Ride Routes 14 – 20th August

For those of you who watch Channel 7, you will have been privileged to see SPR’s very own “From the Ride Coordinator” Mr Greg Jones!

The topic is a close one for Greg, who had a close call several years ago suffering a heart attack whilst riding, receiving CPR from a fellow club member – likely saving his life – and thankfully has since made a full recovery.

The story in the news highlights the important of heart health – even for healthy cyclists who are very fit. It features Dr Richard Alcock, cyclist and Interventional Cardiologist, who has worked hard in recent years to educate people about this important aspect of heart health. Earlier this year we advertised a seminar he ran, “Cycling to extremes: Heart health and the athlete” – if the opportunity comes again I encourage you to participate, particularly those like me who are north of 45 🙂

At present, the story is only on tonights 7 News on the app, but we will post a separate link as soon as it is available.

Thanks to everyone who attended last week’s belated SPR Tour de France Dinner.

We had a ball.

And keep your eyes peeled for the La Vuelta event we are planning!

From the Ride Coordinator – Mixed bag reactions to the reintroduction of last week’s ride route from the coffee crowd. Personally, after the frustration of some slow/unresponsive light changes early on, the route itself is one with the least amount of lights and fairy flat so you can really get the flow going in a good group. It’s great that we have such diversity of opinion on our rides so keep that coming as it leads to better outcomes for everyone. That’s what the club is all about. 

So for this week we will head south again to enjoy a push home from a light south easterly on the way home. We haven’t been out Maddington Way for a while and last time we would have done it, I’m pretty sure we headed straight into a howling East or South Easterly wind so this time we hope we can at least look up and enjoy the scenery.

As for that pesky weather, well looks to me like overnight showers clearing early enough for us to get out on Saturday. Let’s just hope they aren’t delayed or even don’t come at all. Whatever riding you choose to do, enjoy but keep an eye out on safety and looking after your fellow riders. If the showers do come in, might be some slippery conditions that may need to be navigated so please keep an eye out and be ready to call the hazards.

Saturday 14th August

Sunday 15th August

Monday 16th August

Tuesday 17th August

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

Wednesday 18th August

Thursday 19th August

Friday 20th August

Kit shop open!

The club kit shop is open. It will close again on 22 August to allow a bit of extra time for shipping so that kit arrives in time for the Tour of Margaret River ’21.

Remember – you need to be a current club member in order to purchase kit.

South Perth Rouleurs

Ride Routes 7 – 13th August

Cycling is a huge part of Sam Walkers’s life, and she’s giving back to the club by being on the committee.

Here, we find out a bit more about Sam.

Name: Sam Walker
Position: Club Secretary

1. What bike do you ride?

2019 Cervelo S3 but I do like getting on my 2015 Liv Envie every now and then.

2. What brought you to cycling and to SPR? 

Liam and I had just returned from living in Kalgoorlie after 2.5 years, so we were looking to do something together and get some fitness back. A Google search of cycle clubs in our area led me to SPR in Nov 2012 and the rest is history.

3. How long have you been with the club? 

Since Nov 2012. But officially a member from 2013, I think.

4. What is your most memorable experience on the bike? 

Oh wow… far too many, but stepping on to the podium in third place for the TT at the 2018 Masters Champs was pretty special.

Also riding in the SPR women’s team with Annemiek van Vleuten the same year.

5. Why did you choose to be on the SPR committee and what do you hope to achieve as part of your role? 

Previously I was working FIFO so I wasn’t able to commit time to the club, but I’m currently studying full time and based in Perth so it was a good opportunity to join the committee this year. I’ve been a member for a number of years and think the club does a lot for its members and knowing how much work others have done in the past to ensure the club continues to run and provide for its members, it seemed only fair to jump in and help out and not leave it to the same people year after year.

6. Can you tell me a bit about your life off the bike? 

I’m studying my MBA full time and previous to that, worked FIFO as a commercial manager for a gold mining company. I’d been doing that for the last 6ish years.

I live with my husband Liam, who also rides. I also enjoy hanging with friends, eating good food and wine and travelling overseas when we’re not locked down.

