what not to do…

a reminder by peter.

distractions. 

there are many things that distract you while you are driving.  phones, gps, cd changing and kids just to name a few.  with ben in the back of the car demanding chips, we both forgot that my pride and joy was still attached to the roof when we drove into the garage.  the noise and the sight of my bike bouncing off the back window of the wagon will not be one i forget in a hurry.

yas has had a look tonight and he is sure that the frame is all ok.  his recommendation is to replace the bars, stem and seatpost (as well as the forks obviously) just to make sure.  my recommendation is to not have your bike on the roof of the car.

State TTT – “The Ladies!”

Our Team – Nicole, Jill and I

Getting the car sorted on Saturday night, bag of clothes, wind trainer and bike in the car……. snuggling down on the sofa for a chilled out evening….9.15pm f*+k not got my aerobars on the bike….9.45pm (had to find the things!) all good and back on the couch! 

After a brief stop to pick some wheels up for Davina we were on the road, sun was shining and the clouds were around but there was still the hope that the weather forcast was wrong and that the clouds would stay away…

On arrival in Pinjarra it wasnt long before a) the heavens opened and b) SPR crew started to arrive.  Preparation time over it was time to get on the start line.

9.03am – we’re off.  Our aim was to hold the Plan B ladies off until the 5km mark (they were the next group off and I knew they were wanting to hunt everyone down!!)  we started off strong and hit the 5km mark….no Plan B – YAY-  I managed in between breathes to get out a “excellent work ladies – no Plan B” before tucking in again.  Between 6-7km all you could hear from behind was wooosh wooosh woooosh – the sound of multiple disc wheels…they had caught us – Davina yelled out some words of encouragement as she went past knowing that our little goal was the 5km mark and as they rode off it was time to get back in our rythm.  30 sec turns were working really well our communication was fantastic.  As we turned on the first right which was a short hill I knew from there that any type of incline was not going to be in my favour – Jill was looking strong on the hills and dragged me up.  With a full training week in me my legs were definitley being challenged today. 

We eventually hit the turn around and I always get a little nervy when they are tight but we got there and excellerated out well.  This then started what I like to call an inconvenient incline in the road – not steep but just enough to make you push extra hard to maintain your speed… there was another incline that was a little greater and my legs just started screaming at me – at this point I was in the middle with Nicole in front and Jill behind – Jill yelled out something which resembled “suck it up princess” which I did and kept in the mix. 

When we got back onto the home straight there was a head wind – Nicole had been pretty solid through out – Jill great on the inclines and me – the head wind was my baby and of course the thought that there was about 8-10k’s to go also helped!!  Over the railway tracks and the roll throughs just started getting more frequent and productive the speed had increased again  – the 1km mark came and we stuck our heads down and dug deep.

All in all a really good ride by all – we all had different strengths and I felt we utilised them well, communication was great and to get 3rd was awesome.

 Lisa  😉

State TTT – SPR Masters C Team

Ride Report by John B

Quick Summary

the riders: myself, Alistair B, Daniel, John P

Time: 1.09 av speed 36 kph

I turned up pretty eary as i left my house at 5.50 am. got down there at the same time a lisa and divina and started to set up the trainers.  once the ‘big top’ was up i shifted my gear over and kept warm by turning the legs over.  glad i’d decided to bring the trainer actually as it helps i think.  even more glad of the ‘big-top’ when it hosed down.

the four of us had never ridden together in a TT so it was take it as it comes. we start well and did short turns on the front and peeled off when we felt like a break.  Alistair was our engine room today and really did some great turns on front.  I did a few and kept on eye on the back end and nagged people to hold the wheel and not gap too much (sorry about that…).

We kept together the whole distance and i think performed very respectfully given and lack of experience in these events.  the last 10 kms were hard for me and i think most of us i think.  i was starting to really feel it so i let alistair do all the work as his legs seemed up to the job.  and they were!

we did pick up the speed to cross in front of the crowd at a more ‘impressive’ pace and i was surprised to see we had bettered my estimated of 1.15.

Some of us got some grief when we handed back our kit because we had not provided ‘proof of payment’ for a day lic – next time i’ll get the real thing…

nice effort and we all gained in experience  – something we can shared out to those that want to try out a bit of racing for themselves.  it not that scary and i encourage more to have a crack.

thanks to the tent team, the lorrain drinks and foods service and to the camera /support crew – hope some not tooo embarrassing shots will find their way on to the web pages soon.

State TTT – Mens Masters (or was that Men’s Open?) SPR1

Race report by Rob

Saturday 19 – 6:45pm (The night before)

“Hello?”

