on, our days have actually been getting shorter. Official sunrise is now 5:32am which means that we start our earlybird ride a couple of minutes before this. Not that it is totally dark, but first light is now 5:05am which on a cloudy morning, may seem even later. So, what this is about, is safety and making sure that you get to our rides in one piece. We are not yet at the point in which lights are required for the earlybird rides, but you may need some type of lighting device if you are commuting to a pre-sunrise start. It doesn’t have to be much, just a small flasher that means cars can see you, but you can then turn off once you start the group ride. Make sure you stay safe at all times out there, especially early mornings when a tired/distracted driver may not be looking out for you.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – As the state opens up to more interstate travelers, the risk of community spread could possibly increase. Contact tracing is an important way to contain the virus in case it finds it’s way into the community. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do i get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here
We have had it pretty good in WA so far. Lets make sure that we can open up safely.

SPR kit collection – The latest run of the kit will be ready to collect at the Dome after the Saturday ride this week. If you miss that, it will be either available at R&D Speedshop or posted out depending on your preference when you ordered. The next order will open soon and will be part of our quarterly ordering cycle. Look out for more info on the website in the near future (like probably tomorrow).

AusCycling Memberships – As of November this year, Cycling Australia ceased to exist and AusCycling was formed to combine multiple disciplines of cycling together. To be part of the national organisation, our club has joined Auscycling and memberships and renewals are now available though it. As such we have updated the memberships page to reflect the membership types and approximate costs. There are now 4 types of licence – Lifestyle, Race off-road, Race all discipline & Non riding. On top of this there is also a Club Add-On where you can join SPR if you are a member of another club, like Peel or RCCC. This is similar to our Extraordinary membership (which still exists for other orgs) but has been formalised a bit.

Licence renewals – Most race licences will expire at the end of the year, or a bit after. Due to the change over between Cycling Australia and AusCycling, your membership will not automatically renew. Please make sure that you ensure that you are covered and renew you licence as soon as possible. You may not worry about racing for a while, but if you are still riding the group rides, then it will make sure you are covered till then. You can also take the opportunity to change clubs if you so desire – by that I mean change to South Perth, not leave us for another club :(. See the link to the membership page above. It is all pretty easy to follow, but reach put of you have trouble.

Tandem Pilots needed – NOW RECRUITING VOLUNTEER TANDEM PILOTS FOR VISION-IMPAIRED CYCLING – Next skills clinic Sunday 31 January.
Visit www.watcac.org/events for details and to register interest. We are a tandem cycling community that supports blind and vision impaired road cycling. We welcome all enquiries but particularly from women cyclists for this intake. We pair new pilots with blind and vision impaired riders for our fantastic 2021 Sunday cycling program. On Sunday 31st January our morning clinic will teach you how to ride up front on a tandem and partner with a blind or vision impaired stoker. No other prerequisites, just a willingness to share your love of cycling.
Can’t make the 31st? Then follow us on Facebook @WATCAC Western Australian Tandem Cycling Advisory Council or visit watcac.org

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator –  Well I’m not normally one to complain about weather but today I am going to comment that thankfully we won’t be riding into those strong easterlies for this weekend’s main ride! Woo Hoo! (Although I must say that there were quite a few Strava PRs I noted for the segments along Welshpool Rd last weekend)
Anyway, this weekend the forecast is for the opposite so we will be heading to the coast for the first part of the ride and hoping for the push home, so the scenery will be a little different.
This ride route is one that we haven’t done in a while, primarily because the stretch of road through the left bank has been redesigned and resurfaced to take out some of the old style bollards that caught many a rider in a group unawares. For those that have recently ridden the Public Holiday route that goes through there, they will know that whilst the road surface to ride on has dramatically improved, there is a still a few spots where the new “road furniture” can still be problematic to navigate if your not expecting it.
So, because we haven’t ridden the route in a while, please take the time to familiarise yourself with the route and the section referred to above. If not for your own personal safety, but for the safety of your fellow riders.
Let’s enjoy the reprieve from the easterlies this weekend, have fun and ride safely.

