All posts by Daniel Harvey

Ride Routes 12 – 18th February

You know we want you there … don’t forget! SPR Club Photo. 7:00am 12 Feb before the Saturday ride. That’s this Saturday.

We are delighted to have the photo taken by none other than the Mr Zac Williams – Perth local and cycling photographer extraordinaire. Check out ZW Photography for more.

Please muster from 6:45am so that we can take the photo promptly at 7:00am and get the rides underway.

Important: We’d love to have as many members in the photo as possible, but there are some requirements to make the cut. In the interests of an amazing photo, uniformity is key – you know it looks better when we’re all in the same kit.

So, the rules:

  • Current Mayeur club kit only (no exceptions)
  • No bikes in the picture
  • No helmets
  • No sunglasses
  • No ride leader jerseys

Updates: We’ve had some queries back and forth from a few of you so here are some updates: First, if you don’t have the current jersey do ask around – if a loaner gets you in the picture (so to speak) who is going to complain 😎. Second, please wear plain black knicks if you don’t have the SPR knicks – we may move you round (back row anyone?) to get the best visual but we can work with that.

Mandy McEvoy

Committee updates – Most of you will know Mandy, but I would like to formally welcome her into the committee role of Membership & Communications (who would have guessed!).

Mandy has agreed to step up and take on this role until the AGM as Claire Tyrrell has needed to take a step back.

I would take the opportunity to that Claire for her contributions. We have been very thankful for the skill she brings to writing, and hope we can feature her again in the future. Thanks Claire!

Equally, as most as you will have noticed, Mandy has been adding much colour and flair to our social media presence – both on Facebook and Instagram – as well as supporting Amanda and the Women’s Interests subcommittee. Welcome Mandy.

Lights – Quick reminder regarding lights. The days are getting shorter again – keep this in mind as you head out to our EBRs.

 

 

 

Criterium racing this weekend – If you want to race, or get in on the action watching others race, read on.

1. 4Five+ Sanctuary Summer Series #3

2. WCMCC Wangara Criterium

 

From the Ride Coordinator – Was riding along Bourke Drive this week during one of the clubs training rides and our small but committed band of SPR riders came up behind another larger group of cyclists. From a fair way back we could see this group was squeezing 4-5 abreast across single lane and half wheeling. Unbelievably for a group involving myself 🤣, we were actually going faster than the group ahead and it wasn’t going to be long before we would need to call out “bikes back” and pass the group ahead. Before we made that call and before the group ahead could hear us, someone from our group spoke out to all of us, suggesting “let’s show this group how we ride at SPR and how it should be done”.  We then made the call to the group ahead, rolled around them in single file and quickly regrouped again ahead of the other group.

You might be questioning why I am telling this story, you may be even thinking “yeah that happens all the time in my rides as well”. Well, having ridden in Perth now for the last 6-7 years, it’s my view that those that have ridden with SPR understand the importance of ride etiquette to the safety of the group, especially the need to make calls, (bike/car back/ahead etc).  This ride etiquette is yet another point of difference for our club, is crucial to our core values of organised and safe and another reason why so many Perth riders choose to ride with us on our group rides. If you haven’t read it in a while, check it out here. If you’re new to the club, it’s talked through on our development rides and if you’re coming back to the club after an absence please reacquaint yourself with the expectations that we have on riding with us. It’s so much more enjoyable getting back to the coffee shop in one piece to share the story that you just helped create on the ride compared with nursing a broken bike or body back home because you or someone else didn’t make a call at the right time.

Saturday 12th February

Sunday 13th February

Monday 14th February

Tuesday 15th February

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

Wednesday 16th February

Thursday 17th February

Friday 18th February

Ride Routes 5 – 11th February

The SPR Club Photo date has been locked in. 7:00am 12 Feb before the Saturday ride.

We are delighted to have the photo taken by none other than the Mr Zac Williams – Perth local and cycling photographer extraordinaire. Check out ZW Photography for more.

Please muster from 6:45am so that we can take the photo promptly at 7:00am and get the rides underway.

Important: We’d love to have as many members in the photo as possible, but there are some requirements to make the cut. In the interests of an amazing photo, uniformity is key – you know it looks better when we’re all in the same kit.

So, the rules:

  • Current Mayeur club kit only (no exceptions)
  • No bikes in the picture
  • No helmets
  • No sunglasses
  • No ride leader jerseys

Safety first – Over the past several weeks we have unfortunately had several rides come down in the same place, and so the Committee would like to highlight this from a safety perspective.

Here is the situation: Our Thursday rides are – by design – on from the start. This is a good thing, except when this runs up against water on the road coming through an off-camber roundabout at full speed.

The issue that makes this time of year more problematic is the timing of early morning reticulation, which is the reason that water is on the road when we go through on our EBRs. We will see if this is something that can be addressed – we know that we are not the only cyclists doing early morning river loops – but that will take time and is only a request we can make.