From the Ride Coordinator – Well we were hoping for the best last weekend but actually got a pretty raw deal from the girls and boys at the BOM. Chapeau to those hearty souls who got out for the main and gravel rides last weekend in that weather (yes believe it or not there were some who ventured out). This Saturday looks OK – at least for the morning so we might get a ride AND a coffee in before it turns.

So this weekend’s main ride route has been the most affected by road works over the last 18 months which was about the last time we scheduled it on. Initially there were changes to lanes and a new roundabout along Belmont Avenue, then road resurfacing along its namesake, followed by a new bridge over the Roe highway on Kalamunda road and finally more road resurfacing along Midland Road. It’s had more work done on it than a Hollywood actor/actress!! Whilst there’s a few witches hats dotted along its length, we think it’s time to put Abernethy Rd back in circulation. If you haven’t ridden it before, please do yourself a favour a take a look at the ride route following the link below.

Saturday 7th August

Sunday 8th August

Monday 9th August

Tuesday 10th August

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

Wednesday 11th August

Thursday 12th August

Friday 13th August

Healthy turnout to SPR Women’s Health Afternoon Tea

Well today’s weather was wet and wild but it didn’t stop our women coming along to this event aimed at supporting our women with health issues that can impact their performance and enjoyment of cycling.

Dr Rachel McCormick and PhD Scholar Serene Lee shared their wealth of knowledge, in particular iron supplementation for iron deficient athletes and “period”-ised training and nutrition planning beneficial for cyclical female athletes.

We were delighted to be able to offer this opportunity for our women through the generosity of both Rachel and Serene volunteering their time and Toby Brown for offering up the DOME Westralia Plaza as a venue and providing the catering etc.

Thanks goes to our women taking up the opportunity and sharing their experiences so openly and the SPR Women’s Interest Sub-Committee for their efforts in organising the event.

The club is keen on hearing from its women on how it can support them in enjoying their time on the bike, in particular with the club.  Feel free to send ideas, queries etc to women@southperthrouleurs.com.au

Ride Routes 31st July – 6th August

We are back for the SPR Water Tower Challenge 2021 Edition after a great event last year.

Ride against the clock in teams of 3, through the Perth suburbs in search of water towers. You will likely find water towers that you never knew existed and visit suburbs you do not usually ride through.

And remembering that water towers are built on the top of hills, you will have the opportunity to do some climbing as well 😀 – choose either the Imperial (170km and 1,800m of climbing) or the Metric tonne (103km and 1,300m of climbing).

This is a fundraiser for the club and helps support the Rider Leaders Programme that both members and non-members enjoy 365 days a year.

The event is open members and non-members.

To whet your appetite I’ve included some photos from my team’s attempt last year.

All of the details are on the EntryBoss event page, which is where you sign up!

Find a team and get involved.

Inaugural Gravel Ride – Don’t forget our first gravel/dirt ride this weekend (weather permitting!) – we have prepared an easy route that starts at the Darlington post office where we travel north to Lake Leschenautia across to Chidlow and return on the northern side of the heritage trail to Bellevue and then back to the Darlington Post Office.  The total distance is 56ks along fairly easy going trails.  If anyone is not keen on going to the Lake there will be an alternate option of just the Heritage Trail.  This is a no drop ride so everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the scenery. With all the rain that we have had there are plenty of streams flowing and frogs croaking to enjoy.  Please remember to bring enough water and food for the journey and spare tubes.

All the details below.

SPR Women’s Health Talk & Afternoon Tea – Female cyclists can often encounter health issues that require careful monitoring or maintenance. Come join Dr Rachel McCormick and PhD Scholar Serene Lee to discuss these issues and how they can be managed to lessen the impact they can have on your cycling and health.

The club will be putting on afternoon tea!

Now fully subscribed – thanks everyone for supporting the club – but for more information see the full post here.

SPR Tour de France Dinner – The SPR Committee is pleased to announce that we are this year again holding our Tour de France dinner. This year at Chez Pierre.

