Free Energy HR

The ride leader sponsor for October is Free Energy HR, owned by SPR founding member and ride leader Rob Ramsden. Free Energy HR delivers transformational executive & organisational coaching, team & leadership development as well as organisational culture and engagement programs.

As a strategic partner of global consulting firm The Pacific Institute, Free Energy HR can deliver customised solutions that develop high performance cultures for small to medium sized businesses through to large multi-national enterprises, operating in just about any type of industry.

Free Energy HR commenced operating in 2018 and is owned by SPR founding member and ride leader Rob Ramsden. Passionate about leadership and leading others, Rob has experience in a diverse range of industries in both corporate human resources roles as well as senior operational leadership positions. Rob’s education & experience provides him with genuine insight into the world of strategic and operational leadership along with the dynamics of organisational culture and employee engagement; the perfect platform to coach and develop others.

Rob has designed and implemented organisational development programs involving a wide range of psychometric tools and assessment measures including those that measure cognitive ability, personality and work preferences, motivation and emotional intelligence, as well as a range of 360-degree tools and methodologies. He has successfully designed, delivered and managed significant organisation wide projects in the areas of organisational culture, leadership development, employee engagement, and proactive communication. What is proactive communication and why does it matter? Proactive communication happens when educators identify problems and prevent them. It is when goals are set and communication builds towards those goals. Proactive communication helps ensure positivity, builds relationships, and delivers on objectives.

Introductory Offer, valued at up to $600 for SPR Members and Direct Referrals. Free Energy HR’s Personal Strengths Coaching Program (PSCP) will challenge you to think differently, set attractive, realistic goals and achieve more in both your personal and professional life.

If you’d like more information please find Rob at coffee, on a group ride or get in contact:

Rob Ramsden – 0430 162 291

rob@freeenergyhr.com.au

www.freeenergyhr.com.au

www.linkedin.com/in/robramsden/

The Beverley 2018 – the time is NOW

As you may know, SPR is again hosting the handicap road race “The Beverley” as part of the Beverley Heroic weekend and The Element Race Series.

On Saturday 13th October, we continue the revival of the famous old race along the same format as the last two year’s awesome outings. A 114km Handicap race, starting and finishing in the charming Wheatbelt town of Beverley – one and a bit hours East of Perth.

As I wrote last year……..

“Rolling over undulating terrain, riders travel through rural views gently uphill, into shaded bushland of Wandoo National Park. The turnaround on to the return run sees a fast flowing lightly downhill run – handicap groups will need to work well to keep the scratch men at bay. The racing climaxes in the short rise on the approach to Lenard Rd with 4km to go– the first rider to crest holds the advantage in a fast run into the line. The handicap format encourages groups to work well together over the parcours.”

Yep, what he said.

Our first year we were graced with multiple Track World Champions and local legends Cameron Meyer and Michael Freiberg as our winner and runner up in a cracking sprint finish. Not to mention Col Tierney attacking solo from 18km out and ONLY JUST getting caught in the final 300m. Last year, the win came from the bunch off a healthy handicap. Element Series Grade points are also up for grabs. Who’s up for the win this year……. ?

Entry for The Beverley is now OPEN!!! The link to The Element page here.

This is a big day for SPR, but it’s also a massive weekend of cycling. There is The Beverley, WACX staging Cyclocross racing on Saturday afternoon, then the Beverley Heroic rides on Sunday. Make a weekend of it and come and stay overnight. An entire weekend ALL ABOUT BIKES AND RIDING – how good is that? We’d love to see a sea of green once again. You can race or volunteer to help run either or both of the days.

Volunteering and giving back to the Club is what makes our little green community great! Get behind and support the Club.

Be a part of WA Cycling history. Go on – be Heroic.

ride routes 22nd – 28th september

Tech Park. Volunteers are what makes this business keep rolling. Be like Dinesy. Volunteer with the SPR Green Army.

