Those that have raced the UWCT course or come along for a Saturday morning practise will have an appreciation for the difficulty we faced on day 4.

▪ Lapping the usual Saturday morning loop for 8 laps is tough

▪ Riding up the extra climb to the amphitheatre 13 times is really tough

▪ 14 laps, or 115km, with 13 climbs averaging over 42km/h is brutal

By day four of the Tour it was down to 130 starters with lots of tired legs amongst the group. The additional climb (to the usual saturday morning loop) along the steep goat track (near the Quarry Amphiheatre)  was as much about fitness as it was about positioning. Some laps I got it right and was able to enter the climb in the first third, sit in the pack over the hill and be rewarded with a comfortable ride. Some Laps I got it wrong with no way through and I had to dodge wheels, missed gear changes or dropped chains. The group would string out along West Cost Hwy and I had a few nightmare full gas efforts to get back to the bunch, that was not something I could do 13 times.

The first half of the race was solid, I managed to miss a pretty large crash at 50kmph on lap one with a bit of skidding and evasive manoeuvring, you’d think that riders at this level wouldn’t touch wheels or swerve for no reason, but it happens, I think small movements add-up as they ripple through the peleton, in fact, it happened on each stage. I maintained a good position for the first five laps but slipped back once or twice over the next few laps and noticed how much smaller the peleton had gotten, it must halved between laps 6 – 10.

The second half of the race was a bit less hectic with fewer riders but was no less difficult, my legs were fatiguing and the climbs were getting harder each lap but it was great to see the remaining SPR riders, Dave Hind and Jono Bolton looking so comfortable. If you ride with these guys on a SPR route, you’re getting to ride alongside (but probably mostly behind!) some genuinely gifted cyclists capable of mixing it with Australia’s best. I tailed off the back of the group along west coast hwy on lap 13 leaving me a lap’s worth of TT effort, the SPR members standing at the top of the amphitheatre were encouraging as a I rolled over by myself for the last time…..I appreciated the support!

I finished the stage 4min+ behind the peleton, lost over the last lap, but i was happy to hang on for so long and to complete the tour, final results show how difficult those 4 days were with 77 finishers of the 150+ starters!

Strava – Stage 4 – Training Peaks

I’ve learnt some great race craft, more about how my body works and what i need/shouldn’t do whilst preparing for riding and racing, overall, a great experience that I’m sure will assist me in the future. Thanks to SPR for all the support and the Hall Cycle Training Team for providing the opportunity to race with a great bunch of guys.

I have to say thanks (once more!) to the teams sponsors!

Logic Networks Australia – Respiratory West – Industry Mates – Steadyrack – Momentum Health Solutions – Muzz Buzz – Terrain Dynamics – Unicorn Brewery – Hall Cycling Training

TT’ing is an awful way to spend your time, away from any external motivation it becomes a mental game of going hard, but keeping your effort as sustainable as possible.

Heading over to rotto for the day is, honestly, a bit of a pain in the arse with the bikes, gear, trainers etc and it involves an early start and a lot of sitting around. arriving on the island there were many familiar faces over for the UWCT time trail and we setup at the Dome Cafe to watch them roll out and await our turn.

I remember riding around rottenest as a child, it took all day, the hills were mountains and you needed online casino a packed lunch! The cramping from thursday”s kalamunda stage had left my legs sore and tight, a 30min warmup on the trainer helped to loosen the muscles before I headed to the start ramp a little worried about my time and with a goal of not cramping  over the 19km course I set out and settled in for ~27-29 minutes of misery. Tthe 45 second gaps ensure that most people don’t get to see the rider in front or behind them internalising the effort and providing no rabbits for me to chase.

The course had a fair head/crosswind and much of the route is lumpy not allowing you to settle into a rhythm…. the tight corners and surprise quokka”s for most of the keeps things interesting…today i managed 27:50 at 41km/h on the roady…enough for 70th position from 140 starters…a mid pack finish at this level was more than enough to keep my happy and, thankfully, the ride was cramp free. the leader, joe cooper scorched around at nearly 50km/h, humbling.

Cycling Central have a great clip – Cycling Central

Stage 3 – Training Peaks

I have to say thanks (again!) to the teams sponsors!

