Due to the forecast inclement weather, the ride has been moved to Easter Monday. Same start time (6am) and same route.
On Good Friday, April 19, the annual Vice President’s Ride will take place. Starting at the carpark at 6 am (lights compulsory), we’ll head out along the old three dams course via Midland, then up Greenmount. There will be a route change this year, with road works along Great Eastern Highway. The plan is to turn right down Hardey Rd into Darlington, then go parallel to the highway up to Mundaring. There may also be another route change along Armadale Rd, again depending on road works.
There will be SHORT regroups after each climb, as time is of the essence to make it to Wungong for the sumptuous morning tea and photo opportunity. The guest morning tea server, as always remains confidential, suffice it to say they have enjoyed a good deal of success both locally and nationally this year.
As usual, dress code is national kit or mixed SPR kits. The usual prize of free coffee for the most number of different SPR kit pieces will be on offer. For those short on time, you’re welcome to join us for parts of the ride and the route will be confirmed on the weekend.
ROUTE UPDATE
First regroup at Park Rd/GEH Intersection in Darlington. Cross over into Hardey Rd and down to Thomas Rd. Left here, follow up to Mundaring to rejoin original course.
After going through Armadale, well turn right into Ranford Rd and follow this right through until it becomes South Street. Continue along South St, cross freeway and right turn into Murdoch drv. Follow Murdoch and turn right onto Leach Hwy. from Leach, head to the usual Shelley Route left turn off at Bull Creek and follow right through the end. Cut through past the cafe and come out on Centenary Ave in Wilson. Continue up to Manning Rd, then follow the usual Friday route into Kent St, Hayman Tce, Douglas Ave, Mill Point Rd until we’re back at the carpark.
I’ve tried to map this 3 times on Strava, and its crashed each time. If someone else wants to do it and get me to check, please feel free to try
i remember posting this photo with the caption embedded into it less than a year ago. at the time there was a push going on to keep cyclists safe by recognising them as real people. the “could be a…dad, son, cometti etc” campaign attempted to put a human face to people on bikes. now, less than a year later we are faced with the same thing again. an australian study has found that half of all drivers do not see cyclists as totally human in the evolution process (that incidentally depicted a person evolving from a cockroach). thanks to now senator derryn hinch who on his shock-jock radio show famously referred to all cyclists as “cockroaches on wheels”, we have been always fighting an uphill battle. so, what do we actually do about this? complain, blame, whinge are all good options but these are usually found on twitter by another president. what we have to do is be human and make human contact. wave when someone lets you through (even if they have to legally), say hi when you are stopped at the lights (don’t be this elite, arrogant, arse taking up a lane. if they have their window down, say hello), be aware of other road users and make room when practical, most of all “own it” (if you do something stupid, make eye contact, wave and apologise). it is up to us to break this cycle and show that we have moved a little further up the evolutionary chain.
ride leader sponsor –The ride leader sponsor for april is West Australian Cyclocross WACX. cyclocross is a cross between road and mountain biking usually held on a grass or dirt circuit. there are divisions for all abilities and a kids race before on a shortened circuit. check out any of the events coming up soon and get on down to ring a cowbell.
junior jersey policy – In order to further encourage junior participation the Committee has resolved to offer all junior members a free club jersey! And in recognition that juniors will keep growing, the policy allows for one jersey per year (as long as they are a member) until 18 years of age. Please see the previous post for more details.
memberships new changes – there has been quite a big change with memberships in 2019. cycling australia have moved to a new system to keep track of memberships and this has allowed a few new benefits as well. firstly there are a few different types of licences. for us the two main ones are ride+ and race. obviously if you want to race, get the race one and if you just want coverage while riding with the club, get the ride+ one. links can be found here. while there is a cheaper ride basic option, it won’t cover you for much if you have an accident on a club ride. there is also a new billing system where you can elect to pay monthly instead of annually. for those that don’t appreciate the big hit for a elite race licence, you can split this across the year. the minimum amount is for 12 months, though, so you still have to pay even if you don’t race. there is also a 7day race licence that replaces the 3 day licence. this can be purchased online and will be needed for event like the tour of margs, or if you just want to try out a crit or two. it is only $38 but i am not sure how many you are allowed to purchase over a year. finally, for those that want to transfer clubs there are two options. firstly, if you current licence has expired, you now have the option to select a new club when renewing. for those that want to join or leave spr for a mid year transfer, then you need to contact cycling australia memberships directly as the clubs cannot provide this service any more.
