NEW WAY TO GEAR UP FOR COMPS

Cyclists need an extraordinary amount of time for warmup prior to races with all events held on the open roads.

Sandy Ford from Fraser Coast Cycling incorporated said senior cyclists can pedal up to 50km before hitting the start line. Junior riders don't even contemplate open road warmups due to the danger of traffic on the roads.

So, you can imagine the club's delight when they received the good news that they had been successful in obtaining a $3000 Hervey Bay RSL Community Grant to buy four sets of stationary rollers.

Sandy said the rollers allow club members to better prepare for events and eliminate injuries.

“Currently their warmup is very hit and miss but with these rollers it will enable all members to actually better prepare for events,” Sandy said.

“Our club can't thank the RSL enough for this kind support of our club. The rollers are an invaluable part of training for our members.”

Junior cyclist Oscar Schoff said the sponsorship has made an incredible difference to the way he now prepares for competitions.

Affectionately known as the club's 'pocket rocket', Oscar made good use of the rollers while training for the Queensland Juniors and Masters Championships held in Brisbane.

All that training paid off with Oscar taking home a Gold in the Individual Pursuit, Gold in the Points Race, Silver in Time trial, 4th in

Keirin and 4th in the scratch race. This brilliant effort saw oscar selected in the Queensland under 15 team for the Australian Championships being held in April 2023.

“The rollers provide important training routine that cannot be replicated on the road,”

Oscar said.

“They also help in gaining better bike control when racing, particularly important when sprinting at the end of a race or when racing in a velodrome.

“They are also great to use for training when the weather is not so good to be out on the road… thankfully that doesn't happen too often in Hervey Bay!

“I am so thankful to be able to use this equipment, and for the sponsorship that the RSL has given for our club to purchase these.”