Ride Routes 19 – 25th April

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Tiger Tracks has grown from a little-known event to a key fixture on the gravel race calendar. 

And it’s all down to the dedication and commitment of 4F founder Vanessa Johnson, who established the event in 2023. Vanessa’s husband Julian contributed significantly too, as well as the hard-working volunteers and committee members who give their time to support the event. 

When Tiger Tracks began, it attracted 105 riders. That number has since grown to 155, across two days. 

Based in Jalbarragup, the event starts with an 18km individual time trial on day one, which draws some strong riders and is a primer for the second longer day. This year, some of our SPR members including Rebecca Kelly smashed the time trial, with a bit of rain ahead of the event making the course smooth and fast. 

Tiger Tracks’ main event features on the second day, when riders can enter either the 40km Little Tiger event or the 80km Big Tiger. 

Being the eternal optimist I am, I entered the latter version. 

Conditions on the day were near perfect, which provided me little excuse but to just get out and do it – I was hesitant as I haven’t been doing as much riding as I normally would. I prepared my gravel bike, complete with 45mm tyres, and was ready to go. As suspected, I was dropped by most of my speedy mates on the first climb (bye, Bec!), so I settled in for the ride. 

Riding the event, it is difficult to believe that Jalbarragup is so close to Nannup, where the ominous Seven is held each year. 

The 80km course included about 1000 metres of elevation – that distance in Nannup, just 20km away, would have had about double that amount of climbing. 

I was not complaining – the course suited me.  

I rode most of it alone, enjoying the encounters with the volunteers on the corners to direct me (thank you Andrew Williams!), and just soaking in the tranquility. I remembered why this style of riding has become so popular in recent years, with the damp, hard-packed surface providing what those in the scene call champagne gravel. 

When it came to the second lap, I did not hesitate to continue. This vastly differed from my first Tiger Tracks in 2023, when a sore back combined with corrugations led me to pull out halfway. Though I was largely riding at my own pace, the pain and fatigue kicked in with about 10km to go, which told me I was doing something right. 

I finished strongly, with another rider on my tail giving me the impetus to step on the gas. 

Andy was also waiting patiently at the finish line, which of course spurred me on! I crossed the line with a smile on my face and a hunger that was quickly filled with a burger at the race village, otherwise known as Darradup Fire Station. 

The community feel of this event was palpable, with the volunteer bushfire brigade stepping in to help and money raised going to their cause. I couldn’t help but think that Vanessa’s presence in the town has been a welcome addition and something that has brought the community together. 

I’ll be sure to return to Tiger Tracks in future, and ride my gravel bike more as the weather cools. 

For a more detailed look at the results and the riders who entered, see Vanessa’s blog on the 4F website. 

Rebecca Speirs @ Tiger Tracks
Rebecca Kelly @ Tiger Tracks
Claire Tyrrell @ Tiger Tracks
Andy Lilley @ Tiger Tracks

📸 Photo credits go to Neil McLagan Photography

Tour of Margaret River EOI — As we start planning for Tour of Margaret River 2025 (racing from 31 October to 2 November, with accommodation from 30 October to 3 November), we’re doing things a little differently this year.

To help shape how we approach the event, we’d like to gather early input via an Expression of Interest before deciding whether to host an information night, and before looking to lock in commitment or even consider teams.

We also would like to gather interest from our members and the broader SPR community in terms of contribution to the costs and preparation for the event. Do you have a business and would see value in contributing as a sponsor? Are you a coach, trainer or sports specialist and interested in contributing? 

If yes to any of these questions, please let us know in the form below!

Thanks

💚

TOMR Expression of Interest

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

1. MCC Stan Gurney VC Memorial Criterium (25 Apr)

2. WestCycle Brigadoon Super Challenge (27/Apr)

3. CCC Tom Lowry Memorial Road Race (3 May)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — On Saturday 19/4 we ride from Mt Henry Bridge to Kings Park for our advanced riders. To make the course more manageable for beginners and younger children, we will meet them at the Narrows Bridge. Below are the details for the ride:

Meeting Details:

Advanced Juniors
Location: Under Mt Henry Bridge (https://maps.app.goo.gl/GnnpdbkYLkH4pZjD8)
Time: 10:00 am

Beginners
Location: Narrows Bridge (South Perth side) (https://maps.app.goo.gl/cyrbz5UJjoWWL8cg6)
Time: 10:20 am

Full Course: You can view the full course here: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/345915048

If the children are feeling too tired, we can adjust the ride to stop at Kings Park for a drink at the café on top ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/jLPpFCahYrhoYBop7) before heading back.


