Ride Routes 22nd – 28th May

If you stayed on for coffee after any SPR ride in recent months, you would have heard whispers of SEVEN. 

“What size tyres are you running? How heavy is your bike? Will you ride a cyclocross bike or a mountain-bike?” 

The anticipation was palpable.

On Sunday, the day finally came – and there was no talk of tyres or frames. We just rode our bikes.

A 45+ SPR contingent took part in the Seven, Five and Three rides – and every single one of them did the club proud. 

It was the third time I’d embarked on this epic event (though the second year I opted for Five), and it was as spectacular as ever. Weather conditions were ideal for a day out on the bike, and that’s all I tried to see it as. 

Yes, I climbed more than 3000 metres and pedalled across 125km of gravel roads, spending about 7h30m on my bicycle, but at the end of the day I was doing what I loved. 

I met some awesome, like-minded people and caught up with some old faces, I had emotional ups and downs (including two crashes), but I was happy to be out there. 

My happiness was amplified as I rolled into the finish, to see that SPR’s Kate Bonner had claimed third woman overall, Vanessa Johnson came third in her division and Deb Kempe took out first female 60+. 

Michael Bonner had an awesome ride to achieve first male 60+ and Kate Nelligan got first in her age group in Five. 

Sharing in the triumphs and tribulations of my green comrades was something special – and it was great to see how many members signed up to Seven as the event grows. 

I covered the very first Seven in 2018, when the event attracted about 250 riders – compared to an impressive 1000 plus on Sunday. 

It seems the gravel adventure will continue to grow, with rumours that accommodation for next year’s event has sold out already. 

I certainly plan to take part in next year’s Seven. Who’s with me?

Tour of Margaret River Information Session – After the ride this Saturday we are holding the first of our information sessions regarding the Tour of Margaret River 2021.

The club is seeking expressions from riders at all levels. And don’t worry if you haven’t raced before – it does not matter how fast you go!

If you are interested, curious, or just have questions, drop past Dome at 9am, and talk to Steve or one of the Committee.

And as always, contact admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au to express your interest in the event.

Giro D’Italia Dinner – SPR members enjoyed a night out at East Victoria Park’s Bella Rosa café for this year’s Giro d’talia night. 

Forty of us packed the function rooms and chatted all things life and cycling, on the rest day of the Italian grand tour. 

An Italian dress theme was encouraged, and Shirley Vine stood out from the crowd in her pink attire. 

Stay tuned for the next social event during the Tour de France. 

Saturday Start Locations – As announced last week, we are moving back to the older and more condensed layout in the carpark at Coode Street for the start of the ride.

This makes communication and organisation that little bit easier.

Bike Maintenance Session – Check out this post for an invite to SPR women who want to learn the basics when it comes to fixing and maintaining their road bike.


The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t quite business as usual – As the past week’s lockdown has shown us, it is definitely not business as usual just yet. Please keep in mind our social distancing and personal hygiene:

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – Remember that for many locations and venues contact registration is mandatory. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do I get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here

Thursday Group 3 & 4 – The last few weeks we have been formalising and supporting the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday. SPR Thursday has a reputation of being a hard and fast ride and the size of the first group today was a good indication of it’s popularity. However, we also want to provide an opportunity for people to develop and progress through the ranks, so to speak. As such the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday now have ride leaders assigned to them to help guide people. The expected average speeds for the groups are 34k/hr and 30 k/hr or less average, respectively, so you can make a call as to which will suit you best. Organically developing rides to provide for what the needs of the group is what has contributed to the growth of the club. This is just another step along that path.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

From the Ride Coordinator – OK. Have the ladies and gentlemen at the BOM got the forecast right? Your immediate reaction is likely to be “well probably not” but some early modelling on a Thursday afternoon suggests we might be able to slip in a ride in the morning before the rain sets in. Cross your fingers that they are right this time around.

