sorry for the late posting. late meeting, so a quick post.
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
bike stickers – as seen in the previous post, the club is subsidising bike name stickers so others in the club know who you are. this is a great deal and will also help members know who they are actually riding with.
tipping comp – the tour de france starts this weekend and as usually we will be starting a tipping comp. see the previous post for more details, but all entry money goes into casino pa natet the prize pool, so the more people that enter, the more money you can win. join in and i can guarantee that it will make the tour more exciting to watch.
ride leaders sponsorship – if you have a business that you want to promote to our members, check out the previous post to both promote your business and help out the club.
ride routes – whiteman park always seems to test the navigational skills of most of the groups so make sure you have a good look at the ride route before saturday.
saturday 5th july
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
it is encouraging to see how competitive entry into the tour of margaret river has become. not just in general, but also within our club. it is a sign of a healthy club that we now have more people racing than ever before. our club is not just about racing though and the majority of our members are on recreational licences. this weekend we are fielding 9 cyclo-sportif teams and the majority of those riders are not just from the fast group. there are more events out there now that try to cater for a wider cross-section of riders which is great for our club as we have a wide cross-section of riders. if you find an event that you think we should be involved in, don’t hesitate to contact one of the committee members to see if we should promote it the rest of the club.
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
ride leaders sponsorship – if you have a business that you want to promote to our members, check out the previous post to both promote your business and help out the club.
spr ride buddy program – another initiative to help develop our fledgling riders. all it takes is 1 ride a month in the lower groups and you can make a big difference. see the previous post and contact leigh for more info. mentors and mentees will be meeting up before the ride this saturday.
swan valley cyclo-sportif – sunday 29th june. we have nine teams for this sunday. remember to get there early to get your spr pastry to fuel up for the ride. a group photo will also be taken at the velodrome.
tour of margaret river – expressions of interest are now open for this race. please see the previous post and let the all powerful race committee know if you want to be involved.
ride routes – make the most of an expected dry, but cold weekend. a lot of people will be at the cyclo-sportif on sunday so make sure you know the ride route if you are doing the hills.
saturday 28th june
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
why do you ride??? fitness, weight loss, race training, the social aspect, to see beautiful mornings like in the picture to the left, all of the above??? our club is lucky to be able to tick all the boxes as to what we provide. as we continue to grow, it is important to maintain the clubs culture as one of welcoming and inclusiveness. the last thing we want to give people is a negative riding experience. ride leaders and ride mentors are there to help people develop as riders so that they can get the maximum enjoyment out of our rides. if you already get enjoyment from our rides, be a leader or mentor so that you can continue that club culture.
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
ride leaders sponsorship – if you have a business that you want to promote to our members, check out the previous post to both promote your business and help out the club.
spr ride buddy program – another initiative to help develop our fledgling riders. all it takes is 1 ride a month in the lower groups and you can make a big difference. see the previous post and contact leigh for more info.
swan valley cyclo-sportif – sunday 29th june. teams are being finalised as you can see on the previous post. make sure you get your entry in as this event is coming up fast.
tour of margaret river – expressions of interest are now open for this race. please see the previous post and let the all powerful race committee know if you want to be involved.
ride routes – weather report says that it will more than likely be wet on saturday. as such a very basic ride route will be offered on the basis that there may be limited combined groups and the need for regroup points. ride carefully and stay safe.
saturday 21st june
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
sometimes you just have to remember how much fun it is to ride your bike. when it is the middle of winter and you are still training for races, it can be hard to motivate yourself to get out and ride. that is where the social aspect of our club comes into it. not the social dinners but just the act of riding in a group with other like minded people. you are all suffering through the same cold stretch of road and this combined suffering makes the social coffee at the end even better. i am struggling at the moment, but i hope to be out on colonel winning dragon even on these cold mornings. see you there.