“you couldn’t pay me enough to do that job”  welcome to the world of a volunteer run organisation.  none of us get paid for keeping spr running.  we all work for a living but it is the passion that keeps us doing the extra hours to keep the monster alive.  even the coffee card for the ride leaders is a token gesture as in reality they do it anyway because they believe in what we have built (evident in september with no ride leader sponsor).  so what if you don’t feel like you are experienced enough to be a ride leader, or don’t really want to be president???  the club has very few organised events where we really need volunteers to assist in the running of the day.  we will not be running any crits this year at tech park, so the main focus will be the beverley handicap race. we are still 7-8 volunteers away from having a full compliment. 3 drivers, 2 water station attendees and 2 more marshal/rego desk.  none of them are very arduous tasks and you will be given instructions on the day.  contributing to the wa racing calendar is an important aspect to our club and finding 20 volunteers from a pool of 400 members should not be a difficult task.  if you are racing, feel free to volunteer your significant other to help out.  we need you.

ride leader sponsor – there is no ride leader sponsor for september.  if you would like to promote your business through our website, please contact the club via email and we can send you details about what is involved.  thank-you to all the business’ that have supported the club over the past few years.

ToMR 2018 – The SPR ToMR squad returns to TTT sessions this Saturday. Check your emails for the latest. SPR kit order is closed, but we will need your cash for final payment soon!

The Beverley 2018 –Volunteers. Yep – what el Prez said. Beverley is a not-too-tiny organisational challenge to make happen. All of this up until the call out for vollies is a two man show. After the head start SPR gets from Mr Vesparazzi, council and Police approvals, traffic management, timing, course management…….. the whole days’ operations is down to the Club. ToMR Squad members have been quiet – you are expected to volunteer for one of the two days! Refer to the PREVIOUS POST and get your email responses in to race@SPR to register your interest

pointing is an important skill that is taught at ride leader training. pointing the wrong way can have disastrous effects.

ride leader training –the ride leader program that we have developed has given our club an extra dimension of organisation and stability.  it has been recognised by other clubs for the positive impact that it brings to club training rides and as such has been adopted outside of spr.  if you want to be involved and give something back to the club, then check the previous post about the current expression of interest in the next training block. the more leaders we have, the less frequently those leaders will be rostered on.  you also get a cool jersey.

entertainment books – we will again be selling entertainment books this year through the club.  the digital version means you don’t have to carry around a bulky book anymore. check out the links on the previous post to find out more.

saturday start locations – we have revamped the group start locations on saturday morning.  please have a look at the map so you know where your group will congregate.  this makes it easier for ride leaders to give you a briefing before the ride starts.  see the previous post for more details.

next generation – photo amanda nabi

spr juniors – school holidays starts this weekend, so that means a lot of junior sport is on break.  take this opportunity to get the kids out on the bike and join our juniors ride.  this is for kids 10-15 yrs old and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  the route is listed below and involves laps in kings park.  it is usually between 25-30kms by the time you get back to the carpark but we will see how everyone copes.

from the ride coordinator – We recently had RUOK? Day, which is a reminder to check in with people in our lives who might be having a tough time. For many members our cycling buddies are close friends and ‘family’, and it is important to keep any eye on each other. A ride and a coffee is a good way to catch up with someone and see how they are doing.

saturday 22nd september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

juniors (10 – 15 yrs with parent) – kings park juniors 23.72km spr saturday

development group –  novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday

transitional 1/2 – trans canning vale 42.34km spr saturday

fast/main –maddington 51.87km spr saturday

tomr ttt teams – reabold loops

sunday 23rd september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – coffee ride

short – wlsh weir 62.23km spr sunday

long – wlsh obs cam goose 88.67km spr sunday

monday 24th september

ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am

south stock 33.76km spr monday

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

main/fast – public hol 58.97km spr special

tuesday 25th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)

ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am

development group – interval training kings park

wednesday 26th september

ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am

interval training – stock road repeats

thursday 27th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

see previous post for ride groups

spr thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)

ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am

development group – interval training kings park

friday 28th september

ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am

spr friday 42.01km (shelley)

friday training/recovery ride

ride routes 15th – 21st september

 

the mo knows. photo by zac williams photography

does the mo know???  of course the mo knows.  what does the mo know???  well the mo knows when a photographer like zac williams is on course and knows where to position the bike for maximum exposure.  the mo knows that the secret to a great cycling shot is the pre-preening of one’s mustache before an attack.  the mo knows that putting the hard yards in now will put you in better stead for the upcoming beverley race that the club will be running in october.  and a good race will put you in better stead for the tour of margs in november. the mo also knows that riding a bike on the road can be a harrowing experience, but it doesn’t have to be.  a journalist recently decided to save money by biking to work and found out that it is not always nice to be on the receiving end.  it is unfortunate that more drivers haven’t spend time on the bike to understand what a rider can go through on a daily basis.  empathy and compassion are not a sign of weakness, but proof you are a human being.  read the full article here.

ride leader sponsor – there is no ride leader sponsor for september.  if you would like to promote your business through our website, please contact the club via email and we can send you details about what is involved.  thank-you to all the business’ that have supported the club over the past few years.