So here is what we are asking.

Please – particularly on Thursday rides – neutralise the pace leading into and going through this roundabout.

If everybody knows, and everybody does this, the result will be a safer ride that still involves as much pain and pace overall.

Point Walter Mountain Bike Facility – The City of Melville is designing a mountain bike track at Dyoondalup Point Walter Reserve and want your feedback.

Have a read of all of the information and provide feedback online via their website here.

This current feedback closes 4.00pm Monday, 7 February 2022 so don’t delay.

Mobile phones – As a club, we love a good photo, video, even better. And we love it when you share it on SPR socials.

One thing though, taking photos and videos with your mobile phone, particularly on a group ride is a bad idea. Not to mention that the law has something to say about it.

Something to keep in mind please.

Lights – Quick reminder regarding lights. The days are getting shorter again – keep this in mind as you head out to our EBRs.

 

 

 

Criterium racing this weekend – If you want to race, or get in on the action watching others race, read on.

1. WCMCC Herne Hill Road Race

 

From the Ride Coordinator – OK, quick quiz (and there’s definitely more than 1 answer to this one): You know it’s summer in Perth when…..? If your answer is “This is the 3rd weekend in a row where the temperature for our Saturday ride has been 39 degrees or above” – then you get the bragging rights and a gold star/ribbon to go along with it. Yes folks, it’s going to be another warm one so please please prepare yourself well if you are going to ride this Saturday with us. Plenty of energy gels (if that is your thing) . I was going to say hydralytes again but I understand they are in short supply due to panic pandemic buying. But of course, please bring plenty of water and slip slip slap again!!

Just a reminder for everyone who is riding our Friday recovery ride that this week (4th February) is our first ride in the abridged version that we will be trialing for next few months. Please familiarise yourself with the new route if you intend to ride it (below) as we don’t want to have any carnage at the High Rd lights. Just a heads up, parts of Riverton Drive has some road works. Looks like the infamous “bunps” are finally being addressed after a long time of having to call out during the roll throughs. Please be aware and slow down through that section. We will also be gathering at a different spot to start the ride with the mini carpark under the south side of the narrows now dug up leaving only the narrow path to gather on. So we will now be gathering at the car park opposite on the Riverside to launch from.

Saturday 5th February

Sunday 6th February

Monday 7th February

Tuesday 8th February

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

Wednesday 9th February

Thursday 10th February

Friday 11th February

Ride Routes 29th January – 4th February

There is no time to wait if you want to secure early bird rates for the Tour de Gracetown (TdG) by Monday 31 January. Check out this link for registrations and information on the event, Saturday 22 October 2022 which offers three distances: 107km; 86km or 65km.

To register for the longer distance join team SPR. The TdG is a great opportunity for those newer to cycling to work towards this event over the year. It is also a wonderful weekend away with fellow cyclists and partners who are encouraged to come along. There will also be two social rides on the Sunday after the event.

Contact Carol via comdev@southperthrouleurs.com.au if you have any queries, want to enquire about a team for the shorter distances or have questions about accommodation for the event for yourself/partner or as a support person. Accommodation costs $75 per person for three nights or $150 for a double room.

Check back later tomorrow for the link to book accomodation.

Book accomodation on the shop here.

Getting dropped with SPR – There has been some feedback and discussion recently around group selection and the art of getting dropped with SPR (😎). So I thought it would be helpful to re-visit some our thinking as a club to ensure everyone gets the most out of our rides.

First up, almost all of our rides are intentionally **drop** rides.

It’s not that we want to leave you out on your own (though you should check the route), it’s that we have lots of groups out of the road and know that if you do get dropped there will be a group behind you, which you can join when they catch you, and which might be more suited to your capacity on the day. Our last Main ride (and Development / Transitional) are no-drop rides so that we don’t abandon you.

Have a read of our Club Training page for all the details. A key comment, ever so diplomatically put, notes that you may need “to drop back to a slower group behind you on the road if you have been overly ambitious in your original group selection.“

Here’s some perspective:

First, we are keen for you to move up groups and stretch yourself. That’s what training and group riding is all about. And feel free to sit at the back of the group and sit out of the roll through if/when you need to. As a guide, its probably not ideal that you spend 99% of every ride that way, but sitting out of the roll through is definitely OK. If you have questions about this, and how to do so safely, ask a Ride Leader or reach out online.

Equally, we know that everyone has that day when they want to take it that little bit easier. As a guide, pay attention to the group if you don’t normally ride with them, and don’t tear everyone else’s legs off because you think you’re taking it easy. Again, look to the Ride Leader if you’re unsure.

See you out on the road.

Lights – Quick reminder regarding lights. The days are getting shorter again – keep this in mind as you head out to our EBRs.