From the Ride Coordinator — Time to get out those extra layers with the first taste of a wintery morning coming this Saturday. On the plus side, we have plenty of rides to burn off the choccies this weekend.

On Monday we have a revised version of the PH North route. It goes via Wanneroo instead of Alexander and through Kings Park instead of Claremont. Please download and review the file. On ANZAC Day the route is Public Holiday South.

Calling “split” and having groups abide by the practice of soft pedalling after it has been called is an extremely important part of riding safety at SPR.  Knowing that you will not be left behind at a red light is a huge incentive to not running red lights. A practice that is not condoned by our club.

Just a reminder to Main & Short Hills riders that there are some roadworks on Midland Rd.

[ Editors note: Dome is open all weekend except Good Friday ]

Saturday 19th April

Sunday 20th April

Monday 21st April – Easter Monday Public Holiday

Tuesday 22nd April

Wednesday 23rd April

Thursday 24th April

Friday 25th April – Anzac Day Public Holiday

Ride Routes 12 – 18th April

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Tour of Margaret River EOI — Keep your eye on this space tomorrow for SPR’s TOMR 2025 Expression of Interest (didn’t quite get it together this evening (on a flight home 😱).

TOMR Expression of Interest

Tour of Blackwood 2025 — A strong SPR contingent headed South for the Tour of Blackwood on 22 March. The courses offered either the Full Tour (130km, 1684m), Half and Best (64km, 841m) or the newly introduced gravel course (88.4km, 1106m).

Whilst touted as ‘not a race’, it’s clear many were contesting that definition 😀, with some excellent performances across the different courses. The terrain is familiar to TOMR riders, with punchy hills and very little flat, topped off with stunning scenery on a glorious day. The Tour aims to raise community awareness regarding youth mental health, allowing for education and de-stigmatisation of mental illness and the 456 riders raised over $70,000 dollars for a range of projects.

This is an excellent event, with a great community atmosphere and well-marshalled roads- definitely one for the diary next year again https://www.blackwoodtour.info/.

Tour of Blackwood 2025
Tour of Blackwood 2025

Paris Roubaix Live on the Big Screen — Adrian Emilsen with the Spartans Cycling Club presents another great night of entertainment  featuring the live screening of the biggest one day bike race, The Paris Roubaix, shown live on the big screen in the Garage of the Local Hotel, South Fremantle.  All tickets  include a brand new Rapha cycling cap worth $40  collected on entry.  All proceeds of the evening will be given to Sophia Sammons to assist with her travels and upkeep on her European racing commitments. Sophia is well on her way to a  career as a professional cyclist but needs all the help she can get to kick start it.

Get info & tickets here

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

1. PDCC Hilly TT & BBQ 2025

2. WA Cyclocross 2025 Numbat Cup – Round 1

3. WCMCC Herne Hill Road Race

4. MCC Stan Gurney VC Memorial Criterium (25 Apr)

5. CCC Tom Lowry Memorial Road Race (3 May)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — No ride this Saturday 😢. Check back next week.

From the Ride Coordinator — Weather conditions for Saturday are looking benign, so to avoid further disappointment we are having another crack at Maddington for the fast & main route. We are expecting a tailwind for the Warton & Kelvin Rds section which should be a nice change.

Another reminder to practise smooth group starts from a stop. Moderate your speed when pulling away from lights, and once everyone is moving the front riders can then increase the pace.

Lots of extra riding opportunities coming up for Easter.  A fabulous ride is the SPR VP’s Good Friday ride. There are two routes from which to choose with different start times & distances. Of course, for those who don’t do hills, there’s the Public Holiday South ride.

And….. don’t forget, be seen in green on Saturday! 💚

Saturday 12th April

Sunday 13th April

Monday 14th April

Tuesday 15th April

Wednesday 16th April

Thursday 17th April

Friday 18th April – Good Friday Public Holiday

Ride Routes 5 – 11th April

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Hi all,

Today’s blog see’s part 2 from our very own Claire Tyrrell covering Sophia’s professional career. Enjoy!

Sophia is heading to Europe to race in the next few months. If you would like to support her (which would be amazing), head to her fundraising page here. You can also get along to the Spartans Paris Roubaix on the Big Screen organised by Adrian Emilsen – all funds raised go to support Sophia’s upcoming travel to Europe.

Best of luck to everyone heading south for the Tiger Tracks Gravel this weekend.

Finally, SPR Chicks is running another skills session – check out all the details on the SPR Chicks Facebook page here.

See you out on the bike.

Daniel

Sophia Sammons (part two)

Sophia Sammons, 19, signed with Australian domestic development outfit Praties Cycling Team last year, after riding with Brad Hall’s Cycling Development Foundation. 

