i was reflecting the other day that it wasn’t even 3 months ago there was a massive debate and media focus on bikes riding single file. there were groups trying to get signatures to petition the government to force people to ride single file on the roads. mainstream media had hold of it and were interviewing people on both sides to throw more fuel on the debate as nothing creates a buzz like two sides fighting. now, it is almost gone. we hardly see anything on social media and mainstream dropped bikes for plastic bags in their fight for ratings. i am sure that it will come up again as we rotate through the 6 month cycle of someone with a loud enough voice getting upset about something. however, as i have said a number of times, it is not worth getting involved or worse, dragged into a debate on socials. why??? because it a stupid debate. why is it stupid??? because laws are changed to protect a vulnerable party from being hurt not because one party feels like they are being inconvenienced. the law has already been changed when they brought in the 1m rule. and the reason is that it is not the actions of the cyclists that are getting them killed, it is the actions of the motorists. yes, it may be frustrating to try to get around a group of riders, but the laws have been made to stop drivers hitting and potentially killing a rider, not to save a driver 30 sec as they wait for a safe place to overtake. the reason i was reflecting on this was during the thursday ride as we were passing though east freo there was a car caught behind the group on preston point road. a few years ago, when they resurfaced the road, they made it narrower, removed the shoulder and put in lots of traffic islands and traffic calming devices. now there is a 2.5km stretch where cars cannot overtake a group at all. even if we rode single file, there is not enough room for a car to negotiate between the riders and traffic islands without either breaking the law or potentially connecting with a rider. at the time, we petitioned the local council, but were told that it was not a designated bike route so our concerns essentially didn’t matter. even though that stretch of road is where the majority of cycling groups ride. luckily for us on the group ride, we were close to the petra st roundabout, where that stretch of road falls under the control of a different council. the roads are wider, with a shoulder and less traffic islands. the car was easily able to overtake while the group continued riding 2 abreast.
ride leader sponsor – The ride leader sponsor for October is Free Energy HR, owned by SPR founding member and ride leader Rob Ramsden. Free Energy HR delivers transformational executive & organisational coaching, team & leadership development as well as organisational culture and engagement programs.
ToMR 2018 – The final payment for ToMR is done! Check your emails for the latest details on TTT sessions.
The Beverley 2018 –After what has been a slow grind for entries, registration has been extended and now CLOSE TUESDAY 9TH OCTOBER. Get in now right HERE.
Also, a mandatory Volunteer meeting for those on duty for Race Day. It’s on this Saturday at Dome, post Main rides – check your emails. Thanks to those of you that have offered up time to assist.
Beverley Heroic – Over 13-14th October, The Heroic rides are where this wonderful Beverley weekend started. The rides roll over a choice of 50 or 100 mile courses through the backroads of the beautiful Wheatbelt in spring time. The weekend also hosts WA CX, racing Saturday afternoon post “The Beverley”, and a Family Town Ride later in the evening under lights. There are accommodation and camping options in town – make a weekend of it. More details HERE.
ride leader training –the ride leader program that we have developed has given our club an extra dimension of organisation and stability. it has been recognised by other clubs for the positive impact that it brings to club training rides and as such has been adopted outside of spr. if you want to be involved and give something back to the club, then check the previous post about the current expression of interest in the next training block. the more leaders we have, the less frequently those leaders will be rostered on. you also get a cool jersey.
entertainment books – we will again be selling entertainment books this year through the club. the digital version means you don’t have to carry around a bulky book anymore. check out the links on the previous post to find out more.
saturday start locations – we have revamped the group start locations on saturday morning. please have a look at the map so you know where your group will congregate. this makes it easier for ride leaders to give you a briefing before the ride starts. see the previous post for more details.
spr juniors – school holidays are on, so that means a lot of junior sport is on break. take this opportunity to get the kids out on the bike and join our juniors ride. this is for kids 10-15 yrs old and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. the route is listed below and involves laps in kings park. it is usually between 25-30kms by the time you get back to the carpark but we will do as many loops as the kids can.
from the ride coordinator –The days are getting longer and hotter, don’t forget your sunscreen. (ed. both clear and dark glasses are needed on the earlybird now)
saturday 6th october
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
juniors (10 – 15 yrs with parent) – kings park juniors 23.72km spr saturday
development group – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday
transitional 1/2 – trans shelley 40.59km spr saturday
fast/main – south lake 51.99km spr saturday
sunday 7th october
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 – coffee ride
short – wlsh weir 62.23km spr sunday
long – wlsh weir kal 101.71km spr sunday
monday 8th october
ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am
south stock 33.76km spr monday
tuesday 9th october
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am
development group – interval training kings park
wednesday 10th october
ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am
interval training – stock road repeats
thursday 11th october
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
see previous post for ride groups
spr thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am
development group – interval training kings park
friday 12th october
ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am