Ride Routes 22nd – 28th March

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Hi all,

Reminder that we have our AGM this Saturday after the ride. You should have had voting emails in your inbox last weekend – if you haven’t please get in touch with our Secretary Carol Dowse on admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au.

Last weekend saw Peel District’s final criterium for the season with some great racing and SPR on the podium in a number of the races. Congratulations go to:

  • 🏆 1st Place Women’s B Grade – Rebecca Kelly
  • 🥈 2nd Place Women’s B Grade – Jodie Chipper
  • 🏆 1st Place Women’s C Grade – Nikki Pursell
  • 🏆 1st Place Men’s B Grade – Toby Brown
  • 🏆 1st Place Men’s C Grade – Cameron Moylan

We had our biggest field in the men’s C grade, who came away without the win but set out attacking on lap 1 and mostly every other lap. Welcome to Cameron (new to racing with SPR) who took out the win in C Grade. Kudos to Rob and Maurice who finished 4th & 5th plus the whole team for the work put in throughout the race. Men’s B saw Will launching a stunning attack and was only caught with 600m to go and Jace had a pedal strike on the final corner which saw him out of podium contention.

Well done to all who raced throughout the summer crit season. Check out the photos below and more on Facebook here and here.

Do forget that CX starts this weekend! See here for all the details — WA Cyclocross Party in the Park – CX O’Day 25.

See you out on the bike.

Daniel

Womens B Podium
Womens C Podium
Mens B Podium
Mens C Podium

SPR Italy Trip 2025 — We’ve had a great response to the EOI and the trip is on! Two places left in fact! Details below including link to EOI.

Updated post in the blog last week and EOI here.

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

1. WA Cyclocross Party in the Park – CX O’Day 25

2. WCMCC Dog Hill Baldavis Road Race

4. 4Five+ Tiger Tracks Gravel (5-6 Apr)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — The CX season is starting this weekend. I would encourage everyone to register for the first event on Sunday (at the Perry Lake Reserve). The children can use any type of bike. However an off road bike is required (with bigger tires).

This Saturday there will be NO juniors ride. Unfortunately I will be away and cannot organise a ride. However, if you would like to ride with your children and do not know where to go, send me a private message and I will recommend a ride for you.

On Sunday morning before the CX race there will be the opportunity to practice in the course between 11 and 11.50am. I will be there with my daughter. Maybe see you there!

From the Ride Coordinator — Pick your ride groups wisely! These people are going to be your teammates for the ride and you will be wanting to work together to make the ride as smooth, safe and enjoyable as possible. If gaps open up in your roll throughs, or riders are not rolling through, then please look around and moderate your pace to keep the group together. Don’t forget to call “clear” and “last wheel”.

Saturday 22nd March

Sunday 23rd March

Monday 24th March

Tuesday 25th March

Wednesday 26th March

Thursday 27th March

Friday 28th March

Ride Routes 15th – 21st March

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Hi all,

If you have not been keeping up-to-date (!!), we have our AGM coming up next week / weekend – read my post here and the formal announcement here. Nominations close midnight Friday and look out for voting emails in your inbox today/tomorrow. If you don’t see it, please get in touch with our Secretary Carol Dowse on admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au.

Over the weekend just gone, we had the AusCycling WA Junior & Para Criterium Championships (hosted by NBCC – thank you 💪🏻) and SPR has champions 💚

Sending kudos and congratulations to:

  • 🏆 Gold Medal U11 Boys – Oscar Winson
  • 🥉 Third Place U13 Boys – Jamie Wardynec

With a special mention to Jack Grant for 4th place in the U13 boys.

Check out the photos below, and the full results here.

Finally, some updates from our Race Subcommittee:

  1. Crit Race – Peel – last crit for the season. Sign up by tomorrow noon.
  2. TOMR – we will be holding an info session in April.
  3. Road Racing – SPR will be entering teams in the masters this season. 1 race per month. If you are interest please reach out to Maurice “the hammer” Hermann or Steve Burns or email race@southperthrouleurs.com.au
  4. CX juniors – EOI for junior rides under 19 and down. Season starts 23 March 2025!
  5. SPR is seeking juniors to participate in the up and coming CX races. No experience needed. Races are held off road in a safe environment. There are 6 races from March to July. SPR will run a training session every 2 weeks with coaches – cost $10 per kid per training – beware you will get muddy. Please contact Giovanni on juniors@southperthrouleurs.com.au.