spr 10 year anniversary – south perth rouleurs 10th anniversary celebrations sare kicking off this saturday with a traditional river ride. following the traditional “great perth bike ride” route which is very similar to the earlybird. the evening’s festivities will also revolve around the river but in the form of a river boat cruise. tickets are still available for the cruise and it is a black-tie event not to be missed. see the previous post for more details and ticket sales.
anniversary quiz – To get everyone in the mood for April 6th, we thought it might be a good idea to look back at the last 10 years of SPR history in the form of…you guessed it…a quiz!! The quiz has been designed to test your knowledge of both the history of the Club as well as current events, people, geography and general knowledge. There will be prizes for the most number of correct answers down to 3rd place…but there’s a catch! To be eligible to win one of the prizes, you MUST be on the PSS Decoy on the night of April 6th; no exceptions! Entries close midnight April 3rd, 2019! TAKE ME TO THE QUIZ!
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.
spr juniors – last week the juniors tried something different and we went to optus stadium to do laps around the outside. this provided a good safe environment which allowed us to teach them how to form a paceline. 15 sec on the front then peel off and head to the back. after the first few loops they had it running smoothly. in the future, we will rotate between kings park and the stadium with this week us heading back to the park for hill climbs. under 10’s or over 10’s welcome with parents.
from the ride coordinator –Two different/new rides for this week. On Saturday for the main ride we are celebrating our 10th anniversary as a club with a modified version of the classic River Loop. On Sunday, we will be trialling a new route for Long Hills that will not clash with those that are riding the Damns Challenge. With just over 1000 metres of climbing, come and give it a go if you dare
saturday 6th april
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
the ride leaders for april are proudly sponsored by WA Cyclocross (WACX). Cyclocross is a very specific type of bike racing. For the most part, the course is off-road but there are sometimes portions of pavement included in the course. You can expect to encounter grass, dirt, mud, gravel, sand, and a whole slew of other assortments and combinations. The races are based on a set time (measured by numbers of laps), not distance. Depending on your category, a race can be as quick as 30 minutes (for beginners), or as long as 60 minutes (for elite men).
Courses are twisty circuits and typically, but not always include barriers, as well as other ‘features’ that will necessitate hoping both off, and back onto, your bike. Those brave (and skilled) enough can bunnyhop their bikes over them. Often there are hills, sand pits and muddy sections that are too difficult or slow to ride, and thus a racer will shoulder their bike and run with it.
Cyclocross is traditionally an Autumn/Winter sport, with the first race at the start of April and the last held in August. This means that if you look outside and see rain, hail, or shine (we have had all of these on the same day), the show will still go on, and often, the more inhospitable the weather, the more fun the racing.
Technically, cyclocross is a form of bike racing, but we also think of it as a lifestyle that involves grabbing any bike, and navigating any type of terrain or obstacle, in the fastest and most efficient way possible. It’s also an adventuresome style of riding, with a versatile bike that allows you to explore any gravel or dirt road, park or trail that you stumble upon.
In addition to securing the iconic PS Decoy to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our iconic Club, music icon MontyCotton will be providing the live music at the event.
Monty travels the globe performing his show A Boy Named Cash at arts festivals, corporate functions, weddings, cruise ships, pubs and clubs, breakfast radio and morning television. He has also performed on The Voice Australia.
Monty covers a broad range of music styles from rock and roll and country to R&B and modern pop. His audience-engaging style and musical versatility has made him a highly sought after entertainer!