“Rob. It’s Peter.”

“Hey mate, what’s up?”

“You’ve registered us in the Open Mens category, not Masters. What the ****?”

Sunday 20 – 7:30am – Pinjara Arrival

So, Melvin said we can only use the word that relates to the morning being damp, soaked, sodden, soggy, soppy, dripping or my favourite, moist. Anyway, you get the picture. After the requisite ribbing on my obvious error in registering our team, we head over the pub to see if we can’t “sort it out”. The kind lady indicates that a brief chat with ‘Geoff’ should see me making amends. Said chat with the very obliging ‘Geoff’ and he said, “I’ll see what we can do….”. Excellent. Paul wasn’t convinced. “It’ll be fine” I say.

With there being no space under the SPR tent (12 by my count) I did the only thing that made sense as the heavens opened up and chucked yet another shower down on us – I went and hid in the car and ate my Special K.

Upon passing over us, and while I proceeded to get changed into my knicks, Tanya kindly offered to put my numbers on my jersey. Just as she started, she asks “Are you sure this is your jersey and not mine?” Doh!!!

“Pete?”

“Yeh?”

“Got a spare Size M mens jersey in your car?”

“…………………”

“Thanks Mate. I’ll wash it before I give it back….”

Soooo, since there was STILL no room under the tent, and with about 20 minutes until our allotted departure time, I headed out onto the road to see about getting the legs warmed up. It had fined up somewhat and actually looked like it may even give us a break for the race. Excellent. 5 minutes out and back – legs good to go; lets cook this chook!

Pete, Stu, Paul and I headed over the start and waited to be called forward. Watching those in front of us, we could see a number of teams had missed their time and had to scramble fast to get going – not the best sign for a State title event being late for your assigned time!

Just as we were called forward, a young guy from the Peel club came over and indicated to Pete that he’d finally managed to reassign us to the Masters category so our time will be recorded accordingly. See! No dramas!!

5,4,3,2,1…GO!

The four of us rolled out with me on the front, the Pete, Paul and Stu. We’d decided to do 30 on the front then pull off so I got up into the big ring and started to set the pace. You don’t want to push too hard to start, but you also don’t want to leave anything in the tank either, so it’s all about trying to find a good pace and rythym and then settle in and push.

The first 10km were relatively uneventful with each of us rolling through our turns nicely and feeling our way as a team. Stu was pulling some slightly longer turns – obviously the effects of Timor are becoming a distant memory – which was nice as it helped to allow the heart rate to drop back down to a more manageable 165bpm before the next turn.

I was on the front when the first incline came along and was feeling pretty good so kept the pace on. Stu and I crested first and when I turned around it look like the effort may have taken a bit more out of Paul and Pete. We eased up a bit to make sure we got back into formation though as it was working really well. One of the main things with a team event is that working together is a lot more effective than pushing big solo efforts and smashing each other.

The next 20 to the turnaround was a little harder as the wind was coming in at 45 degrees. We formed a nice echelon across the width of the road, but in that formation you don’t get quite the same sort of rest as you do when you get a full draft. We also had to be mindful of the other teams on their return journey who had their echelon’s formed in reverse, so you end up passing pretty close. With about 1km to go to the marker I looked over my shoulder to see that the effort had taken its toll on Pete and he’d started to fall off Paul’s wheel. At the marker we regrouped and got going, but with Stu on the front and the wind in our face, Pete decided enough was enough and bid us adieu.

So Stu, Paul and I re-set the pace and kicked off. It wasn’t long though that Paul called that he was maxing out at about 185bpm and wasn’t going to last if we held the pace. I dropped back and lent a hand as we crested a couple of rises while the 3 of us worked together to figure out what a sustainable pace was going to be for the last 15kms. Stu was doing most of the work on the front, Paul held his wheel and I played sheep dog to make sure we maintained a tight formation. That seemed to work really well with Stu taking most of the headwind full on with me being able to take a couple of shorter turns to provide a breather,  we averaged what I think was about 39-40 for the last 10km.

The last 1000m was great and there is something really special about coming back into town in a tight echelon formation with the spectators watching on. The three of us crossed together and congratulated each other for the effort. Legs were burning and heart was pounding – but what a blast! I really loved it – the TT seems to suit my style of riding a bit better than the standard format of racing. Doing it as part of a team just adds to the fun & I’d recommend it to all.