If they do get it right then those that go out will attempt  one of the most feared rides in our repertoire – Ewen St aka “Spewin Ewen” – nicknamed for the amount of effort that you might put in or perhaps how you feel at the top. I’m not sure it deserves such a fearsome reputation. It’s a cracker of a hill don’t get me wrong – but the elevation across the ride isn’t our worst. Perhaps I just haven’t tried hard enough to enter the red zone? If you haven’t done it before, come see for yourself and you be the judge. The view from the top looking back is good, but it’s the downhill on the other side that’s better 😀. If you choose to ride, make it safe and enjoyable. Hope to see you for coffee if the rain holds off.

Saturday 22nd May

Sunday 23rd May

Monday 24th May

Tuesday 25th May

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

Wednesday 26th May

Thursday 27th May

Friday 28th May

Ride Routes 15th – 21st May

If you only do one road race this year, the Tour of Margaret River should be it.

The event, entering its 13th year, captures everything I love about road riding.

You work in teams of six, so there’s no room for selfish riders or too much ego, among some of WA’s most picturesque roads around Nannup and Balingup. The event changes slightly in format each year, but in 2020 featured three team time trails and two road races over three days.

Before you switch off and think the event is just for elite riders – think again.

TOMR caters for riders at every level, from those dipping their toe into the world of racing to professionals.

And that’s the beauty of it – it’s a chance for Perth’s cycling community to converge, to share a laugh on and off the bike away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Organisers Rebecca Cotton and Brendon Morrison and their army of volunteers do an amazing job of drawing support for the event – in the past it has attracted global cycling superstars Annemiek van Vleuten and Marrianne Vos.

Personally, I have ridden this event three times, and each experience was markedly different. In 2017, I rode it with the club – with Rebecca Kelly, Kate Bonner, Kathryn Dines, Ali Ramm and Leigh Outschoorn. We worked well together to finish second in our division – being pipped by Veris by just seconds in the final team time trial.

For me, the camaraderie of the club was a highlight. Cold cokes under the SPR tent, the volunteers in green and my ever-smiling SPR buddies – it’s a blast!

This year’s tour is from 5-7 November, with provisional stages already released.

The club is seeking expressions from riders at all levels. And don’t worry if you haven’t raced before – it does not matter how fast you go!

Contact admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au to express your interest in the event. We will be posting more, and aiming for an information session soon, but we would love to hear from you.

Last chance to take us up on an invitation to join us for our Giro D’Italia Dinner. Last chance because the dinner is next week, and also because we have sold nearly all of the tickets, so if you’re interested … get in quick!

Saturday Start Locations – As announced last week, we are moving back to the older and more condensed layout in the carpark at Coode Street for the start of the ride.

This makes communication and organisation that little bit easier.

Bike Maintenance Session – Check out this post for an invite to SPR women who want to learn the basics when it comes to fixing and maintaining their road bike.


The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t quite business as usual – As the past week’s lockdown has shown us, it is definitely not business as usual just yet. Please keep in mind our social distancing and personal hygiene:

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – Remember that for many locations and venues contact registration is mandatory. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do I get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here

Thursday Group 3 & 4 – The last few weeks we have been formalising and supporting the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday. SPR Thursday has a reputation of being a hard and fast ride and the size of the first group today was a good indication of it’s popularity. However, we also want to provide an opportunity for people to develop and progress through the ranks, so to speak. As such the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday now have ride leaders assigned to them to help guide people. The expected average speeds for the groups are 34k/hr and 30 k/hr or less average, respectively, so you can make a call as to which will suit you best. Organically developing rides to provide for what the needs of the group is what has contributed to the growth of the club. This is just another step along that path.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