Logic Networks Australia – Respiratory West – Industry Mates – Steadyrack – Momentum Health Solutions – Muzz Buzz – Terrain Dynamics – Unicorn Brewery – Hall Cycling Training

After discussion with the team, the Kalaunda stage was my best opportunity for a good stage, prior to the tour my climbing was the best it’s been, my data suggested i should be able to stay with the front bunch.

The roll out of town in the neutral zone was tense but far better than last year, its a fantastic energy in a peleton 150+ in size, the speed…the noise is fantastic.

The neutral finished the pace lifted slightly but i was sitting comfortably, the pace over Patterson and the other toward the wheatbix factory was quick but sustainable. keep at the front, use the descents and ride smartly!

By the third lap lots of faces in the peleton started looking a little uncomfortable and individuals were drifting off the back…still feeling good i had my hopes up the peleton would steadily shrink and i could hide myself away following wheels and staying out of trouble.

Lap 4, disaster, shocking cramps with little warning, i quickly pulled left out of the way and tried not to fall off my bike as my legs wouldn’t work….i watched the peleton roll away as i stretched for 10mins hoping to release the cramp monsters grip on my hamstrings.

Cycling is a rough sport, its all or nothing, your in the pack rolling at 50 or struggling along by yourself at 30k’s wondering if you should pull out.

Luckily a small groupetto (the dropped racers’ that are keen to ride tempo to the finish, happy to have a chat and all’s well as long as you make the time cut) rolled up the hill so i jumped on with them and it became a shit game of managing the cramps for 60k’s to the finish.

i finished inside the time cut, worn out and gutted the stage went so poorly.

Race data shows the race (the bit i was in) was solid but within my abilities, no idea why i suffered the cramps and i can only hope they don’t bother me for the next two days.

Live and learn, after discussing the race with Brad Hall i was reminded that we race these to test and develop ourselves and, for me, i believe a very short taper suits far better than the easy 4 days i had before the start of the tour and ill adjust in future, i may have ‘gone off the boil’!

Stage 2 – Training Peaks

SPR’s/Dome Coffee’s Dave hind had an amazing race finishing 7th against the country’s best, they’re in trouble if he every chooses to dedicate himself to road cycling!

I have to say thanks to the teams sponsors!

Logic Networks Australia – Respiratory West – Industry Mates – Steadyrack – Momentum Health Solutions – Muzz Buzz – Terrain Dynamics – Unicorn Brewery – Hall Cycling Training

The South Perth Rouleurs is a fantastic organisation. it allows people to join from all walks of life and, to train, race and participate at all levels.

This week see’s Australia’s best domestic cyclists come to perth and allows a great opportunity for local cyclists to get amongst it. http://www.tourdeperth.com… 4 stages over 4 days visiting Fremantle, Kalamunda, Rotto and Reabold Hill offering crit’s, TT’s, hilly courses and rolling terrain.

I believe we have racing from SPR;

• Jerard
• Andy Williams
• Dave Hind
• Jono Bolton
• Thomas Sandholt Lund
• Luke Ellis

Usually i race for the Dome Coffee’s Cycling Team however the team was not racing the event this year and i was lucky enough to ride as a guest for Hall Cycle Training

Stage 1, Criterium – Marine Parade Fremantle.

So far the youtube video link shown below is my tour highlight…you can see my socks on the warmup. unfortunately it’s been all down hill since.

http://youtu.be/Us5a6wJBDqY

The course was single lane, standing start and very tight with 153 riders lining up. The tour de perth is the first stage of the National Road Series so all the teams and riders are out to prove themselves. The jostling for position was intense and i believe there was just about a crash a lap until they pulled most the field and left just the front runners to battle it out. Moral of the story is be on the front, which is easier said then done when its a single file line 500m long at 50km/h

I didn’t have any expectations for the stage so wasn’t upset, but with only 6km and 12m in the legs it probably wasn’t worth the warm-up. I hope those that went down recover well!

Stage 1 – Training Peaks – not an intense effort, pace was limited by the available space, moving up was very difficult.

I have to say thanks to the teams sponsors!

Logic Networks Australia – Respiratory West – Industry Mates – Steadyrack – Momentum Health Solutions – Muzz Buzz – Terrain Dynamics – Unicorn Brewery – Hall Cycling Training

Hi All,

Scott Sports are holding a ‘come & try day’ at the Camel Farm in Kalamunda this Sunday from 6.30am – 12.00pm.

I’m told this will be a great chance to climb on a wide range of 2014 mountain and road bikes in a fantastic area, either on the road out to the wier or on the trails. Make sure to take your own gear, pedals & shoes!

