midweek ride routes this week due to the aussie day public holiday.  before i get onto the changes to the ride routes, there are a couple of things that i want to discuss.

forums – we have a new forums section where you can post classifieds, questions and discussions.  some of you may have noticed that you don’t actually have access to write a blog post.  the forums are different and you will be able to post to them as you need.  anything too offensive will be removed, but use your login to get access.

crits – there are 2 crits this week.  the rccc will be putting one on for aussie day at tech park and then we will be combining with them to put on another one on sunday.  remember, if your licence has expired, you need to renew before you can race or you will need to get a day licence.

community support – a few months ago during a ride, i was talking to matty upton and he suggested that maybe the group could do more for the community.  by this he meant that maybe once a month before a ride start, we could hand the hat around and everyone put in a gold coin or so for a nominated fund raiser.  there are usually lots of groups that people in the club are involved with that can do with a bit of extra support and this way we can be seen to be giving a back to the community.  if you are involved with any fundraisers, from schools trying to raise money for computers, to sporting groups looking at sending someone to an event, or even community groups raising money for a bus, then let me know and we can see what we can do.  this aussie day public holiday ride i want to start this initiative up by collecting for a development fund.  snuggles’ young son seb recently started riding and even competed in the golden spokes where he came 2nd in the under 13 race.  just recently he raced in the state junior track championships where he managed to come third in the points race.  he has got a new road bike, but is now saving up for his own track bike.  at the state champs he rode on a hire bike, with dunlop volleys and toe clips but managed to beat a kid on a pinarello.  he was even looking at selling his nerf guns to fund his own bike (and we have all been there).  so before the public holiday ride, i will be passing the hat around and would encourage everyone to drop in a couple of bucks (more if you want) so we can get the next generation a head start in cycling.

ride routes – according to the road closures for aussie day, we should be right for the start of the earlybird and the start of the main ride at 7.  cars will be restricted, so if you are driving to the start, then you will need to park near the corner of coode and angelo st and then roll down the hill.  on both rides, there will be road closures along burke drive for the aussie day triathlon.  this event starts at 6:30am so the roads will already be closed before the earlybird gets there.  in this case the earlybird ride will continue straight at the roundabout and continue along preston point road until it exits at canning hwy.  this way all of the point walter road will be missed.  for the public holiday ride, start along burke drive as usual, but then just before the road closure will be a turn to stoneham drive. follow this along to the end then a quick right, left will put you on the usual hill up stock road.

there will be a fast group, main group and development group at 5:30am, but just be aware that the public holiday ride will leave at 7:00am as normal.  if your group is looking at not making the time cut then you should look for a shortcut to make sure you do.

thursday 26th january

rides start under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr thursday 43.54km (cott & freo) (skip point walter)

rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

fast & main groups – spr public holiday 59.35km (shelley & freo) (skip burke drive)

what a start to the year for aussie cycling.  the nationals were awesome when i was over there and now it seems half of the rouleurs are hanging out in Radelaide for the tdu.  there have been more photos and stalker appearances so i will post them up as they make their way through.  i am still on holidays, but back in perth now so will make an appearance at some rides.  2 weeks off the bike, however, did mean that i had “fresh” legs for the first 10 minutes of the ride, before the “untrained” legs kicked in for the rest.  maybe starting with the thursday fast group was the wrong approach to take.  finally, not that i want to dicuss it, but shane warne is a dick.

crits – our next crit with the rccc will be on the 29th jan (next sunday) so we will be looking for volunteers again to ensure it runs smoothly.  the rccc will be running an aussie day crit on the tech park circuit, so if you want to race, then register now.

ride routes – new ride route for the main group this week so upload to your garmin, write notes on your stem or at least have a good look at the map beforehand.  there are a few left and right turns that you need to do so make sure that you know when they are or you could end up in joondalup.  sunday sees the next “berg” after the chook last week.  this one starts with f and ends with uckenberg.  if you haven’t done it before, then you have missed out on a marvelous ride.  cj sutton from the sky protour team did this ride with us a few years ago and even he said it was hard (mind you he was in the big ring doing strength efforts for most of the ride). EDIT – made a small change to the ride route for saturday.  after we cross the freeway we will then take the first left past IKEA and then onto scarbs road.  it seemed better than trying to change across 3 lanes to turn right.

