Caffine Rush......

Breaking news for cyclists who enjoy a good ride and a strong coffee - Bella Vista have just announced that they will now be open on Sundays from 8am - 12pm! Yippee.......fantastic coffee, delicious food and cyclists are ALWAYS welcome.....brilliant!

My taste buds are already looking forward to a post ride cuppa and poached eggs and cheers to John for giving us the heads up.

Feeling hot, hot, hot...........

A warm easterly wind and temperature of nearly 40 degrees didn't deter 32 keen riders from lining up for the start of the Spokes Farewell to 2009 ride at Deepdale today. The difficult conditions led to the committee reducing the distance, with teams completing 3 laps of the 5km circuit. Each team comprised 2-3 cyclists set off at 1 minute intervals, resulting in some hard racing and very close finishing.

Paula Purcher, Deb and Mark Greene took line honours having gained 5 minutes across the ride to overtake the teams in front of them. The three worked well together on the hot and windy circuit. Spokes Vice President Tim Glenister combined with new club cyclists Paul Matthews and Duane Crabb to take fourth place on corrected time, an excellent result condering the team had never ridden together prior to today's race.

Claire Tutton and David Geqwin rode as a pair team and backed up their form from the Geraldton Southern Transport Corridor Opening ride with another good performance today.

The shorter course led to the top five placings only being separeted by a mere ninety seconds. Designated winners on the day were Reg Salmon and Peter Johnson, who were announced as the fastest time. The two rode hard from the outset, holding off the team of Mort Harslett, Max Nowrojee and Jonathan Tamm, and although final results suggest a slight variation, the announcement of the day stands.

Jacinta & Jason Potts were the workhorse pair for the day, riding the event on their Cannondale tandem, ably assisted by the strength of Paul Hearne, Richard Correy and Ian Beard. Richo had a little rest halfway through the event and was seen by many enjoying a cold beverage on the finish straight whilst his team soldiered on in the heat, wondering where he had gone......

Roger Swan and Paul Wilson finished strongly and with their matching glasses the pair took out the prize for 'looking good'. Father and son team, Dean and Matthew Carroll, showed the rest of the field how well the combination of senior and junior rider can fare with Dean riding in front and Matthew again competing on a fixed wheel bike.

Sonia Davies, Jennie Haste and Shane Turner managed to hold off a fast finishing Darryl Sheilds, Andrew Toovey and Barb Glenister with the two teams only 20 seconds apart. Fleur Bishop and Bec Swan rode together, enjoying the event and the chance to be back out on the road!

Full results are available in the post below.

Thanks to Anita for timing at today's event, Dom for marshalling and to Jennie for her hospitality, welcoming riders to her house for pancakesand home made jams after the event. Well done Pancake Turner and Hannah - very nice! Thank you also to Barb for providing delicious scones after the ride.

Spokes have now finished their riding calendar for 2009, however training will still leave from Red Rooster at 6am Monday to Friday over the festive period.

Watch this space for the 2010 calendar and membership form.

The President and Committe of Spokes Cycle Club would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year of no wind and cooler temperatures!!

Results - 15 km Farewell 2009

What a ride.....

The Geraldton Southern Transport Corridor Opening Road Race attracted fifty-nine keen cyclists and the mass start saw the field quickly stretched out along the not yet opened road. Main Roads and Abi-Group had done a brilliant job of ensuring the road was swept and the turn around points clearly marked and at 8.00am the race was on. This one off opportunity to ride on a brand new road wasn't one to be missed!

The pace was on from the outset with many groups of like speed riders settling in to work together for the 24km event. The lead group of Paul Hearne, Damon Angelatos, Richard Correy, Gavin Keyser and Peter Johnson set a cracking pace and never looked like being caught. Hearne and Angelatos upped the ante into the second lap putting some space between themselves and Correy and Keyser, with Johnson slipping off the back.

Riders in groups behind took turns to help keep their speed high with many sprint finishes seen. Mark Greene and Deb Greene rode well together, combining strength to their advantage. Michael O'Farrell took time off his mountain bike to join the road race, riding very well in his first race. However it was the return of Andrew Toovey to road racing that is perhaps most amazing. Former Geraldton Guardian front cover favourite, Toovey shone (literally) on his well polished retro bike with matching clothing. It was great to see Toove's, and many previous Club members who were thought lost, back out on their bikes and enjoying the race.