TOMR – SPR 5

Submitted by Jason Gordan

Several months ago a blog post came out asking for riders for the TOMR and with Greg, Andrew and myself having only recently finished the Kalgoorlie classic we thought what a great idea….The race committee put together the teams and spread the skills and abilities around to ensure we had the opportunities to be competitive.

SPR 5 consisted of Luke Hallam, Brian Saunders, Greg Murray, Andrew Williams (not the young one), Mark Tancell and I.

Stage 1

So after only having two rides together we set off on a warm up lap of the TTT course which was two laps of a 12.5km circuit through Howard Park. We discussed our tactics for the ride and where to best place our riders based on strengths and weaknesses.

At 5:08pm (4th last team of the day) we set off and settled into the hurt locker.  We were rolling through well, our plan had been to have Andrew on the front for up hill sections so that as we went over he didn’t drift of the back (as Andrew puts it he is like a truck, can go all day but not up hill fast).  We made our way up to the left turn into Howard park winery (Mad Fish) which has a tight hair pin, I took it too sharp and nearly went off for a scenic ride (not as eventful as Andrew Ballam’s experience we hear)

Brian got us back together and we continued on.  As we were heading up the last hill prior to the 1km to go sign we looked back and noticed Andrew and Mark had dropped back about 60m, we made the call that we had to keep going.

I was struggling with knee pain (ITB – thanks Cathy for fixing) and was determined to hang on.  We did the first lap in 21 minutes.  On the second lap we settled into a nice rhythm and gained some time.  Luke, Brian and Greg stuck me in the middle so I didn’t have to work to hard with the dodgy knee. We crossed the line in a pretty tight formation and knocked 30 seconds off our first lap.

Andrew and Mark came back in after completing both laps, as a team we were quite happy in 41st place and were content with being at the top of category 4 for the next stage.

So we hung around for the presentations to see how SPR fared and low and behold with the magic of handicaps, Luke Hallam took out the GC green jersey for the first stage….We were absolutely stocked as most of us have never been in this position before.

Stage 2 – 30km Road race

Over breakfast we had a bit of chat about tactics as we had the GC and we needed to keep the time gaps up as the other groups would now start putting a dent into our advantage. We set off knowing we had to gain time on the intermediate sprint and also have a top 10 finish if there was any chance of holding onto the lead.

The race started at an easy pace and all was going to plan, Luke and Brian were sitting up the front with the rest of us mid pack. With about 2k’s to go Greg and I made our way up to the front to try and help Luke and Brian. Coming around the 1km to go I was sitting 3rd wheel with Brian and Luke tucked in behind, we pushed up the hill and Brian jumped out to take Luke up to the line.  Luke managed 3rd on the intermediate sprint.

Second lap came and went Brian and Luke stayed up the front.  Taking a leaf out of OGE at the Tour, Brian went 5th over the line and with his time bonus was now the Green Jersey holder. After stage 2 we had three in the top 5.  Brian and Luke 1,2 and myself in 5th.

Stage 3 – Kermesse

After a couple of hours of resting it was time for the kermesse, 8 laps of a 3.2km circuit, it was flat with a slight up hill section in the final km. As a team we set off and set the tempo for the first two laps and had control.  Jack Borbridge who was guest riding for PIHC moved his team to the front and continued the tempo whilst giving advice to us on how and what to do.

The team was working well together and getting ready for the intermediate sprint on the 4th lap, the speed picked up, Brian and Luke worked well together as we came into 300 m out Phil Anderson (yes former yellow jersey holder in the Tour) jumped. Luke reacted and chased his heart out.  Phil got over the line by less than half a wheel, another couple of metres and Luke would have had him.

Coming round to the final lap Luke Brian and myself were sitting about 5th or 6th wheel, we wanted a good run on the down hill, we wound up and started the sprint, I had this great plan in my head that I would move right so no one could come around (double white lines) and allow Luke and Brian to run up the inside.  How wrong I was a couple of teams went over to the right and boxed us in.  Brian managed to come through and race to the line in 8th and Luke in 10th.

The entire team finished with the bunch on equal time.  This was a first for Andrew who only did his first main 1 ride last weekend.  You couldn’t get the smile off his face. We had now relinquished the GC but were proud as punch with our efforts as a team.