From the Ride Coordinator – So many of the regular riders with SPR will be heading down Nannup way this weekend for the epic gravel/off road event SeVen. If ever you wanted to set yourself a challenge, it is this event with the signature event covering 125kms, over 3000 meters of elevation and 10 categorized climbs over the distance. Phew, I’m exhausted just thinking about it as I’m typing. Of course there are options for shorter courses but whatever the choice it’s a real achievement to finish. So to all the SPR members who are attempting it this weekend (& there are quite a few), good luck to you all and we hope to see you riding back in our groups next week 👍🏻

For those wanting a good hit out around Perth this Saturday morning, whilst not quite as epic, we still have a little challenging ride up Hale and Ridgehill Rds for you with a tail wind finish along Guildford Rd. Remember to familiarize yourself with the route. All it takes is a click on the link below and a quick scan of the route to put you in the picture and maximize your own safety by knowing the route. Please don’t put your own safety in other peoples hands by hoping the rider next to you knows where they are going because you don’t. As ride leaders we see near misses happening all the time and all we are trying to do is make sure you have an enjoyable and safe ride. Something that’s a bit difficult if you’re skidding along the road surface because you’ve clipped a wheel or someone has cut you off. So familiarize yourself with the route and we can enjoy a coffee together at Dome afterwards.

Saturday 15th May

Sunday 16th May

Monday 17th May

Tuesday 18th May

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

Wednesday 19th May

Thursday 20th May

Friday 21th May

Ride Routes 8th – 14th May

It seems like we’ve been here before. Take 2: Transitioning out of lockdown the repeat edition. But you won’t hear me complaining, I am just glad to be able to ride this weekend, mask not required. Benara Road anyone??!!

In reading through the Premier’s announcement, and the details of the significant easing of restrictions, the part that stood out for me most was this: “People will be able to have up to 100 people in their homes, up from 30.” I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve rarely if ever had 30 people over, let alone 100 – even when SPR Breakfasts were held at Peter’s house I don’t think we got to 100 bikes in Peter’s garage 🙂

A couple of things to mention; first up, we would love for you to join us for our Giro D’Italia Dinner. We’ve sold nearly half of the tickets, so plenty of space for you to come along, but keep in mind that Cafe Bella Rosa has a hard limit on space so we cannot increase the number of tickets once they have sold out.

Secondly, congratulations to everyone who raced in the 78th Tom Lowry Memorial Road Race held Saturday just gone by Collie Cycle Club. We had a huge turnout from the club, with 36 riders from the club racing across the grades. We achieved podiums in Women’s A Grade (congratulations Teneal Attard and Sarah Fowler!), Women’s B Grade (congratulations Larissa Boon and Di McAuliffe!), Men’s D (Darren Wallis!) and Men’s A (Mat Wardynec making the extended podium!) with strong performances across the board.

Check out the full results here and here. And there are some amazing photos here thanks to PB Photography.

Saturday Start Locations – As announced last week, we are moving back to the older and more condensed layout in the carpark at Coode Street for the start of the ride.

This makes communication and organisation that little bit easier.

Bike Maintenance Session – Check out this post for an invite to SPR women who want to learn the basics when it comes to fixing and maintaining their road bike.


The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t quite business as usual – As the past week’s lockdown has shown us, it is definitely not business as usual just yet. Please keep in mind our social distancing and personal hygiene:

  • Whilst we are during the transition out of lockdown, masks are required indoors and outdoors if you cannot social distance.
  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – Remember that for many locations and venues contact registration is mandatory. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do I get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here

Thursday Group 3 & 4 – The last few weeks we have been formalising and supporting the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday. SPR Thursday has a reputation of being a hard and fast ride and the size of the first group today was a good indication of it’s popularity. However, we also want to provide an opportunity for people to develop and progress through the ranks, so to speak. As such the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday now have ride leaders assigned to them to help guide people. The expected average speeds for the groups are 34k/hr and 30 k/hr or less average, respectively, so you can make a call as to which will suit you best. Organically developing rides to provide for what the needs of the group is what has contributed to the growth of the club. This is just another step along that path.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.S