With the recent lockdown, this has been re-scheduled to Thursday 5th August (after the Tour has finished but the best we could do!). Enjoy the night!

Sorry, sold out.

From the Ride Coordinator – So if you’re anything like me and really sick of the weather (my road bike is suffering from separation anxiety) then neither I or the BOM have good news for you this weekend with yet another front (or two) due to pass over the greater Perth area. Let’s hope there is a enough of a break to get our Saturday ride in.

However, we are hopeful that we get enough respite from the combo of heavy rain and driving winds to kick off our inaugural regular gravel ride around the Heritage trail with optional extension to Chidlow.  So if it’s “just lightish rain” as opposed to the stuff we have been experiencing, then come and meet us at 7.30am on Sunday departing from the car park opposite the Darlington post office for a bit of fun on the Heritage trail. We have a couple of options to choose from if the numbers stack up. One that does the Heritage Trail loop only, and one that goes further up to Chidlow. So if you’ve ever wanted to give gravel riding a go, this may be the weekend to try it. If the weather is looking too difficult to hold, a call will be made Saturday evening at around 7-7.30pm so keep an eye out on Facebook for confirmation it is on. If it is and you are driving to the start, remember to pack a change of clothes or at least a towel.

Saturday 31st July

Sunday 1st August

Monday 2nd August

Tuesday 3rd August

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

Wednesday 4th August

Thursday 5th August

Friday 6th August

Ride Routes 24 – 30th July

Over the life of the club, we have evolved and changed what we provide for members.

You will be pleased to know that this is happening again, and we have something new to offer.

The gravel is calling.

There has been an increase in people riding gravel and MTB bikes (Dean wonders if it is just him, we think that while he has been taking his gravel riding very seriously recently, there are probably more of you).

What we have come up with is the monthly SPR Sunday Gravel Ride.

The rides will be lead by Dean Roser (Mr Training and Development) and will usually run on the last Sunday of each month, although we will be starting them next week (Sunday 1 August). We will be publishing the routes, but expect the route to be approx 60km and start “on location” (e.g. Darlington Post Office).

The rides will be open to everyone, and will be no-drop rides.

If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with Dean at coffee or reach out via email/website/Facebook.

SPR Women’s Health Talk & Afternoon Tea – Female cyclists can often encounter health issues that require careful monitoring or maintenance. Come join Dr Rachel McCormick and PhD Scholar Serene Lee to discuss these issues and how they can be managed to lessen the impact they can have on your cycling and health.

The club will be putting on afternoon tea!

Now fully subscribed – thanks everyone for supporting the club – but for more information see the full post here.

SPR Tour de France Dinner – The SPR Committee is pleased to announce that we are this year again holding our Tour de France dinner. This year at Chez Pierre.

With the recent lockdown, this has been re-scheduled to Thursday 5th August (after the Tour has finished but the best we could do!). Enjoy the night!

Sorry, sold out. Well actually, we’ve found one more ticket. Grab it in the shop if you’re keen.

From the Ride Coordinator – Is that rain finally starting to clear or is the immediate forecast just an aberration in an otherwise very wet winter. As I see more and more Strava ride posts boasting of finally being able to get outside, let’s take the glass half full view and say at least we should be able to ride more.

For those that have already ventured out into the semi dry sandy expanses of our metro road system, one thing is for sure, the chances of getting flat tyres has definitely increased with all the rubbish that has floated over the surface washed down by the rain. I know from recent experience that some of that rubbish includes things like little shafts of metal or flora including leafs/branches/sticks that are not conducive to your tyres remaining fully inflated. 

So a couple of things for all our riders to consider focusing on this weekend.

First is the preparation for the ride. Do you have good tyres or are they worn. Do you have spare tubes, canisters etc that will help you get on your way again. It’s a good time of year to check these things because of the higher chance of finding one of those spiny little suckers on the road.