She’s had a strong start to 2025, under new coach Nick Owens. Sophia came fifth in the inaugural ProVelo Super League in Adelaide. She rode a strong race in the AusNats in Perth, breaking away early but cramping in the final turn. 

Sophia spoke to Claire Tyrrell recently about her professional career. (If you missed part one, see here)

So you’re with Praites cycling this year. Where will that take you? 

Yep. I’ll do all Pro Velo races with them, which is five or six races in total around Australia. And hopefully I can do a Europe stint, I’m not sure if it will be with them or not.

Have you raced in Europe before? 

Yep. In Belgium last year. It was good. It was a bit of a shock to the system. There are like 125 girls in a race, which is crazy, but it was really good. It was good fun. 

I survived. I managed to finish pretty much all of them, but I think I still need to work on positioning in a bunch, that’s really crucial, and I still find it really hard, but hopefully something I can improve on this year, especially with the new team I’m on.

What’s your ultimate goal? What kind of rider do you see yourself as? 

Time triallist. I love a good breakaway. Hopefully GC, but we’ll see how it goes. Otherwise, I’d be happy to work as a domestique but just fulfill any role, really.

And who are your role models? 

I don’t actually look up to anyone really. I want to make my parents proud most of all.

Could you talk me through your experience at the Nationals? 

Nationals was really fun. I wasn’t really expecting it. I wanted to do well, obviously I didn’t have a plan in place of how I was going to do that. 

A lot of people told me, “Breakaway or early breakaway is the way you’re going to win that race”. It was about getting into that early break that everyone wants to get into. I sat off the back pretty much the entire first lap to try to get a feel for it going up Malcolm Street, I was in the top 15 to 20 wheels, which was really good. 

Coming into King’s Park, I was still in those top 15 to 20 wheels, and I see this girl in front of me move through the side, and I follow her wheel, and she actually attacks the bunch. I just follow her wheel, which is really handy, really good luck, I think which most of cycling comes down to I reckon. It was a good group, and I think they really underestimated us, really left it to the last minute, and it was just too little, too late. 

I was feeling really good throughout the entire race as well. I was really keen, and I was telling myself, “I think I can win this race”, but I cramped up the final climb coming into King’s Park. And yeah, I couldn’t do anything after that. I just had to kind of limp home. But yeah, still an amazing experience.

And what did you learn from it? What would you do differently?

I don’t know. I’ve been struggling with this cramp for a while. I think maybe I just have to try more things, more sodium, more liquids. Otherwise, I think doing less work within that bunch and trying to be the person who does the least amount of work, because they often end up doing the best in the finish.

What about outside of cycling? 

I work at Ride Advice, and Steve is really great there. He helps me a lot with everything, which is amazing. 

I’m not doing uni at the moment. I tried, but I dropped out twice, so I think I’ll just try cycling for this year, and see how it goes. I did Bachelor of Science, which I didn’t like and then I tried a Bachelor of Commerce, again, didn’t like it. If push comes to shove, I’ll join the police force.

*If you’d like to support Sophia’s European campaign, see her Australian Sports Foundation page. 

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

1. 4Five+ Tiger Tracks Gravel (this weekend!)

2. WCMCC Splendid Park Criterium

3. PDCC Hilly TT & BBQ 2025 (13 Apr)

4. MCC Stan Gurney VC Memorial Criterium (25 Apr)

5. CCC Tom Lowry Memorial Road Race (3 May)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — Saturday (29/3) – 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 — It’s Step Up Saturday this weekend, giving you an opportunity to challenge yourself by moving up a group (or two)!

At time of writing, the weather is looking a bit iffy for Saturday morning, with possible early showers & a strong easterly. If roads are wet, be cautious on corners & roundabouts, and avoid painted lines.

One issue that has come up over the past week involves pulling away from lights or stops, especially with big groups. No point in having the front riders at full speed before the last of the bunch have stopped talking…err, clipped in! A good tip shared among the ride leaders is that front riders should moderate their pace by soft pedalling for as many seconds as there are ride pairs!

Don’t forget to wear any SPR green!

Saturday 5th April

Sunday 6th April

Monday 7th April

Tuesday 8th April

Wednesday 9th April

Thursday 10th April

Friday 11th April

Ride Routes 29th March – 4th April

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Hi all,

Thanks for everyone who participated in our AGM last weekend. I will post a Committee update in coming weeks. Here’s to 2025 💚

For today’s blog I am super-pleased to introduce part 1 from our very own Claire Tyrrell introducing Sophia Sammons. Sophia started riding with SPR on Sunday Hills and now is putting in a lot of work aiming to make a career on the bike (if you follow her on social media you will see she is out in the hills a lot more than Sunday morning :)).