saturday 21st january

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – spr saturday 35.48km (novice shelley)

transitional – spr saturday 41.18km (reverse river ride)

fast & main groups – spr saturday 50.18km (alexander drive)

sunday 22nd january

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

short – spr sunday 82.79km (brookton & weir rd)

long – spr sunday 96.36km (patterson & canns & urch)

sunny days and warm nights, that is what summer is all about.  not in victoria, though.  it has been absolutely freezing over here with a max of 16 deg and strong winds that cut through you like a knife.  i ended up missing the time trial champs because the weather was so  bad.  i have also packed too many pairs of shorts and not enough long pants and jackets.  i feel like i have been wearing the  same clothes all week.  even if i had brought my bike with me, i am sure that i would not have brought my winter gear with me.  so looking forward to getting back to perth.  even with all my family over here, it still feels like home in perth.

ride routes – we do need someone to step up and look after the saturday groups.  sunday will split halfway up welshpool so make sure you know your ride routes or you may end up on the wrong ride.  oh, it also involves the chookenberg, so make sure you have your granny gear on.

saturday 14th january

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – spr saturday 35.48km (novice shelley)

transitional – spr saturday 39.04km (benara rd)

fast & main groups – spr saturday 50.98km (benara rd)

sunday 15th january

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

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

long – spr sunday 94.36km (chookenberg & observatory & gooseberry)

the end of 2011 and how fast has it gone.  lots of new faces to the group and we are continuing to grow.  i will probably take some time out later to write a blog on the highlights and lowlights of the year.  a reminisce, or dragging up the past, perhaps.  some of the new faces may not be aware of our humble beginnings so i will also link back to some of the earlier blogs. 

will 2012 be bigger and better???  lets hope so, or even better, lets do something about it to keep the club active and engaging for the members.  got a friend that rides or commutes to work???  send them a link to our website or let them know what we provide for people.  there are thousands of people that ride in perth that have never ridden in a group or have had any contact with a club.  our members are the ones that need to be out there showing others that being part of a club is not just about racing, but rather being part of something that is linked by cycling as our common thread.  safe, organised, inclusive and social.  these are the things that make spr what it is and make people want to ride with us.

spr kit distribution – again at the DOME coffee shop after the saturday ride.  i will have my suitcases all packed, but with your gear.  if you want to organise any other time for collection, send me an email.

DOME discount – toby has organised that if you are wearing the SPR kit that has DOME on the front when you order, you will get a 10% discount.  this is only available at his shop in westralia plaza.

ride routes – overtaking other groups can be a hazardous situation that we all need to be aware about.  last week the transitional group was overtaken by our faster groups on the run back into town.  even though it is the designated fast section, we must also be aware of other road users and act accordingly.  no point just yelling and screaming for people to get out of your way, as they have as much right to be there as you do (i.e. when that car is honking it’s horn at us).  overtake when safe, single file preferably, and don’t cut back in too soon as you might clip a wheel.  there is a chance the groups may end up in this situation again.  be aware of it as well as your actions on the road as remember, this is a training ride, not a race.  lots of riding this long weekend, but seriously, if you don’t hate me after the long hills ride this sunday, you never will.  monday earlybird starts on the south perth side.

saturday 31st december

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – spr saturday 35.48km (novice shelley)

transitional – spr saturday 40.72km (mosman park)

fast & main groups – spr saturday 50.23km (ewen st)

sunday 1st january

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

short – spr sunday 82.79km (brookton & weir rd)

long – spr sunday 101.29km (roleystone & observatory)

monday 2nd january

ride starts under the narrows (south perth side) at 5:30am

early lap – spr monday 46.74km (south & freo)

ride starts at coode st carpark at 7:00am

main group – spr public holiday 59.35km (shelley & freo)

its beginning to smell a lot like christmas.  actually, take a walk through the mall during the day and you know that christmas is soon upon us.  people everywhere all hopefully getting me a christmas present…well probably not.  we have a lot of opportunities for rides over the next week or so but i guess that whether you can take advantage of it depends on family commitments.  i hope to see you on some of them.  if you can identify the 2 girls in the pic, then you have been riding with us for too long.  if you can identify the cow print guy and the red jersey, then you have probably been there longer than me.