Stage 4

The final stage, 75km road race down caves road to Augusta with a hill top finish. Brian decided to ride to the start with some of the SPR crew, thank god he did.  He had two punctures and was stranded out on Bussell Hwy.  A kind chap from total travel stopped and drove him to Vass Felix for the start.  Lucky for us Andrew had a mobile bike shop in his car.  A quick tyre and tube change and thankfully that was the only mechanical for our team.

We started late due to some motor bikes going AWOL.  Cat 4 was the last to leave and Mark Tancell jumped on the front with Brian and I, and we set the pace. We used the first 5km’s as a bit of warm up and then decided to crank it up a notch and stretch the bunch, out of 50 riders we managed to reduce the group down to about 30 and got rid of some of the dangerous riders that had been causing a few issues on the previous day races.

With about 20km’s to go we had Greg, myself, Luke and Brian working together as team. Greg was a machine, setting a healthy pace and doing a lot of work on the front. Coming down a fast hill then raising up another, one of the photography vehicles decided that it would be a great photo op to stop on the crest of a hill blocking most of the lane.  It caused the group to funnel into a very narrow gap as we couldn’t see over the crest and no one felt like becoming a hood ornament for a vehicle coming the other way.

I caught some brake as I got squeezed which caused Brian to hit the back of me.  All I heard was *&$%# (rightly so) quick apology from me and we were off. We came into Augusta and faced the dreaded climb to the golf course, it went on and on and as you came over the crest you thought nice, down hill, only to have a 300m up hill section to go.  Luke and Brian stayed with the main group and powered on finishing 6th and 9th respectively (top work), I was 16th Greg 22nd, Mark Tancell 35th and Andrew 38th out of 50 riders.

We are all extremely happy with how we performed as a team considering we had not trained together or undertaken stage racing before. Was a great feeling to be in a position as a team to actually be making a difference in a race and not just making up the numbers.

The camaraderie that was shown between all the SPR and Dome teams was fantastic; to hear the cheering and also pre and post race advice was uplifting. We certainly enjoy being part of club that takes joy in each others success. From me special thanks to Toby for taking me under his wing, without his assistance in pointing me in the right direction and making me spew on Monday turbo nights I wouldn’t be improving as fast as I am at the moment. Also thanks to Andrew’s wife Fiona who looked after water, food, travel, mechanical and all other domestique duties, we really appreciate you giving up your time to help out.

Last and certainly not least to the racing committee and El Prez for yet again organising a fantastic turn out of SPR teams.  Luke and Andrew you guys have done a stellar job with all the organising I’m sure I can speak on behalf of all the teams that we appreciate your time and commitment.

Unfortunately Luke H has had to relocate to QLD and will no longer be riding with us, so we are glad that our achievements as team will leave a lasting impression and he has a great souvenir (green jersey and cow) to take with him.  All the best for the future.

State Team Time Trial – 20^th October

Where:            Pinjarra
When:              Sunday 20^th October

What:
Teams of 3 for women, and 4 for men, racing against the clock to achieve the fastest time.  The time for each team is that of the second to last rider to cross the finish line.  The race is held in Pinjarra on a flat and fast out-and-back course.  Distances are between 30 and 50km depending on grade.

• Grades:
  • Women            – 30km
  • Masters <50    – 40km
  • Masters 50+    – 30km
  • Elite/U19 Men – 50km
• Cost:
  • Juniors – $25
  • Seniors – $38

Don’t let a lack of equipment stop you from joining in, previous year’s we’ve had a full spectrum of riders & gear …some on full TT setup’s with disc wheels, whilst others had their standard road bikes, some with clip on aero bars.This is a good opportunity for those participating in the Tour of Margaret River to ride together and perfect your TTT skills for Stage 1.

Everyone can participate, its a nice way to compete, but only against the clock and you get to do it with a couple of your SPR mates.

Links; flyer for further details and to registration

Please comment with your name, grade and an idication of your pace, Main 1, 2, 3 etc below by 9 October if you’re interesting in participating and we’ll put teams together.

Pics and Video by Toby from last year

Race Committee

Masters 1
Gary Boylan
Jim Flynn
Stuart Gee
Mark Schnieder

Women’s 1
Amanda Nabi
Kizzi
Anna Schwartz

Hi All,

For those racing, can you please visit the SPR shop and pay your race entry fee for the Tour of Margaret River over the next couple of days.

Thanks,

Race Commitee