ToMR 2018 – The SPR ToMR squad has been recovering from last weeks’ TTT session, mainly due to chasing Elar’s wheel.
This week is the LAST CHANCE to order SPR kit before the ToMR event, so make sure you get your order in before Saturday 15th September!

The Beverley 2018 –The annual call out for volunteers has been announced for The Beverley. SPR runs the Saturday Handicap race, and then assists with volunteer manning for the Sunday Heroic Rides. This event depends on the SPR Community, and getting involved is a blast.
We are half way to our required volunteer manning for Saturday. ToMR Squad members – you are expected to volunteer for one of the two days!
Refer to the PREVIOUS POST and get your email responses in to race@SPR to register your interest

ride leader training – the ride leader program that we have developed has given our club an extra dimension of organisation and stability.  it has been recognised by other clubs for the positive impact that it brings to club training rides and as such has been adopted outside of spr.  if you want to be involved and give something back to the club, then check the previous post about the current expression of interest in the next training block. the more leaders we have, the less frequently those leaders will be rostered on.  you also get a cool jersey.

New kit
The kit…

spr kit order – the latest order for spr kit closes this weekend.  if you have signed up for the tomr you will need to purchase a club kit in order to compete.  make sure you get your orders in now as it will be the last one for the year.  check out the club kit page for instructions on how to order.

entertainment books – we will again be selling entertainment books this year through the club.  the digital version means you don’t have to carry around a bulky book anymore. check out the links on the previous post to find out more.

saturday start locations – we have revamped the group start locations on saturday morning.  please have a look at the map so you know where your group will congregate.  this makes it easier for ride leaders to give you a briefing before the ride starts.  see the previous post for more details.

next generation – photo amanda nabi

spr juniors – we have started our saturday juniors rides and we will be ridng again this week as long as the weather holds out.  this is for kids 10-15 yrs old and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  the route is listed below and involves laps in kings park.  it will be between 25-30kms by the time you get back to the carpark, so ensure your kids can cope with that.

from the ride coordinator – As we return to warmer sunnier mornings our numbers will start building back up to our summer peak numbers. Please remember our priority is always riding safely, sometimes that means a bit of patience, and putting the interests of the group ahead of your individual training needs. Communication is key, as is riding in a controlled and predictable way.

saturday 15th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

juniors (10 – 15 yrs with parent) – kings park juniors 23.72km spr saturday

development group –  novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday

transitional 1/2 – trans abernethy 39.96km spr saturday

fast/main – holmes rd 50.42km spr saturday

sunday 16th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – coffee ride

short – brktn weir 82.89km spr sunday

long – carr peet obs 97.72km spr sunday

monday 17th september

ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am

south stock 33.76km spr monday

tuesday 18th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)

ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am

development group – interval training kings park

wednesday 19th september

ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am

interval training – stock road repeats

thursday 20th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

see previous post for ride groups

spr thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)

ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am

development group – interval training kings park

friday 21st september

ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am

spr friday 42.01km (shelley)

friday training/recovery ride

SPR Ride Leader Program – Call for Expressions of Interest

SPR’s training rides set us apart as a cycling Club; we are one of the few clubs in Australia that is not affiliated with a bike shop facilitating a broad range of opportunities for people to cycle in a group every day. Since its inception in 2009, a key feature of the feedback the Club receives is the need to improve the way our group rides are led. With more consistent, trained and visible ride leaders, the result will be safer, more enjoyable ride experiences for all.