See you out on the bike.

Daniel

Gold Medal U11 Boys – Oscar Winson
Third Place U13 Boys – Jamie Wardynec

SPR Italy Trip 2025 — We’ve had a great response to the EOI and the trip is on! Two places left in fact! Details below including link to EOI.

Updated post in the blog last week and EOI here.

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

1. PDCC 24-25 Summer Criterium Race 5

2. WCMCC Kewdale Criterium

3. WA Cyclocross Party in the Park – CX O’Day 25 (23 Mar)

4. 4Five+ Tiger Tracks Gravel (5-6 Apr)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — All the details for the juniors ride this Saturday.

📆 Saturday (15/3) – 10:30 AM
📍 Meeting point: Under the Mt Henry Bridge (https://maps.app.goo.gl/rFwTfCrdmiqznMrv8)
🔹 Route: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/337069988

  • Start by riding along the freeway PSP to the Farrington exit (~5 km, circled in the map).
  • The group will split for fast-paced training, continuing to the Willeri Dr exit (for ~7.5 km).
  • After a short break, we’ll ride back, regrouping at Farrington Rd before finishing together in recovery mode.
  • Young riders and beginners can join, but I would recommend them to ride back to Mt Henry bridge when we reach Farrington Rd (for a total distance of ~10km). In this case your child MUST be accompanied by a parent all the time. There will be no support on your way back.

🚗 Parking Information:
There’s a large car park under the bridge and near the nearby park. If no spots are available, consider parking in the surrounding streets or at Deep Water Point. Be sure to allow extra time to park so you’re ready to start at 10:30 AM.

From the Ride Coordinator — One of the reasons we like to keep the size of Saturday groups to around 15 riders, is to limit the physical length of the group on the road. Longer groups are a greater disruption to traffic, and more susceptible to being split at lights. Another way to help maintain a compact group is for those on the front to delay accelerating when coming out of corners.

Saturday 15th March

Sunday 16th March

Monday 17th March

Tuesday 18th March

Wednesday 19th March

Thursday 20th March

Friday 21st March

Ride Routes 8 – 14th March

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Another short blog this week with the focus being our Annual General Meeting coming up later this month.

This is your opportunity to get involved with the leadership and organisation of SPR. Maybe you have ideas that would be good for the SPR community and want champion them. Maybe you value the riding, racing and community that SPR provides and would like to contribute back.

Either way, have a read of my post last week and the formal announcement here. Nominations close next week – Friday 14 March.

And for the women, please remember we have an SPR Chick Food Trucks Ride this Sunday – all the details on Facebook here.

See you out on the bike.

Daniel

SPR Italy Trip 2025 — We’ve had a great response to the EOI and the trip is on! Two places left in fact! Details below including link to EOI.

Updated post in the blog last week and EOI here.

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

1. AusCycling WA Junior & Para Criterium Championships (hosted by NBCC)

2. WCMCC Bibra Lake Criterium

3. PDCC 24-25 Summer Criterium Race 5 (16 Mar)

4. WA Cyclocross Party in the Park – CX O’Day 25 (23 Mar)

5. 4Five+ Tiger Tracks Gravel (5-6 Apr)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — On Saturday morning we will meet in Shelley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/LFDvB3LZcy9KAWzN8) at 10.30am.

After a warm up along Riverton Dr, we will split the group in teams. They will compete in a Team Time Trial with the support of the parents. 

And for those that race, don’t forget AusCycling WA Junior & Para Criterium Championships this weekend.

From the Ride Coordinator — Ensure you’re familiar with the scheduled ride, or have it uploaded on your computer. Knowing the route helps ensure everyone can enjoy a post-ride drink.

Communication is another aspect of a successful group ride. Calling out hazards is everyone’s responsibility and those calls should be shared throughout the group.

Saturday 8th March

Sunday 9th March

Monday 10 March

Tuesday 11th March

Wednesday 12th March

Thursday 13th March

Friday 14th March

Ride Routes 1st – 7th March

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We have come again to the time of year where the club holds its annual general meeting.

Please see our formal meeting notice here. This has always been important in the life of SPR, for a at least two reasons. First, from the very beginning (read “in our constitution“), our club has valued the principle that the Committee serves according to the will of the members. So whilst we have Committee members, myself included, who have served for many years — it is an important part of the life of the club that all positions are vacated and filled based on a annual general meeting at which all members participate.