Here he is with Goyte & The Basics…not bad company!!
Do NOT miss this opportunity to spend an evening on the river with friends and your SPR family.
Jessica Allen, Emma Pooley and Josie Tomic have each graced tops of podiums around the world and the international cycling superstars have also claimed glory at WA’s Renae’s Race.
Renae Baker – mid 90’s
The criterium, in memory of Thornlie rider Renae Baker who died from leukemia in 1999, has built a reputation as the premier women’s race in the State.
The annual event came about in 2001 when former pro cycling legend Henk Vogels Snr, in his role as Southern Districts Cycling Club president, wanted to honour the promising young rider’s legacy.
“She was an integral part of the club,” Vogels said of Baker, whose brother Craig and father Geoff also rode with SDCC.
“Everyone was touched by her passing, so myself and (former State coach) Peter Robinson said ‘let’s make a Renae’s race’.”
Vogels recalled riding through the hills of Roleystone with the Bakers in the 1990s and described Renae as “pretty fanatic” about her sport.
Renae’s brother Craig opened Cannington Bike Force the same year Renae, two years his junior, died. Still running the business but as Bicycle Centre Cannington, Craig attends the race most years and said it was remarkable to see his sister’s name live on.
“It’s good that she was in the sport and they have had a race named after her to keep her name and legacy going,” he said.
Renae Baker – mid 90’s
Renae’s Race was held in Technology Park, where Emma Pooley won in 2007, Josie Tomic in 2009 and Jessica Allen in 2014, until 2018 when the Speed Dome hosted it.
When SDCC folded in 2012, SPR and Roues Chaudes took over the reins of the annual race and until 2017 Renae’s included both men’s and women’s races.
Attempts to make the criterium a female only race in 2017 and 2018 were not as successful as the clubs hoped and this year Renae’s Race will go back to featuring men’s and women’s races across four grades.
Roues Chaudes president Daniel O’Donoghue, whose club took on the event exclusively from last year, said it was not economically viable to make it for women alone.
“Renae’s Race has always been about promoting women’s cycling but there are obviously economic considerations in running an event – having the men’s race gives us the volume of entries we need required to cover the costs,” he said.
“We also had feedback from women who said to make it a more spectacular event we should include men too.”
This year’s event, held in Bayswater for the first time, will include a women’s come and try event run by Davina Summers.
Ring Series winner Teneal Attard’s business Chaotic Energy has also come on board as a sponsor this year, contributing a $1000 prize pool for women racers.
Attard said Renae’s was her introduction to racing in 2017, when she entered C grade and in a sign of what was to come took out top honours.
“At the time I knew nothing about racing, but it seemed like the perfect race to get into it with a women’s focus.
“I had a ball – I guess that is where my interest to get back into cycling and racing really started.”
Renae’s Race is this Sunday at Bayswater’s Clune Street Circuit. Entries close 12pm Saturday.
If you have been around on a Saturday morning recently you would have noticed the increasing numbers of juniors turning up to the ride (and eating pancakes at the DOME afterwards!). In order to further encourage junior participation the Committee has resolved to offer all junior members a free club jersey! And in recognition that juniors will keep growing, the policy allows for one jersey per year (as long as they are a member) until 18 years of age.
The policy will work much like the our current crash rebate.
Purchase a jersey for your junior as part of a normal kit order.
Send an email to kit@southperthrouleurs.com.au with details of the junior you are claiming the free jersey for (NB. the junior must be a club member – being part of a family membership is fine).
The club will reimburse the cost of the jersey on confirmation of eligibility.
If you have already purchased a jersey for your junior, fear not, claims can be made retrospectively.
To get everyone in the mood for April 6th, we thought it might be a good idea to look back at the last 10 years of SPR history in the form of…you guessed it…a quiz!!
The quiz has been designed to test your knowledge of both the history of the Club as well as current events, people, geography and general knowledge.