Saturday 23rd January

Sunday 24th January

Monday 25th January

Tuesday 26th January – Straya Day

Wednesday 27th January

Thursday 28th January

Friday 29th January

Ride routes 16th – 22nd January

The Rover Road Race of 1897 was the brainchild of Percy Armstrong, noted rider and entrepreneurial owner of the Rover Cycling Agency. The gruelling event of 116 miles over rough turn of the century roads proved popular and was later re-named The Beverley to Perth Race – or simply the “Beverley”. The Beverley was reinvented 7 years ago by SPR club member Toby Hodgson when he started the Beverley Heroic. It was an event that tried to capture the spirit of old bikes and dirt roads into a challenge for cyclists caught up in an age of carbon and lycra. Over that time it morphed into a complete weekend of cycling which was embraced by the towns of the Avon Valley. The Heroic was joined by a road race, CX race, kids town ride, and historic bike show. Toby worked hard to secure government grants and funding to support the weekend and worked closely with different clubs and organisations to help them see success for their events.
Unfortunately, the 2020 weekend was the last for the Heroic. The Sunday Heroic and Gravel rides cannot run with Traffic management costs lifting the entry price too high. Sunday riders and grants funded the weekends support to all events. Without that support the Race, CX, camping and Retro Bike show are a financial risk to their organisers. So it is with great sadness that we see the end to another cycling event in WA. SPR are currently looking into alternative locations to run the team time trial event as it provided a good warmup for the Tour of Margs. There will be a bit of a void, however, for that niche event that wanted to recreate something from the past. The club would like to thank Toby Hodgson for all his efforts over the past years and for having the vision to build something different.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – As the state opens up to more interstate travelers, the risk of community spread could possibly increase. Contact tracing is an important way to contain the virus in case it finds it’s way into the community. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do i get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here
We have had it pretty good in WA so far. Lets make sure that we can open up safely.

AusCycling Memberships – As of November this year, Cycling Australia ceased to exist and AusCycling was formed to combine multiple disciplines of cycling together. To be part of the national organisation, our club has joined Auscycling and memberships and renewals are now available though it. As such we have updated the memberships page to reflect the membership types and approximate costs. There are now 4 types of licence – Lifestyle, Race off-road, Race all discipline & Non riding. On top of this there is also a Club Add-On where you can join SPR if you are a member of another club, like Peel or RCCC. This is similar to our Extraordinary membership (which still exists for other orgs) but has been formalised a bit.

Licence renewals – Most race licences will expire at the end of the year, or a bit after. Due to the change over between Cycling Australia and AusCycling, your membership will not automatically renew. Please make sure that you ensure that you are covered and renew you licence as soon as possible. You may not worry about racing for a while, but if you are still riding the group rides, then it will make sure you are covered till then. You can also take the opportunity to change clubs if you so desire – by that I mean change to South Perth, not leave us for another club :(. See the link to the membership page above. It is all pretty easy to follow, but reach put of you have trouble.

Tandem Pilots needed – NOW RECRUITING VOLUNTEER TANDEM PILOTS FOR VISION-IMPAIRED CYCLING – Next skills clinic Sunday 31 January.
Visit www.watcac.org/events for details and to register interest. We are a tandem cycling community that supports blind and vision impaired road cycling. We welcome all enquiries but particularly from women cyclists for this intake. We pair new pilots with blind and vision impaired riders for our fantastic 2021 Sunday cycling program. On Sunday 31st January our morning clinic will teach you how to ride up front on a tandem and partner with a blind or vision impaired stoker. No other prerequisites, just a willingness to share your love of cycling.
Can’t make the 31st? Then follow us on Facebook @WATCAC Western Australian Tandem Cycling Advisory Council or visit watcac.org

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator –  Early forecasts from our friends at the BOM suggest a return of those “fresh” easterly winds for this Saturday’s ride. You remember them don’t you? 2 weeks ago when we did Morley Drive, the group I was cycling with caught one of those “fresh” gusts whilst riding and back at the coffee shop, we reflected on the admirable  skills of the riders to stay upright. This got me thinking about 3 top of mind things to consider whilst group riding in windy conditions.
1/- Communications and calling is always more difficult due to the noise in your ears so make sure you call hazards forward and back and PLEASE pass them on if you hear something being called.
2/- Whilst keeping the group tight in the peloton is always good in windy conditions, half wheeling is an absolute no no. I was literally blown sideways 2 weeks ago so please allow enough space so as to eliminate touching wheels.
3/- Don’t forget to always look up, around and past the person in front of you, even as you’ve got your teeth gritted and your head down pushing into the wind. Just like driving a car, if you’re only just looking at the wheel in front of you, you’ll miss what’s happening ahead and rely on reaction time only to keep you out of trouble. It only takes a moment of inattention for something to go wrong.
Please stay safe and look after your fellow riders

Saturday 16th January

Sunday 17th January

Monday 18th January

Tuesday 19th January

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
    • Development group – interval training kings park