spr christmas ride – time to decorate your bike and dress up in a santa suit, it’s the christmas ride.  normal time and place to start, we will head through the city to spread christmas cheer.  the aim is to either dress festive or decorate your bike in a christmas fashion.  this usually includes things like tinsel, reindeer horns or baubles…but not limited to.  don’t forget that you still need to be able to ride 40-50kms, so dressing up in a box to come as a present, may not be ideal.

spr kit distribution – the kit has arrived.  it will be available for collection at the DOME coffee shop after the saturday ride.  it will also be there at the following saturday as well.  if you cannot make these times, drop me an email and we can organise some other pick up (note: this does not include chirstmas day, so don’t ask)

spr iron horse t-shirts – we still have some of these left.  if you are looking for a stocking filler for christmas (partners that are reading this) then click on the link to the left to order it online.  we can then orgainse collection before the big day.

ride routes – quite a bit to discuss about the ride routes this week.  firstly saturday (fast/main) will take a detour through the city to spread christmas cheer to the masses.  once we hit the hill at the end of the city, it will be on and this will determine the split in the groups.  hopefully we end up with groups around the 20 or so riders.  sunday is christmas, so there are no organised rides, but i am sure that there are people out there with no kids and partners that sleep in, so if you meet under the narrows at 5:30 or at coode st at 7:00 i am sure you will find some friends.  monday earlybird is the normal monday ride starting under the narrows on the south perth side.  this will then meet up with the public holiday ride at coode st at 7:00.  tuesday will be the new sunday.  small chainring earlybird ride as usual, but then the hills ride will follow it.  long and short options available

saturday 24th december

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – spr saturday 35.48km (novice shelley)

transitional – spr saturday 40.86km (rebold hill)

fast & main groups – spr saturday 50.72km (rebold hill & cott)

all main and fast groups will start together.  we will head across the causeway and up through the centre of the city. once we hit malcolm st hill we will naturally form into groups and then join up with the normal ride route.

sunday 25th december

no organised rides

monday 26th december

ride starts under the narrows (south perth side) at 5:30am

early lap – spr monday 46.74km (south & freo)

ride starts at coode st carpark at 7:00am

main group – spr public holiday 59.35km (shelley & freo)

tuesday 27th december

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

short – spr sunday 66.71km (greenmount & gooseberry)

long – spr sunday 95.04km (greenmount & parkerville & mundaring weir)

so my boy turned 3 this week and i realised that his life must be so much more exciting than mine.  something new on tv – wow.  going to daycare – wow. rides in the car – wow.  having lunch – wow.  hanging out with pretty girls….yep, he is living the dream.

christmas breakfast – this saturday after the ride we will have our christmas breakfast.  this is a standard ride (not a dress-up one) but we will finish at the DOME for coffee and a feed all for $15.  this is an opportunity for a social catchup and a chance to look back on another year in green.  more info here.

spr/rccc criteriums – this sunday dec at the tech park circuit we will have our first crit of the season. bit more info here.  we need volunteers to make sure this even is well run, so please put your names in the comments on the other page so we are sure we have enough people.  grades from “d” through to “a” so there is a place for you.  you can race and help out in between as needed.

spr drink bottles – are now available and will be sold at the coffee shop after the saturday ride. $10 650ml and $12 800ml.

spr ironhorse clothing t-shirt – the t-shirts have arrived and will be distributed at the coffee shop after the saturday ride. if you cannot pick them up from there, send me an email to organise an alternative pick up. t-shirts can still be purchased online from here.

ride routes – there is no sunday hills ride due to the crits being held in tech park.  come down and race instead.  don’t forget our new coffee location on saturday and diversion to the ride route (see here).