Sonia Davies rode very well for someone who has only recently taken up road cycling, completing turns with Deb Carlyon before assisting Shane Turner across the finish line.

Junior cyclist Matthew Carroll rode a fixed wheel bike and brought along dad Dean, to show him how it was done. Matthew rode two very strong laps and impressed all with his fitness and skill. A number of female riders combined to ride together which resulted in close finishing between Anna Kosch, Terri Quinlan and Paula Purcher.

Road specific bikes were joined by a hybrid bike and a hand bike, ridden by Tom Thuijs and Chris Kerr respectively. Both rode very well finishing in good times.

Club stalwart Vicky Sheilds encouraged those cyclists who were struggling into the wind and ensured that all finished within the allotted time frames.

Spokes would like to sincerely thank Hosemasters Geraldton, Geraldton Family Gym at the Greene Room, Paint'n'Quip, The Bicycle Entrepreneur and Bayer Crop Science for their generous donations of prizes.

Top three placings were as follows:

Men

1st Paul Hearne (fastest time) 2nd Damon Angelatos 3rd Gavin Keyser

Women

1st Deb Greene (fastest time) 2nd Anna Kosch 3rd Terri Quinlan

A full list of results is available below. See you all next week for the Farewell to 2009 ride - 9.00am start from Arthur Road, Deepdale.

The Picasa Photostream to the right has been updated with photo's from today's event, enjoy........

Results

It’s all about the team……..

Spokes kicked into summer today with a 25km team handicap in Deepdale. It was brilliant to see seven teams of between three and five riders taking part, albeit one rider didn’t seem to be too sure about which team he was on! Teams were set off at one minute intervals which made for a very close finish. The experienced team of Max Nowrojee, Mort Harslett, Tim Glenister and John Tam took line honours and also claimed the fastest time, averaging an impressive 32.7km/hr on quite a windy course.

The next five teams crossed the line within two minutes of each other. Experience, novice and those returning to cycling worked hard with Ian Andrews, Scott Andrews and Jennie Haste coming in second and the team of Suzie Otterson, Sharon Barneston and Bec Swan crossing the line with the third fastest time.

Reg Pomery, Roger Swan and Paul ‘2 seconds’ Wilson rode well to hold off a determined Deb Greene, Paula Purcher, Donna Menneguzzo and Deb Andrews, and a fast finishing Paul Hearne, Barb Glenister and Claire Tyrrell. The team of Reg, Roger and Paul actually started with a fourth member, Dave Rakuscek, however he went missing during the event and surfaced on the fastest team – the jury is still out as to which time he is attributed with………

However it was Darryl and his Harem who really embraced the team-spirit for the ride. Darryl and Vicky Sheilds encouraged previously regular cyclists Fleur Bishop and Angel Sotiroff to dust of their bikes and also welcomed new member Sonia Davies to the Club and road riding. The smiles of all at the end of the event really summed up how much we all love to ride and how nice it is to ride with friends. A full list of team averages is below.

Special thanks to Barb for her delicious cake, and for ‘jumping ship’ at the last minute so that teams were evenly matched. Thanks also to Jennie for her yummy slice and to Peter Burchell for marshalling and time keeping.

Don’t forget the end of season BBQ at 7pm, Saturday 28th November 2009. The BBQ is fully catered by the Club so ensure your name is given to Bec Swan so that we have ample supplies.

Team, Finish Time and Average speed

Darryl, Vicky, Fleur, Angel and Sonia 59:07 26.3 Km/h

Paul, Barb and Claire 52:01 28.8 Km/h

Deb, Donna, Paula and Deb 51:45 29.0 Km/h

Roger, Willo and Reg (and Dave) 51:23 29.2 Km/h

Suzie, Sharon and Bec 51:16 29.3 Km/h

Ian, Scott and Jennie 50:48 29.5 Km/h

Max, Mort, Tim and John (and Dave) 45:54 32.7 Km/h

Coffee, pancakes, oh.......and a ride

It was such a beautiful morning for cycling and there was another great turnout for the social ride around Geraldton today. Barb headed up the pack and did a great job of keeping everyone together, setting a pace that catered for every ability. The sunshine and very slight wind meant the 30km distance passed very quickly and the majority of the pack were keen to continue enjoying the weather by partaking in a coffee afterwards, with a couple also partaking in breakfast.