 

 

 

Free Track Sessions – We may need to defer to the experts on whether sessions at the track count towards your Festive 500, but other than that, if you (or your children) have ever thought about giving track cycling a try, then this is for you.

Midland Cycle Club is offering both Junior and Senior cyclists Three (3) Free Sessions at the Track with a fitted Track Bike. In particular, this is a good opportunity for Dad’s / Mum’s in our sport to encourage their kids to come and try cycling in a safe and controlled environment, namely being the Velodrome.

Criterium racing this weekend – If you want to race, or get in on the action watching others race, read on.

1. 4F Sanctuary Summer Series #2

2. PDCC Summer Criterium Series 2021-22 #6

From the Ride Coordinator – So a couple of updates for everyone on some of our regular rides that are not our main ride on Saturday.

Firstly, after taking a well earned break over Christmas and also the prolonged Australia Day period, our monthly Sunday gravel ride will return in the last week in February just in time to train for those considering the epic SeVen (Five or Three) event in May. I’m sure those competing in that event will want to get more than a monthly ride in, but hopefully these training days will help augment your other training for that event. So just confirming, the monthly SPR gravel ride will return on February 27th and will continue past the SeVen event throughout winter (pending its popularity of course).

For those devotees of our Friday Recovery ride we will also be trialing an amended route throughout February and March to the long standing route that will take out the ever increasingly dangerous intersection at the corner of Nicholson Rd and Bannister Rd that has seen a number of near misses on the ride route due to faster moving traffic coming down the hill on Nicholson Rd. You can see the modified version here. After the Shelley sprint the route will now turn left onto High Rd and continue to the end of this road before rejoining the existing route at the Nicholson Rd roundabout. The route is roughly 4kms shorter and the route length of 38kms is also more appropriate for what we are trying to promote as a genuine recovery ride after the Thursday RL ride. We will be trialing the new route and distance from February 4th until the end of March at which point we will review the future of the route with the the committee and membership.  So if you are in anyway nostalgic about the changing of routes, you may want to join us tomorrow for the last ride along the old route (including the Willeri bump and Bannister Rd) as it will be the last one for at least a few months.

Finally, an early heads up, for those who ride regularly on Sunday, stay tuned for some new ride routes being uploaded and chosen over the coming weeks. The ride lead subcommittee and some of our members have been busy over the summer in mapping some new ride routes. So whilst they are not yet loaded, we are just trying to whet your appetite for some new rides in the very near future. Stay tuned.

Saturday 29th January

Sunday 30th January

Monday 31st January

Tuesday 1st February

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

Wednesday 2nd February

Thursday 3rd February

Friday 4th February

Ride Routes 22nd – 28th January

A very small group of the SPR chicks

As I went looking for the photo above to remind you all about our SPR Chicks Monthly Coffee Ride coming up again Friday week, I decided to see how far back the “SPR chicks” name goes.

It turns out, it goes back a reasonable way – this second photo dates back to 2013. And whilst we have lots more women riding with us today, all of these faces will be familiar to many of you – even if we have lost some to the eastern states 🙁

All the details:

  • SPR Chicks Monthly Coffee Ride
    Friday 28 January, 6 – 7am
    Meet under Narrows (cityside)

This is an easy conversational paced ride (approx 25 km/hr on flat) with new/beginner riders & all types of bikes welcome. The ride finishes with coffee at Botanicals Cafe in Kings Park for 7am.

Facebook event here.

Quick reminder regarding lights. The days are getting shorter again – keep this in mind as you head out to our EBRs.

 

 

 

Free Track Sessions – We may need to defer to the experts on whether sessions at the track count towards your Festive 500, but other than that, if you (or your children) have ever thought about giving track cycling a try, then this is for you.

Midland Cycle Club is offering both Junior and Senior cyclists Three (3) Free Sessions at the Track with a fitted Track Bike. In particular, this is a good opportunity for Dad’s / Mum’s in our sport to encourage their kids to come and try cycling in a safe and controlled environment, namely being the Velodrome.

Criterium racing this weekend – If you want to race, or get in on the action watching others race, read on.

1. RCCC Australia Day Criterium

2. SheRace WA Come & Try Criterium Session (part of Australia Day crit)

3. WCMCC DRMC Criterium

From the Ride Coordinator – OK, I think I spoke too soon last week when I was “waxing lyrical” about the perfect weather we were expecting (& gratefully received) for the weekend riding. I hinted that those that like it hot need not worry because the forecast was for a few days in the middle of the week that were hot. What I didn’t anticipate though was for yet another recording breaking heatwave to hit so quickly after our recent Christmas baking! And I’m sorry to say – it’s definitely here for this weekend.

It would be stating the absolute obvious to say that if you are intending to ride this weekend please please please make sure you look after your hydration needs. To this end, everyone is a little different but in high 30s temperatures (which it’s likely to be during our rides because of the high overnight temps ) you’re going to need to plan for a little extra.  Maybe this weekend it’s time for the frozen water bottles and/or the hydralyte supplements to get you through. Maybe it’s the extra large water bottles x 2. Whatever it is that helps you get through the heat, please give it some thought before you ride this weekend.

