so, we are looking at a +40 deg weekend coming up.  both days will be scorchers and with overnight temps in the mid 20’s, it is going to be uncomfortable at night too.  we have a number of rides on this weekend including some standard ones (i.e. monday early ride).  this gives lots of opportunities to put some kms in but it also means more contact hours with traffic.

some of you may have heard about last monday’s ride where jordan was hit by a car that took off erratically from the traffic lights.  luckily he didn’t suffer any injuries but his bike was trashed.  it was a bit of a shock for me too as i was just in front of him and next in line for the bumper of the car.  luckily some people in the group managed to get the rego and it was immediately reported to the police.  we have no idea why this guy decided to make such a stupid move (and then leave the scene after an accident) but we are very very lucky that it was only bike damage.  we need to keep an eye on what is going on at all times and make sure that someone has a cool enough head to take down the rego.  it is often such a shock that something has happened that  people don’t take the rego.  i will be riding with the gopro on the bike a little more often now.

ride routes – we all get to climb “lennie” this weekend on the saturday ride.  on sunday, the ride route stays close to kalamunda so you can abort at any time.  it will be hot so, make sure you carry enough fluids.  monday rides as per normal, tuesday earlybird is the normal small chain ring affair with the public holiday to follow.

saturday 29th 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 49.46km (“lennie” hill rd)

sunday 30th 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 91.25km (welshpool & observatory & kalamunda rd)

monday 31st december

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

early lap – spr monday 33.72km (south & freo)

tuesday 1st january

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

early lap – spr tuesday 43.41km (river ride)

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

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

it is starting to smell a lot like christmas.  actually, walking through the city today, it was a seething mass of humanity.  as it was also +30 degrees, it was starting to smell a lot like christmas.  i do have a few last minute presents to buy, and i am sure that kate wants a lego toaster.  she did mention it on facebook the other week, and you know that guys are not really good at reading between the lines.  anyway, there are a few extra rides on this week with the public holiday on wednesday, but all other normal days will have their normal rides.

christmas ride – this saturday is the last saturday before christmas and as such we will be doing our usual christmas dress-up ride.  for those of you that are celebrating your first christmas with us, this involves decorating your bike or yourself in a christmasy fashion.  there are some pictures from last years ride here.

christmas challenge – similar to the easter challenge that i threw down, the person that rides the most between the first and last public holidays (25th dec – 1st jan) will get some type of chocolaty prize.  also the person that rides the longest single ride will get a prize.  all rides must be verified by STRAVA or garmin connect. think of it as a training incentive.

ride routes – bonus points for those that dress up and still do the earlybird ride.  the main groups on saturday will detour and head straight up st georges terrace instead of riverside drive.  yes, we will get caught by more traffic lights, but it is more about being a visual impact.  wednesday’s public holiday ride will be preceeded by the normal uci wednesday ride.

saturday 22nd 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)

the main groups will head across the causeway and up through the centre of the city. once we hit kings park rd we will then join up with the normal ride route.

sunday 23rd 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 101.68km (carradine & canning dam)

monday 24th december

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

early lap – spr monday 33.72km (south & freo)

rides start at atomic cafe – mends st south perth at 8:00am

main group – WAR ride route (65kms)

tuesday 25th december

no rides on today

wednesday 26th december

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

early lap – spr wednesday 13.99km (uci masters)

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

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

the lead up to christmas is always pretty hectic.  even more so for us this year.  in the last few weeks we have had two work christmas parties, two birthdays (kate & dan), two criteriums to organise and a kit order to finalise.  we are also finalising all the performance reviews at work, so things have been hectic there too.  as a big mining company, we don’t shut down for christmas like some places and as such, we don’t actually slow down that much at this time of year.  there are still things due in january which means working during december.  for the club, more public holidays mean more public holiday rides.

christmas challenge – similar to the easter challenge that i threw down, the person that rides the most between the first and last public holidays (25th dec – 1st jan) will get some type of chocolaty prize.  also the person that rides the longest single ride will get a prize.  all rides must be verified by STRAVA or garmin connect. think of it as a training incentive.

criterium series – the second race in this series in this sunday so we will need volunteers to help as well as people to race.  put your name down on the previous post if you can help out.

christmas breakfast and ride – this saturday 15th dec will be our christmas breakfast held at DOME after the saturday ride.  our christmas dress-up ride will be on the 22nd (i.e. the last saturday before christmas).  put your name down on the previous post if you are coming to the breakfast so we can organise catering.  the cost is $15 per head and try to bring exact change to help out the DOME guys.  there will also be some christmas honours bestowed upon members as per the nominations from the recent poll.

ride routes – build up your appetite to get ready for the christmas breakfast at DOME.  i think you need to do the saturday double to justify the muffins you are going to eat.

saturday 15th 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 50.47km (south st)

sunday 16th 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

no hills ride on as we are holding a criterium at tech park.  do the earlybird, then come and help out.