The main topic of conversation during the ride and cuppa was the club's 25km team event around Deepdale next Sunday (15th Nov 2009) with five teams sorted by the time the coffee cups were emptied. Teams so far are as follows:
1. Darryl, Fleur and Angel
2. Jennie and the flying Andrews men (Ian and Scott)
3. Tim, Max and Mort
4. Roger, Paul '2 seconds' Wilson, and Reg
5. Barb, Suzie, Bec and Sharon

Now is the time to dust your bike off and whip out the Lycra so get your team together and come and join in some good fun cycling. The event starts at 9.00am on Arthur Road, Deepdale with registration closing at 8.40am. To get there you head out on the airport road, turn right onto Deepdale Road and then left onto Arthur Road. Start and finish line is about 500m up the road. Barb has promised to bring her delicious slice and from personal experience, that is enough to get me there!

If you need help getting a team together then please let us know as don't want you to miss the ride.

Comments about the new Blog

Bloody marvellous Roger. I hope it helps to get more interest and support for Spokes.

I'll have a chat with the 'morning crew'... a bunch of dedicated, super fit, toned, 'pull those descriptions off better in the dark' riders who deserve a mention on the sight in hope of inspiring a few more insomniacs and or fitness fanatics (lol) to join us. Or just to lay a guilt trip on the ones that are choosing to lie in at the moment.

Love the photos...maybe one of the morning tea should be included to entice people like me who only race for Barbara's slice.

Love ye work, good luck. Jennie.

Love the new website . . . . . . onya Rog.. . . . . Vicky you crack me up!!

Cheers

Deb Greene

Nice website

Johnos kit looks that old in the photos....I thought I was looking at some old 1980's photos...

cant the club put the hat around and get him a modern kit?

Gorms

Gyday Roger

Well done Mate . Great idea!

Cheers

Dave

Sunday Social Ride

Today saw Darryl and Vicky host a social ride from Red Rooster with the warmer weather enticing 20 plus riders along on the gentle roll through Waggrakine, back along the highway into town and then home via Champion Bay.

It was brilliant to have new riders Zane and Farrah joining the group, both riding well and easily managing the speed and distance. Welcome back also to Max, Fleur, Suzie, Sharon and Willo - familiar faces back in the pack.

Spokes have a social ride planned for next week, leaving from the water park on the foreshore at 8am. Distance and speed will be steady so please come along and enjoy a Sunday morning ride with coffee and cake at Skeetas afterwards.

Don't forget to get your team together for the Deepdale 25km Circuit on 15-Nov-2009. Teams of between three and five riders can enter and registration closes at 8.40am with the first team away at 9.00am. If you need help with a team then please let us know.

For further information please contact Peter Burchell on 0427 11700 or check out the Spokes blog.

News flash.......

Hi All,

Well, I thought it time that I let everyone know what has been happening in the life of your local bike shop. Sadly, the sale has fallen through and you will be stuck with us for a bit longer! Now, in his wisdom, Darryl has decided to start doing Sunday morning social rides again and so, in a moment of madness, this morning, I jumped out of bed, ( at least we don't have daylight saving to contend with - BONUS!) pulled on my cycling gear, pumped up the tyres on my bike (well, actually, Darryl did that for me) and off we went for my first training ride in months..........O-M-G! You know when you're not fit and everything hurts and you can hear the pounding of your heart in your ears?, well, I couldn't hear my heart cause my breathing was that loud and where are all the double gee's when you want one, not one and I looked, believe me I looked! OK, so it wasn't quite that bad, but it would have been nice to come home and be able to go back to bed for a bit. Anyway, my first training ride is over and I'm pumped, so watch out....THE REDHEAD IS BACK!

Speaking of riding, this Sunday morning, at Red Rooster - 8am, you, me and a whole bunch of like minded people are going to go for a nice ride, bring some money if you would like to go for a coffee after, (I think I will head back home for a little sit down, if I go for a coffee and have to get off my bike in town, well, it might get a bit messy when the time comes for me to get back on my bike!). As you all know, I'm not one for talking while I'm on my bike and this Sunday I can promise you that there will be very little talking from me, I am, however a very good listener, so feel free to talk to me.