I believe the club is in a good place. We have lots of activities that provide excellent opportunities for our members to ride their bikes. We have a strong Committee with leadership across the board — including ride leaders, racing, juniors, SPR chicks and the rest. That said, everyone who contributes on the Committee will at some point step back and it is vital for the life of the club that new people step forward. And there is not better way to get involved than to join as a General Committee Member and see where that leads. So if you interested, please reach our to myself, our Vice President, our Secretary or any Committee member to discuss.

The SPR Committee is proud of the club that is the South Perth Rouleurs, and what we collectively contribute to the cycling community. If you would like to be involved, either on the Committee or on any of our Subcommittees, now might be the perfect time.

As you read through today’s blog, make sure you check out the photos from the Juniors sessions last Saturday. We’ve include some action shots and even a map of the skills course that Giovanni ran. Well done team! 💚

Finally, I ran short on time so have not included a write-up of the amazing Renae’s Races that was held over the weekend. Keep your eyes out for that in the coming days.

And don’t forget… we have a Public Holiday Ride this weekend 🙂

Daniel

SPR Italy Trip 2025 — We’ve had a great response to the EOI and the trip is on! Two places left in fact! Details below including link to EOI.

Updated post in the blog last week and EOI here.

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

1. PDCC 24-25 Summer Criterium Race 4

2. 4Five+ Tiger Tracks Gravel (5-6 Apr)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — We will meet on Saturday at 9am here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TfZxyREwib4B87RC8. we’ll refine our climbing skills tackling the iconic Zig Zag climb twice. Located just outside the city, the Zig Zag is famous for its breathtaking views and is a must-ride for any cyclist. The road is closed to traffic by boom gates until 10:45 AM, making it a perfect training ground. However, this means we need to start earlier than usual—so let’s meet at the sightseeing car park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/TfZxyREwib4B87RC8) at 9 AM.

This ~3 km section provides a great opportunity to practice both climbing and descending. We’ll be going up and down twice, focusing on technique and control. For those interested we will have coffee in the end at the Zig Zag Cafe’.

I’d like to remind everyone that these rides are only possible thanks to the support of parents who accompany their children. I may not always have the help of other parents, so it’s crucial to understand your child’s abilities. If they haven’t yet developed the necessary skills or training to keep up with the group, you must accompany them for their safety.

From the Ride Coordinator — It’s the start of the month so it is “Step Up Saturday!”

Take this opportunity to see where your riding is at and STEP UP and have a go at riding with that next group above your usual Saturday ride.

The Short, Long, Social Hill groups and The Coffee ride will start at 7am this Sunday (2/3/2025).

A reminder that we are looking for expressions of interest from you regarding taking on the Ride Leader role. If you’re interested please have a chat with your RL on Saturday.

Saturday 1st March

Sunday 2nd March

Monday 3rd March — Labour Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 4th March

Wednesday 5th March

Thursday 6th March

Friday 7th March

AGM — 2025

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Announcement of South Perth Cycle Club Annual General Meeting for 2025

The South Perth Cycle Club Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday 22nd  March 2025 at 9:00am. The AGM will take place at DOME Westralia Plaza (5/167 St Georges Terrace, Perth) following the usual Saturday ride.

Each year at the AGM, all office holder and general committee positions are declared vacant. In order to keep the club moving forward and meet the needs of all our members, it is important that the SPR committee is representative of our broad membership.

For this reason, we ask all to consider joining the committee, regardless of how often you ride or how long you have been a member of SPR. 

Positions on the committee include:

  • President
  • Vice-President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Race committee representative
  • Ride Coordinator committee representative
  • Women’s Interest committee representative
  • Kit committee representative
  • Juniors committee representative
  • Community Development committee representative
  • Development and Training and representative 
  • Membership representative
  • Communications representative
  • General committee members

There is also an opportunity to assist the club on the following sub-committees, and new volunteers are always welcome:

  • Race sub-committee
  • Kit sub-committee
  • Community sub-committee
  • Women’s interests sub-committee
  • Development and Training sub-committee
  • Juniors sub-committee

With the exception of the office holder positions, President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary, all nominations are as a general committee member and all other roles are agreed/assigned by the committee at the first meeting after the AGM. 

