Tag Archives: cycling

SPR saturday Main 1 ride

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Today I rolled out of Coode St with Main 1. For the ride out to Mill Point Rd I was next to Geoffrey. Chatting away about the new bike. Sitting behind Toby doing leisurely 26kph. Along riverside drive Toby pulled off and we took over. Another rider jumped in front so I moved up and joined him until we got along Mounts Bay road where we pulled off. As I let the pack move by I realized just how big Main 1 was. Probably little larger than needed.

Off Mounts Bay road and now the pace stepped up. Soon we were doing high 30s low 40s. The back was yo-yoing a little and I wanted a little more protection so at the first rise I slipped back a few places. Managed a good pace staying in the saddle. Just to be sure I decided through Dalkeith would be a good place to take on a power bar. Wasn’t much chance later. Pace through Dalkeith was kissing on 50kph at points. Was happy to get to Stirling Hwy and get some water down.

Still feeling good. Legs ok but the short transition up Stirling Hwy normally makes my legs burn a bit. Descent down to Mosman Park hill. Keeping an eye on the rowers swinging a kayak ahead. Mosman Park hill. My Tuesday wake up call was today my Saturday wakeup call. As I got my rhythm at the bottom I saw Blair over half way up attacking someone who passed him. Bloody kids and their energy. Reaching the top panting like a dog.

Recovered halfway to water tower and pushed on. Short regroup at water tower and then another descent. Side by side with Anna. However our rhythm was lost on the rise due to bikes in front. Found back at the front of the pack for the next few kms then on the front for the ride over the bridge.

After the bridge I was swallowed up on the hill but made up some ground on the descent. The group ahead was a little all over the place and as I past Toby he yelled some disciplinary orders. By now the power bar should have been kicking in.

Burke Drive I think broke the group slightly. Was not a massively high pace but by no means slow. Think it was all in the 40s. Was a little spent by the end and took on a fair whack of water.

Canning Highway was a little dodgy with a couple of cars where we merged into the center lane to cross the freeway but cars appeared to be giving way. They were out numbered. I think we broke into two packs but thanks to some lights we were back together by South Perth. Another crossing of the causeway and back onto Riverside Drive for the sprint finish. I used the people in front for short drafts before moving onto the next. Was a good ride with an average of 34kph according to Blair. Was happy I could hang on.

crossing the finish line

Golden Spokes (personal TT)

I had planned on getting to this event by train however once getting to the train it turns out that the line was closed so from Cannington I had the rest to ride to Champion Lakes. Luckily I left earlier than expected so I had extra time to cover the distance.

On arrival I found the SPR tent and again the drooling over the new bike continued 🙂

After storing it safely with SPR people I went to fetch my numbers and timing unit. Headed down to the unmarked, unsigned start line around 9:15am.

The start was delayed around 15 minutes waiting for one of the races to come through. Our start was un-organized. No real procedure seemed to be in place. I found myself at the front next to a team and when the guy randomly started counting down and got to zero I went. Having made the first turn and looking back saw they were releasing people at intervals after just saying you all seem to know what your doing so you can go together. Wasn’t going to go back doesn’t matter wasn’t a race anyway. The first team started rolling through and went off into the distance.

I got my rhythm and settled in. The first lap seemed to fly by and wasn’t long until I passed my first person. Must have been from an earlier race. Average for the first lap was 33.5 kph

The first three laps went by and I still had my average around 33kph. On the fourth lap the wind started to pick up on the far side of the river. I was already out of water so sent an SMS to Peter Mah begging for another to be delivered. Working through my Gatorade mixed bottle I got to the start line saw no water bottle and thought this is going to be a long 30kms without water. However on the next time through Peter was on the side of the road waiting with water. After a short pitstop I was back on my way for the last 20kms.

One rider I’ve seen around a few times before had been dropped by his team and he tried to suck my wheel but when I stepped up the pace again he exploded. By now my pace average had dropped to 32.5kph. Destroying some more bunnies down the back straight and with help from a slight tailwind and some dancing on the pedals I cruised in the high 30s and low 40s. Last lap and with the end in sigh off to the left it was time to push for the final 7kms. After getting out of the rowing complex and back onto the road I sucked down a gel I had been saving.

