tomorrow’s forecast is mostly clear 14 degrees a 19km/h WSW wind and only a 5% chance of rain.

make the most of the weather and come to the last ciao ride as we will be moving wednesday back to kings park in preparation for the next round of uci training.

5:30am ciao italia – cnr mill point and douglas in south perth.

the route is flat and we cruise to shelley, go hard, cruise to “the block” go hard, cruise back to shelley, go hard, then cruise home.  less intense than thursday fast group and easier to keep up.  see you there.

injuries suck.  i woke up on tuesday morning with a slight twinge to my back.  headed out for my run as usual as these things generally work themselves out once you get the body warmed up.  yeah, that might work with riding, but not running.  the constant pounding really aggravated it to the point where i spent the rest of the day in bed on painkillers.  rest day on wednesday and then for once the weather is fairly clear and the prospect of a nice dry thursday fast group ride was too hard to resist.  the ride was good.  we averaged 49.7km/hr along burke drive…but…it may have made my back worse.  physio today told me to keep off the bike for a bit and take it easy.  yeah, easier said than done.  i still may see you on saturday, i need to keep my physio employed.  and so how did i manage to injury myself???  by sleeping.  no real incident, just slept the wrong way.  probably one of the more embarrassing ways to hurt yourself.

ride leaders – still need a couple more leaders for the transitional group.  put your name down here.

spr survey – this is your chance to provide feedback to the way that your club is being run as well as us finding out why you have joined us in the first place.  please take the time to fill in the club survey as it provides direction for the committee to make decisions about the club.  check out the previous post for details.

armadale duathlon – for those that like to bookend their ride with a run, the armadale duathlon is on in october, as per the previous post.  spr is looking at having a presence at this event, so if you are interested, sign up and let us know via the blog comments.

spr watertower challenge – it’s on again and we already have a couple of teams registered.  go to the event page for more info.  download the flyer and email it to all your cycling friends.  this is not just for spr members but open to the general public.

uwct finals – the uci masters finals are on this weekend in italy.  there are a number of spr riders over there competing, so make sure you wish them well.

ride routes – its looking like saturday morning will be rain free so make sure you get your kms in before it buckets down on sunday.

saturday 21st 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 – trans reverse river 40.58km spr saturday

fast & main groups – tv stations 50.29km spr saturday

sunday 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

short – khna weir 72.23km spr sunday

long – khna can mills 94.55km spr sunday

what is it with this weather???  the sun is finally up by 6am and still i can’t ride in the sunshine because it is raining.  i know that during my previous rants i have said that you should just ride in the rain anyway.  however, after a while, it just wears you down.  also, i have started racing again, and the last thing i want to do is get sick.  so, i will call this week a “taper week” and clock up a grand total of 42kms.  meanwhile, those that keep track of other spr riders via strava will see some big kms and climbs over in europe.  anyone that does the long sunday hills ride will note that brian did 1,200km last week alone and that included 32,000m of climbing.

ride leaders – full complement of ride leaders this week. put your name down here for the next few weeks.

pinjarra classic – over 20 club members are heading down to pinjarra on sunday for the classic.  we have riders in grades a-d with some first time racers as well.  look for the tent on the grass area carpark.

duathlon – you obviously ride, but do you also run???  i have seen a number of you on strava getting out on the hoof occasionally.  now you can combine the two at the armadale duathlon.  check out the previous post and let us know if you are interested.

upcoming events – keep an eye on the blog for info on some upcoming events.  the 2013 watertower challenge will be back in november and we are expanding it to the general public.  let your bike riding friends know.  the spr feedback survey should be out next week.  let the club know what you are happy/unhappy with.

ride routes – saturday = wet. sunday = wet.  expect that numbers will be low and groups will be combined.  know your routes and ride to conditions.