Enjoy part one this week and part two coming next week.

Sophia is heading to Europe to race in next few months. If you would like to support her (which would be amazing), head to her fundraising page here. You can also get along to the Spartans Paris Roubaix on the Big Screen organised by Adrian Emilsen – all funds raised go to support Sophia’s upcoming travel to Europe.

Also check out the Juniors photos later in the blog — huge kudos to Paige Verbiesen for taking our the win in the Junior Girls U9 division in the WA Cyclocross Kids Party in the Park 2025 – all the results here. Not to mention lots of photos from Toby Brown here.

See you out on the bike.

Daniel

Sophia Sammons (part one)

Perth cyclist Sophia Sammons has gone from strength to strength, placing fifth at the recent ProVelo Super League in South Australia as well as in the National Championships Road Race. 

This promising young rider started her cycling journey with the South Perth Rouleurs. 

Claire Tyrrell spoke to Sophia recently to find out more about her background, her ambitions, and how she got to where she is today. 

Where did you grow up? 

I was born in the Dominican Republic. My parents met in Equador, but lived in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic for a little bit. I moved to Australia pretty much right away, to Perth, then to Melbourne, then to Perth. I was really little at the time, so all I remember is Perth. 

How long have you been cycling?

This is my third year now. I was a (middle distance) runner before. 

Running is a sport where you really need to understand how to hurt. 

What attracted you to cycling? 

I got injured (an ankle tendon). It was the motion of running that I couldn’t do, but I was allowed to pedal. My dad had a bike that I used, a gravel bike. 

I actually really hated cycling when I first started doing it as rehab, but eventually I started to like it more than I did running. I was considering being a triathlete or even a duathlete, but I actually enjoy cycling too much to do running. So now I’m a full time cyclist. 

What made you go from hating cycling to enjoying it? 

Around the same time, I had a really bad eating disorder, so I think I really liked (that) it’s a longer sport, therefore I’m burning more calories. That really enticed me to want to be able to do more and more. 

Did cycling help you overcome that eating disorder? 

My parents put their foot down at one point, and literally told me I was not allowed to train, so I couldn’t do any running, any cycling. And then I think after that, I still had that love of cycling, even when I got better. And it just kind of carried on from that.

I think cycling has been that thing where I can appreciate my body and myself for something other than its looks, for being good on a bike, being strong and powerful, being able to do all these things.

When did you realise you wanted to take your cycling to the next level? 

I think just because I enjoyed it so much. I love the challenge of getting better, so I think I was like, “Oh, I can get paid for being able to do that”, so it was mainly that kind of drive to be able to want to do this thing full time, pretty much. 

I think when Brad (Hall) started coaching me, so that would be in October 2023, he kind of made me believe that I could go somewhere in this sport, that I was better than what I thought I was.

How did you come to ride with SPR? 

It was after rehab when I got my first road bike, I wanted to go into the hills, but I couldn’t go by myself, mainly because I didn’t know where I was going I was about 16 or 17 and I found the SPR hills ride on a Sunday, and I did the long ones or short ones if I had work in the morning. 

It was just a great way to really push myself up the hills and be able to ride with other people, even though I didn’t know that many people within cycling.

I think it was my dad who recommended it.

Can you tell me about your experiences riding with the club? 

It was really, really positive. I really enjoyed it. We’d go hard up all the climbs, and it was really satisfying, you know, beating quite a few of the people at the climb, being the first one, and everyone was really encouraging, saying, “you’re really good at this, and you’ve got what it takes”. So yeah, I really did enjoy it. 

*Read the next installment of the SPR Blog to learn about Sophia’s professional career. 

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

2. WCMCC Splendid Park Criterium (6 Apr)

3. PDCC Hilly TT & BBQ 2025 (13 Apr)

4. MCC Stan Gurney VC Memorial Criterium (25 Apr)

5. CCC Tom Lowry Memorial Road Race (3 May)

Summer Crit Calendar
Summer Crit Calendar

Juniors Ride — Saturday (29/3) – 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.

Finally, check out some photos from the Kids Party in the Park last weekend!

From the Ride Coordinator — 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.

Don’t forget to wear club kit for the main ride on Saturdays. It doesn’t have to be the latest version: vintage, TOMR, anything SPR will be appreciated.

This Sunday will see the running of the Perth Hills Gran Fondo (URL : https://piet.com.au/perth-hills-gran-fondo). Please ensure you pass any groups safely as part of our Sunday ride.

Saturday 29th March

Sunday 30th March

Monday 31st March

Tuesday 1st April

Wednesday 2nd April

Thursday 3rd April

Friday 4th April

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

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

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

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

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

The website for the South Perth Cycle Club