Rounding the hairpin at the far end of the course it was now the run home. At this point the pace car went past me. I noticed the people I should have been seeing and passing were not around. Was a little puzzled by this. However I was on the home run and the gel had kicked in. Back up to the high 30s and low 40s approaching the left turn to the finish I couldn’t wait. I was spent. Over the bridge and right onto the final straight. Out of the saddle and dancing on the pedals for a sprint to the inflatable finish banner. My first chance to get down into the lower gears of the new bike. Just before crossing the line I glanced at the speed 45kph. Loving the new bike apart from the issues in my last post. Crossing the finish line the remaining SPR guys were screaming and cheering screaming as I crossed the line.

I was spent and after handing my number back sat down for five minutes before having to ride home again. Great event can’t wait for next year.

Crossing the line at the golden spokes 2010

SPR Main 2 Saturday 16/10/2010

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A nice sunny Saturday morning for a ride. Not a cloud in the sky but the wind was not going to be our friend today. A noticeable point in the car park this morning was the number of bikes with TT bars fitted. A lot trying to get a warm-up in before tomorrows TT Team race down south.

Peter was late to the car park but no one seemed to notice, all were happy to chat away. When Peter did arrive he used the excuse family commitments. He called for the fast group to take off and this seemed to be a big call as no one was willing. All reckon they were saving themselves for tomorrow. Eventually a few took off. Next was Main one. Main 1 today virtually emptied the car park and only 6 of us remained. Seeing as no one was left Peter said looks like I have Main 2 too baby sit. Personally I think he was using the excuse to rest up for tomorrow.

With only six of us and the Transitional group caught by a truck backing up I said lets take the other exit. Peter agreed and so we rolled out. Because of our small number and the crappy wind this morning it was Peters choice to try and catch Main 1 and jump on the back of them. However this proved to be an already failed plan. Even though Peter and I lead out the four others at a rate of around 33 ~ 34 kph into the wind the combination of us getting every red light and Main 1 getting all the greens our chances of catching the bunnies in front seemed to be drifting away. For the first 5 – 10kms of the ride they were still in sight but catching proved to a failed attempt. Once they started a roll through and their numbers being between 30 – 40 riders we had no chance and they disappeared into the distance.

Knowing I was in the orange zone sitting on the front with Peter who was not even into the 100bpm a minute range I took the chance to down a power bar during the roll through on Great Eastern Hwy so that later in the ride I would have the energy I needed for Ridge hill.

The ride out from South Perth and down into Helena Valley was a good one with the roll through flowing nicely and the group keeping close together. Before long we arrived at Ridge Hill Road. I quickly dropped to the back and then quickly got back past Katie and Ivan. Kat and Wade had already managed to pull an extra 40 – 50m gap on me and I wanted to get them back. The whole way up Ridge Hill I thought I was catching them but was mostly only holding the gap. I glanced behind a couple times and saw Ivan and Katie around 100m behind and focused back on the front.I heard someone catching me and put a couple of hard pedals in only to find it was Peter checking I was ok. GRRR wasted energy 🙂

With a quick regroup at the bottom of the Zig Zags we saw two groups of the fast group go flying by. They must have made up their own route. Most were crouched over on TT bars warming up for tomorrow. After a quick pep talk from Peter we rolled out down the other side of Ridge Hill road. I got a nice rhythm down and peddling away seemed to pull a large gap on the others when I looked behind after going through the round about. I sat up and slowed down waiting for them.

Right onto Kalamunda road and we paired up. Finally with a tail wind it was a nice relief. cautiously we navigated down Kalamunda road and I dropped to the back to make sure we didn’t loose anyone while Peter lead the way. I have driven this road a million times and recently it has had a number of cyclists making their way home from work in afternoons.

Right onto Great Eastern Highway again for the short overlap of our earlier route and onto Guildford road. The old Guildford Hotel which burnt down a couple of years ago now has hundreds of socks on the fence and signs asking for a new owner to buy and rebuild the place. If you got any spare cash lying around and want to buy a pub I hear it is going real cheap.