There will be prizes for the most number of correct answers down to 3rd place…but there’s a catch! To be eligible to win one of the prizes, you MUST be on the PSS Decoy on the night of April 6th; no exceptions! In order to be in the running for a prize, make sure you have your ticket, which can be purchased here.
Entries close midnight April 3rd, 2019!
So, get your quiz master hats on, confer with friends if you need to. (Oh, and Committee members are not eligible to participate and are NOT open to bribes – they are VAULTS!).
If you ordered kit before the last close off you can grab it from the DOME after the Saturday ride this week or next (16/03 & 23/03). The boxes will be there between about 9:00am. and 10:15am.
If you want to make other arrangements for collection you can find some options on the club kit page here, or email me via kit@southperthrouleurs.com.au.
Pemberton – lessons not learnt. A crit course that has a 26m climb in every lap and attracts young whippet climbers is a bad idea. Yet, knowing all this here we were again, the eve before a road race that will have us up against a bunch of smarter guys that left the crits aside. Again. Up and down, up and down, up and down, like a 2 year old you’re trying to get settled to sleep …… you get the idea. And the pub is at the top of the hill, by the way.
Crit time and SPR Base Camp was established. Only a few hardy Green souls set out for the challenge.
Deano, on the way to Victory! Photo: Tracey Leigh, Pemberton Classic event FB page
D Men with Dean Fehlberg was first up. The group split over a few laps with Deano holding court at the front for most laps passing the start finish – the man knows a photo opp. When it came to the final, painful, slow motion sprint, Deano held off all comers and took the prize!
C Men was a different field this year, with the under agers in their own category, saving a the legs of the older blokes. Unlike previous years there was a panicked grab of brakes through the fast downhill corner every lap. Historically there has been a panicked clenching of bum cheeks, as too much speed pushed wheels out to the gutter. And grass. And sometimes even into the row of rosebushes at number 48. A sedate, “masters” approach was engaged and saw more squeezing brake lever than pelvic floor muscles. A few non-attacks brightened things up, but the group was almost entirely together at the bell lap.
Mo and the Greens awaited bedlam at the final run at the downhill corner, expecting Crash-Bandicoot style lines to be taken, but nothing. Mo pulled a tight line, rolled up the inside with ease (pro tip – get off the brakes.!!! OK not such a pro tip) and managed to accidentally attack. Too far out. Waaay too far. Well, we’re here now. And so off we went with everything that was left after 10 painful laps – which was not a lot. Accepting fate Mo, was swamped half way up the final climb, and then had time for a little chit-chat with Jedsman over the last 100m. It was a fun little hit and proved there was some power to be had in those chicken legs.
Sadly, post race, Mo’s bike was knocked over at the SPR tent and smashed up the left shifter. Not noticed until the following morning at warm up, there was no more big chain ring for Race day. Beware the careless <insert other clubname> riders that knock things over and just ride away. Hmmmmmmmmm.
Women’s B grade had Jonelle Ainsworth starting, but had a DNF today. This course….!
Dome-ers Thorman and Passmore. Just picture that Passmore backwards head tilt of ecstasy. Oh yeah. Photo: Tracey Leigh, Pemberton Classic event FB page
Men’s B grade and we saw a sign of the impending end of the world – Bonner v1.0 showing a pain face. True story – this actually happened. He IS human. The group fractured several times through the race, with Italian Stallion Carnicelli and NowhereMan playing it coy. V1.0 wasn’t to finish with the Young Bucks of B today. Nor was Thorman, who spent too much time fronting the bunch and slipped away for an early shandy. Approaching the bell lap on the penultimate climb, The Stallion appeared around the uphill corner, screaming up at speed. Could he hold? This was a course for a hot climber, after all. Cresting the start/finish there were 2 off the front, but by the decent NowhereMan was somewhere – and somewhere happened to be first through the apex. Full Gas around the back straight, NowhereMan held the chasing bunch away, but in a mad chase he was just caught on the line, fading at the end of a loooooooong kick. A thrilling finish, netting silver for NowhereMan.