To this end, the Club developed a ride leader development program, with the objectives of:

  1. developing SPR ride leaders’ knowledge and skills of both ride leadership and core cycling skills
  2. building the confidence of ride leaders to ensure ride consistency and enhanced decision making during group rides
  3. growing the pool of capable, confident ride leaders

We are now seeking Expressions of Interest from SPR members who would like to be part of our second public Ride Leader Development Program. The Program consists of three separate but related components:

  1. Theory: covers the core knowledge and skills required to be an effective ride leader for group rides across the Main, Transition and Development rides conducted by SPR (+/- 2hrs personal time)
  2. Skills Sessions: out on the bike, learning all about what it takes to be a good ride leader as well as having the opportunity to practice your skills and ideas in a “safe” environment. (3 x 2.5 hours sessions)
  3. Ride Leader Observations: This will involve you being the ride leader for up to three (3) separate SPR training rides with an observer to determine how you go about deploying your skills and knowledge in the “real world” environment. (2 – 3 ‘normal’ training rides, weekdays or weekends as required)

As a participant, you will get:

  1. New Skills: You will learn new skills and knowledge about cycling as well as ride leadership.
  2. Kudos: Be part of the “qualified” ride leader team out on the road.
  3. Stuff.Upon successful completion, Program participants will receive a custom SPR Ride Leader jersey to be worn whenever you are leading a SPR ride.
  4. On Going Development: Access to private discussion groups; coaching and skills development; ride-leader only events.

In return, once you have completed the Program, we will expect your commitment to the following:

  1. Lead a minimum of 2 rides* per month throughout the year
  2. Be a role model for ride behavior on ALL rides you participate in
  3. Assist in the recruitment and mentorship of future ride leaders
  4. Assist in training/observing people for their readiness to take on the role of Ride Leader.

*All prospective ride leaders should note that, from time to time, they will need be called on to lead rides of a lower skill &/or fitness level than their own. This means putting the interests of the Club and other riders before their own.

We are now seeking expressions of interest from SPR members who regularly ride with the Main 2, 3 & 4 as well as Transition groups. We currently have a good number of riders from the Main 1 cohort; we really need to boost our numbers further down the line. While the ability to ride at or above the level of the group you are leading is important, just as critical is the constructive attitude and sound communication skills that are brought to the role. Empathy, care and the ability to encourage others is essential to the success of the ride leader.

In the event we are over-subscribed, the T&D sub-committee will use the quality & content of the EOI’s as well as the need to balance the mix of ride leaders to select the required number of participants. Anyone who is not selected shouldn’t be discouraged; it’s a numbers thing (us) rather than a capability thing (you).

As part of your EOI, we’d like you to outline:

  1. what you hope to get out of being a SPR ride leader
  2. why you feel you will make a good contributor to ride leader team
  3. which SPR group you usually ride with (M2, M3, M4, T), and
  4. your statement of commitment to the role of ride leader in terms of time to complete the Program and to lead the requisite number of rides per month

We anticipate kicking the Program off on the 27th of October and completing it by mid-December.

If interested, please submit your EOI to development@southperthrouleurs.com.au  before 12 October 2018. If you have any questions about the Program before submitting your EOI, please send them through to development@southperthrouleurs.com.au and we will get back to you ASAP.