Wednesday 20th January

Thursday 21st January

Friday 22nd January

Ride routes 9th – 15th January

With the formation of AusCycling there is now an additional level of membership available for riders to take out. Similar to our Extraordinary membership, the Club Add-On allows people to support another club even if they are not primary members of that club. The purpose of our Extraordinary membership was to allow people that were already members of another organisation or club, to loosely affiliate with SPR to be able to purchase kit or just provide a way of supporting the club. The Club Add-On now formalises this approach for people within the AusCycling system. This is now important as a Race all discipline licence allows you to be a member of BMX or MTB clubs, but many people still ride and train on road bikes. Our club has always been set up as a primary training/group ride club and we readily accept people from other clubs to come and ride with us. The Club Add-On gives regular riders from other clubs an opportunity to formally support the club and it’s activities. Conversely, it also give our members the opportunity to support other clubs. If you regularly race the Peel or RCCC crits, then consider the Club Add-On option as a way that you can support those clubs to continue to provide services to you as a rider.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – As the state opens up to more interstate travelers, the risk of community spread could possibly increase. Contact tracing is an important way to contain the virus in case it finds it’s way into the community. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do i get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here
We have had it pretty good in WA so far. Lets make sure that we can open up safely.

AusCycling Memberships – As of November this year, Cycling Australia ceased to exist and AusCycling was formed to combine multiple disciplines of cycling together. To be part of the national organisation, our club has joined Auscycling and memberships and renewals are now available though it. As such we have updated the memberships page to reflect the membership types and approximate costs. There are now 4 types of licence – Lifestyle, Race off-road, Race all discipline & Non riding. On top of this there is also a Club Add-On where you can join SPR if you are a member of another club, like Peel or RCCC. This is similar to our Extraordinary membership (which still exists for other orgs) but has been formalised a bit.

Licence renewals – Most race licences will expire at the end of the year, or a bit after. Due to the change over between Cycling Australia and AusCycling, your membership will not automatically renew. Please make sure that you ensure that you are covered and renew you licence as soon as possible. You may not worry about racing for a while, but if you are still riding the group rides, then it will make sure you are covered till then. You can also take the opportunity to change clubs if you so desire – by that I mean change to South Perth, not leave us for another club :(. See the link to the membership page above. It is all pretty easy to follow, but reach put of you have trouble.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator –  Wow, the world everywhere seems to be heating up right now and we are no different here in Perth with some scorching temperatures expected over the next few days. Good time to remind people to make sure they slip slop slap the sunscreen, hydrate well and look after your fellow riders if you are intending to ride this weekend. For those riding hills, looks like Sunday will be the pick of the days for riding. We’ve done our best to pick the best routes for safety this weekend but as bushfires are fluid by their very nature, please keep an eye out on DFES and emergency sites on the morning of your ride to make sure everything is OK for the ride route. Whatever riding you do this weekend, enjoy but take care in these difficult condition.

Saturday 9th January

Sunday 10th January

Monday 11th January

Tuesday 12th January

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
    • Development group – interval training kings park

Wednesday 13th January

Thursday 14th January

Friday 15th January

Ride routes 2nd – 8th January

So long. Farewell. Aufwiedersehn. Goodnight
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight.

Not that 2020 has been such a pretty sight, however. But in closing off this year, I think that we should reflect on just how lucky we have been. Lucky, not just due to the isolation of Australia, or the isolation of WA, but lucky in the fact that when some selfish return traveller has decided to skip out on the hotel quarantine, they have not been Covid positive. Lucky that, for all intents and purposes, the club is running pretty much the same as it was beforehand. Lucky that we have cycling events and races actually occurring here. Lucky that we have coffee shops that are open for sit down service. Lucky we have the ability to live life pretty much as normal. However, we also have to appreciate that we are unlucky as we can’t travel, see family and friends especially at this time of year. Technology has certainly made the world more accessible, though. Just think, that if this had occurred 10 years ago, would we have the bandwidth and programs to allow us to work/school from home and more importantly ride on Zwift.
So an arbitrary date switch does not change much, as the virus doesn’t care for your Gregorian calendar. However, 2021 looks like there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon with vaccines and the chance of open borders. So goodnight to 2020.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – As the state opens up to more interstate travelers, the risk of community spread could possibly increase. Contact tracing is an important way to contain the virus in case it finds it’s way into the community. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do i get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here
We have had it pretty good in WA so far. Lets make sure that we can open up safely.

AusCycling Memberships – As of November this year, Cycling Australia ceased to exist and AusCycling was formed to combine multiple disciplines of cycling together. To be part of the national organisation, our club has joined Auscycling and memberships and renewals are now available though it. As such we have updated the memberships page to reflect the membership types and approximate costs. There are now 4 types of licence – Lifestyle, Race off-road, Race all discipline & Non riding. On top of this there is also a Club Add-On where you can join SPR if you are a member of another club, like Peel or RCCC. This is similar to our Extraordinary membership (which still exists for other orgs) but has been formalised a bit.

