SIRC: 2020 in review (Be Guided by Pleasure)

A black-kit ban across Hong Kong, (a hangover from the time of large group congregations on the streets) blocked imports of our team kit and spawned the concept of a whole colour range of kit. No one (except Guy) could have predicted that the SIRC MAMILs would evolve to readily display themselves in Giro (ballet slipper) pink and Celeste! 

Out of frustration for reasons to ride (and drink coffee), Guy also developed the 2020 Covid Classic Series which kept us all entertained, competitive and on our bikes in the early waves of group restrictions. Every 2 weeks unveiling a new cheeky segment to smash fest for team honours.

Travel restrictions gave us the highest attendance at all our events for 2020. The Summer Peak ITT had exactly 50 participants (as allowed by the government restrictions in place at that time). 

Gathering and group numbers have yo-yo'd with each wave we have been surfing, such that no one can remember which wave or number of persons are allowed in our 2-metre radius, forcing group rides to be cancelled. Instead, rides have often evolved as a whole string of ITT and duo TTT riders, meeting only to watch a sunrise, take an awesome picture or legally congregate at Mings (otherwise known as ‘the clubhouse’).

And who can forget the few weeks in the middle of 2020 where masks took over our exercising rights and we all struggled to reconnect our zwift accounts and /or explore the options out there to fulfil the new legislation about which parts to cover!

Our whatsapp chat is full of FOMO images- fun rides, long rides, sunrises, beers, comradery, bikes, burgers, even off the island ride to Buddha and the New Terrifying Territories and ohhhhh so many coffee shops! Allowing us to truly, BE GUIDED BY PLEASURE.

The Committed Rider award- for taking on a 300km single ride idea, evolving it to the most intricate detail, selecting your support crew and executing the masterful plan for the all-star women’s #HK300 …….. (despite your husband blowing himself up in less than half as many kms): Cora Van Laer.

Best new bike of 2020- toughly contested category in 2020, but the colour match here is phenomenal. Need we say more?: Congrats Ella Karsemeijer.

Highly Caffeinated award- for exploring every damn coffee shop in Hong Kong (still waiting on the blog): Guy Thomas.

SIRC PR agent- evolving from 2019’s ‘Most professional and handsome rider’, this award is for the club social butterfly: a member of the all-star women's #HK300, for joining w/e SIRC rides and bringing an entourage of new riders to the club: Congrats Mary Ho.

Sir Bo: THE ORIGINAL- thank you for founding SIRS cycling club 16 years ago, often being the voice of reason and even supportive of ‘off the island’ rides on occasion.

Sharkey: for notably creating this year’s socially distanced Tour of Pain with 16 segments to celebrate the 16 years of club activity.

Uncle Roo: our route master- the instigator of the Grand Tour (and it’s evolutions) and creator of the Segment Spinner.

Craig: for highlighting the plight of both titanium bikes and retro kit and developing the Friday Muf-Ti rides.

Ric: our club health and safety officer- supporter in getting more wee pups on the GT and the meticulous planning of lots of great social events, most of which to be sadly ruined by restrictions!

Guy: for utilising all those hours drinking coffee in Fine Print to creatively diversify the club jersey colours and edit spreadsheets as we evolved to be the most social, socially distant riders we know.

Duncan: for managing to avoid almost all riding in 2020, and feeling no FOMO (just the hands of his physio).

Jen and Jane: for bringing the much-needed female diversity to our club during the evolution from SIRS to SIRC and balancing out the MAMILs 😉. Jen was also part of the all-star women’s  #HK300.