With a return to work looming on Monday it seems like a good time to preview the year ahead. Stuey gave us a heads up via email that this year’s Cyclosportif programme includes two “regional” events, by which I mean they are far enough away to be almost impossible to do as day trips. This is an interesting development and merits a brief review of the history of Cyclosportif events to put the changes into context.
Cyclosportif started in 2005, and the first two years included a number of routes not used in the relatively stable two years in which C.C.Coglioni have participated. The inaugural year went as far afield as Collie and Dardanup, while 2006 dropped Collie and added Albany. Chidlow and Swan Valley debuted in 2007 along with the C.C.C., and had it not been for the hassles that saw the Toodyay event move to Lancelin, 2008 would have more or less repeated the programme, albeit with one less event.
In 2009 there will again be six core Cyclosportif events, but only York, Swan Valley and Lancelin have been retained from 2008. With Pinjarra dropped that makes York the only venue that has been used every year. Moreover the three replacement events are all new: Margaret River, Perth and Bridgetown. As Stuey has pointed out the first and last events will most likely demand an overnight commitment and will challenge our ability to field three or even two teams.
These changes are interesting and prompt mixed feelings. I was of the impression that the “far-flung” events were dropped because of complaints about having to travel too far. While I understand that feeling I do think it’s good to have events in places where we might not otherwise ride. But if dropping them altogether was going too far one way then having two distant events in their “comeback” year seems a leap too far the other.
I’m also a little disappointed to see my three favourite courses all dropped for 2009. Variety is great but so is re-visiting a past pleasure. Obviously I’m not privy to any political or other issues that may have influenced the choice of locations, but it seems to me that a couple of changes each year would be enough, with only one event held much more than 100 km from Perth.
Other events that may also draw our attention during the year include the Freeway ride, the Tour de Perth support ride, the Menzies classic (we’ll get there one day), the Golden Spokes and the Great Perth Bike Ride (we can only hope for more sensible pricing this year…). Of course there is also last year’s Christmas Handicap to kick things off and no doubt Digger will again be running the Freo Gift.
We will also be looking at some new options for clothing, so keep those T-shirt orders coming but hold off on knicks and jerseys till you see what C.C.C. has to offer. Meanwhile stay safe and I hope to see you out there sooner or later.