Licence renewals – Most race licences will expire at the end of the year, or a bit after. Due to the change over between Cycling Australia and AusCycling, your membership will not automatically renew. Please make sure that you ensure that you are covered and renew you licence as soon as possible. You may not worry about racing for a while, but if you are still riding the group rides, then it will make sure you are covered till then. You can also take the opportunity to change clubs if you so desire – by that I mean change to South Perth, not leave us for another club :(. See the link to the membership page above. It is all pretty easy to follow, but reach put of you have trouble.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator –  OK. Hands up who got something to do with cycling in their Christmas Stocking this year! So if you haven’t had a chance to wear it, ride it or ride with it, because you’ve been away, then this weekend may be your first chance! (Given the number of Kms being chalked up on Strava that I’ve seen, perhaps that new thing has already had its first use!). Anyway, the weekend and the week ahead sees us back to a more normal schedule after the “disruption” of Christmas and New Year riding. It starts this Saturday with our regular monthly Saturday Short Hills ride. If you are planning on riding it this weekend, please note the starting time from the Coode Street car park is 6.30am. Feedback from those who are regular riders is that given it’s usually a longer ride, they are keen to get back for coffee whilst there are some of us left in the cafe, hence the need to leave 30 mins earlier. Look for Ian and Dean in the car park at 6.30. For the rest of us, we will tackle those evil Easterly winds via our Morley Drive route. Tough little finish into the wind along Mounts Bay but at least the wind should have made the incline up Morley Drive a bit more easier. Whatever cycling you do, make it a safe and enjoyable one.

Saturday 2nd January

Sunday 3rd January

Monday 4th January

Tuesday 5th January

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
    • Development group – interval training kings park

Wednesday 6th January

Thursday 7th January

Friday 8th January

Ride routes 26th Dec – 1st Jan

As we come to the end of a very interesting year, I thought that a final reflection on some of the positives was in order.
New kit design, new ride leaders jerseys, new supplier, new look for the club – This is always a significant change for the club, but this time more importantly, the Mayeur brand is owned by SPR members. This gives us an unprecedented level of service.
Group rides – we have them. After closing the club for what probably seemed like an eternity, but was really not that long, we have been back up and running with all training rides.
Online virtual AGM – As the rest of the world moved to working from home and Zoom meetings, our AGM followed suit with an online vote to elect a new committee. As people had a week to actually vote, we got more engagement this way, so something to consider for the future.
Racing – It was back earlier than the rest of the country and it was obvious that people missed it. The first few races totally sold out early and had waitlists for most grades. The current crit season is also proving quite popular.
As some of us close out the year with the Festive 500, lets hope that our Covid measures stand the test and allow us to continue as we are now. Merry Christmas to all our riders and their family’s and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – As the state opens up to more interstate travelers, the risk of community spread could possibly increase. Contact tracing is an important way to contain the virus in case it finds it’s way into the community. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do i get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here
We have had it pretty good in WA so far. Lets make sure that we can open up safely.

AusCycling Memberships – As of November this year, Cycling Australia ceased to exist and AusCycling was formed to combine multiple disciplines of cycling together. To be part of the national organisation, our club has joined Auscycling and memberships and renewals are now available though it. As such we have updated the memberships page to reflect the membership types and approximate costs. There are now 4 types of licence – Lifestyle, Race off-road, Race all discipline & Non riding. On top of this there is also a Club Add-On where you can join SPR if you are a member of another club, like Peel or RCCC. This is similar to our Extraordinary membership (which still exists for other orgs) but has been formalised a bit.

Ride Etiquette – We have an etiquette guide that has been around since our inception and forms the core of what the expectations are for you as a rider. Unlike some less organised rides that you might find running out of coffee shops, etc, we are more interested in what we expect from you as opposed to what you expect from us. For us the priority is safety and it is listed first in our guide. So if something goes wrong, we expect everyone to look after each other. Make sure riders are okay, help fix and straighten bikes, keep people out of danger. If you have been involved in a situation, do not just get on your bike and ride away. Choosing to participate in an SPR group ride means you have chosen to be part of a team. Look after each other.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator –  Woah. Gotta love that heat in the lead up to Christmas. Those that are doing the Festive 500 this year are definitely going to work off their Christmas Pudding. Most of our regular hills riders are likely to have signed up by now, so to help them out, we’ve scheduled up the longest of our short hills rides, the one that seems to take forever before you hit the base of the hills – the Brookton Weir ride. For a little bit extra you can join the long hills and see Canning Damn instead. Either ride will put a dent in the target. Oh, and don’t forget we’ve got our Public Holiday ride on MONDAY 28th! Yes it’s on Monday as that is the gazetted Boxing Day public holiday this year. So if you’re planning on following the Bonner train on Xmas day, our normal Saturday ride, do a hills ride on Sunday and back it up with the PH ride, you’ve definitely broken the back of the Festive 500. Whatever cycling you do, do it safely and look out for your fellow riders. See you in 2021! Please!
Also note – Dome will not be open on Saturday, so alternative coffee arrangements will need to be found.