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
ride leaders sponsorship – if you have a business that you want to promote to our members, check out the previous post to both promote your business and help out the club.
spr ride buddy program – another initiative to help develop our fledgling riders. all it takes is 1 ride a month in the lower groups and you can make a big difference. see the previous post and contact leigh for more info.
swan valley cyclo-sportif – sunday 29th june. each year we target this event as a great way of getting people interested in the more serious side of cycling (without actually committing to a race). it is also a great way to promote spr out to the cycling world as we usually dominate when it comes to number of teams present. you may have seen on the previous post that we are looking for expressions of interest for team leaders. this is for all levels of riders so we are hoping to get a fast group as well as all the mains and trannies represented. multiple times if necessary. we will also have a tent at the event so there is somewhere that you can leave your stuff while you ride. get together with some of the people that you like to ride with and put your name down on the blog.
ride routes – looking forward to a couple of nice brisk mornings to kick off the weekend. make sure you dress appropriately but at least it will be dry.
saturday 14th june
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
some people were asking about the funds that we raised for nicky and brett after the accident a couple of months back. thanks to your generous support we managed to raise quite a lot of money to help them in their recovery. the committee decided to match the funds raised and so therefore doubled the final amount. this money has been split evenly and already given to both the guys. it has been good to see them out and about and good to see nicky make the trip to kalgoorlie to help out .
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
spr quarterly breakfast – our next club breakfast is on this weekend. put your name down so we know how many to cater for. see the previous post for details.
women’s group skills session – this saturday a group of riders from spr will be taking our first women’s skills session. this spr initiative is all about a supportive introduction to group riding that takes the ‘unknown’ out of your first group ride. this opportunity is aimed at those wishing to explore the prospect of group riding without the pressure of high traffic or high speed. see the previous post.
swan valley cyclo-sportif – sunday 29th june. each year we target this event as a great way of getting people interested in the more serious side of cycling (without actually committing to a race). it is also a great way to promote spr out to the cycling world as we usually dominate when it comes to number of teams present. you may have seen on the previous post that we are looking for expressions of interest for team leaders. this is for all levels of riders so we are hoping to get a fast group as well as all the mains and trannies represented. multiple times if necessary. we will also have a tent at the event so there is somewhere that you can leave your stuff while you ride. get together with some of the people that you like to ride with and put your name down on the blog.
swan valley training session – john kitching is doing a training session for anyone who wants to have ago at the cyclo-sportif course before the event. he is leading a main 3 group, so anyone around that speed may benefit from this session. meeting at the velodrome at 7am on sunday and riding around the course a few times.
ride routes – a nice brisk ride to build up an appetite for the quarterly breakfast. if you do the double, you can have double the food.
saturday 7th june
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
winter is coming (well it will be here on sunday). but the weather is still pretty nice so we expect there to be a few riders out. it is a bit disappointing to see that there have not been any ride leaders putting their name down before the ride. we usually have people that will volunteer on the day, but it seems to be the same people every time. the club is big enough to support this and the culture of the club should be one of encouraging people and looking after each other. take the time to help riders develop the right skill set early on so that the groups remain safe during out rides.
spr quarterly breakfast – our next club breakfast is on next weekend. put your name down so we know how many to cater for. see the previous post for details.
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
2014 goldfields cyclassic – this weekend sees the running of the 86th goldfields classic. there is a large contingent of spr riders making trek and we are well represented across all grades. basically we have 39 out of the 157 riders or just under 1/4 of the field. well done to the race committee in organising the transport, accommodation and volunteers and i hope all the riders have a good race.
women’s skill session – back when leigh o started riding with us she found it quite a daunting experience. coming down to a saturday morning ride for the first time, with over 100 riders waiting in a carpark, can be nerve wracking as there are so many unknowns. even after you have been with spr for a while, what skills you need to have to move up the groups may also be unclear. so leigh has gone out and got her coaching ticket and wants to help the next lot of girls that are coming through the ranks. this is primarily for those that are in the novice/tranny group and feel a bit out of their depth. it is also for those women that you know of that may need a little push to come out with the group. going through the skills course before coming out with the novice group, may be just the transition to group riding that they need. if you are (or know someone that maybe) interested, please see the previous post.
swan valley cyclo-sportif – sunday 29th june. each year we target this event as a great way of getting people interested in the more serious side of cycling (without actually committing to a race). it is also a great way to promote spr out to the cycling world as we usually dominate when it comes to number of teams present. you may have seen on the previous post that we are looking for expressions of interest for team leaders. this is for all levels of riders so we are hoping to get a fast group as well as all the mains and trannies represented. multiple times if necessary. we will also have a tent at the event so there is somewhere that you can leave your stuff while you ride. get together with some of the people that you like to ride with and put your name down on the blog.