From the Ride Coordinator – Now that those strong winds we’ve experienced across the Summer and early Autumn are abating, it opens up a few more of our ride options to choose from – or you might think? It’s often an interesting jigsaw to pull apart and put back together for the chosen route every week. There’s many variables to consider, including member preference, when was stage last time we rode the route, wind, weather conditions, sun in your eyes etc etc. Right now though, our biggest challenge to a lot of our routes are road works. I mentioned it a few weeks ago when we had the unexpected closure of Thomas street and the safety concerns that such an event can have on the ride. Well this week’s route is another of those that is impacted by road works. This time it’s the corner of Coode and Whatley due to the metro net construction around Bayswater Station. So as you crest the brow of the hill on Coode keep an eye out for any disruption or congestion ahead caused by the work that is going on because this can be a fast little stretch heading towards the Whatley intersection. Hopefully there are no issues  but at the moment, it might be better to “expect the unexpected” again and play it a little cautious around there. We hope to see everyone back safe for coffee.

Saturday 8th May

Sunday 9th May

Monday 10th May

Tuesday 11th May

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

Wednesday 12th May

Thursday 13th May

Friday 14th May

SPR Giro d’Italia Dinner

The SPR Committee is pleased to announce that we are this year again holding our Giro D’Italia dinner. This year at Cafe Bella Rosa.

Get involved!

Giro d’Italia 2020 – 103th Edition – 1st stage Monreale – Palermo 15,1 km – 03/10/2020 – Filippo Ganna (ITA – Team Ineos) – photo Luca Bettini/BettiniPhoto©2020

The dinner will be held on Tuesday 18 May with a set menu at $45 per head. See the SPR shop for the menu and all the details.

We do encourage dressing to an Italian theme though we cannot promise a prize other than our deepest admiration 🙂

Tickets available now in the SPR SHOP here. Numbers are limited, so veloce!

Ride Routes 1st – 7th May

The Premier has tonight announced what is hopefully the final transition out of lockdown. This is good news, as is the report that there has been no community transmission.

This means that we can ride. And we can have coffee afterward. Very good news.

There are a few things to keep in mind though, please. Bring a mask – we are required to wear masks indoors and if we can’t social distance outdoors for the next week. Social distancing may be necessary at Coode Street for the start of the ride and at least some of the time at Dome for coffee (required indoors but not outdoors in the alfresco area).

Toby has confirmed that Dome will be open.

It’s been a hard week for CBD hospitality businesses, and Dome has been no exception, so come along and make sure Saturday morning bucks the trend 🙂

Saturday Start Locations – As announced last week, we are moving back to the older and more condensed layout in the carpark at Coode Street for the start of the ride.

This makes communication and organisation that little bit easier. Keep in mind that with the transitional arrangements, if you can’t adequately social distance you will need to wear your mask as we gather before the ride starts.

Bike Maintenance Session – Check out this post for an invite to SPR women who want to learn the basics when it comes to fixing and maintaining their road bike.


The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t quite business as usual – As the past week’s lockdown has shown us, it is definitely not business as usual just yet. Please keep in mind our social distancing and personal hygiene:

  • Whilst we are during the transition out of lockdown, masks are required indoors and outdoors if you cannot social distance.
  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – Remember that for many locations and venues contact registration is mandatory. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do I get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here

Thursday Group 3 & 4 – The last few weeks we have been formalising and supporting the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday. SPR Thursday has a reputation of being a hard and fast ride and the size of the first group today was a good indication of it’s popularity. However, we also want to provide an opportunity for people to develop and progress through the ranks, so to speak. As such the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday now have ride leaders assigned to them to help guide people. The expected average speeds for the groups are 34k/hr and 30 k/hr or less average, respectively, so you can make a call as to which will suit you best. Organically developing rides to provide for what the needs of the group is what has contributed to the growth of the club. This is just another step along that path.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.S

From the Ride Coordinator – Just a short note for me this week as the conditions should be similar to last week (albeit a little cooler) so we will run the same routes as we were going to do last weekend.