For the first few kms of Guildford road I obeyed the group and kept the speed down at around the 33kph mark. However the tailwind and my second wind was itching to open up the taps a little. as I made my turns on the front I started to creep up the pace. As we made the approach to pass my place it was on and I broke away. Kat and Wade appeared to break with me but left me on the front to set the pace. Rolling past King William and up the hill we were over 40kph and as the road started to bend upwards I was on the pedals and putting in some real hard pushes. Knowing it wasn’t going to last I forced it to go until the crest. Lights at Garret road and Wade came up to have a turn on the lead for which I was happy to get a rest.

As we rolled through Maylands I put a few more hard pedals in again to the top of the hill and wade jumped back on the front again but Kat also came with him and got in front too. They lead us down to East Parade. When the lights went green Kat was off and I quickly got on her wheel and sucked it until the lights. On the green Kat and Wade were of and I was close behind. Katie, Ivan and Peter were not too far behind. Approaching the hill in East Perth Wade got by at the bottom and I was close on his tail and we both got to the crest with only about a 5 – 10m gap. Easy cruise down the other side to riverside drive. Just as we got to river side drive the lights went green and I jumped. soon up to 40kph and I thought I had broken away however with about 250 – 300 before the lights Wade came from I guess behind and beat me to the lights. From here was a leisurely cruise into the bell tower. Even though it was a small group was still a good ride and I enjoyed the higher pace from my break on Guildford road. Hopefully next Saturday I will finally be on my new bike if all goes well.

I knew it would be hard but didn’t think it would be this hard

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So to explain the title. Not a great deal to write here other than to say that Saturday I made my return to my SPR buddies. I had planned on taking it easy and doing the transitional ride but Dave Shalier told me I’m better than that so I went main 2.

Was good rocking up at the car park and seeing familiar faces plus some new ones. Lots seemed happy to see me back. However lots of these people also appear to have stepped up from Main 2 to main 1. This means I have some bunnies to hunt down over the next couple months.

Left the car park with Main 2. Cruising along over 30kms. Kat was alongside me on Great Eastern Hwy. When we got to Ascot was our turn on the front. Kat opened it up a bit to over 35kph and I was starting to get to my limit. After we got over Garret Road bridge and the road rose a little my speed dropped a little and I started to get over taken. Soon found myself at the back with Russ & John lending me a wheel to suck and shadowing me when I got in front of them. On the way past the TV stations the group started to string out. Few were left behind but I was still feeling good. Hunting down John and Loraine.

A few sets of lights caused a large split in the group. Russ was quick to group everyone up and have us work together. We were soon up to 40kph and the house I crashed in front of was coming up. seven weeks ago almost to the minute. We rolled past and this time I stayed upright. I made an out loud comment that is the place. I’ve got further than last time. Fitting my first ride back was the same as my last ride when I crashed. Anyway we rolled past the rest of the group who stopped for a regroup. Russ made a comment I was doing well. Wish he hadn’t because it didn’t last much longer.

The ride through North Perth was ok but once we reached Winthrop Ave I faded and the rubber band broke. The group opened up and were off. I took the chance to down a power bar on the long flat road. At Sir Charles Gardener Hospital the group was gone and I was on my own. I was now feeling it. A slow ride back to the bell tower on my own. At the bell tower there were a few SPR buddies still around.

After slightly recovering I headed for home. This last 10kms were probably the toughest I was totally drained. I stopped at east Perth for another power bar and even that made no difference. I just had to push on at what. Ever pace I could manage.

But I got home and felt buggered. Garmin says I burnt almost 5000 Cal. If this is right then no wonder I was so buggered. I ruled myself out of doing the Sunday hills ride but I still plan a lap of the river this afternoon.

Garmin : http://bit.ly/aNNUev

Dwellingup 100 MTB Classic

It”s time to get excited – the event we have all been waiting for is only a few days away! SPR are sending down a large contingent this year across all categories. We have approval for the club tent at the event so lets make ourselves known as the club to be a part of and help support cycling in WA.