Speaking of hot – I think I’ve mentioned over the last few weeks that a club expectation around respecting each other is a key element of the ride etiquette that we expect all riders to abide, regardless of who you are. So the hot weather can more easily bring out tensions/frustrations when riding as we get more tired and irritable (especially if you’re struggling to sleep in between). We would just ask every rider to be aware of this ongoing but especially over this weekend when riding on our rides. We all have different motivations for riding and sometimes mistakes can be made but please make sure we treat each other with the respect we all deserve. Keeping cool and keeping your cool go hand and hand this week. Enjoy!

Saturday 22nd January

Sunday 23rd January

Monday 24th January

Tuesday 25th January

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

Wednesday 26th January – Australia Day Public Holiday

Thursday 27th January

Friday 28th January

Ride Routes 15th – 21st January

This week a shout-out to women’s racing in Perth. We had a most excellent turn-out at the Tour of Margaret River, with opportunities at all levels for racing.

And now in January, we have some more excellent opportunities.

First up, 4F is running a Summer Criterium series – starting this Saturday – and running over three Saturdays (15/Jan, 29Jan and 12/Feb).

Then RCCC is running a SheRace WA Come & Try criterium session as part of the Australia Day criterium on 26 January.

SPR has three teams entered in the 4F series, so head out to Midvale SpeedDome to this Saturday afternoon from 4:30pm (first crit at 6pm).

And don’t forget our SPR Chicks Monthly Coffee Ride coming up next on Friday 28 January.

Free Track Sessions – We may need to defer to the experts on whether sessions at the track count towards your Festive 500, but other than that, if you (or your children) have ever thought about giving track cycling a try, then this is for you.

Midland Cycle Club is offering both Junior and Senior cyclists Three (3) Free Sessions at the Track with a fitted Track Bike. In particular, this is a good opportunity for Dad’s / Mum’s in our sport to encourage their kids to come and try cycling in a safe and controlled environment, namely being the Velodrome.

Criterium racing this weekend – If you want to race, or get in on the action watching others race, read on.

1. 4F Sanctuary Summer Series #1

2. PDCC Summer Criterium Series 2021-22 #5

3. WCMCC Wangara Criterium

From the Ride Coordinator – Well what a summer we have had so far. Took a little while to kick into gear but we reached overdrive over Christmas and New Year, just in time for those pushing through for the Festive 500.

For those that like your riding temperature hot, you won’t have to wait very long before our next wave of heat kicks in but for those that like it “just right” or perhaps a little cooler then this weekend is the one for you. With the forecast for Saturday in the high 20’s and Sunday in the low 30s we are expecting some strong numbers again this weekend. 

With numbers expected to be big this weekend, you can do your best to prepare yourself for the ride. Everything that the club expects from those that ride with us is detailed here, in the ride etiquette page. Apart from the obvious things like keeping your bike in good order and obeying the road rules, bringing a positive attitude really contributes to the group as well as a sense of fun. I know there are some serious riders with some serious goals but our rides are not races and the person next to you can really help you out so perhaps consider them part of your team for the time you are out there as opposed to someone I can smash during the ride.  The importance of listening to your ride leader was the theme of last weeks post, this one’s about what all riders can bring to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the rides and we all have a part to play in that.

Saturday 15th January

Sunday 16th January

Monday 17th January

Tuesday 18th January

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

Wednesday 19th January

  • Ride starts Raffles bike path at 5:30am
  • Rides start at Coode St carpark at 10:00am
    • Mid-week – <not this week>

Thursday 20th January

Friday 21st January

Ride Routes 8 – 14th January

It has been most excellent to see lots of green at the crits recently. Even better that I know many of the faces are new to racing and/or criterium racing.

Not to mention that the C Grade podium at the most recent RCCC Twilight Criteriums (#5) was all green. Well done to Daryl Puyales (1st), Mike Harper (2nd) and Shae Watmore (3rd).

Nicely done.

Festive 500 – Now I can’t be sure (not every SPR member is a member of the the SPR Strava club) but I am pretty certain line honours go to Marcus Van Dalen on 1,007km, followed by Stefanie Van Amerongen on 803.6km, elPrez on 701.3km and Jake Harper 700.0km.

And again, I can’t be certain but it looks like around 60 SPR members got over the line with 500+kms.

Well done. Seriously festive.

[Update #1]: I did say it was difficult. Go on Marcus, join the SPR Strava club 🙂 Line honours updated to reflect the Festive 1,000 result from Marcus Van Dalen. I did say we had some seriously festive km going on. I remember talking to Marcus at Christmas – it seems he kept to the plan!