saturday 14th 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 – trans rebold 38.69km spr saturday

fast & main groups – rebold & cottesloe 50.91km spr saturday

sunday 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

short – kal goose 67.63km spr sunday

long – kal obs goose 97.40km spr sunday

don’t forget to vote.  no, not on big brother, but in the federal election.  i am not going to get into politics here, but all the polls are showing that our next pm may have done an ironman triathlon in the past.  for bike riders, that may not be such a bad thing.  outside the country and the DOME team has completed the first stage of the tour de east java.  toby ended up the first aussie across the line in about 26th finishing with the main bunch.  matty didn’t have a good day and pulled out after 140kms when the 46 deg heat took it’s toll and he said he was a bit incoherent.  the next two stages have pretty big mountain finishes, so good luck to the boys.

ride leaders – VERY light on for ride leaders this week. put your name down here.

focus groups kids ride – first saturday of the month so the kids ride is on again.  looks like the weather will be a bit nicer than it has been, so saddle up the kids and come along.

livelighter dardanup tour – we have 4 teams registered across 2 categories, so hopefully we can bring back a golden gnome.  racing this sunday and the tent and esky will be taken down for the club members.  meet at the tent to organise your race tactics.

training basics presentation – tom will be sharing some of his training experience this monday.  if you are interested, check out the previous post and register to secure a spot.

vuelta sweepstakes – the end of the first week has seen some clear leaders in this comp.  astana, katusha, radioshack and saxo-tinkoff have clearly dominated.  it is interesting to see how the prize money is spread among the teams during a grand tour as our sweepstake amounts reflect a percentage of the actual amounts each team has won.  luckily all of our teams have now passed the $1 mark so i won’t feel so bad giving someone 23 cents as their winnings.  a few people still haven’t paid, so please get on to the shop and register.

ride routes – easterly winds means a return of benara road for the fast/main groups.  with the DOME boys overseas, who will step up to dominate the pace???  for those that don’t want to go as fast, the focus kids ride is on, so bring your kids down.

saturday 7th 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 – trans canning vale 42.34km spr saturday

fast & main groups – benara rd 50.76km spr saturday

ride starts behind boatshed cafe (coode st carpark) at 9:30am

focus kids group – ride along bike path to causeway and return (6kms)

sunday 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

short – wlsh weir 62.23km spr sunday

long – wlsh obs kal 90.32km spr sunday

so we are 5 stages down in the vuelta and it has given us a bit of everything.  a team time trial to start with followed by 3 mountain finishes and a sprint stage.  a victory for “bling” matthews has been a good start for greenedge, even if the big name sprinters thought this tour would be too hard.  the spr sweepstakes are also underway with team astana taking an early lead but with radioshack and katusha nipping on their heels.  it is actually interesting to see how the prize money for the vuelta is paid out at the various points along the course.  a couple of the teams are still on 20-30c but it is early days yet.  you can check out the sweepstakes here.  it is also father’s day this sunday.  when your kids ask what you want for father’s day, say that you would like a long spr hills ride.

ride leaders – bit light on for ride leaders this week. put your name down here.

kit order closes – the next kit order closes soon.  more info on the previous post.

livelighter dardanup tour – next weekend our sister club down south will be running the dardanup tour.  this race consists of a short road race followed by a team time trial.  the previous post has asked people to indicate if they want to race.  as we will need to work out the teams, people need to put their names down by this saturday.  if you now cannot go, or have changed your mind, you also need to let us know as we may need to change the teams to suit.  more info here.

ride routes – in special honour of the dome boys heading over the indo to race up a mountain, we are doing ewan st this saturday.  weather should be…the same as it has been all week.  it couldn’t be much worse than the thursday fast group today.  i am sure that my eyeballs have been thoroughly cleaned from all the sand and grit coming off the tyres in front.  people often ask how the ride routes are decided week to week.  the first priority is the wind direction, as i try to make sure the rides come home with a tailwind.  this is also why we tend to do similar rides at particular times of the year.  secondly, when did we do this route last as we don’t want to be too repeative.  thirdly, how much do i want to hear lennie complain about the route having anything resembling a hill in it.