Final Chance to Enter!

This is your final chance to enter in the Dwellingup 100 MTB Classic! Registrations will not be accepted on the day of the event, so make sure you enter online. Online registrations will close Wednesday 15th September at 12 midday.

Choose from 1 of 3 race options available; 100km, 40km or the 14km. You won”t be alone, we already have SPR infiltrators across each category.

To register – click here!

If you can”t make the event (or even online casino if you can) don”t forget to support Nigel in his participation of the “Ride for Someone Who Can”t”.

Race Day Information

The “Riders Information Booklet” is now available online. It is essential that all riders read this booklet as it provides important information about the event (course information, registration, aid stations etc).

To read the Riders Information Booklet – click here!

For those of you who have no idea about this event, check out the event site and for a write up of last years fun, check my blog here.

If you need a spare jersey let us know in the comments and we will try to find something in your size. Or if you need further info let me know.

*Big thanks must go out to Tony Tucknott from PMBC & Tri Events for making this event happen. They have put in some hard yards to bring such an event to WA for us to race

SPR Saturday Main 2 ride report (sort of)

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This is only a part report because I only got around half way before retiring. The ride started well with the group heading out from Coode St and down mill point road. I was sitting along side Shaw down great eastern hwy and over Garret road. Group was rolling along nicely and on Grand Prom Shaw and I lead the group for most of the length of the road. Things chopped and changed a little along past the tv stations.

Along Ravenswood drive a roll through started. This seemed to go well until I had a coming together with the riders wheel in front.

I don’t want to repeat what i have already written so please find details for the rest of today events on my own blog.

http://www.lionslair.net.au/2010/08/07/my-first-real-crash-on-the-bike/

Then

http://www.lionslair.net.au/2010/08/07/update-on-my-bike-crash/

SPR Saturday Ride 10/7/2010

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By Nathan Rzepecki

As I walked out the door without my wind jacket I quickly decided this would be a bad move and went back inside and got it. This proved to be the smartest thing I did all morning. Was a wet morning, not from rain but the rain that had already fallen had covered every square cm of earth in water. By the time I made my way from home to Coode street the bike was covered in sand and other gunk.

At the carpark Blair was already doing laps and a couple others were hiding in cars. Lenny soon rolled up so that made three. Few other dedicated people like Steven and Peter rolled in. About 7:05am and was not enough to make five groups. Surprise, so Peter decided we would all do the main group ride. So I reset the Garmin then realising it was already correct. Oh well.

We rolled out of the car park and must have picked up a few others on the way down Mill Point Rd. When my turn came on the front I seemed to blow up in not too long and pulled off and fell to the back. Peter suggested I should go get a bike fitting done. His not the first to suggest this recently so I think its something I am going to need to organise for next Saturday. We navigated our way round the route and up Cresswell Rd. Nice short hill. Pushed heart rate to a new max of 176 here and felt it by the top.

This area always seems to get a little fuzzy on directions and Peter yelled out to check the map a couple times. The group managed to follow the route to Herdsman Lake. The pace picked up around here and Steven and I both got dropped. We were still rolling over 30kph trying to keep 35kph but just couldn’t hold it. Steven blames his age I said I’m just weak.

Peter had dropped back and said the rest were waiting at the round about. Yes they were but wasn’t stopping here. Kept rolling they can catch me now. Peter joined me up front and we lead the group through Shenton Park and Claremont. Yuppies are getting a David Jones on East Tce.

Got over taken rolling past the Tennis courts in Dalkeith but grabbed Peters wheel and held it until the top of the rise after the tennis courts and decided to drop back. Fell to the back and just gave myself a short 5 second rest and the pack had pulled 50m already. I was like What the… Got back onto the rear again by the time we turned right at the Uni. At the lights onto Mounts Bay Rd pulled up next to Shaw to say hi as Peter said no sprinting today because of the weather. Group kept together and got a good tow at the rear. 🙂

While the rest ran to the counter to order a coffee Shaw Jamie Blair and I talked trash outside. Was an ok ride not cold just wet and sandy.