Since there’s going to be six write ups for the event I’ll leave it there. Check out WA Cycling for the results. SPR on top of the Support Teams….HAVE TO BE!!??

state team time trial

the results from the state team time trial are up.  the spr women’s team managed to get a bronze medal in the event so a great job by them.  the two men’s open teams were very evenly matched with only 2 second separating them.  the masters teams rounded out a great showing by spr today.

it was a great sight to see all the spr jerseys around the sunshade today and i think it made a great impression on the rest of the competitors.  especially when we could continue to spin on the trainers under the tent while it was bucketing down and most others were hiding in their cars.  so congratulations to all that competed today and also to chris, melvyn and lorraine that made the effort to come down for support.

 

Sloan Wood Scanlan 1:10:19     3rd Womens
Lumbewe Hughes-d’Aeth Carreno Hedley 1:05:13     5th Mens
Otley Nichol Ghossein Fynn 1:05:15     6th Mens
Ramsden Mah Gee Owen 1:04:57     4th Masters
Gorman Wlasenko McLennan Johnson 1:06:03     5th Masters
Buchanan Phillips Barrett Harvey 1:09:51     7th Masters

saturday 19th sept – spring breakfast

ride and breakfast report by peter.

 

spring breakfast was on today and as is always the case, rain was predicted.  i think that the easiest way to break any drought is to schedule a club breakfast every weekend as there has only been 1 out of 6 that was relatively dry.  a different venue was on the agenda with mark opening up his house in booragoon with the opportunity for us to christen his new patio.  as such a different course was planned to finish up at the new address.

the normal round the river ride was on the agenda and would take in dalkeith and mosman park before hitting attadale and applecross.  from there we would cut across to risely ave and up past garden city to marks house.

there were 40 rsvp’s to the breakfast so i knew that we would get a decent turn out and wasn’t disappointed.  there would have been over 50 riders at the start with some a little wetter than others after being caught in the last minute downpour.  the idea was to be a very sedate pace today with a couple of fast points to test the legs.  the novice group were also set on their course and i gave them a little laminated map to help find their way to the breakfast location.

as we wound our way along mounts bay road, a couple of other groups past us by as we were taking things that easy.  some of the guys really had to curb their enthusiasm as cyclist in general really don’t like to be past.  nice and steady pace though, and there were only a couple of stragglers coming up from crawley but we managed a shortcut.

out onto stirling hwy and there was a little confusion in which road to take to cut back in towards mosman park.  the group started to take the 2nd road when it is the 3rd one we need.  a little evasive action bought those boys back on the right road.

we made it down the normally fast, speed-humped road in damp conditions to eventually be greeted by the mosman park hill.  lisa had in her training program to do some intervals and had already gone off the front earlier along mounts bay but went again on the hill.  with the time trial the next day, i was not going to be stressing the legs any more than i needed to so i slowly meandered my way up to the top.  there was a regroup point at the water tower at the top of the hill and we found the group waiting patiently. 

once we made our way through freo and onto preston point road, the group started to break up a bit.  as it is familiar territory for most of the group, the pace seems to step up slightly so there were a few people struggling at the back.  by the time we hit burke drive there must have been at least three groups spread along the road.  i ended up doing a bit too much work to try to get the back-markers up to the next group but eventually caught them when we found them waiting at canning hwy.

the last stretch through applecross allowed a few people to turn off as they were not going to stay for the breakfast.  the rest of the group headed up risely to marks house.

lorriane, kate and joan (mark’s wife) had done a great job and everything was all good to go once the group arrived.  the novice group had found their way in and by the time i got in there, it was in full swing.  the patio was well sheltered and had the added bonus of not having to worry about dropping brownie crumbs on the floor (they are every sort of evil).  hot food was continually brought out and i am sure that everyone had their fill.

we dug up some prizes and besides the couple of pbk gifts there was also stuff donated by cycling wa, carboshotz, yas’ bikeclinic and some stuff from brendan’s trip to the grafton-inverall race.  with the kids helping draw, read and distribute the prizes we managed to give all the stuff away, so congratulations to you but there was so much stuff i forget who got what.

a big thanks to mark and joan for providing the house and a big thanks to lorriane for providing the wonderful food.

so another breakfast done and dusted and the next one will be the christmas breakfast close to…well, christmas.  for those that came along for their first breakfast, i hope you got something out of it and at the least a welcome to our group.  for everyone else, thank you for making the group what it is.

ride routes 19th & 20th september

well another three months has rolled around and we are having a breakfast again.  this time mark has kindly offered his new patio for us to christen and as the weather forecast is for a half decent day (well in comparison to what we have been having) it may work out ok.  we will be having a fairly easy day and will not split but regroup after a couple of key points (mosman park hill being one of them).  marks house is in booragoon so you may need to work out how to get home afterwards, but you should have plenty of lorraines carbo goodies inside of you to power you home.  i will work out a route for the novice group to get you to the breakfast too.