saturday 31st august

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 – trans mosman 40.39km spr saturday

fast & main groups – ewen st 50.26km spr saturday

sunday 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

short – brktn weir 82.89km spr sunday

long – roley obs 100.16km spr sunday

so just to explain the picture a bit more.  brother dan moved to london over a year ago and has been training for an ironman triathlon.  during the last 10ks of the run at ironman copenhagan, he pulls out a ring and proposes to his girlfriend.  how could anyone resist such a well dressed man.  he couldn’t stay long as he managed to finish in under 10 hrs including coming out of the swim to find he had a flat front tyre.  massive effort all round. back in the day, dan and jules used to fight over who got the “good” kit and it depended on who got up first.  one week you would see dan in the cofidis kit and the next week jules would be in it.  i don’t think that jules wants to borrow the tri-suit after a full ironman.

vuelta a españa sweepstakes – the vuelta starts this saturday and so we need to sell all the entries to the sweepstakes.  teams will be assigned at the coffeeshop after the ride, so jump online and enter for you chance at cash prizes.  more info on the previous post.

perth myofascial release – there are still a few free initial consults for anyone that has a injury that they can’t seem to fix.   more info on the previous post.

kit order closes – the next kit order closes soon.  more info on the previous post.

pickering brook race 3 – the last of the series of three races.  entries have already closed, but let us know via the comments on the previous post if you are going so we can organise the tent and esky.

ride leaders – we have a full complement this week but no-one for next week.  have a chat to someone that has been a ride leader to see what is involved.  you may be surprised to find that you can actually help out the club.

ride routes – so i figured that it is time that we tried to get lost again and navigate our way through whiteman park.  hands up if you have a garmin 800/810???  well all you have to do is click on the link to the ride route below then click on the bottom right where it says “view details”.  that will take you to garmin connect where there is another click to “send to device”.  plug in your garmin and you are done.  easy.  no need to get lost.

saturday 24th august

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 – trans abernethy 39.96km spr saturday

fast & main groups – whiteman park 50.4km spr saturday

sunday 25th august

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

short – wlsh weir 62.23km spr sunday

long – wlsh weir kal 101.71km spr sunday

thursday morning ride.  5:30am under the narrows.  normally there are about 50 or so people waiting to roll out.  this morning i was 10 minutes late and i wasn’t at all worried about missing the start as i was sure that there wouldn’t be anyone waiting.  i was late because i was sitting at home waiting for the rain front to pass before heading out.  the radar said that there was more rain to come and i knew this, but i headed out anyway.  i had put the mudguards on the bike and grabbed the rain jacket, but i knew that this wouldn’t be enough.  why???  because sometime you just have to ride.  i had the best ride that i have had in ages today and i got totally saturated.  the rain jacket and mudguards did their job until i reached cottesloe when a massive rain front rolled in from the ocean.  the rain was coming in sideways and the gutters were not coping so there was even more water splashing me from below.  it was awesome fun.  i seriously had a smile on my face almost the entire ride.  this was primarily because it wasn’t cold.  at 5:30am it was about 16 degrees and even with the rain, it didn’t really make it much colder.  secondly, i got a great tailwind home and that always makes the ride easier.  yes it was wet.  i basically had to strip off at the doorstep and everything went straight into the washing machine but i had so much fun.  sometimes you just need to get out there and do what makes you happy to remember why you ride.

collie donnybook classic – for the serious racers, one of the classic west australian races is on again soon.  the collie to donnybrook classic is a handicap format race over 104kms. for those unfamiliar with the handicap style of racing, it is essentially a headstart based on previous results, but you are also racing in the same race as the a graders.  anyone can win and it is not always the a grade boys that get to the line first.  more info in the previous post.

superwestige – for those that are looking for something different why not have a crack at cyclo-cross.  like road riding, but different, like mountain biking, but different, like cross-country running, but different.  more info on the previous post.