Saturday 26th December – Boxing Day

Sunday 27th December

Monday 28th December – Boxing Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 29th December

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
    • Development group – interval training kings park

Wednesday 30th December

Thursday 31st December

Friday 1st January – New Years Day

Ride routes 19th – 25th December

doug has presents on hand

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. While the same jingles and jangles are being played across shopping centres around the world, just don’t listen too closely to the tone deaf words of the Band-Aid song. Christmas will be very different for many parts of the world this year (or they won’t be and that is part of the problem), but here in WA we are good to go. Whilst we usually don’t schedule a ride on Christmas day, there has been a tradition that Mr Bonner will lead a friendly paced, good will to all men, ride for those that don’t have any family commitments. Last year I think it attracted over 50 riders. As such, I have still scheduled a 5:30am ride for those that may want to crack out 100kms before hitting the Christmas Turducken. Don’t forget to dress up this Saturday, for our annual festive ride.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – As the state opens up to more interstate travelers, the risk of community spread could possibly increase. Contact tracing is an important way to contain the virus in case it finds it’s way into the community. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do i get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here
We have had it pretty good in WA so far. Lets make sure that we can open up safely.

Peter Lander. Longest stripey legs going around!

Christmas Dress Up Day – As is always the case, the last Saturday before Christmas day is our dress up day. This is an opportunity to dress up in your Christmas colours or decorate your bike with tinsel and still do the Saturday ride. Unfortunately there will be no breakfast this year as buffet style is not really considered Covid-safe. There will however, be a small presentation where the new batch of ride leaders receive their new jerseys. So get into the spirit and do something a bit different rather than just turning up in your black kit with black highlights. Make sure you hang around to congratulate the new ride leaders, as these are the people that volunteer their time to keep the rides as safe as possible.

AusCycling Memberships – As of November this year, Cycling Australia ceased to exist and AusCycling was formed to combine multiple disciplines of cycling together. To be part of the national organisation, our club has joined Auscycling and memberships and renewals are now available though it. As such we have updated the memberships page to reflect the membership types and approximate costs. There are now 4 types of licence – Lifestyle, Race off-road, Race all discipline & Non riding. On top of this there is also a Club Add-On where you can join SPR if you are a member of another club, like Peel or RCCC. This is similar to our Extraordinary membership (which still exists for other orgs) but has been formalised a bit.

Ride Etiquette – We have an etiquette guide that has been around since our inception and forms the core of what the expectations are for you as a rider. Unlike some less organised rides that you might find running out of coffee shops, etc, we are more interested in what we expect from you as opposed to what you expect from us. For us the priority is safety and it is listed first in our guide. So if something goes wrong, we expect everyone to look after each other. Make sure riders are okay, help fix and straighten bikes, keep people out of danger. If you have been involved in a situation, do not just get on your bike and ride away. Choosing to participate in an SPR group ride means you have chosen to be part of a team. Look after each other.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator –  As you would know by now (if you’ve read this far) this week is our annual Christmas Ride and we are looking to replicate what we have done on recent Christmas rides by offering alternate routes for Fast, F2 and M1 compared with M2, M3 and M4 groups. This way we are able to accelerate our departure from the car park to get everyone back to celebrate the end of the year.  For clarity Fast, F2 and M1 will be doing Benara Rd. M2,3 and 4 Stock Shelley and Transition North Lake and Shelley. So the fast groups will be off first and after they leave we will be alternating departures with the first M1 group closely followed by the first M2, then back to next M1, next M2 etc etc. It might pay for all riders to be ready to go a few minutes early as your group may be off quicker than you’re normally used to. When we get back to the coffee shop, whilst we are unable to offer a buffet breakfast due to COVID restrictions, we will be presenting certificates and jerseys to the new ride leaders so it would be appreciated if you could stick around for that one so you get to know who will be added to the list this year.I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Christmas!