If you are interested in joining (or continuing on) the main committee or one of the sub-committees, please nominate via email to admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au.

Please note that to be a committee member or to vote at the AGM you must be a current financial member.

Nominations close Friday, 14 March 2025 midnight.

After the success of online voting from previous years, online voting will be used for our Committee election, with the results being declared at the AGM. Voting will commence on Saturday 15 March 2025 and conclude on Friday 21 March 2025. All members eligible to vote will receive an email at the beginning of the voting period to advise them on how to place their votes.

Regards

Carol Dowse

Secretary

Ride Routes 22nd – 28th February

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Tiger Tracks Gravel — Tiger Tracks Gravel (TTG) is back for a third year! Highlights for 2025 include a new route along the gently rolling bush gravel roads and tracks of the Wiltshire-Butler National Park (goodbye bumpy Jalbarragup Rd), a separate women’s Big Tiger start, and 10-year Masters categories.

TTG is a weekend festival of fun, friendly, community-based gravel at Jalbarragup (near Nannup), hosted by 4Five+ Athlete Collective. The event is designed as a warm-up for SeVen, with ride and race options to suit novice and elite gravellers alike – skills, social rides, 18km Time Trial, 80km Big Tiger Race & 45km Little Tiger Challenge. 

You can find more information on the 4F website with links to entries, routes & the Rider Guide: https://www.4fiveplus.org/tiger-tracks-gravel

PS Earlybird pricing ends this weekend 🙂

Adam @ TTG
Bec & Toby @ TTG

SPR Kit Order Now Open — the kit shop is open now, closing this weekend (23 February).

Go to the SPR page on the Mayeur website – https://www.mayeur.cc/collections/south-perth-rouleurs.

💚

2025 AusCycling Masters Criterium Championships — This year the Masters Crit Championships were hosted by Northern Beaches Cycling Club. It was a great day of racing and saw green on the podium with a number of SPR members in the mix. Well done to everyone that participated 💚

  • 🥈Nikki Pursell – Womens Masters 5
  • 🏆 Rhianna Farrell – Womens Masters 3
  • 🥈 Jodie Chipper – Womens Masters 3
  • 🏆 Corrie Johnstone – Womens Masters 2

I apologise if I’ve missed anybody or got the categories wrong (I could not see official results).

Only a few crits to go this summer season, so reach out if you’re interested.=

SPR Italy Trip 2025 — We’ve had a great response to the EOI and the trip is on! Two places left in fact! Details below including link to EOI.

Updated post in the blog last week and EOI here.

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

1. RCCC Renae’s Race 2025

2. WCMCC Wangara Criterium

3. 4Five+ Tiger Tracks Gravel (5-6 Apr)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — On Saturday we will meet in front of Shelley Primary School (https://maps.app.goo.gl/fQRQ2pP4ER9rfF1m8) at 10.45am where we will practise some skills in the car park of the school with games and an obstacle course.

Parents who would like to help to set up the course are more than welcome. Please come around 10.30am.

SPR Juniors
SPR Juniors
SPR Juniors

From the Ride Coordinator — Notice of Sunday ride start times reverting to winter time:
The Short, Long, Social Hills groups & the coffee ride will all revert to 7am starts on 2nd March.

This weekend we’ve scheduled hills routes that are only ridden during summertime as they go up Kalamunda Rd as the final climb.

A reminder that we are looking for expressions of interest from you regarding taking on the Ride Leader role. As an RL you will get to wear one of the fancy new white SPR jerseys! Please have a chat to your RL on Saturday.

A thankyou to everyone who came out in club kit last Saturday. We hope to see a sea of green at Coode St carpark this Saturday!! Also a final reminder that the club shop closes on the 23rd February.  

Saturday 22nd February

Sunday 23rd February

Monday 24th February

Tuesday 25th February

Wednesday 26th February

Thursday 27th February

Friday 28th February

Ride Routes 15th – 21st February

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Hi all,

This week I want to highlight our new Ride Leaders Jersey (2025 edition). Modelled by none other than SPR’s David Menarry 💚

Check them out ever the weekend. Not only do we think they look good, but you will notice that we’ve added something to the sleeves.

We see the Ride Leader jersey as something which is an important part of our culture and who we are as a club.