ride routes – 

saturday 10th august

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 – trans shelley 40.59km spr saturday

fast & main groups – alexander drive 50.46km spr saturday

sunday 11th august

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

short – wlsh weir 62.23km spr sunday

long – chook obs goose 94.01km spr sunday

so a very slack week on the bike for me.  not really my fault as work and the weather got in my way.  kudos to those mad people that headed out last saturday, full belge points to you.  the saturday and sunday rain put a dampener on last weekends rides then i was straight on a plane to brisvegas.  a few days at my old stomping ground in the nsw coal fields where i went for a run and got blisters as a result.  back in brisbane where i am typing this from a hotel room in the city then home to perth tomorrow night.  hopefully i can make it to the ride on saturday morning.  last week i posted a tribute to stuey o’grady and the next night, it came out that he admitted to doping in 1998.  personally, i am a bit over it.  the sport has moved on and i still think that o’grady is a good guy, however, i don’t think it will be the last we hear of that era.  there are only three more weeks till the vuelta starts, so hopefully that will bring the focus back to clean racing…

focus groups kids ride – first saturday of the month so the kids ride is on again.  looks like the weather will be a bit nicer than it has been, so saddle up the kids and come along.

ride routes – was very tempted to just leave all the ride routes the same as last week.  however, there were those hardcore riders that actually did do the routes so as a sign of respect to their dedication, i have changed the routes this week.

saturday 3rd august

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 – trans reverse river 40.58km spr saturday

fast & main groups – hale & ridgehill 50.58km spr saturday

ride starts behind boatshed cafe (coode st carpark) at 9:30am

focus kids group – ride along bike path to causeway and return (6kms)

sunday 4th august

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

short – brktn weir 82.89km spr sunday

long – cann dam 100.13km spr sunday

tour de what???  it has only been a few days since it was over and already it feels like a lifetime ago.  sleeping patterns are slowly getting back to normal (no more sleeping at my desk) and now i can’t use the tour as a reason for not getting up to ride in the morning.  now it is the weather stopping me.  damn winter rain.  so also coming to an end is the racing career of one of the hard men of aussie cycling.  stuey o’grady has won stages in the tour, wore the yellow jersey, won the cobbled classic, paris-roubaix as well as a few olympic gold medals.  it doesn’t sound like he is going straight into a managerial role but i hope that he stays in touch with cycling as he was always a feature in aussie cycling.  yes, it is an early ride routes post this week as i will be in brisvegas this thursday evening.  their weekly forecast is looking the same as our albeit a degree or two higher.  wet weather ahead no matter where you are it seems.

spr riders on other rides – so i received another email from the same guy saying the our riders were in the same group on the same path again.  basically branding us as thugs as the group scared his 5 yr old daughter.  i don’t know the situation and it is not one of our rides but please, if you are on a shared path, please be considerate to other users.  i am reluctant to say “don’t wear an spr kit if you are on other rides” but some of these rides don’t have much control and are giving everyone a bad name.  unfortunately, we are being singled out of a bigger pack.

raffle tickets – toby will be selling raffle tickets to raise money for the DOME team to go race in east java.  they will be available at the coffeeshop this weekend and will be drawn at the tony lendrum cycling photo exhibition.  for just $10 you can win a pair of carbon clincher wheels from nero bike. check out the flyer for more info.

tony lendrum cycling photo exhibition – tony lendrum is that guy that spends more time at bike races than you do and less time on the bike.  his photo’s are first class and will be displayed at DOME on saturday night.  more info on the previous post.

ride leaders – thanks to those that have volunteered to be ride leaders this week.  we have lots of spots left that are just begging for you to put your name down in.  see the previous post for more details or sign up here.  please help out the club and volunteer your time.  if we can get a few weeks filled in advance it is going to lessen the need for me to be constantly nagging you.

ride routes – hopefully the weather clears up this weekend (but i am not that certain it will).  if numbers are low we will just combine some of the groups and drop the pace to keep it safe.

saturday 27th july

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 – trans rebold 38.69km spr saturday

fast & main groups – ewen st 50.26km spr saturday

sunday 28th july

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

short – spr sunday 61.14km (welshpool & weir rd)

long – wlsh weir kal 101.71km spr sunday