Couple of things to note:

  1. It is the first Saturday in the month so we will be running the short hills on Saturday option that we missed last month due to Easter. Ride leaves Coode Street 30 mins earlier at 6.30am.
  2. Last weeks note about the intersection of Scarbs Beach and Loftus is worth another mention. This routes goes straight across onto London Street, it does not turn left onto Scarbs Beach. Please familiarise yourself with the route so you know what to do there and avoid any confusion which can lead to accidents.

We often take it all for granted (given what happened last weekend) so please enjoy your riding when you can. Whatever you choose to do, do it safely.

Saturday 1st May

Sunday 2nd May

Monday 3rd May

Tuesday 4th May

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

Wednesday 5th May

Thursday 6th May

Friday 7th May

Resuming Group Rides during Interim Restrictions

The government released the formal (legal) direction regarding this week late yesterday, and the Committee has given it a careful read. There seems to be some confusion, but our read is that the 20-person gathering limit does not apply for sporting activities – provided that we do not have spectators.

On this basis, we will proceed with group rides this week.

The Committee will continue to monitor the situation and should advice change to the contrary we will advise as soon as possible. In the interim, stay safe and keep an eye out for further updates.

Important: Please ensure that you bring a mask to the ride to wear whilst waiting at the start and finish of the ride.

See you out on the bike.

Daniel

For those interested in a little light (!) reading:

  1. Announcement – End of lockdown in Perth and Peel
  2. The formal bit – Safe transition for Western Australia Directions (No 2)

RIDE ROUTES 24TH-30TH APRIL

Saturday Start Locations – Back in 2020 the club made a decision to spread ourselves out in the carpark on a Saturday morning, to make social distancing a bit easier. With things slowly returning to near normal (capacity crowd at Optus Stadium anyone?) activity and traffic in the Coode Street car park is picking up and there we are less likely to attract criticism for gathering together.

For those reasons the Committee has decided to return to a more condensed assembly in just the first two rows of the car park. The new/old assembly areas are in the image to the right.

We’ll gather in these two rows again on Monday for the Public Holiday ride…the last one for a few months.

Bike Maintenance Session – Check out this post for an invite to SPR women who want to learn the basics when it comes to fixing and maintaining their road bike.


The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t quite business as usual –As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – Remember that for many locations and venues contact registration is mandatory. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do I get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here

Thursday Group 3 & 4 – The last few weeks we have been formalising and supporting the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday. SPR Thursday has a reputation of being a hard and fast ride and the size of the first group today was a good indication of it’s popularity. However, we also want to provide an opportunity for people to develop and progress through the ranks, so to speak. As such the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday now have ride leaders assigned to them to help guide people. The expected average speeds for the groups are 34k/hr and 30 k/hr or less average, respectively, so you can make a call as to which will suit you best. Organically developing rides to provide for what the needs of the group is what has contributed to the growth of the club. This is just another step along that path.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.S

From the Ride Coordinator –
With so many roads now impacted by road works (you gotta love the public works stimulus programme) we find that many of our more popular ride routes are affected in one form or another. Last weekend we had the unexpected closure of Winthrop Ave to install a new bridge but it was great to see so many riders “going with the flow” and assisting the ride leaders to navigate around. This weekend we could also expect the unexpected with both routes on Saturday. Transition will head down Hay Street Subiaco which is experiencing some road narrowing around Rokeby and last time the main ride headed to Karrinyup Rd, there was also some impact from the shopping centre redevelopment. Reason for highlighting is that you may experience something different to what you were expecting and we are sharing the road with drivers who may also be unfamiliar so it’s good to keep your wits about you.