Saturday 19th December – Christmas Dress Up Day

Sunday 20th December

Monday 21st December

Tuesday 22nd December

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
    • Development group – interval training kings park

Wednesday 23rd December

Thursday 24th December

Friday 25th December – Christmas day (if you don’t have any other commitments)

Ride routes 12th – 18th December

Mt Everest. The highest point in the world standing at 8848m above sea level. At altitudes of higher than 8000m climbers enter the “death zone” where the atmospheric pressure is about 1/3 of that at sea level and the winds can get up to over 200km/hr. Luckily there is not a sealed road to the top, or there would probably be a strava segment to go with it. However, the concept of being able to climb the equivalent of Mt Everest resulted in a challenge called….”Everesting”
The concept of Everesting is fiendishly simple: Pick any hill, anywhere in the world and complete repeats of it in a single activity until you climb 8,848m – the equivalent height of Mt Everest.
So that is what Adam Ralph decided to do last weekend. Ride up Lawnbrook rd in Bickley a casual 66 times. This meant a very early 3am start and a 230km, 13hr ride time. There was lots of club support along the way, including a very hot looking tiger. Well done Adam, an awesome achievement.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – As the state opens up to more interstate travelers, the risk of community spread could possibly increase. Contact tracing is an important way to contain the virus in case it finds it’s way into the community. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do i get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here
We have had it pretty good in WA so far. Lets make sure that we can open up safely.

AusCycling Memberships – As of November this year, Cycling Australia ceased to exist and AusCycling was formed to combine multiple disciplines of cycling together. To be part of the national organisation, our club has joined Auscycling and memberships and renewals are now available though it. As such we have updated the memberships page to reflect the membership types and approximate costs. There are now 4 types of licence – Lifestyle, Race off-road, Race all discipline & Non riding. On top of this there is also a Club Add-On where you can join SPR if you are a member of another club, like Peel or RCCC. This is similar to our Extraordinary membership (which still exists for other orgs) but has been formalised a bit.

Ride Etiquette – We have an etiquette guide that has been around since our inception and forms the core of what the expectations are for you as a rider. Unlike some less organised rides that you might find running out of coffee shops, etc, we are more interested in what we expect from you as opposed to what you expect from us. For us the priority is safety and it is listed first in our guide. So if something goes wrong, we expect everyone to look after each other. Make sure riders are okay, help fix and straighten bikes, keep people out of danger. If you have been involved in a situation, do not just get on your bike and ride away. Choosing to participate in an SPR group ride means you have chosen to be part of a team. Look after each other.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator –  So we’ve now had almost a month of southerlyish winds forecast for our Saturday ride and so as we always look to finish our rides with the wind behinds us, the Albany Hwy is getting an absolute caning. At least if you’re in the market for a car, you should have been able to pick the right one as you scoot down the hill past John Hughes. At least those southerly winds keep the ride a little cooler. Well that looks like finally changing this week with return of the north easterlies. Well it is summer after all.
Whats also heating up this Saturday is the fact that we are about to unleash the ride lead class of 2020 on all of you lot!! So whilst you’ve been enjoying those Southerlies, we’ve been busy with the training and prep (think SAS Australia and think the opposite to that) for them to lead their first main ride.
Please give them your support this Saturday because they are volunteering their time to create and safe and fun riding environment for you to enjoy.

Saturday 12th December

Sunday 13th December

Monday 14th December

Tuesday 15th December

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
    • Development group – interval training kings park

Wednesday 16th December

Thursday 17th December

Friday 18th December

Ride routes 5th – 11th December

Cape Heroic with Meegan Fyfield.

“Well home now after what was my longest ride to date. I did the Le Cape Heroic 300km in the best part of WA, Margaret River. We started at Margaret River up to Dunsborough, to Cape Naturaliste lighthouse, rode down my favourite road Caves Road, down to Augusta then to Cape Leewin Lighthouse and back to Margaret river via Caves Road which had the best lighting as the sun was setting. Was chuffed to share this experience with fab bunch of blokes, Greg Murray, Jon Hanson, Bryan Thurstan & Adrian Emilsen.”

Meegan became only the 2nd woman to complete the whole event since it began a few years ago. This is a unique event and on top of the kilometres is the fact that there are a number of unsealed sections to negotiate on your road bike. There were quite a few who rode this year but well done to the SPR members that headed down.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – As the state opens up to more interstate travelers, the risk of community spread could possibly increase. Contact tracing is an important way to contain the virus in case it finds it’s way into the community. Starting this Saturday, if you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do i get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here
We have had it pretty good in WA so far. Lets make sure that we can open up safely.