SPR Training and Development Sub-Committee

ride routes 8th – 14th september

practical goal setting.  it is good to have goals and it is good to have ambition, but sometimes life gets in the way and those goals need to be reassessed.  my prep for the worlds was not ideal as motivation over the winter months was hard to come by, but i knew that i could easily survive the course.  flights, accommodation, and race entry all paid for meant that i had pretty much committed no matter what.  two weeks out from departure and i get sick.  a week off work and two rounds of antibiotics certainly put a dampener on what was meant to be an awesome trip.  but i arrived, and thanks to the organisation of people like ballam and vanessa, made it to the unofficial spr club house.  the first ride was not what you could call a good omen.  felt bad the whole time, got dropped on the hills by everyone and it took me about 2 hours to recover afterwards to the point of semi-normality.  i started to make plans for race day, and unlike others that were looking at attack points and feedzones, i was looking at shortcuts so i could bail if i needed.  a bit of sideline support during the week for those spr riders doing the time trial certainly showcased some inspiration efforts with nabi taking the silver medal in her age group and deb doing likewise.  a couple of days of weather delay and suddenly we were at race day.  i planned for the entire 127kms and took food and drink to suit.  the feedzones were substandard for a world championship event as they were only handing out cups of water unless you provided your own support person.  for me it didn’t matter as i knew i would have time to stop and refuel.  i felt okay on the startline, but that was because my heartrate was low.  once the gun went, the pace kicked in and i was very quickly out the back.  anything that involved an effort wasn’t going to be sustainable, and on a course with 2000m of climbing, this could be a problem.  i watched my age group head up the road, and did a bit of solo riding to the base of the first climb.  by the time i got there, the next group had caught me and suddenly i was climbing with a different coloured race number.  there was lots of support from within that group as a number of spr riders had qualified, but even other aussies offered words of encouragement.  as long as i kept a steady pace, i could continue to ride.  i set my tempo and followed the course, other groups passed me but i felt that at this pace i would be okay.  as soon as the road went up, i would fall off the back of the group, but there was usually someone else to drag me along the flats.  at about the 80km mark i saw a canadian dome kit struggling with a tyre change on the side of the road.  corrie had hit a pothole and was in the process of getting the tyre back on the rim.  it took a bit of coaxing, but we got it all pumped up and ready to go.  when making sure the chain was back on we saw that the rear was also flat.  the tube i had as spare didn’t have a long enough valve so we were kind of stuck.  a couple of old italian guys offered support but as neither of us spoke italian, it was a bit obscure.  we flagged down a number of vehicles, including some official cars, but no-one had a spare tube.  during this time more and more riders came past and it was clear that the corrie’s race was over.  her bike was put in the back of a support van while she got a ride in a police car.  i soldiered on and past the final feed station where toby and a few others were.  i restocked and grabbed a coke and headed off for the final 35kms.  i formed a little trio with sam bolton from perth and jill from the uk and we made our way back to varese.  the final few k’s were all uphill just to stick the knife in, but we got there eventually.  officially i came in 330th out of 330 in my age group, and 7th last male.  not the best result, but considering i was planning an early exit, my goal of just finishing was achieved.

ride leader sponsor – there is no ride leader sponsor for september.  if you would like to promote your business through our website, please contact the club via email and we can send you details about what is involved.  thank-you to all the business’ that have supported the club over the past few years.

ToMR 2018 – The SPR ToMR squad has been announced and planning well underway. The ToMR Squad will have a Saturday TTT session at the same time and meeting place as Main rides, as per the email sent earlier in the week. Make sure you advise Race@SPR if you are unable to attend.

The Beverley 2018 – The annual call out for volunteers has been announced for The Beverley. SPR runs the Saturday Handicap race, and then assist with volunteer manning for the Sunday Heroic Rides.
The running of this event is dependant on the SPR Community contributing and putting back into the Club. Getting involved is a blast – ask the volunteers from previous years.
We require around 24 people to make this event run. ToMR Squad members – you are expected to volunteer for one of the two days!
Refer to the PREVIOUS POST  and get your email responses to register your interest

entertainment books – we will again be selling entertainment books this year through the club.  the digital version means you don’t have to carry around a bulky book anymore. check out the links on the previous post to find out more.

saturday start locations – we have revamped the group start locations on saturday morning.  please have a look at the map so you know where your group will congregate.  this makes it easier for ride leaders to give you a briefing before the ride starts.  see the previous post for more details.

next generation – photo amanda nabi

spr juniors – we have started our saturday juniors rides and we will be ridng again this week as long as the weather holds out.  this is for kids 10-15 yrs old and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  the route is listed below and involves laps in kings park.  it will be between 25-30kms by the time you get back to the carpark, so ensure your kids can cope with that.

from the ride coordinator – We are light on for ride leaders at the moment, the next ride leader course will be coming up soon, would you be a good ride leader? Give it some thought.

saturday 8th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

juniors (10 – 15 yrs with parent) – kings park juniors 23.72km spr saturday

development group –  novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday

transitional 1/2 – trans reabold 38.69km spr saturday

fast/main – ewen st 50.26km spr saturday

tomr ttt training – shelley

sunday 9th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – coffee ride

short – khna weir 72.23km spr sunday

long – can mills peet obs 90.30km spr sunday

monday 10th september

ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am

south stock 33.76km spr monday

tuesday 11th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)

ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am

development group – interval training kings park

wednesday 12th september

ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am

interval training – stock road repeats

thursday 13th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

see previous post for ride groups

spr thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)

ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am

development group – interval training kings park

friday 14th september

ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am

spr friday 42.01km (shelley)

friday training/recovery ride

The Beverley 2018 – Call out for Volunteers

The Beverley Heroic weekend is returning. Saturday 13th October SPR continues the revival of the famous old race “The Beverley” – our version, a 114km Handicap race. Sunday 14th October are the more leisurely but no less challenging Beverley Heroic Rides of 80 or 160kms.