300.  not the movie (for SPARTA!!!) but the number of members we now have.  pretty much 10 times what we ever started with that very first day in may a few years ago.  more importantly more members that the jaffa’s at south west…finally.  305, we had a few more the last couple of days and i am expecting a few more before the end of the week.  another important stat is that we have about 15% women in our membership.  i am sure that it looks more than that on a saturday morning, so maybe some of those need to be convinced to actually join.  the end of december a lot of the memberships will be up for renewal.  make sure you continue to be involved in the coming year. 300 for SPR-TA!!!.

new team kit – the kit orders are open but will close at midnight this saturday the 8th.  there will be a sizing kit at the DOME from 7am to 11am so even if you have other commitments and can’t ride, you can come down early and try on the kit.  alison will be there all that time (instead of riding), so someone buy her a coffee to keep her going.    more info about the kit can be found here.  another important bit of information as to who will be eligible for kit can be found here.

extraordinary memberships – for those that want to buy the kit because you train with us, but are already members of triathlon wa or mountain bike, we now have an extraordinary membership.  you must have a membership with these associations to be eligible.  more info here.

santos legends of cycling dinner – the raffle draw winner will be there as well as others from the club.  if you are interested in getting  a table more info can be found here.

criterium series – our first race in this series in this sunday so we will need volunteers to help as well as people to race.  put your name down on the previous post if you can help out.

christmas breakfast and ride – the 15th dec will be our christmas breakfast held at DOME after the saturday ride.  our christmas dress-up ride will be on the 22nd (i.e. the last saturday before christmas).  put your name down on the previous post if you are coming to the breakfast so we can organise catering.

christmas honours – at the christmas breakfast (next week) we will be awarding some people for their memorable service to the club.  a list of categories is available on the previous post, so get your nominations in.  more info here.

ride routes – the saturday main ride is a tad longer this week, but we will see how we go.  we used to do this route but recently i have limited everything to 50kms.  4 more kms should be ok, but just be aware you will be out a bit longer.  no hills ride this weekend as we have the criterium on and will need all hands to be helping or racing.  rumour has it that there may be 4 members of greenedge racing in ‘a’ grade, so come along for a look.

saturday 8th 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 54.03km (maddington & welshpool)

sunday 9th 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

no hills ride on as we are holding a criterium at tech park.  do the earlybird, then come and help out.

what a crap week for cycling.  after a 38 degree day last week, we have thunderbolts and lightning, very, very frightening, for a couple of days this week.  after watching the roofs coming off houses on the news, wednesday night, i went to bed not sure if i would be riding thursday morning.  the storms were meant to abate, but i was woken at 4:30am to the sound of rain and strong winds.  off went the alarm and i rewoke at almost 7am.  late for work meant even later when i discovered that everyone else was also driving to work.  the weather is looking to be fine this weekend, so i am expecting that there will be lots of people out to make up the kms.  lots going on during december (new kit, criteriums, christmas rides) so keep an eye on teh blog to keep informed.

new team kit – we are just finalising things and a sneak peak should be up on the website soon.  this weekend there will be a sizing kit at the DOME so you can work out what you need to order.  more info about the kit can be found here.  another important bit of information as to who will be eligible for kit can be found here.

criterium series – we will be holding our criterium race series again with the rccc.  so far the dates are 09/12, 16/12, 10/02 & 10/03.  these will be held on the tech park circuit and we will need volunteers to run these events.  however we will also need people to race across all grades, so get training.  more info here and on the events tab above.

christmas breakfast and ride – the 15th dec will be our christmas breakfast held at DOME after the saturday ride.  our christmas dress-up ride will be on the 22nd (i.e. the last saturday before christmas).  more info here.