ride routes – one of the few remaining public holidays left in the year the weather looks like it will be fairly nice so make the most of it.
saturday 31st may
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
patience, respect and consideration. as the majority of us that ride bikes also drive cars, it is worth thinking about just how you treat other drivers when you are out on the road. during the short drive to work, i saw so many people cut each other off, not let others into the flow of traffic and zoom up to close off gaps. if this is how drivers treat each other, then it is little wonder that we as cyclists have a hard time just being on the road. i understand that there are cyclists out there that do the wrong thing, but this does not give anyone the right to put someone’s life in danger. next time you are driving your car, show people a bit of consideration and hopefully they will do the same thing to another driver and just maybe they will show that consideration to a cyclist. it is amazing how far a friendly wave can get you compared to just using one finger.
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
women’s skill session – back when leigh o started riding with us she found it quite a daunting experience. coming down to a saturday morning ride for the first time, with over 100 riders waiting in a carpark, can be nerve wracking as there are so many unknowns. even after you have been with spr for a while, what skills you need to have to move up the groups may also be unclear. so leigh has gone out and got her coaching ticket and wants to help the next lot of girls that are coming through the ranks. this is primarily for those that are in the novice/tranny group and feel a bit out of their depth. it is also for those women that you know of that may need a little push to come out with the group. going through the skills course before coming out with the novice group, may be just the transition to group riding that they need. if you are (or know someone that maybe) interested, please see the previous post.
women’s race training day – hall training is putting on a race training day just for spr women. if you do race or have been thinking about it, then come along to this free day where you will be shown the basic of road racing. see the previous post for details.
swan valley cyclo-sportif – sunday 29th june. each year we target this event as a great way of getting people interested in the more serious side of cycling (without actually committing to a race). it is also a great way to promote spr out to the cycling world as we usually dominate when it comes to number of teams present. you may have seen on the previous post that we are looking for expressions of interest for team leaders. this is for all levels of riders so we are hoping to get a fast group as well as all the mains and trannies represented. multiple times if necessary. we will also have a tent at the event so there is somewhere that you can leave your stuff while you ride. get together with some of the people that you like to ride with and put your name down on the blog.
ride routes – winter is coming so the night is dark and full of terrors. therefore you need a good set of lights and this week a good rain jacket. i am expecting that numbers will be down but just remember that it is not even that cold yet, so take advantage of it. and the tv stations ride is at lennies request.
saturday 24th may
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
what a week it has been for aussie cycling. with both the giro and the tour of california on at the same time, many teams are spreading it thin. however, the aussies have been going well in both events. bling matthews is still leading the giro since a day after the greenedge team won the team time trial. he was expected to yield the lead as the last stage finished on a hill but he fought hard and finished 6th behind cadel who finished 2nd. over in california, rohan dennis is giving wiggens a run for his money in both the tt and the climbs. sitting only 28 sec back he managed to win a hill top finish and come second only to wiggo on the tt. it looks like the future of aussie cycling is in good hands as the current stars continue to step down.
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
giro d’Italia club night – another out of lycra event put together by the spr social committee. check out the previous post and add to the comments if you are going to attend.
women’s skill session – back when leigh o started riding with us she found it quite a daunting experience. coming down to a saturday morning ride for the first time, with over 100 riders waiting in a carpark, can be nerve wracking as there are so many unknowns. even after you have been with spr for a while, what skills you need to have to move up the groups may also be unclear. so leigh has gone out and got her coaching ticket and wants to help the next lot of girls that are coming through the ranks. this is primarily for those that are in the novice/tranny group and feel a bit out of their depth. it is also for those women that you know of that may need a little push to come out with the group. going through the skills course before coming out with the novice group, may be just the transition to group riding that they need. if you are (or know someone that maybe) interested, please see the previous post.
women’s race training day – hall training is putting on a race training day just for spr women. if you do race or have been thinking about it, then come along to this free day where you will be shown the basic of road racing. see the previous post for details.
goldfields cyclassic – the next big race on the calendar is at the start of june and as it is in kalgoorlie, it will take a bit of organising. more info is on the previous post and if you are interested, please put your name in the comments section.
ride routes – hills. the giro has lots so the saturday and sunday have lots too.