FRWL, Bex, Wiggo. It’s not been the same order for most of the Crit season! Photo: Tracey Leigh, Pemberton Classic event FB page
A women, and another new face (and I am assured short-lived) with Bex joining the A ranks for a hit. Time/distance and a smaller field was the panacea for dipping those Irish toes in higher grade. Joining were Olesya (FromRussiaWithLove) and Bonner v2.0. It was V2.0 that took the lead and stayed put – if The Librarian ever ignored any message from the crowd it had to be “Get Off The Front”. V2.0 also missed the memo. V2.0 plugged away, The Collective Youth, FRWL and Bex in tow, but none of the Green crew were able to hold on through the final lap. And so it was Green that tailed off the bunch. For the record, a return to B Grade may beckon when returning to race courses for Bex, but Mo be mighty proud of Mrs. Yes, he be.
A blokes didn’t have a Greenie to boast of, but did have Elar – the BossMan – for Dome. Not so bossy today though. However, when in doubt, you can bet another Wiggins probably wins. And he did.
Post-crit it was time to retire to the pub for rehydration and carbo loading – Fish and Chips and a beer. Chatting with Jedsman and Suzanne (Mrs Jeds) over a well-deserved pint was just the medicine for hilly crit legs. Aaaaaaand sleep.
It was a warmer start to RR day than last year. More like “hot-water-running-out-mid-shower” than “ice-bath”. Previous years have started under 10deg. With a mere 150m between the warm cocoon of bed and a start line pointed straight at Pump Hill Rd, we rose, inhaled another Emma Pooley Banoffee Pie breakfast, and got to tent-set-up-mode again. The course is familiar, flowing out of town, up the hill and rolling through rural fields of vineyards, orchards and animal paddocks. Literally 1 min from the start line is a 10% incline. And with it, the start of attacking racing. If you’re not warmed up, you’ll have a nice quiet solo ride through the countryside from here after.
When you’ve got a thirst of it, Rosco cracks a Solo.
C Men had an even number of SPR to MCC in the start list. AfterBurner corralling the troops, Ross The Solo Man (bring back that wiiild hair!), Ralpha, Stalker, Deano, Jedsman and Mo. With one chain ring (it’s still raw). The bunch maintained an order through the first Pump Hill climb, however it appears the fixie riders of the world know nothing, and the “one gear to rule them all” mantra is absolute rubbish. Accelerating over the crest, Mo was already spun out and resigned to chasing.
Jedsman in the locker. Photo: Mrs Jeds
At the close of the 1st lap approaching town, there had been a touch of wheels resulting in 2 down, and one very broken bike frame – the FB pic of the bike is awful. The group split, accelerated through the start finish and that was day done for a few more. Another lap and a wild attack came from Rosco, The Solo Man (was there ever a more appropriate nick name) with 8km to go. With a lead of hundreds of metres on the approach to the final corner at 3km, there was a big delay in the chase starting. As it happened, The Solo Man was caught on the descent to town and a mad sprint to the final corner saw the bikkies go elsewhere.
The Real B-Graders of Perth………. COLUMIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Photo: Tracey Leigh, Pemberton Classic event FB page
Men’s B grade was quite the mixed bag – young, experienced and in between having a crack. Rolling out was Bonner v1.0, The Italian Stallion, NowhereMan, Team Columbia and Thorman in Dome. Not a lot of info from out on the road, sadly. However, the approach to the final corner and into the short finish straight, it was Thorman rolling through in the first 3, with NowhereMan in there. But it was Team Columbia that kicked, with a clean line through the inside of the turn and up the left he nabbed a second on the line, Thorman holding for 3rd. The top 21 finished within 10 seconds. And a handy 10th went to Ol’ Mate, Stu Passmore. After wrangling the Passmore/Albany CC team, he was also our pub room neighbour, and a terrible guest to be stuck next to ……… just kidding. Nice work Stu.
Womens C had Jonelle out again, and taking a 3rd place from a larger field than last nights’ crit.