Saturday is a race day for SPR, but it’s also a massive weekend of cycling in general and we need your help. Both events are starting and finishing in the charming Wheatbelt town of Beverley, a quick hour and a bit East of Perth.

For Saturday’s race we require volunteers for:

  • Lead/Follow vehicles and drivers (driver and passenger, previous experience preferred)
  • Marshals for Start/Finish area
  • Marshals for Registration area
  • Marshalls at midway water station

For Sunday’s Beverley Heroic events we require volunteers for:

  • Lead/Follow vehicles and drivers (driver with passenger/spotter preferred)
  • Marshals for Registration area
  • Attendants at Checkpoints

For Saturday there will be cash offered to assist with covering fuel costs for volunteers attending, and additional cash for those on vehicle duties during the event.

For those of you nominated for the Tour of Margaret River, as has been emailed already, we expect your attendance to either race or volunteer. Or both. For Sunday, Toby Hodgson is extending cash for fuel and a free Heroic Ride entry for you if ring in a significant other.

As well as The Beverley on Saturday, Cyclocross racing is on in the evening and the Beverley Heroic rides go on Sunday – a 50 and a 100 mile option. Come and make a weekend of it. We’d love to see a sea of green once again.

A bunch of SPR will be staying overnight in town and frequenting the local establishments. And by local establishments, I mean we’ll join you for a beer in the pub.

Volunteering and giving back to the Club is what makes our little green community great!  If you’re not racing we’d love your help on Saturday. If you are racing, join us on Sunday.

Email the Race Committee direct to advise your availability at race@southperthrouleurs.com.au and any questions can email or catch up with Greg at Dome post Saturday Main rides.

ride routes 1st – 7th september

so despite the hashtag to make you all feel better in perth, there is a large contingent of spr riders in italy this week for the uwct masters championships.  starting in varese, the main race takes in the lakes district which boasts some of the most magnificent scenery for riding.  not the monster climbs of the alps, but still some nice switchback action. everywhere you go there is spectacular scenery that makes every effort worthwhile.  forested climbs, old buildings, lakeside villages and courteous drivers punctuate the course.  unfortunately i am still suffering from  a cold and not enjoying it as much as i should be.  the time trial is on today so hopefully we will see a few good spr results.

ride leader sponsor – there is no ride leader sponsor for september.  if you would like to promote your business through our website, please contact the club via email and we can send you details about what is involved.  thank-you to all the business’ that have supported the club over the past few years.

bike parking on saturday – My dear club mates and customers….
When you come for coffee on Saturday morning can you please please please not put your bikes on the Basilica cafe across the plaza. They (and their security company) complain constantly about bikes resting on their building.
I do my best to shield you from their antagonism, but, I need your help. Please feel free to rest your bikes on my cafe wall wherever they fit. Dome loves bikes – and we will do our best to accommodate you – even when you’re sweaty and gross and pay with money covered in gel goo and perspiration! Ive heard recently that some of our custom bike racks are dying, and Im investigating replacements as we speak. Thanks everyone – please keep coming – but please help me keep the peace with the neighbours. – Love Toby (Dome)

ToMR 2018 – We have managed to secure five slots with ToMR organiser in the racing program – 2 Women’s and 3 Men’s teams. And from those nominees we will be selecting our final teams.  check out the previous post for the nominees names.