The second is good communications whilst we are group riding. Calling things like potholes, water on road, debris is vital for group safety at the driest of times, in mid winter it’s essential. Road surfaces are changeable at this time of year. I’ve already noticed a couple of sneaky potholes appear on regular roads that I ride that weren’t there a few weeks back. At best these can lead to flat tyres, worse still, injury to your fellow riders. So please, please call these up the line so everyone in your group maximizes the chances of staying upright. Please leave the “I’m too cool to call” attitude for other rides if that’s your thing. We prefer to have everyone back safely, sipping coffee at the coffee shop.

Saturday 24th July

Sunday 25th July

Monday 26th July

Tuesday 27th July

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

Wednesday 28th July

Thursday 29th July

Friday 30th July

Ride Routes 17th – 23rd July

A loyal club member and regular rider, Shirley Vine stepped into the role of club treasurer last year.

Here, she answers some questions about herself.

Name: Shirley Vine
Position: Club Treasurer

1. What bike do you ride?

I ride a purple Giant Liv with matching purple bar tape. When my friend purchased a bike shop, I wanted to be her first customer and she gave me a terrific deal as it was a demo bike.

2. What brought you to cycling and to SPR? 

I’ve been cycling my whole life. My three brothers and I always had bikes. We even brought our ‘tracker’ bikes with us when we emigrated from England in 1973. I have always ridden to school, ridden to work and competed in triathlons for many years. I was a long distance runner prior to taking up triathlons. After completing the Ironman, I joined SPR. My husband kept encouraging me to join as he signed up straight away when we moved to Perth. 

I started in Development and was only a Saturday morning rider for ages. After my first Monday ladies recovery ride, I was motivated to start riding more regularly to improve my cycling skills.

Now I am a main 2 rider and try hard in main 1.4 when not ride leading. SPR has become my cycling family.

3. How long have you been with the club? 

I joined SPR around 2013.

4. What is your most memorable experience on the bike? 

I’ve got so many it’s hard to narrow it down. I love being a ride leader, have competed in lots of races and events, criteriums, road races, gran fondos, Three Dams, Five dams, events in Brisbane, Darwin and am signed up for my 2nd Tour of Margaret River this year. I have no short twitch fibres in my muscles so prefer long distance events. I am learning how to ride faster and after feasting on this year’s Tour de France am more motivated than ever.

If I have to pick one memorable experience, I’d like to look back on my first criterium, an SPR event at Technology Park. I was beside myself with fear and trepidation. Cathi Dixon was the nominated mentor and I was dropped at the start line because I couldn’t clip in quickly enough. In my mind I was telling myself not to worry I would catch them, they would see and I got lapped twice haha. Cathi was teaching me what to do at each corner and because I was dropped I had her all to myself at the back. How funny it was. If you just keep turning up you improve and get stronger from every ride. I have overcome so much fear, I can even ride in the dark and can’t count the fun and enjoyment I have experienced finishing so many races and events, let alone the wonderful friends I have made.

5. Why did you choose to be on the SPR committee and what do you hope to achieve as part of your role? 

I have worked as a volunteer in many and varied organisations including on the committees for years and years. I was the treasurer at the Belmont RSL prior to joining the SPR committee where I learned the MYOB system of finance operations. I loved it. So I thought I would learn the Xero system by volunteering for SPR as its treasurer.

My aspirations were to improve my finance skills. I really like it and enjoy being part of running our organisation.

6. Can you tell me a bit about your life off the bike? 

Off the bike I am many things. I am married to Iain, (husband of the year). We are currently on our second honeymoon in quarantine. We have a son, Finley, his lovely wife Kimi and our 2 grandies Luna & Roland.

I work as the property department manager and in-house counsel for Retirees WA and oversee the management of 18 retirement villages stretching from Geraldton to Busselton. I am the Vice Chair on the East Perth Community Group and a volunteer rep with Lifeline. The community visitor scheme works to eradicate loneliness in the community. I was visiting Ruby, a 90 year old lady who had no family and she requested a visitor who likes to play scrabble and keep score. I was visiting her weekly for a couple of years, but she recently passed away so I am having back to back scrabble tournaments with Iain ha ha. Guess who wins?