And that’s how they finished, too. Photo: Tracey Leigh, Pemberton Classic event FB page
Womens A (Bias alert) and Em Mascaro was in town. FRWL, V2.0 and Bex lined up (SPR Green, anyone?!?!?!?) and up Pump Hill they went. The group split early on the second run up The Hill and saw Mascaro, FRWL and v2.0 get away from the few others. Bex settled in with a smaller group and worked to maintain some speed with some young (much younger.. sorry Hun, but it’s true!) hitters. FRWL broke clear and sprinted to the line
Women’s A Grade RR podium. Mascaro in an SPR Sanger. Photo: Tracey Leigh, Pemberton Classic event FB page
marginally behind Mascaro with a 2-minute gap to 3 and 4. Bex came home less than 9:30 mins later in her first (and possibly last for a while!!) A grade race. Proud, humbled and VOCAL!!! Great work Rebecca! The podium would host Emily Mascaro, FRWL and V2.0 for 1-3. Really strong riding, Chix!! For the A grade women of SPR, there is a succession plan in progress, it would seem.
We still don’t know what The Italian Stallion was up to here. Photo: Tracey Leigh, Pemberton Classic event FB page
A grade men had a series of breaks, short attacks and three laps of speeeeed. For SPR we would see Dome clad Elar for 12th and a Velofit Threshold Merchant take 18th. Both the Crit and the RR had Mr National Champ Freiby featuring, racing with “The Jersey” for Sunday’s Road Race. It’s quite gratifying getting passed at speed by our National Champ…..
Full Pemberton Classic Criterium results are published HERE, and the Road Race results are published HERE. There are a bunch of Event photos on FaceBook HERE, as well.
At the Presentation Ceremony, there was a tinge of sadness in proceedings. After a near miss last year and tough year this time around, the Pemberton Classic Committee told us this would be their last year staging the event in its’ current format. A combination of time and logistical difficulties have meant the local crew do not see the current format as sustainable. As Super Commissaire Ken said as the presentations: “Take how many hours you THINK organising an event like this takes, and then multiply by ten”. I can absolutely relate, and (warning – biased opinion piece coming here) the support that is expected, paid for and due doesn’t always amount to actual support outcomes.
This event should NOT be allowed to slink away and disappear. As a Club we need to get behind them. What the Pemberton team have been able to do under extremely tough circumstances is extraordinary. They have the third highest prize pool of any race in WA. THIRD!!! That comes from contributions from almost ALL of the local businesses (the presentations prove this, with just about every shop front in town named as a prize donator) and a series of local families offering up prize sponsorship. How is that for Community support? Let me answer that – the Community support is awesome.
Just remember that the next time a call goes out to assist with pitching a Club tent, or requesting volunteer time.
This weekend is the final round of The Ring Criterium Series, staged at Northbridge. The action starts at 12:30 – bring your cowbells and get cheering for a big group of Green racing.
The ride leader sponsor for January is Babylon Pump & Power LTD. They provide specialist equipment rental, diesel rebuild/maintenance and project support to the resources sector. They provide hassle free results and have a reliable cohesive team with decades of domestic and international experience to assist you with your pumping, remote power generation and heavy diesel maintenance requirements.
Their team understands the pressures that customers face – they’ve been there. When you tell them what you need, they have the experience needed to uncover the real problem and offer the best solution, along with the expertise to make it happen. Whether you require complete site dewatering, remote power stations or large diesel engine and component rebuild services – they can help.
They are an ASX listed company and have acquired health, safety, environmental and quality accreditation which have helped them become a company you can trust to get the job done right. When you work with them, you get a team who are skilled professionals in their field, who aren’t just good at what they do, but are great people to work with. They are committed to getting on with the job at hand and finding solutions when issues arise, so they can deliver success in every project they undertake – because that’s what they want to offer the companies they work with.
A great service from a skilled team of people who listen, think and deliver.
FINAL UPDATE