Whilst talking about keeping your wits whilst riding, our main ride on Saturday would be up there for the most frequent cases of near misses at the intersection of Loftus Street and Scarbs Beach Rd. The Karrinyup Rd route this weekend heads STRAIGHT ACROSS that intersection and onto London Street. Please DO NOT look to turn left onto Scarbs Beach Rd, otherwise you may be another statistic on the SPR accident data base. We’ve said it plenty of times before, it pays to look at the ride route before you go. That’s particularly important this week.  See you all safely at coffee!

Saturday 24th April

Sunday 25th April

Monday 26th April – ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 27th April

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

Wednesday 28th April

Thursday 29th April

Friday 30th April

Ride routes 17th – 23rd April

We had our first committee meeting tonight (so this blog is a little behind schedule). I am pleased to announce the new roles that committee members have taken on.

May I introduce:

  • Membership & Communications – Claire Tyrrell
  • Community Development – Carol Dowse
  • Women’s Interests – Amanda Nabi
  • Race – Steve Burns
  • Ride Coordinator – Greg Jones
  • Training & Development – Dean Roser
  • Kit – Andrew Ballam
  • General – Tom Goerke

I would also like to put out a call for subcommittee members for:

  • Community Development Subcommittee
  • Women’s Interests Subcommittee
  • Race Subcommittee
  • Kit Subcommittee
  • Ride Leader Subcommittee

This is a great opportunity for members to get more involved in SPR. Not only do you have the opportunity to contribute to the life of the club, but you have a forum to input into and influence the direction of these aspects of SPR.

If you are interested, please contact us via Messenger on our Facebook page or email admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au.

Bike Maintenance Session – Check out this post for an invite to SPR women who want to learn the basics when it comes to fixing and maintaining their road bike.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – As the state opens up to more interstate travelers, the risk of community spread could possibly increase. Contact tracing is an important way to contain the virus in case it finds it’s way into the community. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do i get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here
We have had it pretty good in WA so far. Lets make sure that we can open up safely.

AusCycling Memberships – As of November last year, Cycling Australia ceased to exist and AusCycling was formed to combine multiple disciplines of cycling together. To be part of the national organisation, our club has joined Auscycling and memberships and renewals are now available though it. As such we have updated the memberships page to reflect the membership types and approximate costs. There are now 4 types of licence – Lifestyle, Race off-road, Race all discipline & Non riding. On top of this there is also a Club Add-On where you can join SPR if you are a member of another club, like Peel or RCCC. This is similar to our Extraordinary membership (which still exists for other orgs) but has been formalised a bit.

EDIT: There has been a bit of confusion around the clubs relationship with Westcycle as some people have opted for a Westcycle licence and have linked to SPR as their club. Our club is affiliated with the national body which is AusCycling, but we do have a tenuous link back to the state body which is Westcycle. We are currently working out what that means for members in regards to the rights that they have within the club (voting, committee positions, etc). Until we clarify that, just be assured that your insurance is still valid and you are still free to ride with the club.

Community Cycling Survey 2021 – The WA government (the Office of the Auditor General) is conducting a survey to help inform a current audit on cycling in the Perth area. It focuses on 2 key areas: (a) the bicycle network, and (b) state and local government work to promote cycling as a safe and viable mode of transport.

The survey is particularly interested in the cities of Perth, Cockburn, Bayswater and Kalamunda but invites contributions more broadly.

It will only take about 15 minutes to complete, so check it out. You have until 4 pm on 19 April 2021.

https://audit.wa.gov.au/auditing-in-wa/have-your-say/

Thursday Group 3 & 4 – The last few weeks we have been formalising and supporting the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday. SPR Thursday has a reputation of being a hard and fast ride and the size of the first group today was a good indication of it’s popularity. However, we also want to provide an opportunity for people to develop and progress through the ranks, so to speak. As such the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday now have ride leaders assigned to them to help guide people. The expected average speeds for the groups are 34k/hr and 30 k/hr or less average, respectively, so you can make a call as to which will suit you best. Organically developing rides to provide for what the needs of the group is what has contributed to the growth of the club. This is just another step along that path.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to facilitate any expected changes to gathering rules, the Saturday start location were modified when group riding resumed in 2020. We still want to maintain the separation between groups as much as possible and as such will continue to start the fast and main 1 on one side of the carpark with main 2-3, trannies & novice on the other. If you are new to our Saturday group rides, click on the photo to see where each group needs to congregate.