Not only does the jersey help other riders know who is leading the ride, it also serves as a mark of respect by the club of the volunteer work put in by our ride leaders. And now, with the our latest edition, you can get a feel for how many rides our RLs have led for the club.

So check it out and offer some kudos.

Finally, read our Ride Coordinator’s post this week – we are keen to see new volunteers stepping up as Ride Leaders, and would love to welcome new comers to the team. Check it out below.

See you out on the bike.


Daniel

PDCC 24-25 Summer Criterium Race 3 — More great racing, this week run by Peel Districts Cycling Club (thank you 💪🏻). Well done to everyone that participated 💚

  • 🥈 Doug Banfield – 2nd, Mens C Grade
  • 🥉 Jodie Chipper – 3rd, Womens B Grade

Only a few crits to go this summer season, so reach out if you’re interested.

Doug Banfield – 2nd Mens C Grade
3rd Womens B Grade

SPR Italy Trip 2025 — We’ve had a great response to the EOI and the trip is on! Two places left in fact! Details below including link to EOI.

Updated post in the blog last week and EOI here.

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

1. 2025 AusCycling Criterium Championships (Masters) hosted by NBCC

2. 4Five+ Tiger Tracks Gravel (5-6 Apr)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — This Saturday we will ride this loop: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/304879184.

The appointment is in Shelley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/FZxbLhMgmqkfhKY36).

This course is a mix of short climbs (not as difficult as Kings Park), park trails and open roads (low traffic). Given the quite warm forecast, we will meet at 9.30am this time.

The loop will take us approximately 1 hour and 15 mins to complete (including stops). The advanced riders will have to ride for an additional 30mins up and down Riverton Dr to practice rolling and giving turns.

SPR Juniors
SPR Juniors
SPR Juniors

From the Ride Coordinator — Don’t forget to wear club kit for the main ride on Saturdays. In some groups SPR green has been in the minority. It doesn’t have to be the latest version: vintage, TOMR, anything SPR will be appreciated 💚 

However……here’s a reminder that the kit shop is open until the 23rd February! https://www.mayeur.cc/collections/south-perth-rouleurs

We’re putting out an informal call for anyone who might have an interest in becoming a Ride Leader. Have a chat with your Ride Leaders on Saturday and they can forward your name to the Ride Lead Coordinator.

Just a reminder that calls from the back should be passed along to the front of the group. It is just as important as passing calls from the front to the back.

Sunday short hills riders please be aware that Station St bridge is closed to traffic.  One option is to detour to Albany Hwy via Ferres Dr (1st left after crossing Tonkin Hwy).

Saturday 15th February

Sunday 16th February

Monday 17th February

Tuesday 18th February

Wednesday 19th February

Thursday 20th February

Friday 21st February

Ride Routes 8 – 14th February

OK. So I posted lots to social media at the time, and lots to the blog over the Nationals in January.

However… between my week one update and Nationals wrap-up there was a gap. So here goes a Nationals wrap-up part two.

First up, huge congratulations to Sophia Sammons for her 3rd place in the Under-23 Women’s Individual Time Trial.

Read all about it here.

Second, I want to acknowledge our Masters Criterium teams. Kudos to everyone who made the team and represented SPR on the big stage at the Nationals in Northbridge.

SPR W1 in category Womens Masters 1-4:

  • Olesya Alutina
  • Rhianna Farrell
  • Corrie Johnstone
  • Rebecca Kelly
  • Amanda Nabi
  • Mel Raybould
  • Alejandra Rojas Jordon
  • Liz Verbiesen

SPR M2 in category Mens Masters 4-6:

  • Andrew Ballam
  • Steve Burns
  • Allan Cooper
  • Maurice Herrmann
  • Simon Jones
  • David Menarry
  • Paul Prottey
  • Lyle Robertson

SPR M1 in category Mens Masters 1-3

  • Toby Brown
  • William Celis
  • Jace Collingridge
  • Elar Kalda
  • Jarrad Page
  • Matt Rice
  • Diego Rubiano
  • Matt Wardynec

Thank you to all, and kudos to the green podiums that the team brought home on the day!! 💚💪🏻

🏆 National Champion Team – Womens Masters 1-4

🏆 National Champion Team – Mens Masters 1-3

🏆 First Place – Mens Masters 1-3 – Matt Wardynec

🥈 Second Place – Womens Masters 1-4 – Amanda Nabi

🥉 Third Place – Womens Masters 1-4 – Rhianna Farrell

SPR Women Masters 1-4
SPR Mens Masters 1-3

SPR Mens Masters 1-3 – Matt Wardynex
SPR Womens Masters 1-4 – Amanda Nabi & Rhianna Farrell

Special mention to Simon Jones who placed 4th in Mens Masters 4-6. And special mention also to Nicola Pursell and Jane Yang – SPR could not quite field a Womens Masters 5+ team and so they raced to win with Vanessa Johnson and the 4Five+ team! Well done!!