Juniors – Pre-Covid we had a fairly stable cohort of juniors that were riding every Saturday. We didn’t kick juniors off again straight after lockdown as we were not sure how long that freedom would last. Now coming towards the end of the year most of the regulars have other commitments/less interest in riding on a regular basis. As such we don’t really have a consistent leadership team to run it as we would like. Hopefully this may change post Christmas when the nice weather gets more people out and about, but like most of our rides, we will just play it by ear and let it develop organically.

Thursday Group Ride – There is now a fourth group available during the Thursday training ride leaving from the cityside of the narrows at 5:30am. This will be a Main 2+ speed and not the frantic pace of the rest of the Thursday groups. If you are interested in having a go at the Thursday ride and have thought it would be too fast, there is now an option for you.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator –  Just a reminder for all riders, that this weekend is the first Saturday in the month and that we have agreed to extend the popular Saturday Hills ride option for another 2 months into December and January. So if our Sunday Hills options don’t satisfy you need to be amongst our wonderful landscape to the East, then you can at least double up this weekend on both days. Whatever cycling you do this weekend, be safe.

Saturday 5th December

Sunday 6th December

Monday 7th December

Tuesday 8th December

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
    • Development group – interval training kings park

Wednesday 9th December

Thursday 10th December

Friday 11th December

Ride routes 28th Nov – 4th Dec

Released into the wild last weekend was the new ride leaders kit. A slight variation on the current kit but different enough to stand out in a crowd of green. So, you may ask “why are these people so special that they deserve a different kit?” Well they have earnt it and continue to earn it almost every week. Being a ride leader takes a bit of training, a bit of time and a lot of effort. It isn’t about being responsible for the group, as everyone on our group rides is responsible for their own and others safety, rather it is giving guidance to the group to try to make sure that everyone has a positive ride experience. What makes that hard is the sheer number of variables that they encounter. Not just traffic, wind direction, and weather, but also the fact that every single rider in the group is an unknown factor that needs to be considered. Who is dropping off, who is surging, who is a bit unsteady, the ride leader will take all of this into account and give direction to the group. They are what holds our training riders apart from other groups in Perth. They deserve the to have appreciation shown to them and that is what the jersey represents.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

Ride Leader Jersey Presentation – As the new kit has changed the look of the club we also need to refresh the look of the ride leaders. This Saturday after the main ride, any members who are ride leaders will receive their new Mayeur Ride Leader Jersey. Members of the committee will be on hand to present the jerseys in recognition of the commitment that the ride leaders make to keeping the rides safe and organised. This will take place from about 8:45am and will be around the raised platform behind the old church/school adjacent to the coffee shop. All members are welcome to help give the ride leaders the recognition they deserve.

Juniors – Pre-Covid we had a fairly stable cohort of juniors that were riding every Saturday. We didn’t kick juniors off again straight after lockdown as we were not sure how long that freedom would last. Now coming towards the end of the year most of the regulars have other commitments/less interest in riding on a regular basis. As such we don’t really have a consistent leadership team to run it as we would like. Hopefully this may change post Christmas when the nice weather gets more people out and about, but like most of our rides, we will just play it by ear and let it develop organically.

Thursday Group Ride – There is now a fourth group available during the Thursday training ride leaving from the cityside of the narrows at 5:30am. This will be a Main 2+ speed and not the frantic pace of the rest of the Thursday groups. If you are interested in having a go at the Thursday ride and have thought it would be too fast, there is now an option for you.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator – Can you believe it! It’s only 4 weeks to Christmas. Yes Christmas. For many, this weekend is the weekend that the decorations go up, around and/or inside the house. Lots of people are now starting to think about the gifts they intend to give, or how they are going to spend the time over the festive season. Many will be flat out with projects to complete, at home or at work. For some this will be a Christmas where they may be separated due to pandemic restrictions and they maybe thinking of how they are going to connect.
What’s the so what of all this Christmas stuff you may be thinking for our rides.
Well it’s pretty simple – it’s busy and this time of year people are distracted.
With safety as being one of the 4 core values that this club holds dear, it’s always important for us to look after each other when on rides, but this time of year we all need to be extra vigilant as we share the road with motorists who will also be distracted.
So if you decide to ride with us this weekend, be a little patient with others you share the road with, be supportive of your fellow riders in your group and keep safety at the forefront of your thoughts as you head out of the car park.
You’ve come so far through a tumultuous 2020, don’t spoil it now!
PS: Just 2 reminders.
Tomorrow (Friday 27) is the last Friday in the month, so the SPR Chicks ride is on again, leaving from the north side of the Narrows at 6am.
Secondly, for those ride leaders who are yet to collect their new kit, the jerseys will be available again after this Saturday’s ride at the coffee shop, from around 8.30 onwards