From the Ride Coordinator – What a difference a week makes to the weather forecast. Unfortunately last weekend proved to be challenging for riders with a strong easterly on Saturday and a wash out Sunday. Because of this we will push “repeat” for the choice of Hills rides with the Zig Zag again on the menu. Whilst the easterly will be with us again on Saturday, it shouldn’t be nearly as strong so Morley Drive will be the choice. Expect numbers will be up this week as it looks like it’s going to be great riding conditions. If you choose to ride with us this weekend, make it a good one and enjoy your cycling.

Saturday 17th April

Sunday 18th April

Monday 19th April

Tuesday 20th April

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

Wednesday 21st April

Thursday 22nd April

Friday 23rd April

Basic Bike Mechanics Session for our SPR Chicks!

The club has organised for Stefanie Van Amerongen to deliver this session aimed at helping women that may be fairly new to the club and cycling learn the basics when it comes to fixing and maintaining their road bike.

Steff in action…

Date: Saturday, 22nd May 2021

Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Venue: Melody Wheels 7/4 Pritchard St, O’Connor WA 6163

Cost: Free

Bring: Road bike

There are 12 places. The intent is to make these available, where possible, to new members.

If you are interested in attending please send an email to women@southperthrouleurs.com.au

Ride routes 10 – 16th April

I had the pleasure of joining some of the club’s finest on the Vice President’s ride on Good Friday – and boy, was it epic.

Despite being at the club for six years, I was yet to embark on this annual pilgrimage – so I was full of anticipation as I joined the bunch at Coode Street. Proudly donning my national jersey (despite its unfortunately placed grease stains) I set off with about 30 others towards Mundaring.

Looking around at the svelte riders around me I knew it would be a tough day in the saddle and I was not wrong.

Propelled along by the pack I hit the base of Greenmount Hill with fresh legs, and after foolishly going out too hard (you think I would have learned by now) I soon settled into a rhythm.

I made it to the first regroup point near the back, setting the tone for the rest of the day.

The ever-chivalrous Dean Roser shepherded me and a few others along the picture-perfect roads for the best part of the near six-hour ride (thanks Dean – your patience does not go unnoticed).

There were two occasions where the club’s spirit truly came to the fore during this ride.

Firstly, when newly-minted president Daniel experienced what we all have as cyclists – the dreaded bonk. In Roleystone’s hills Daniel’s legs protested with every pedal rotation, and it was not long before he was surrounded by a small posse of club riders.

I can’t speak for others, but I know that when I am experiencing lows on the bike it really helps to be surrounded by my mates, and SPR delivers that support in spades.

Our morning tea stop at Wungong Dam delivered the second reassurance of the strong sense of community in the club.

SPR members and all-round legends Sam Flockhart and Liam Walker were waiting for the bunch in a shady carpark – and they were a sight for sore eyes.

I don’t think the satiating effect of icy coke for a weary cyclist can be overstated, particularly in the Australian heat – and the Easter treat didn’t go down too badly either.

Amanda Nabi and Sam had thoughtfully spent the evening buttering dozens of hot cross buns and the Vice President himself Andrew Ballam prepared an eski full of refreshing beverages.

The roll back into town was flat and fast, but I was glad my bike wouldn’t have to go up any more hills for at least another day.

I cannot thank the club enough for the experience.