ride routes – strong easterly winds will not make it an easy task, but this is the last weekend for the strava challenge up welshpool rd.  if you want to have a second crack at it, there is a main 3 hills ride this weekend which also takes in the hill.  the focus group kids ride is on as well as it is the first weekend of the month, so if you have any kids that want to ride, meet behind the boatshed cafe at 9:30am.  this group started for a particular reason, if you don’t know the background, you can get an idea from this link.

saturday 1st 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 39.81km (shelley & bannister)

fast & main groups – spr saturday 50.47km (hale rd reverse)

main 3 hills ride – spr sunday 52.25 (welshpool)

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

focus kids group – ride along bike path to causeway and return (7kms)

sunday 2nd 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 87.99km (welshpool & observatory & camelberg & gooseberry)

for some reason (and i am not sure why) i am doing the great perth bike ride on sunday.  well the one reason is that work are paying for it.  another reason is that it will be 100kms of intensity training.  a bad reason is the high potential for hitting the deck.  i was a bit worried today during the thursday earlybird after riding through the roadworks in claremont.  the road has been chopped by about 2-3 inches and there are potholes nicely placed within it.  then there is the elizabeth quay roadworks,  within the first few hundred metres of the start there are sections of single lane with cones and crap road conditions.  so this is what i am weighing up.  if you see me on the sunday hills ride instead, you know which one won.

early saturday ride – last week i estimate that we had at least 150 riders turn up to the saturday 7am ride.  we split into 8 groups with main 1 and main 2 having to split into two.  the novice group also had a larger than average turn out and needed a bit more support.  so firstly, we are going to need more people to step up and look after the lower groups.  if anyone is racing sunday and they want an easier ride on saturday, then make yourself available to help out.  the newer riders certainly appreciate some help from more experienced riders and in the end it is beneficial to club as a whole to have riders that have been taught correctly.  secondly, one way to reduce the size of the groups is to offer an earlier start time.  that is a 6:30am start and a 7:00am start.  so i am looking for feedback as to whether we should look at putting on a 6:30am ride (for main 1 & 2 only).  the 5:30 earlybird ride will still be on and the 7:00am ride allows people to do both.  the 6:30am ride is just to try to split the group up a bit.  however, similar to the first point, for this to run, we will need more ride leaders and someone to split up and kick off the 6:30am group.  let me know if you think this is a good idea.

track day – still some spots left for the come and try track day this weekend.  more info here.  better hurray up if you want to play.

criterium series – we will be holding our criterium race series again with the rccc.  so far the dates are 09/12, 16/12, 26/01 australia day criterium, 10/02, 24/02, 10/03.  these will be held on the tech park circuit and we will need volunteers to run these events.  however we will also need people to race across all grades, so get training.  more info out soon.

christmas breakfast and ride – the 15th dec will be our christmas breakfast held at DOME after the saturday ride.  our christmas dress-up ride will be on the 22nd (i.e. the last saturday before christmas).  more info here.

ride routes – strava challenge is still on for welshpool road so we will continue to hit that on sunday.  last week, young lawson came out with us and totally smashed the record.  if anything, at least there is the opportunity to get a few PR’s.  there are prizes for the top three male and female riders.  so far there are only 3 women on the leaderboard, so the girls better get a move on if they want a prize.

saturday 24th november

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 41.73km (canning vale reverse)

fast & main groups – spr saturday 51.36km (sth lake)

sunday 25th november

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 91.25km (welshpool & observatory & kalamunda rd)