SPR Women’s Health Talk & Afternoon Tea – Female cyclists can often encounter health issues that require careful monitoring or maintenance. Come join Dr Rachel McCormick and PhD Scholar Serene Lee to discuss these issues and how they can be managed to lessen the impact they can have on your cycling and health.

The club will be putting on afternoon tea!

Now fully subscribed – thanks everyone for supporting the club – but for more information see the full post here.

SPR Tour de France Dinner – The SPR Committee is pleased to announce that we are this year again holding our Tour de France dinner. This year at Chez Pierre.

Sorry, sold out. And with the recent lockdown, this has been re-scheduled to . Thursday 5th August (after the Tour has finished but the best we could do!). Enjoy the night!

From the Ride Coordinator – There is a saying “A week is a long time in politics”. In football terms it’s “lets take it a week at a time”. In this pandemic environment it looks as though lots can change rapidly between weekend rides so let’s just “live in the moment” and appreciate that this weekend we are able to ride in groups and share a coffee at the end. When you overlay the fact that the rubbish weather we have been experiencing may just stay away long enough to enjoy our main ride, then let’s hope we see many people out for the ride.

As for the route, well the light winds predicted mean we can pretty much choose any route and it won’t be wind affected too much so we will head south again this weekend on one of our more popular summer rides – South St.

Hoping we see you out there because you never know what will happen in a weeks time.

Saturday 17th July

Sunday 18th July

Monday 19th July

Tuesday 20th July

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

Wednesday 21st July

Thursday 22nd July

Friday 23rd July

Our ‘Ben Ben’ (à la Ride Routes 10 – 16th July)

I am sure I was not the only one who became emotional as Ben O’Connor stormed to victory on stage nine of the Tour de France. 

As the 25-year-old Freo product broke away from Columbian Sergio Higuita up the Col des Saisies, an immense pride permeated through the WA cycling community. 

This was after he’d dropped climbing great Nairo Quintana and Canadian Michael Woods, not to mention the entire peloton and the maillot jaune. 

Sleep could wait – this kid was making history. 

When commentator Robbie McEwan read out SPR member Cathi Dixon’s poem about the young-gun, my pride was amplified – go ‘Ben Ben!’. 

I interviewed Ben for The West (or here) in 2019, and he told me: “When you are young you know if you are going to be good at something and with riding I knew”. 

Out of context, such a statement could be construed as arrogant, but Ben was far from it. 

He knew his strengths and he set his sights on becoming a GC contender in the Grand Tours. 

He has performed well in the past, riding into the top 10 of the Giro – but never until now has he garnered so much attention. 

The young rider’s face was splashed across mainstream media following his win – finally Australia was paying attention to this beautiful sport. 

Even our Premier congratulated him at his daily COVID presser – a refreshing reprieve from the dispiriting public address. 

Has cycling finally made it into the hearts and minds of mainstream Australians? 

Maybe drivers will even start treating us better on the roads.

Time will tell, but I certainly hope so. 

SPR Women’s Health Talk & Afternoon Tea – Female cyclists can often encounter health issues that require careful monitoring or maintenance.  Come join Dr Rachel McCormick and PhD Scholar Serene Lee to discuss these issues and how they can be managed to lessen the impact they can have on your cycling and health. 

The club will be putting on afternoon tea!

Now fully subscribed – thanks everyone for supporting the club – but for more information see the full post here.

SPR Tour de France Dinner – The SPR Committee is pleased to announce that we are this year again holding our Tour de France dinner. This year at Chez Pierre.

Sorry, sold out. And with the recent lockdown, this has been re-scheduled to . Thursday 5th August (after the Tour has finished but the best we could do!). Enjoy the night!

From the Ride Coordinator – So for my fellow couch peletonians – what a week it’s been at the TdF. Despite the lockdown easing, the weather gods have smiled on us couchies watching Le Tour as it’s been too wet to ride in the mornings (Those on Zwift are the exception). And what inspiration have we seen from our local lads – Turbo and Beno. There’s enough inspiration there to do 2 rides on a Saturday. (Oh wait some amongst us already do!). Anyway, now it’s our turn to get out there this weekend and we hope those weather gods look after us by clearing the rain early enough for our Saturday ride and closing the window late on Sunday. Cross your fingers it happens. Whatever cycling you can fit in this weekend, please make sure you look after yourselves and your fellow riders.