Free Track Sessions – We may need to defer to the experts on whether sessions at the track count towards your Festive 500, but other than that, if you (or your children) have ever thought about giving track cycling a try, then this is for you.

Midland Cycle Club is offering both Junior and Senior cyclists Three (3) Free Sessions at the Track with a fitted Track Bike. In particular, this is a good opportunity for Dad’s / Mum’s in our sport to encourage their kids to come and try cycling in a safe and controlled environment, namely being the Velodrome.

Criterium racing this weekend – There are some good options, with racing this weekend and the twilight crit series continuing.

1. WCMCC Criterium (Motorplex)

2. RCCC Twilight Criteriums # (Perth Airport)

For women racers, entries have closed for the 4Five+ Sanctuary Summer Series being held 15/Jan, 29Jan and 12/Feb (with more details here). SPR has a number of teams entered. Enjoy!

From the Ride Coordinator – 2022 got off to a flying start last weekend as the groups searched high and low for those elusive TV Stations ( I swear I saw them once many years ago 😁) Numbers were really good considering it was the 1st January.

We are back to full swing this weekend and expect group numbers to increase again  with those coming back from their holidays and perhaps those that have a cycling goal as part of their New Years resolution. It’s important for all of us to reflect and recognise that we have a “broad church” across our membership base and everyone has different motivations for riding. Some of us ride for the social aspect, some of us to push harder for a new goal, for many of us it’s part of heathy lifestyle choices. But whatever motivation that you have for riding with SPR, please be aware that one of our core values as a club is to get you back back to the coffee shop/or your home in one piece. To this end, we have something unique relating to organizational safety that is the envy of other cycling clubs and one which many  have tried to emulate – our troup of wonderful, dedicated and often passionate ride leaders who in many cases sacrifice their own goals and ride preference to focus on safety whilst we are all out there enjoying ourselves. In the coming weeks we will be calling for any members who may want to assist along the way, but we thought it would be a good start to the year to acknowledge just what they do week in and week out as volunteers. So perhaps this weekend, if you enjoy your ride – give them some acknowledgment. You may want to shout them a coffee if you loved the ride. But for many, it’s just simple thanks that keeps them fronting up again and again throughout the year. So if you think about it – just let them know that you appreciate what they do because without them our clubs values of organised, safe, social and inclusive  would be just that more difficult to achieve.

Saturday 8th January

Sunday 9th January

Monday 10th January

Tuesday 11th January

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

Wednesday 12th January

  • Ride starts Raffles bike path at 5:30am
  • Rides start at Coode St carpark at 10:00am
    • Mid-week – <not this week>

Thursday 13th January

Friday 14th January

Ride Routes 1st – 7th January

So here is hoping that you all have had a wonderful Christmas week, with friends and family, not to mention downtime and riding (sometimes but not always one and the same thing), and perhaps even a cycling gift or three. Perhaps use the downtime to ponder the n+1 rule 🙂

The photo above was taken from the Bonner’s Christmas Special, which has become a very popular way to start Christmas Day, with 100-ish riders joining us for a very casual loop out to Cottesloe and back.

Thank you to all who have been part of SPR for 2021. I for one am enjoying some leave and downtime. It has truly been an interesting year, with WA in the main shielded from the impacts of COVID-19 and the lockdowns that have been very much a part of life in other parts of Australia. For each of you, I trust that the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 is a restful time, with time to relax, and space to reflect on the many good things life in our city has for each of us. Cycling may only be part of life, but certainly for me it is a hugely significant part – everything from time spent with friends, time away from the stuff that often crowds my life, time to stretch myself racing, and not to mention the opportunity to maintain my health & fitness. I know for many of you it is the same.

Enjoy your New Year. Feel free to join us for our New Years Day rides (normal Saturday – Dome is open).

Then join us again for the Public Holiday rides on Monday.

Dome is open Saturday – Just a reminder that Dome will be open Saturday (New Years Day) after the ride. No surcharge.

I can’t promise Toby will be there so this picture may have to suffice. But the coffee will be fresh and the breakfast menu ready and willing to be of service.

See you there.

Festive 500 – Personally, I started well and then an old back injury flared up putting my Christmas riding on hold 🙁

It seems many at SPR have not been similarly afflicted, and have put in some serious kms.

One day to go, and we have some 34 SPR members who has clocked the 500 already, with Mr Vice President, in at number 35 and saving himself 8km for the final day.

First place so far goes to Jake Harper on 639.9 km. Keep in mind though, late minutes changes are not unusual. You have to ride the kms by the end of tomorrow (New Years Eve) but you have some space to upload to Strava after the end – it has been known for riders to delay uploading that last ride to avoid late minute challengers heading out for an extra ride. You have been warned 🙂

Masks Again – Unfortunately, COVID is still with us, and as most of you will have seen, we need to bring out our masks again for coffee after the ride.