so i had an unpleasant experience on the bike last sunday.  i was coming up mundaring weir road that last pinch up to kalamunda when a white mini cooper (number plate KM-2550) pulls up beside me.  i was on my own (dropped by the group) and there was no other traffic around.  the car drove besides me for a few seconds before pulling forward.  i gave a “what the” gesture as i was practically in the gutter and so wasn’t holding them up at all.  the car slowed again and the passenger window rolled down.  ok, this is not looking good so i jumped up on the footpath to keep out of their way.  a middle-aged woman was driving and she yelled out “are you from around here? no, then get the f_ck off my road.”  i was so shocked that i didn’t really have time to think and so just yelled back at her.  she started crapping on about cyclists that come and restrict her driving on her roads so we should just f_ck off.  then her husband beside her started on about registration and how i didn’t pay any for my bike so i don’t have any rights on the road.  sorry, but the WA road laws do beg to differ on this point, but how do you explain that during a shouting match.  so this went on for a bit while i was still riding up the hill and i look back and there is about 4 cars banked up behind her and they can’t get passed.  so, me being a cyclist and holding her up has now made her hold up about 4 other cars.  i guess that is my fault too.  anyway, after a stream of obscenities from both sides she eventually drives off.  now i have been riding in perth for 8 years and have been abused pretty much on a daily basis.  it is usually the 20-30 year old male that hurls abuse (or projectiles) and drives off.  this is the first time that i have really been targeted and effectively bullied for riding my bike.  i wasn’t holding her up but she just wanted to vent on any cyclist that she could because it was her right to be on the road.  although we can’t change the redneck views of road usage, we can make sure that we do our part to minimise our impact on other road users.  i try to map ride routes that take in double lane roads as that makes it easy for cars to get passed.  on single lane roads, we must look at whether we need to go single file and make that call.  this is also the reason why we try to reduce the group sizes and split the groups.  what we do does effect how we are treated so be aware of other road users no matter how ignorant they are.

track day – don’t forget to register if you are coming to our come and try track day.  more info here.  it is on the 25th so not far away now.

christmas breakfast and ride – the 15th dec will be our christmas breakfast held at DOME after the saturday ride.  our christmas dress-up ride will be on the 22nd (i.e. the last saturday before christmas).  more info here.

criterium series – we will be holding our criterium race series again with the rccc.  so far the dates are 09/12, 16/12, 26/01 australia day criterium, 10/02, 24/02, 10/03.  these will be held on the tech park circuit and we will need volunteers to run these events.  however we will also need people to race across all grades, so get training.

strava challenge – for those on strava, there is a challenge started that is set just in perth.  it is for the tour down under and they have selected a number of climbs in each capital city.  ours is welshpool rd and as such our sunday ride for the next few weeks will be heading up welshpool rd.  it will be the first climb of the sunday hills ride, so your legs should be fresh which should give you a good time.  have a look at the challenge here so you know where the segment starts and finishes.

ride routes – looks like a strong hot easterly for saturday so we will tackle benara rd.  there has been a request for nice roads for roll throughs for the transitional group, so shelley and benara it is.

saturday 17th november

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 39.81km (shelley & bannister)

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

sunday 18th november

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 101.86km (welshpool & mundaring & kalamunda)

melbourne cup, usa elections, $100M lotto draw.  not really that much happening this week….well anything that has a impact on the bike world (however, $100M lotto win would certainly affect my bike world).  i am just tired.  after missing both rides last weekend while out at the kings of wanneroo, i decided that i will ride everyday this week.  4 down and 3 to go, but it is killing me at work.  i just want to sleep all day, but yet i have to try to stay awake in meetings that are putting me to sleep.  as for the elections, the king of perth has been crowned.

track day – don’t forget to register if you are coming to our come and try track day.  more info here.

ride routes – there has been a request for a main 3 saturday hills ride…so there is one this week.

saturday 10th november

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)

main 3 hills ride – spr sunday 52.25 (welshpool)

sunday 11th november

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 63.49km (gooseberry & kalamuda)

long – spr sunday 100.45km (darlington & mundaring)

a day trip to the pilbara for me today.  nice civilized 8:30am flight with a nice 4:00pm return. unfortunately, with the 1 hour drive each way after we get there, there was only 2 1/4 hours left to have a meeting.  as such i have come home with a splitting headache and no ability to verbalise a rant about anything.  so here is a picture of arnie on a bike.

kings of wanneroo – racing this weekend and we have close to 140 riders over the 2 days.  thanks to all those that have volunteered and all those that are racing.  spr will have a pretty big presence across all grades.  the first race starts at 8am, so make sure you get out there early enough to help setup or warm-up if you are racing.

focus group – kids ride this weekend so meet behind the boatshed cafe if you want to join in.

ride routes – there will be quite a few people away this weekend as they will be organising or racing at barbagallo.  make sure you know the ride routes as you may be asked to help out.

saturday 3rd november

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 49.09km (abernathy rd)

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

focus kids group – ride along bike path to causeway and return (7kms)

sunday 4th november

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 87.99km (welshpool & observatory & camelberg & gooseberry)