Saturday 10th July

Sunday 11th July

Monday 12th July

Tuesday 13th July

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

Wednesday 14th July

Thursday 15th July

Friday 16th July

SPR Women’s Health Talk & Afternoon Tea

Female cyclists can often encounter health issues that require careful monitoring or maintenance.  Come join Dr Rachel McCormick and PhD Scholar Serene Lee to discuss these issues and how they can be managed to lessen the impact they can have on your cycling and health.  The club will be putting on afternoon tea!

Date:  Sunday, 1st August 2021

Venue:  Dome Westralia Plaza

Time:  1:00pm – 3:00pm

Cost:  Free for members

Reserve a place

Dr Rachel McCormick

Rachel is a PhD graduate from the University of Western Australia where she investigated strategies of iron supplementation for iron deficient athletes. She conducted her PhD research in collaboration with the Western Australian Institute of Sport where she has also worked as a physiologist for the last 5 years. Her research has also recently guided the Australian Institute of Sports protocols for treating iron deficient athletes. Currently, she is continuing to develop her research profile, conducting studies to improve gut health in a clinical population and athletes at Edith Cowan University. As an avid track runner, a lot of Rachel’s research is motivated by issues associated with endurance sports.

PhD Scholar Serene Lee

Serene is a PhD scholar at Murdoch University studying the effects of hormonal fluctuations on exercise performance in female cyclists. She will be discussing how a “period”-ised training and nutrition plan may be beneficial for the cyclical female athlete. She will also answer some of the common questions such as, how often and when should I strength train, are rest days necessary and are saddle sores normal.

SPR thanks these knowledgable women for giving their time for the benefit of our members.

Ride Routes 3rd July – 9th July

With the announcement from the Premier that we move out of lockdown from midnight tonight, the Committee has read through the detail and decided that we ride from tomorrow. We fit under the category of outdoor community sport, with some care needed before and after. Good news!

Each of us does need to take care to abide by the restrictions put in place by the State Government, so please take note.

In the car park at the start of the ride, we need to ensure that group sizes are kept to 20 people and that masks are worn. To assist in spacing of the groups, we will revert to the more spread out layout in the car park. Please pay some attention in this regard as we congregate.

Similarly, at the end of the ride, masks are a requirement. Additionally, Dome has a restriction of 20 patrons so many of us won’t get to sit down, but takeaway will be available. 

See you out on the road.

From the Ride Coordinator – All I can say is thanks god for the TdF! Whilst there were rumblings coming from NSW last week, it’s nothing that we haven’t heard before from over east and usually the tyranny of distance from our east coast friends has been enough to keep the nasties at bay. Unfortunately this hasn’t been the case this week, but it’s allowed us to stay up a bit later to watch the stages of Le Tour. And yes, if the carnage that played out this week isn’t enough to keep safety at the forefront of your mind when group riding, I guess it never will.

So to this weekend’s ride route, with a gentle North Eastely behind us, we plan to tackle Morley Drive. Please note that the Saturday Hills ride option is going into hibernation during winter as we didn’t get one rider this time last month and the poor ride leaders scheduled had to get out of their warm beds 30 mins earlier than they needed to. We will look to advertise when we boot it up again in Spring. Whilst we are talking hills, the Sunday “social” short hills ride (try say that fast 10’ times over) is continuing throughout winter. It follows the short hills ride route at a slower pace than the main group, so if you wan to give it a go, if numbers and weather allows, ask around at the car park on Sunday.

So, if your reading this, then we are allowed to ride but please look after yourself and the safety of your fellow riders. In this case we don’t want to be like the pros over in France. We just want you back for coffee safely .

Saturday 3rd July

Sunday 4th July

Monday 5th July

Tuesday 6th July

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

Wednesday 7th July

Thursday 8th July

Friday 9th July

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