south perth rouleurs saturday breakfast ride v2

sunday will see 23 of us line up for the state team time trial.  i think that this will have to be the best turn out to an event that we have had so far.  2 open men’s teams, 1 open women’s team and 3 masters men’s teams will all be heading down to pinjarra to take on the 42 km course.  hopefully the weather will be nice to us and not have a repeat of last year where it was blowing a gale. 

for those that are staying and still want to do a hills ride i have mapped out one that keeps close to kalamunda to give you a few options.  up gooseberry, down the zig-zag, up kalamunda, through to bickley and back up mundaring weir rd.  only three climbs but i am sure that gooseberry makes up for it.

south perth rouleurs sunday ride 08 (gooseberry & kalamunda & bickley)

RIDE WITH CAMERON MEYER – Perth Integrated Health Clinic Fundraiser

The Perth Integrated Health Clinic-Cycling Club is holding a special ride to to raise funds for one of their patients, Claire Anderson.

Cameron Meyer has kindly consented to be the lead buy cheap viagra rider for this PIHC special project. For those of you who aren’t aware, local boy Cameron is on the professional circuit with Team Garmin Slipstream.

See attached flyer or www.pihc.com.au for more information.

cam giro

Date: 19 September 2009, Saturday.

Time: Assemble time: 100 pm meet and greet with ride time at 130pm. Completion time estimated at: 400pm

Location: Point Walter Car Park (specifics will be emailed to those attending)

Distance: social ride for approximately 45 km primarily along the Great Perth Bike

Ride Route.

Category A: 30 km per hour or more

Category B: 25 to 29 km per hour

Category C: less than 24 hours per hour

– Category C will take off first with Cameron, followed by Category B and then Category A

– Cameron will ride with each Category in this non race social ride.

– Maximum of 80 riders on a first sign up basis.


Raise Funds for Claire Anderson

This social ride also has a purpose and that is to assist Claire Anderson who

suffers from Muscular Dystrophy achieve her dream of gaining greater muscular function and control through stem cell therapy in India.

Ian hopes that his fellow cyclists and friends will help PIHC raise funds for Claire to fulfill her desire for greater function and independence.


All riders who are to participate in this social ride event – entitled Ride with Cameron Meyer and Help Claire Anderson Project– will be asked to donate a minimal amount of $10 either in cash on the day or via EFTPOS.

PIHC staff will be on hand from 1200 noon to collect your donations. This time will also be an opportunity for everyone to meet both Cameron and Claire.

SPR BREKKIE REMINDER

SPR breakfast Saturday 19th September

As per usual the breakfast will be held immediately after the ride, if your not planning on riding you are still more than welcome to come along – there will be coffee and muffins, brownies and hot chocolate, toasties and OJ and much more yummy goodies….

There will be a raffle with some cool prizes and I am sure Ben’s counting has now reached higher than, I quote, “nummer four” so good news for the other 50 odd people that will be there, your number could be called!!!!

Only $10 a head to be paid on the day EVERYONE WELCOME!

Please RSVP by 16/09 either by posting a comment or emailing me to me so that we can have approximate numbers for catering.

lwood@claytonutz.com

Mark de Castro has kindly opened his house up for our festivities so if your not planning on riding with the group I can email you the address.

See you there…

Lisa

Changing Tyres with Kids

by Rob.

So there I was out in the back courtyard on Saturday afternoon cleaning the sand and grit off my bike from another wet/grubby/windy Thursday morning ride. Once clean, I looked at the tyres and thought I’ve got a couple of fresh Continental 4000’s sitting in the shed – about time that they went on. Half way through the action, Mr Just 5 wanders over and says “What ya doin’ Dad?”
“Changing a tyre Son.”
“What’s this?”
“That’s the tube Son.”
“Do I have tubes in my tyres Dad?”
“Yes, Son, you do.”
“They’re not this skinny though are they Dad?”
“No Son, they’re not.”
“You know what Dad?”
“What Son?”
“I’m going to have skinny tubes like this when I grow up.”

Yes Son, you are.

Not long after this very proud, eye-tearing moment, Miss Nearly 9 wanders over and says “Dad, could I put some different music on?”
“But this is Powderfinger honey. Great stuff really.”
”But I want to put some of ‘MY’ music on. Pleeeaase Dad…?”
”Fine, Sweetheart, but don’t turn it up, OK?”
“No Dad, I won’t”

Her ‘choice’? AC/DC – The Razors Edge.

“Honey?”
“Yes Dad?”
“Turn it up a bit would you.”

The website for the South Perth Cycle Club