ok, we have the following teams registered tonight.  what happens is the team leader will pay for the entire team out of their own pocket.  it is then up to you to make sure that they get paid back on the day if not before.  for my team expect an email soon with my netbank details so you can deposit some funds. 

the amount of dollars that each person had to pay is dependant on what type of licence you hold.  unfortunately, the cyclo-sportif club has decided that the recreational licence doesn’t count any more so if you have one of them or no licence, you have to pay $60.  if you have a cyclo-sportif licence or a full racing licence you pay $45.  if i have made a mistake with what i have on the list, you still need to pay you team captain but you should approach cyclo-sportif on the day to get a refund of the difference.

however, everyone will need to register as a “friend of cyclo-sportif”.  this is free and just allows them to take your details for insurance purposes.  go here to register as a “friend”.

the teams were set up to try to even up abilities across the teams, but there is always going to be a weakest link in a team.  the type of event that this is, it is up to your team to manage the fitness and skills so that you all make it across the line together.  no dropping riders and no riding up the road because people can’t keep up with you.  unlike the tour de france, it is not the fifth rider across the line that counts, but the last, so stick together.

after a couple of years of doing these events we have found the best technique is to stay in single file.  the rider at the front does a 30 sec turn then swings off and goes to the back.  as the race progresses, the stronger riders may need to take longer turns while the weaker ones take shorter.  best not to miss a turn as you will leave a gap.  if you are really struggling, just pull straight off after the rider in front has.  that 5 sec on the front will allow the others to get a rest too.

the teams are as follows

in order to finalise a few parts of our incorporation we need to make some very small changes to the constitution so that it is accepted by DOCEP.  as such we need to hold a general meeting to vote on these changes.  with the next breakfast coming up in a week, it is the perfect time to hold a meeting as the majority of the members will be present.

please have a look at the attached notice so you know what you need to vote on.

1636151_1(SPCC_ Notice of general meeting)

peter mah – president.

ok, it is getting time to do another order of team kit from our good friends at cannibal.

our group rides have attracted quite a few new faces in the last 6 months but none have any spr gear.  so here is your chance to show your club colours and help you feel like you belong to the group.

for those that already have kit we have a couple of new items so go to the SPR TEAM KIT page and have a look.  for those that only got summer kit last order, now is the chance to get warm but keep the spr colours showing.

either send an email through or sign up at the coffee shop on saturdays.

winter is finally here.  no thunderstorms and lightning this weekend but it will be cold.  damn cold.  they are predicting 4 degrees on both saturday and sunday mornings.  don’t let that deter you though.  that is why they invented armwarmers, legwarmers, thermal gloves and jackets.

for those that do not have any spr kit, we will be doing an order very soon.  i am just trying to work out some more items with cannibal so you can also get knee warmers and a jacket.  the usual kit will still be available and those that skimped on things like armwarmers and vest last time (because it was summer) will have the opportunity to purchase again.  for those new to spr this is a good opportunity to be part of the group.  show off your club colours like any good biker gang.

anyway, saturday will have you nice and warm as you tackle the rolling hills along south street.  the group will split with the main taking bannister while the fast hits nicholson.  pretty standard ride for the old hands, so there should be plenty of leaders to follow.  i will be taking the novice group but we may have to find more hills to make sure we warm up 🙂

sunday.  i was told that we don’t do rides 1 – 7 much anymore.  here is number 6.  nice and tight circuit around kalamunda and the observatory.  lots of opportunities for shortcuts and an early coffee if you need.

layer up and i will see you on the road.

south perth rouleurs saturday ride 13 (canning vale reverse)

south perth rouleurs sunday ride 06 (welshpool & observatory & kalamunda rd)

well, not really a contest, but add your comments below and the best ones will be featured.

at no point during the final laps of the race were we all riding together, so some very dodgy photo manipulation was needed.

well apparently it is a public holiday this weekend.  didn’t see that one coming so i was hoping to take advantage of it, but unfortunately there is a list of jobs that need completing.

so to make up for my loss we will be gaining some kilometres.

saturday will see the pack split at the foothills of kalamunda with the main group shortcutting across to ridgehill rd and the fast group doing gooseberry hill.  what fun.  luckily we get to come home via guilford rd where there should be a nice tailwind to blow you home.

sunday and we get to put in some extra kms as well.  taking in some of the more scenic hills and valleys around roleystone bedfordale and kalamunda.  make sure you bring plenty of food and drink.  there will be shortcuts for those that need it.  however there are six climbs for those chasing mountain points.

monday will follow the standard public holiday route with and extended trip around the river.  chance of a shower predicted, but it is the first day of winter so it should not be a surprise.

south perth rouleurs saturday ride 15 (gooseberry hill)

south perth rouleurs sunday ride 17 (kahuna & soldiers rd & canning mills)

south perth rouleurs public holiday ride

NOTE: there is always a novice ride on the saturday morning.  i just don’t mention it as the route stays the same.

thanks to rob for these great photos.  cycling is often about suffering and as you can see from the pictures there was much to be had this day.

some of you may know brett (anna’s “best boyfriend in the world”).  he rode the state champs with us today and so we put him in a spr jersey.  he did better than me so here is a link to his version of events.

hopefully some more reports to come.  peter