It should only be for a couple of days, but don’t forget 🙂

Free Track Sessions – We may need to defer to the experts on whether sessions at the track count towards your Festive 500, but other than that, if you (or your children) have ever thought about giving track cycling a try, then this is for you.

Midland Cycle Club is offering both Junior and Senior cyclists Three (3) Free Sessions at the Track with a fitted Track Bike. In particular, this is a good opportunity for Dad’s / Mum’s in our sport to encourage their kids to come and try cycling in a safe and controlled environment, namely being the Velodrome.

Criterium racing this weekend – There are some good options, with racing this weekend and the twilight crit series continuing.

1. PDCC Summer Criterium Series #4 (Garden Island)

2. RCCC Twilight Criteriums #5 (Perth Airport)

For women racers, entries are open for the 4Five+ Sanctuary Summer Series being held 15/Jan, 29Jan and 12/Feb (with more details here).

From the Ride Coordinator – At this time of year, I’m always reminded of the words from that famous Lennon song “…another year over and a new one just begun…” and for our SPR main rides you can’t get any earlier than the 1st of January. As the 1st this year falls on news years day, we thought we would run our normal ride programme for this week. We are a little uncertain as to how many riders will turn up so we have scaled back the number of ride lead groups accordingly but we still think that we will have enough on the day for those eager to work off the Christmas pudding or have eaten too many ham/turkey/chicken sandwiches over the last week. So for those that are not planning a big night the night before and/or who are not somewhere else in the state, come join us for what is usually the most quiet traffic conditions that you will experience on one of our rides throughout the whole of the year.

Saturday 1st January

Sunday 2nd January

Monday 3rd January – “New Years Day” Public Holiday

Tuesday 4th January

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

Wednesday 5th January

  • Ride starts Raffles bike path at 5:30am
  • Rides start at Coode St carpark at 10:00am
    • Mid-week – <not this week>

Thursday 6th January

Friday 7th January

Ride Routes 25th – 31st December

The SPR Annual Christmas Ride was last Saturday, and we have the photos to prove it (check them all out here).

Thank you to all who either dressed up, or cheered on those who did. It was a most excellent ride. I maintain that my performance was significantly impacted by the tinsel drag factor. It’s my story and I’m sticking with it.

We followed the ride with the announcement of our annual awards for 2021. It was quite a buzz to recognise everything from Most Inspirational Rider through to a truly Epic Moment. And the rest. Join me in celebrating our winners below.

“People’s Choice” via the Club Survey
  • Most Inspirational Rider – Adam Ralph
  • Most Improved Rider
    – Amy Currie
  • Ride Leader Award – Steve Burns
  • Volunteer Award –
    Mandy McEvoy
  • Good Samaritan –
    Andrew Ballam
  • Epic Moment –
    Mandy McEvoy

Committee Awards
  • Race Award Female – Rebecca Kelly
  • Race Award Male – Shae Watmore

  • President’s Award – Steve Burns
  • Club Participant of the Year – Michelle Bonner
  • Club Participant of the Year – Mark de Castro

(**) Both racers were away, so no photos 🙁

Best Dressed Awards
  • Best Dressed Rider – Tom Goerke
  • Best Dressed Bike – Nicki du Plessis’ Trek (+elf) (**)


Finally, congratulations to our award survey lucky draw winner, Maurice Hermann!

(**) Sorry… I failed to get a photo of the winning bike!!!

Masks Again – Unfortunately, COVID is still with us, and as most of you will have seen, we need to bring out our masks again for coffee after the ride.

It should only be for a couple of days, but don’t forget 🙂

Public Holiday Warning – With Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day falling this year on weekends there will be a fews things to take note of in this and next week’s ride routes, both for our rides and for Dome’s opening hours across the break.

Rides – all the details below, but we have a new Public Holiday ride route to try for our Tuesday ride. See you there!

Coffee – Dome will be closed 25, 26 and 27 December public holidays but OPEN on Tuesday 28th and OPEN News Years Day.

Free Track Sessions – We may need to defer to the experts on whether sessions at the track count towards your Festive 500, but other than that, if you (or your children) have ever thought about giving track cycling a try, then this is for you.

Midland Cycle Club is offering both Junior and Senior cyclists Three (3) Free Sessions at the Track with a fitted Track Bike. In particular, this is a good opportunity for Dad’s / Mum’s in our sport to encourage their kids to come and try cycling in a safe and controlled environment, namely being the Velodrome.

If you are interested or have questions, please email president@midlandcycleclub.com.au.

Festive 500 – Don’t forget the the Rapha Festive 500 starts tomorrow.

Eight days. 500km. 24th – 31st December.

Criterium racing this weekend – It’s Christmas in case you had not noticed, so not much going on in terms of racing this weekend, but there is a twilight crit next week.

1. RCCC Twilight Criteriums #4 (Perth Airport)

For women racers, entries are open for the 4Five+ Sanctuary Summer Series being held 15/Jan, 29Jan and 12/Feb (with more details here).

