so as 2012 draws to a close, just a couple of quick points as to what made up the year that was.

• memberships – we closed 2011 with 260 members and finished 2012 with 335 members.  within that were 155 new members (i.e. 80 of the 2011 members did not renew).  i think this made us the biggest affiliated road club in the state.  not sure as our arch nemesis (south west) have been pretty quiet on the membership number front.
• UCI – these events dominated the training and racing calendar for a number of people.  we had a good showing at the perth event but more importantly sent a contingent over to south africa for the final.  all the riders put in a great ride in hot and windy conditions.  the event also saw a new fundraising effort with a quiz night at DOME which was a great success.
• water tower challenge – our inaugural event offered both a metric and imperial century.  i tough day but enjoyed by all and will be a fixture on our calendar from now on.
• accidents – we had a few this year, but when we learn more about traffic accidents, we will understand that our increase in numbers and rides mean that the probability would also be higher.  cathi’s accident in france stands out as one that we wish we could do without, but the great effort by the spr team over in france at the time and continued support for her rehabilitation has shown what the club is made of.  a few accidents also through the year to laurie, lyndon and a few others, but good to see them back on the bike.
• survey – gave us an idea of what direction the club needs to take.  it gave us an idea of what we were doing right/wrong.  it gave us a basis for making decisions that effect the club as we already had the feedback on hand.  this will also be a regular event to make sure the club is kept on track.
• new training options – a few new options this year with a new pilates class starting up on a thursday night with denise.  turbo with toby has replaced spin with fynn and has jumped around a bit before now settling on monday 6pm.  the spr night ride once a month on a wednesday night has seen a good following.  the focus group ride allowing the younger kids a chance to come and ride.
• racing – the spr racing scene has been strong again this year with the rccc/spr criterium series both last summer and this summer having a great turn out.  a new event with the kings of wanneroo allowed riders to pretend that they were on motorbikes. spr riders generally getting great results across a number of key races in wa.
• new kit order – never has a new kit order got so much attention.  probably because we made membership compulsory.  a sub-committee was established to look after the design and supplier choice as it is just getting too big for one person.  early next year will see some massive changes in spr’s visual image.

so, a brief history of nearly everything, well for 2012, at least, and a very spr focus.

for me personally, i have not had that good a year on the bike.  just over 13,000kms or 459hrs on the bike for me.  this equated to 4.5 rides a week or 239 rides for the year.  i did manage to climb 97,400 metres during those rides though.  probably the hardest bit for me was the hits my fitness took through the year via sickness or work or holidays interfering in my riding.  the important thing, however, is to make sure that you are still enjoying it.  i have had to refocus a number of times this year to make sure that i didn’t just stop riding altogether.  in the end i found that if you understand your own abilities and are realistic in what you are capable of, then you will not get frustrated as much.  i know that currently i cannot ride the same way i did 3 years (and 5kgs) ago, but am determined to get back there.  i just won’t loose any sleep over it in the meantime.  speaking of sleep, i intend to bring in the new year the way i do most years…fast asleep so that i am ready for the earlybird ride at 5:30am.

i look forward to seeing you out on the road.

peter – president south perth cycle club