Check out all of the photos below. Not to mention, some excellent write-ups in the news – see Perth transformed as city hosts AusCycling Road National Championships – ABC News.

See you out on the bike.


Daniel

RCCC Henk Vogels Snr Memorial Criterium 2025 — Another huge day of racing with more green on the podium. Well done to everyone that participated 💚

  • 🥉 Kyle Mackintosh – 3rd, Junior B
  • 🥉 Nikki Pursell – 3rd, C Grade Women
  • 🥉 Liz Verbiesen – 3rd, D Grade Women
  • 🥈 Phillip Barnes – 2nd, C Grade Men
  • 🏆 Rob Stuart – 1st, D Grade Men
  • 🥉 Alastair Brook – 3rd, D Grade Men

I know everyone will be interested so I would like to provide an update on Luke Winson. Luke was racing in C Grade and came down hard on the last lap (from the front of the race) after a pedal strike. Thankfully, no one else came down. However, Luke did hurt his hand – requiring surgery – though I am pleased to report this went well with Luke needing several weeks recovery. The club gave Luke a hamper during the week and we wish him all the best for his recovery.

Only a few crits to go this summer season, so reach out if you’re interested.

Kyle Mackintosh – 3rd Junior B
Phillip Barnes – 2nd, Mens C Grade
Rob Stuart 1st + Alastair Brook 3rd, Mens D Grade
Nikki Pursell – 3rd, Womens C Grade
Liz Verbiesen – 3rd, Womens D Grade

SPR Italy Trip 2025 — We’ve had a great response to the EOI and the trip is on! Two places left in fact! Details below including link to EOI.

Updated post in the blog last week and EOI here.

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

1. PDCC 24-25 Summer Criterium Race 3

2. WCMCC Bibra Lake Criterium

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — This Saturday we will focus on endurance. We will start from Shelley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/o7AGNVABpmvaAFzc8) at 10.00am. Our ride will end at Tribute Cafe in Shelley. There will be 2 rides with the aim to ride both of them at a moderate pace.

Long ride (35km) for the more advanced riders
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/330217616
This ride is mostly on a bike path. There is just a little obstacle: when we reach the end of the canning river regional park bike path, we have to cross (at the traffic light) Nicholson Rd and Spencer Rd. it is a bit tricky, we need to cross in small groups of 4 or 5 people max.

Short ride (17km) for newcomers and beginners
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/330218261

My estimate is 2 hours for the long ride and 1 hour for the short one.

Lastly, it was wonderful to see SPR green on display in the Juniors racing last week at the Henk Vogels criterium!

From the Ride Coordinator — Benara Rd is the route for this Saturday’s ride. A reminder to all groups to move up to the “starting line” as the previous group departs.

There’s a chance of showers on Sunday morning, so be careful and have a safe ride.

Saturday 8th February

Sunday 9th February

Monday 10th February

Tuesday 11th February

Wednesday 12th February

Thursday 13th February

Friday 14th February

Ride Routes 1st – 7th February

TDU 2025 Did Not Disappoint

By Claire Tyrrell 

The mission to Adelaide for the nation’s biggest cycling race is always worth the effort. 

And this rang true this year more than ever, given it was the 25th Tour Down Under. 

A keen group of South Perth Rouleurs travelled across to the South Australian capital for the TDU this month, including myself, Amanda Nabi, Andrew Ballam, Julia Christensen, Adam Britten, Tom Goerke, Ben and Alison Thorman. Other club members included Andrew Williams, David Mennary, Ray and Nola Smith, Doug Pavlovich and Mark Sinclair, Simon Jones, Serena Smith, Michael Barry, Elar Kalda, Jarred Anderson and Paul Prottey.

We were even joined by interstate SPR members Sam and Liam Walker, who ventured from Victoria for the fun. 