From the Ride Coordinator – They say a week is a long time in politics, so to it is for a cycling club trying to navigate through a very hot festive season with the threat of a looming Covid outbreak.

Firstly let’s tackle the extreme heat conditions that are forecast for the next few days. On Christmas Day, the Bonners Christmas Day ride will now commence at 6am to assist in mitigating the heat later in the morning.  Sunday Hills rides (on Boxing Day) will depart as normal at their 6am Summer time schedule.

With the heat also forecast to be around for both public holiday rides on Monday and Tuesday, we did deliberate with changing, but ultimately decided to keep these unchanged at 7am to allow the EBR to remain at a respectable 5:30am.

But please be aware that we have some ***hot*** temperatures forecast. Do consider adequate hydration (before, during and after the rides) and well as protection from the sun.

Finally, we will be introducing a new “PH ride – North” route that is scheduled up for Tuesday morning. So if you are planning on riding Tuesday, please familiarize yourself with the route and don’t rely on others to tell you where to go on the day.

Saturday 25th December

Sunday 26th December

Monday 27th December – “Christmas Day” Public Holiday

Tuesday 28th December – “Boxing Day” Public Holiday

Wednesday 29th December

  • Ride starts Raffles bike path at 5:30am
  • Rides start at Coode St carpark at 10:00am
    • Mid-week – <not this week>

Thursday 30th December

Friday 31st December

Ride Routes 18 – 24th December

The SPR Annual Christmas Ride is this Saturday. The votes are in, and we look forward to sharing the winners with you all. Join us at DOME after the ride for breakfast, coffee and the award presentations.

Don’t forget to come along for the ride in Christmas dress – there is a prize for the best dressed bike and/or cyclist. The picture above goes back a few years (2014 actually), but can perhaps serve as inspiration for 2021. Get your Christmas best ready for our Christmas ride Saturday.

*** Important *** Please see the ride routes section below as we juggle rides and routes for special events like this one to see everyone arrive back at close to the same time so no one misses out on the proceedings.

See you there.

Public Holiday Early Warning – With Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day falling this year on weekends there will be a fews things to take note of in next weeks ride routes, both for our rides and for Dome’s opening hours across the break.

Rides – all the details next week, but we will see the return of the Bonner’s Christmas Day ride, as well as the release of an all new Public Holiday ride given that we will have two Public Holidays in a row on 27 and 28 December.

Coffee – Dome will be closed 25, 26 and 27 December public holidays but OPEN on Tuesday 28th and OPEN News Years Day.

More details next week.

The Rotary Tour of the Blackwood 2022 is set for 12 March 2022. It is a timed event over undulating terrain offering three distances: 134km (elevation 1,700m) or 65km (elevation 841m) or 30km.

The accommodation around Bridgetown is going quickly and although registrations are yet to open, if you are interested you will need to book accommodation as soon as possible as most can be cancelled. For more details about the event including accommodation please check out their web site https://www.blackwoodtour.info/.

For more SPR specific queries please email race@southperthrouleurs.com.au. 

Note that this ride is on the same time as the CanTeen ride for which some have already registered.

Criterium racing this weekend – If you’re interested in racing this weekend, you have options.

1. RCCC Summer Criteriums #3 (Perth Airport)

2. West Coast Masters Wangara criterium

Keep in mind that entries close Saturday midday.

And don’t forget that RCCC’s twilight criterium series continues this Tuesday. Details and entry here.

For women racers, entries are open for the 4Five+ Sanctuary Summer Series being held 15/Jan, 29Jan and 12/Feb (with more details here).

From the Ride Coordinator – So before we get into the detail this week, just a big Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our regular riders/members. This weekend will be our last main Saturday ride for the year with the following Saturday being Christmas Day. Whilst the Bonners will be once again hosting a morning ride, there won’t be an organised main ride scheduled for that day for obvious reasons. However we will be back for an organised main ride on New Years Day, but more on that next week.

So all of that means that this weekend is our official Christmas ride. We will be running this a little different this weekend but similar to the last few years. In an attempt to get everyone away fast and efficiently so you can enjoy the festivities and presentations back at Dome, we will be once again scheduling 2 different ride routes. We will be having the Fast, F2 and M1 ride groups heading towards Freo and back through Canning Vale, whilst our M2,3,4 and transition riders will be heading out to Abernethy Rd. We will also be alternating departure from the Coode Street carpark as follows:

Grp 1, Fast – freo & canning vale 52.11km spr saturday
Grp2, Fast 2 – as above
Grp 3, M1.1 – as above
Grp 4, M2.1 – abernethy rd 48.21km spr saturday
Grp 5, M1.2 – freo & canning vale 52.11km spr saturday
Grp 6, M2.2 – abernethy rd 48.21km spr saturday
Grp 7, M1.3 – freo & canning vale 52.11km spr saturday
Grp 8, M3 – abernethy rd 48.21km spr saturday
Grp 9, M1.4 – freo & canning vale 52.11km spr saturday (note this becomes a no drop ride)
Grp 10, M4 – abernethy rd 48.21km spr saturday
Grp 11, Transition – trans abernethy 39.96km spr saturday
Grp 12, Development – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday

Sequencing like this means that groups don’t have to wait 1-2 mins to leave (apart from Fast2 and M1.1 and Transition) as they can queue up immediately behind the group in front as it will be going in a different direction at Mill Point Rd lights. Again the idea is to get everyone back to the coffee shop to celebrate Christmas with each other.