saturday 17th may
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
so there was an accident on the sunday hills ride and it happened well and truly before any hills. a pothole on welshpool road was not effectively called and a rider came down hard. hard enough to be unconscious for a few minutes and also needing an ambulance to take him to hospital. i just want to take this time to reinforce our ride etiquette guide and or call signals. these are essential parts of what keeps our riders safe and our rides organised. the safety of the entire group is up to you. you may make it through a hazard with no problems, but a few people down the line may not be that lucky. i remember a few years ago that a couple of guys came down when they hit a shoe on canning hwy. the first few people called “shoe” but then it became a joke, so people were laughing and didn’t call. by the time the back of the group came across the shoe, it wasn’t called and caused an accident. for hazards that are a bit more permanent, there is actually a website where you can report road hazards. you can find it here.
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
women’s skill session – back when leigh o started riding with us she found it quite a daunting experience. coming down to a saturday morning ride for the first time, with over 100 riders waiting in a carpark, can be nerve wracking as there are so many unknowns. even after you have been with spr for a while, what skills you need to have to move up the groups may also be unclear. so leigh has gone out and got her coaching ticket and wants to help the next lot of girls that are coming through the ranks. this is primarily for those that are in the novice/tranny group and feel a bit out of their depth. it is also for those women that you know of that may need a little push to come out with the group. going through the skills course before coming out with the novice group, may be just the transition to group riding that they need. if you are (or know someone that maybe) interested, please see the previous post.
women’s race training day – hall training is putting on a race training day just for spr women. if you do race or have been thinking about it, then come along to this free day where you will be shown the basic of road racing. see the previous post for details.
goldfields cyclassic – the next big race on the calendar is at the start of june and as it is in kalgoorlie, it will take a bit of organising. more info is on the previous post and if you are interested, please put your name in the comments section.
ride routes – the first real wet week that we have had this year and it looks like it will continue into the weekend. numbers will probably be down on saturday as the weather report is predicting a 77% chance of rain. for those brave (foolhardy) enough to turn up, take it nice and easy and keep the group together. you will still get a ride in, which is better than slipping out on a corner because you went too hard. sunday is mothers day…just a reminder to grab some flowers on the way home from the hills ride.
saturday 10th may
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
as statistics will show, the more people you have doing an activity more often, then it is more likely that there will be incidents. add in the fact that we also ride on the road with ever changing traffic conditions, random pedestrians and inclement weather, it is almost inevitable that you will be involved in some type of incident. so, are you insured??? your membership gives you a bit of personal injury cover but you should also make sure that you have adequate health insurance. as we have seen with the major accident that we had lately, income protection can also be very important. on top of all that what about your bike??? is it covered in case of an accident and if so, what does you policy actually cover??? i have seen some policies that don”t cover your bike if it is locked in a car unless it is also attached to the car itself. firstly, make sure that you have some type of coverage but make sure that you understand what you will be covered for.
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
tom lowry race – there are over 30 spr members heading down to collie this weekend for the tom lowry crit and road race. on sunday, we will endeavour to find a place to set up the tent, but as there will also be a cyclo-sportif on at the same time, there may not be an opportunity to find a spare patch of grass. just look for other people wearing green and see if you can get together before the race.
women’s skill session – back when leigh o started riding with us she found it quite a daunting experience. coming down to a saturday morning ride for the first time, with over 100 riders waiting in a carpark, can be nerve wracking as there are so many unknowns. even after you have been with spr for a while, what skills you need to have to move up the groups may also be unclear. so casino leigh has gone out and got her coaching ticket and wants to help the next lot of girls that are coming through the ranks. this is primarily for those that are in the novice/tranny group and feel a bit out of their depth. it is also for those women that you know of that may need a little push to come out with the group. going through the skills course before coming out with the novice group, may be just the transition to group riding that they need. if you are (or know someone that maybe) interested, please see the previous post.
women’s race training day – hall training is putting on a race training day just for spr women. if you do race or have been thinking about it, then come along to this free day where you will be shown the basic of road racing. see the previous post for details.
goldfields cyclassic – the next big race on the calendar is at the start of june and as it is in kalgoorlie, it will take a bit of organising. more info is on the previous post and if you are interested, please put your name in the comments section.
ride routes – a few cold morning”s predicted. make sure you rug up.
saturday 3rd may
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
sorry for the late posting. late meeting, so a quick post.