The schedule varied for each of us (and some rode their bikes more than others – I’m looking at you Ben!), but largely we followed the race as best we could. This year’s tour involved three women’s stages and six men’s stages (there’s strong speculation they will include a fourth women’s stage next year, thank goodness). 

The event provided ample spectating opportunities, including packed start lines, KOM and QOM points brimming with atmosphere and exhilarating sprint and hilltop finishes. We witnessed WA gun Sam Welsford blast across the line for three spectacular stage wins – the lead outs from his Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe teammates were impeccable. 

For me, a highlight was seeing young climber and polka dot jersey winner Fergus Browning’s parents watch their son claim the King of the Mountain points as he pedalled towards Mt Lofty – their pride was palpable. 

Another standout moment was when Ray Smith pointed out a koala perched in a tree on the way to McLaren Vale for the fifth stage of the men’s race – thanks Ray! 

Some of us were fortunate enough to rub shoulders with some of cycling’s greatest athletes, including Mark Cavendish who made a special trip across for the event. I sadly did not get to meet Cav, though I’m still glowing from my picture with Peter Sagan at the 2017 TDU!

The McLaren Vale stage is always an absolute standout of the TDU, because it involves a full day out with my SPR buddies and a brilliant view of the race from Willunga Hill. Once again, Andrew Ballam organised a fantastic ride out to the hill that included a stop to watch the start and a prime position on Willunga Hill. We got to watch the pros ride the hill twice, with the second time marking the end of the stage. 

It was a thrilling finish, with Ecuadorian Ineos Grenadier rider Jhonatan Narváez battling it out to win the stage and claim victory in the TDU. 

The long ride back was made a lot easier for me thanks to the fine company of Andrew Ballam – this guy deserves a medal for all the work he does organising rides at TDU and for his patience helping the back markers. 

This year marked his and Amanda’s 12th Tour Down Under – and may there be many more. 

I know there will be for me! 

RCCC Australia Day Criterium 2025 — We had a fabulous turn-out at the Australia Day crit this past week. Steve brought the SPR Van (kudos) and we had both supporters and racers out in force. Huge congratulations to Alastair and Nikki for their podiums 💚💪🏻.

  • 🥉 Nikki Pursell – 3rd, C Grade Women
  • 🏆 Alastair Brook – 1st, D Grade Men

This was Alastair’s first criterium so well done. And Nikki has been working on race strategy all season, and it looks like it is working!

Only a few crits to go this summer season, so reach out if you’re interested.

SPR Italy Trip 2025 — We’ve had a great response to the EOI and the trip is on! Two places left in fact! Details below including link to EOI.

Updated post in the blog last week and EOI here.

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

1. RCCC 2025 Henk Vogels Snr Memorial Criterium

2. WCMCC Neerabup Graded Road Race – Summer of 2025

2. PDCC 24-25 Summer Criterium Race 3 (9/Feb)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — This weekend we will focus on climbing and we will meet at the DNA tower in Kings Park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/PUdiAZSDHZGmardQ7) at 10.30am on Saturday morning. The weather looks favourable for Saturday but do not forget the sunscreen and some water. For the young ones and newcomers we will practice some skills in a small car park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/aUG6JRwVPXVB2o3p6) and we will test our legs with only one climb. Please note we will all meet at the DNA tower car park at 10.30am.

During the ride I will need to split the group. I will give you more details on Saturday, but just remember that we will all end the ride at the Cafe (Botanical Kiosk Kings Park) next to the Kings Park visitor Centre (here are the coords https://maps.app.goo.gl/GCE4mYdwPE3trkyt5)

SPR Juniors – Kyle @ Australia Day Crit
SPR Juniors – Kyle @ Australia Day Crit

From the Ride Coordinator — Keep an eye out for some of your Ride Leaders in their new white jerseys.

This week we are doing Murdoch & Freo for the Main & Fast groups. Due to the continuing bridgeworks, the route will be modified on the day. Stay on Preston Point Road until it hits Canning Hwy where we will turn right. From Canning Hwy we will turn right onto Stirling Hwy, cross the bridge, and then turn left onto Tydeman Rd to continue the route as planned.

Saturday 1st February

Sunday 2nd February

Monday 3rd February

Tuesday 4th February

Wednesday 5th February

Thursday 6th February

Friday 7th February

The website for the South Perth Cycle Club