Saturday 28th November

Sunday 29th November

Monday 30th November

Tuesday 1st December

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
    • Development group – interval training kings park

Wednesday 2nd December

Thursday 3rd December

Friday 4th December

Ride routes 21st – 27th November

Although racing is not everyone’s cup of tea, there is an important aspect of it from the clubs perspective. That is exposure. Getting the new colours out on the road, being in amongst groups of other riders that we don’t usually ride with and having people like Gary and Eric spruik the club over the loudspeaker all plays towards others understanding what we are about. With over 700 riders at the Tour of Margs, the cross section of people was diverse, just like our club. Just think of some of the people that you regularly ride with (or just became team mates with for tomr) and whether you would have actually bumped into them outside of cycling. Odds are that a lot of people you ride with are there for the same reason, what the club can offer them. Therefore it is important to the club that we show others what we are about. What our values are. Why we have a ride leader program. Why we look after each other. If you want a ride where you smash others, have a coffee and go, then fine, but you are missing out on a lot more that the club can offer.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

Club Kit Order– The latest kit order is open until the end of this weekend with final orders on the 22nd Nov. The sizing kit is available at R&D cycles and please speak to the shop assistants if you have trouble locating any of the sizing kit. Their will be an update to the material used on the pockets of the standard & slim fit jersey, to provide less sag under “heavily loaded conditions” We won’t be accepting returns/changes on sizes for this or subsequent orders, so it’s important that club members confirm their sizing prior to placing their order. This is important as it means that it will be up to you to try to swap with someone else through internal SPR channels. So unless you have long legs and deliberately wanted the shorty short look, you need to, contact Mayeur if you want to change your order sizing.

Ride Leader Jersey Presentation – As the new kit has changed the look of the club we also need to refresh the look of the ride leaders. This Saturday after the main ride, any members who are ride leaders will receive their new Mayeur Ride Leader Jersey. Members of the committee will be on hand to present the jerseys in recognition of the commitment that the ride leaders make to keeping the rides safe and organised. This will take place from about 8:45am and will be around the raised platform behind the old church/school adjacent to the coffee shop. All members are welcome to help give the ride leaders the recognition they deserve.

Juniors – Pre-Covid we had a fairly stable cohort of juniors that were riding every Saturday. We didn’t kick juniors off again straight after lockdown as we were not sure how long that freedom would last. Now coming towards the end of the year most of the regulars have other commitments/less interest in riding on a regular basis. As such we don’t really have a consistent leadership team to run it as we would like. Hopefully this may change post Christmas when the nice weather gets more people out and about, but like most of our rides, we will just play it by ear and let it develop organically.

Thursday Group Ride – There is now a fourth group available during the Thursday training ride leaving from the cityside of the narrows at 5:30am. This will be a Main 2+ speed and not the frantic pace of the rest of the Thursday groups. If you are interested in having a go at the Thursday ride and have thought it would be too fast, there is now an option for you.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Sunday Summer Hills Start – As per the results of the feedback from the last few year, the Sunday hills rides now starts at 6am and continues this way until the end of February. The extra sunlight early on and the hotter days means a more pleasant riding experience for all. Yes, you miss out on a slight sleep in, but you will be home earlier and can have a nanna nap on the couch instead.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator –  This week we are commencing training for new ride leaders to take the club into 2021. So far this year, it’s been a tough gig for those looking to graduate in 2020. And so it has been for us looking to top up our pool of ride leaders. Our training was due to kick off around early November, but a couple of big cycling events as well as last week’s weather just happened to get in the way. So with this weekend looking relatively free of clashes (unless you’re a fan of tandem cycling with the Tandemonium event on this weekend – look it up, it’s a cause drawing attention to bike safety on roads as well as other important cycling causes) and with clear skies and a gentle breeze, there is nothing about to get it the way.
For the 9 of you that have signed up to be future ride leaders, the club and the membership say a big thank you. It’s been said more than once, that together with our core values, the ride lead program is a true differentiator for our club and our focus on it sets us apart from others. So as you see them gathering in the car park at 7am on Saturday in the vacant middle lane, give them a cheer because they are happy to volunteer their time to making our rides more enjoyable and safe in the future.

Saturday 21st November

Sunday 22nd November

Monday 23rd November

Tuesday 24th November

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
    • Development group – interval training kings park

Wednesday 25th November

Thursday 26th November

Friday 27th November