On a sad note, many of you know and have raced/ridden with Eddie Hollands over the years, unfortunately, his mother passed away suddenly. Ron and Cheryl spent many years in Geraldton with Eddie and their other son, Ian. Ron, Eddie and Ian have all ridden with both Spokes and the Tri club and Ron and Cheryl were always quick to put their hands up when timekeepers, marshals or drivers were needed.

Well, I don't think I have any more news for you. Please join me this Sunday and if you wish to bring a friend, you know the rules, NO ONE will be left behind.

Take care and see you all soon.

Cheers!

Vicky

Sunday Morning ride and BBQ/AGM Details

Hi All,

SUNDAY MORNING RIDE

It's time to get cranking again. Is anyone keen on a road ride this Sunday Morning.

8:00am at RED ROOSTER. Just a lazy 30km or so.

ps: It's my first training ride for ages - it won't be pretty

The usual caveats apply -

• If its raining I'll definitely be a no show.
• No one will be dropped.

SPOKES BBQ and AGM

Rebecca Swan has asked me to pass on the following Email and Attachments

Hello members and keen cyclists

Spokes Cycle Club is holding an end of year BBQ on Saturday 28^th November 2009 and YOU are invited to come along and talk bikes and meet other cyclists whilst enjoying a sanger or chop!

The Club will have its AGM at the same time and as we want to hear from you regarding what type of cycling you like then we would love to see you there.

Spokes will provide meat and salads for the BBQ and as such can you please advise Bec Swan if you are attending to ensure there is plenty of food. Children are welcome! Bec can be contacted at Rebecca.Swan@correctiveservices.wa.gov.au

Attached is information regarding the BBQ and AGM, as well as the nomination form for Officer Bearers and the minutes of the last Spokes meeting.

So fill your esky with your preferred drinks and we shall see you there.

Bec Swan

Committee Member

Spokes Cycle Club

Richard Correy passed on the following:

TRI CLUB SEASON START

The Tri season kicks off this Saturday 31st, at St Georges Beach starting at 3:00pm.

The Tri club committee have put in a lot of work over the off season and have put together an exiciting calendar.

Time Trial: This has been added onto the calendar to attract a dedicated bike riding group to our club.

The time trial will consist of an individual bike “time trial” that will start at the back of the bike leg of the triathlon event being held on the day. Each rider will be sent off on one minute handicaps and individual times will be recorded. This is not a bike race but a time trial so the purpose of the event is to improve on your individual time set by yourself.

We encourage all keen bike riders to participate. If you wish to participate in this event you must become a member of TWA (see the TWA website under “membership” for more details).

May the wind always be at your back

Darryl

2009 Events Calender for the rest of the season

November

08-Nov-09 Social Ride Water park, Foreshore Drive

15-Nov-09 Teams Event – 25km Deepdale – Arthur Road

December

06-Dec-09 Social Ride Water park, Foreshore Drive

13-Dec-09 Farewell 2009 Teams Event – 25km Deepdale – Arthur Road

THE north-west town of Geraldton will get $272,000 within weeks for cycling projects from the Rudd Government.

The Government announced this afternoon that the WA tourist beachside community would be the first in Australia to be funded under the $40 million federal Investment in Cycling Infrastructure program.

Three projects would be launched in the "next couple of weeks", according to a Government spokesman, and up to 21 local jobs would be supported.

Bike racks would be manufactured and installed at nine locations around the City.

This would include Bob Davies Park, Rundle Park, Spalding Park Tennis Club, Tarcoola Tennis Club, Recreation Ground, John Forrest Park, the Waterplay Playground and near the Geraldton-Greenough Visitor Centre.

There would also be 10 new off-road concrete bike paths, that span four kilometres across Geraldton.

Also, three bike lanes would be established along Chapman Road, from Phelps Street to Mabel Street, and along Durlacher Street from Highbury Street to Keane Drive and from Maitland Street to Hutchinson Street.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the funding was a key element of the Economic Stimulus Plan that would support local jobs during the current global recession.

He said the projects would also build permanent facilities that encouraged healthier lifestyles among residents and a more sustainable community in the long term.

The Geraldton City Council and the WA Department of Planning and Infrastructure were also contributing funding to the projects.