The Beverley 2018 – SPR’s Race event The Beverley, run along with the oddly retro but truly passionate Mr Vesperazzi over The Beverley Heroic weekend, is returning! Race day is slated for Saturday 13th October again as a 114km out-and-back handicap race. Starting and finishing in the beautiful Wheatbelt town of Beverley, this one is special.
Originally known as The Rover Road Race from Beverley to Perth, it started life back in October 1897. The event returns for a 3rd year under the custodianship of SPR – a stunning legacy to have the chance to honour. Check out these treasures herehere and here.  Registrations will be open soon. There is a call out for volunteers about to be made for both the Saturday Handicap Race and the Sunday Beverley Heroic events. Email race@southperthrouleurs.com.au if you’d like to be involved. If you are in the ToMR squad, you are expected to be there for one of them. More detailed Volunteer duties to come next week!

entertainment books – we will again be selling entertainment books this year through the club.  the digital versions actually come online now and last years don’t finish till the end of june allowing you twice as many offers for 3 months.  check out the links on the previous post to find out more.

saturday start locations – we have revamped the group start locations on saturday morning.  please have a look at the map so you know where your group will congregate.  this makes it easier for ride leaders to give you a briefing before the ride starts.  see the previous post for more details.

next generation – photo amanda nabi

spr juniors – no juniors this satuday as i am away in italy. we have started our saturday juniors rides and we will be ridng again this week as long as the weather holds out.  this is for kids 10-15 yrs old and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  the route is listed below and involves laps in kings park.  it will be between 25-30kms by the time you get back to the carpark, so ensure your kids can cope with that.

from the ride coordinator – #notitaly, so stay safe in perth.

saturday 1st september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group –  novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday

transitional 1/2 – trans benara 39.90km spr saturday

fast/main – benara rd 50.76km spr saturday

sunday 2nd september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – coffee ride

short – goose kal 63.41km spr sunday

long – darl weir 100.09km spr sunday

monday 3rd september

ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am

south stock 33.76km spr monday

tuesday 4th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)

ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am

development group – interval training kings park

wednesday 5th september

ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am

interval training – stock road repeats

thursday 6th september

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

see previous post for ride groups

spr thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)

ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am

development group – interval training kings park

friday 7th september

ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am

spr friday 42.01km (shelley)

friday training/recovery ride

SPR Tour of Margaret River Squad 2018 Announcement

Damn straight, it’s that time of year again. Days are getting warmer, mornings becoming light earlier, the rainy days are getting fewer, and we announce the SPRouleurs ToMR Squad.
There’s no “i” in Team. Although we couldn’t spell it at the end of 4 stages anyway.
We have managed to secure five slots with ToMR organiser in the racing program – 2 Women’s and 3 Men’s teams. And from those nominees who have thrown down their cash money, here is the squad:
  • Abi Smeaton
  • Alison Ramm
  • Andrew Lilley
  • Ashley Brown
  • Audrey Xie
  • Barry Cook
  • Bryan Thurstan
  • Craig Denham
  • Craig Duarte
  • David Menarry
  • Debbie Bertolatti
  • Dermot Blackweir
  • Elar Kalda
  • Faye Daglish-Jones
  • Greg Murray
  • Jeremy Outschoorn
  • John Carnicelli
  • Jon Hanson
  • Julian Bleddyn
  • Katheryn Dines
  • Kirstie Moore
  • Leigh Outschoorn
  • Liz Sheehan
  • Mark DeCastro
  • Meegan Fyfield
  • Michael Bonner
  • Olesya Alutina
  • Peter Mah
  • Rebecca Kelly
  • Sue Beattie
  • Toby Brown
  • Wil Celis
Returning again is a majority of the Women’s 2 team – second place in Division last year. And an almost complete, almost all conquering Mens 1 team from last year – also coming second in Division last year. Our teams will be selected and graded from the Squad.
At present, we don’t have a Pro Register rider allocated to SPR. Let’s face it though – our team mate from last year, Annemiek van Vlueten, is a tough one to top. But we also got to meet the legend, greatest all round cyclist of all time, Marianne Vos, our old Perth Mate (and now GCN legend) Emma Pooley, Local Hardman Luke Durbridge, the rest of the Waow Deals women’s team – like Anoushka Koster (who SPR also bumped into at TDU in R-Adelaide). ToMR is half race, half social, but all fun.
Craig. And a coupla stalkers.
For now, the names above are OUR legends. There will be lots more ToMR SPAM and pics from our preparations and training, so apologies ahead of time.
Whilst we have a full roster for now, if there is anyone wishing to nominate as a reserve (sadly, things happen – sometimes good work or family things, but sometimes bad crashy things), please
read through the previous posts here, here and here, and email race@southperthrouleurs.com.au if you fit the bill.

The website for the South Perth Cycle Club