saturday 17th december

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – spr saturday 35.48km (novice shelley)

transitional – spr saturday 40.72km (mosman park)

fast & main groups – spr saturday 49.46km (“lennie” hill rd)

sunday 18th december

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

no main hills ride today as the club crits are on and you should be there supporting your club

cheers to the freaking weekend.  I drink to that, yeah yeah (coffee that is…while you are collecting your spr ironhorse t-shirt)

this has been one of the longest weeks that i can remember.  well probably not as long as the people sat for 9 hours on the tarmac of the airport, but it has just dragged on forever.  work is going off with meetings, performance reviews, restructures, christmas drinks, christmas parties, freakin everything.  2 more weeks till christmas and it seems that we have to cram everything in.  a bit of pain (especially on thursday morning) seems to be the one way i remember that i am alive.

spr/rccc criteriums – sunday 18th dec at the tech park circuit.  final approvals are just going in now.  i will post more info soon, but we will be looking for volunteers to run this again.  also looking for people to race.  if you haven’t raced before and what to give it a go, then this will be a great event for you.  not too technical and only 1km long circuit, so if you do get dropped, you don’t have to ride 45km back to the start by yourself (from experience, that is).

spr drink bottles – are now available and will be sold at the coffee shop after the saturday ride.  $10 650ml and $12 800ml.  plastic model of ryan not for resale.

spr ironhorse clothing t-shirt – the t-shirts have arrived and will be distributed at the coffee shop after the saturday ride.  if you cannot pick them up from there, send me an email to organise an alternative pick up.  t-shirts can still be purchased online from here.

christmas breakfast – it is on again next saturday 17th at the DOME coffeeshop. more info here and make sure you rsvp if you are coming.  this is different to the christmas ride that is the last saturday (24th) before christmas where you are encouraged to dress up and decorate your bike.

ride routes – don’t forget our new coffee location on saturday and diversion to the ride route (see here).

saturday 10th december

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – spr saturday 35.48km (novice shelley)

transitional – spr saturday 39.04km (benara rd)

fast & main groups – spr saturday 49.92km (morley drive)

sunday 11th december

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

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

long – spr sunday 90.23km (welshpool & observatory & kalamunda rd)

a week off the bike and i am suffering bad.  somehow managed to stay with the fast group this morning, but i think it was more luck than skill with the crosswinds that we had.  the uci course hurt on wednesday and the tuesday small chainring session was a struggle.  think i will ask santa for a new set of legs for christmas.  not sure if i would want something like george hincapie’s legs with varacose veins popping out everywhere or maybe i should go for marianne vos’ legs.  not as strong as the guys, but would do ok in perth b grade and would look good in a pair of heels.

ndcc classic – this sunday we will have 25 people racing the northern districts classic.  included in this will be a bunch of girls on their first or second race ever.  actaully 8 of the 12 women racing are from spr, so there will be a lot of support for them.  however, as some of them are new to spr, we are short a few jerseys for the day.  if you are heading along, can you please bring any spare jerseys that you have especially the smaller size ones (men’s s or xs, or women’s sizes).  also, as there are so many people headed out do we have any volunteers to take the tent and esky out for the day.  i will be watching the christmas pagent on sunday, so will not be at the race.

cyclocross sweat and sand series – kicks off on saturday at claremont showgrounds run by pmbc, see here for more details.

main 2 – we are looking for a new ride leader for main 2.  russell thinks that it is time for him to move on and wants to be pushed a little harder, so is heading up to main 1.  i would like to thank him for all the time he has spent keeping that group together and i really appriciate all that he has done.  if someone would like to step up (or down from main 1) to look after this group it would be great.

main 3 – steve and some of the guys have banded together to re-form main 3.  this group will take any of the faster riders from the transitional group as well as any that are struggling to hang on to main 2.  this group will provide a step between the trans group and the longer faster main groups without getting smashed.

movember – thanks for all that donated to the movember cause.  we managed to raise over $1000 this year but you can still donate here.

christmas breakfast – it is on again and this time we have a venue rather than someone’s house.  more info here and make sure you rsvp if you are coming.

ride routes –  don’t forget our new coffee location on saturday and diversion to the ride route (see here).

saturday 3rd december

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – spr saturday 35.48km (novice shelley)

transitional – spr saturday 41.18km (reverse river ride)

fast & main groups – spr saturday 49.09km (abernathy rd)

sunday 4th december

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr earlybird ride

all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

short – spr sunday 82.79km (brookton & weir rd)

long – spr sunday 97.99km (carradine & peet & observatory)