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/5053004179

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

SafeWA registration – As the state opens up to more interstate travelers, the risk of community spread could possibly increase. Contact tracing is an important way to contain the virus in case it finds it’s way into the community. If you want to sit down for a coffee you must register your details at that premises. There are 2 ways to do this, register on a paper form, or scan a QR code on an app.
So, how do i get the app? Download the WA Government free app – SafeWA and sign up as an individual.
– Android users click here
– Apple phone users click here
We have had it pretty good in WA so far. Lets make sure that we can open up safely.

AusCycling Memberships – As of November last year, Cycling Australia ceased to exist and AusCycling was formed to combine multiple disciplines of cycling together. To be part of the national organisation, our club has joined Auscycling and memberships and renewals are now available though it. As such we have updated the memberships page to reflect the membership types and approximate costs. There are now 4 types of licence – Lifestyle, Race off-road, Race all discipline & Non riding. On top of this there is also a Club Add-On where you can join SPR if you are a member of another club, like Peel or RCCC. This is similar to our Extraordinary membership (which still exists for other orgs) but has been formalised a bit.

EDIT: There has been a bit of confusion around the clubs relationship with Westcycle as some people have opted for a Westcycle licence and have linked to SPR as their club. Our club is affiliated with the national body which is AusCycling, but we do have a tenuous link back to the state body which is Westcycle. We are currently working out what that means for members in regards to the rights that they have within the club (voting, committee positions, etc). Until we clarify that, just be assured that your insurance is still valid and you are still free to ride with the club.

Community Cycling Survey 2021 – The WA government (the Office of the Auditor General) is conducting a survey to help inform a current audit on cycling in the Perth area. It focuses on 2 key areas: (a) the bicycle network, and (b) state and local government work to promote cycling as a safe and viable mode of transport.

The survey is particularly interested in the cities of Perth, Cockburn, Bayswater and Kalamunda but invites contributions more broadly.

It will only take about 15 minutes to complete, so check it out. You have until 4 pm on 19 April 2021.

https://audit.wa.gov.au/auditing-in-wa/have-your-say/

Thursday Group 3 & 4 – The last few weeks we have been formalising and supporting the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday. SPR Thursday has a reputation of being a hard and fast ride and the size of the first group today was a good indication of it’s popularity. However, we also want to provide an opportunity for people to develop and progress through the ranks, so to speak. As such the group 3 and 4 rides on Thursday now have ride leaders assigned to them to help guide people. The expected average speeds for the groups are 34k/hr and 30 k/hr or less average, respectively, so you can make a call as to which will suit you best. Organically developing rides to provide for what the needs of the group is what has contributed to the growth of the club. This is just another step along that path.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to facilitate any expected changes to gathering rules, the Saturday start location were modified when group riding resumed in 2020. We still want to maintain the separation between groups as much as possible and as such will continue to start the fast and main 1 on one side of the carpark with main 2-3, trannies & novice on the other. If you are new to our Saturday group rides, click on the photo to see where each group needs to congregate.

From the Ride Coordinator – Those pesky twin cyclones off our coast could lead to some interesting weather for Perth later in the weekend but at least they should stay away long enough for us to enjoy some cycling on Saturday and hopefully Sunday morning! Having said that it looks like a return to those stronger easterly winds for our riding, especially for the main ride on Saturday, so the route this week needs to finish with the wind at our backs. Riding in groups in the stronger winds requires some care and concentration on some safety elements to get it right so please make sure you call directions and hazards up and down the line as it may be more difficult to hear a call all the way to the front or back if it’s not passed on. It’s also good to keep the group riding tight as you are comfortable to, to take advantage of the protection you get from the peloton so try not to leave big gaps and avoid surging out front in the roll throughs otherwise it will be more difficult. And of course, knowing the route is always an advantage, wind or not in maximizing your chances of getting back to the coffee shop in one piece. Whatever cycling you do over the weekend, make it safe and enjoyable!

Saturday 10th April

Sunday 11th April

Monday 12th April

Tuesday 13th April

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

Wednesday 14th April

Thursday 15th April

Friday 16th April

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