At the end of the ride, we are also going to ask ALL groups to proceed all the way down Riverside Drive and up Barrack Street. We are aware of the preference for M2,3,4 and transition to turn up Victoria Avenue but on Saturday you may find some of those groups with a faster group behind them on the sprint so the last thing we need is riders pulling across a lane in front of each other and causing mayhem, so for this week we ask all groups to keep going until the end.

Saturday 18th December

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Hills ride starts at Coode st carpark at 6:30am
    • Short Hills – <not this week>
  • All rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am

Sunday 19th December

Monday 20th December

Tuesday 21st December

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

Wednesday 22nd December

  • Ride starts Raffles bike path at 5:30am
  • Rides start at Coode St carpark at 10:00am
    • Mid-week – <not this week>

Thursday 23rd December

Friday 24th December

Ride Routes 11 – 17th December

The Rotary Tour of the Blackwood 2022 is set for 12 March 2022. It is a timed event over undulating terrain offering three distances: 134km (elevation 1,700m) or 65km (elevation 841m) or 30km.

The accommodation around Bridgetown is going quickly and although registrations are yet to open, if you are interested you will need to book accommodation as soon as possible as most can be cancelled. For more details about the event including accommodation please check out their web site https://www.blackwoodtour.info/.

For more SPR specific queries please email race@southperthrouleurs.com.au. 

Note that this ride is on the same time as the CanTeen ride for which some have already registered.

SPR Annual Christmas Ride – This picture goes back a few years (2014 actually), but can perhaps serve as inspiration for 2021. So get your Christmas best ready for our Christmas ride to be held 18 December.

And don’t forget to vote! Each year SPR recognises riders and volunteers for their achievements and contributions to all things cycling. Please give a few minutes to nominate these individuals in a quick survey via this link. There is a prize of nutritional goodies for cyclists for one lucky responder so don’t delay.

The awards will be announced and presented at our Annual Christmas Ride to be held on 18 December 2021. Come along for the ride in Christmas dress – there is a prize for the best dressed bike and/or cyclist.

And join us at DOME after the rider for breakfast, coffee and the award presentations.

Any queries, get in touch with Carol at comdev@southperthrouleurs.com.

Criterium racing this weekend – If you’re interested in racing this weekend, you have options.

1. PDCC Summer Criterium Series #3 (Alumina Road, Rockingham)

2. West Coast Masters DRMC criterium

Keep in mind that entries close Friday evening / Saturday midday respectively.

And don’t forget that RCCC’s twilight criterium series continues this Tuesday. Details and entry here.

From the Ride Coordinator – For all those who rode during this week we definitely got had some warmish mornings to start with and a continuation of those wicked easterlies from last weekend all through the first part of the week. At least for this weekends ride we will experience a respite to those easterlies in the form of south to south westerlies arriving. That will also cool the temperatures down for the rides so expect numbers to be big for the groups this weekend.

Something to be aware of for both the Friday ride AND our choice of main ride for Saturday is the road works that have commenced as you turn off the Leach Highway onto Webb Street in Rossmoyne. For the last few weeks we have been signaling works are about to commence and at last glance (about 5pm Thursday),  the road is open but they have “skinned” the surface, making it rough as you turn off Leach. Please be aware of this and slow down on the turn. It’s expected that the road will be open, it’s just a little more dangerous to navigate than normal so please exercise caution on the approach.

One last thing to mention is that it has been reported that there were quite a mechanical issues reported during last weekends main and hills rides.  Whilst many of these are difficult to anticipate (& I’m not talking flat tyres here), it is encouraged in our ride etiquette page (click here to view) that all riders riding SPR rides are aware of the importance of good maintenance for their bikes. This is not just because of the disruption that can occur to the ride if a mechanical is experienced, it is also that sometimes these issues can lead to safety issues and crashes on rides. So please be aware that it is expected that you will have a well maintained bike for riding with SPR.

Saturday 11th December

Sunday 12th December

Monday 13th December

Tuesday 14th December

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

Wednesday 15th December

  • Ride starts Raffles bike path at 5:30am
  • Rides start at Coode St carpark at 10:00am
    • Mid-week – <not this week>

Thursday 16th December

Friday 17th December