UniSA staff join growing cycling tide
January 25 2008
UniSA
Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Høj, was among almost 50 UniSA staff to
ride the Stage 4 Tour Down Under leg from Mannum to Strathalbyn today as
part of the amateur cyclist Skoda Breakaway Series.
More than 3500 enthusiastic riders had an early start, setting off from the riverside town around 7.30am, for the 134 kilometre climb through the hills ahead of the main race.
Prof Høj said that despite later temperatures rising to over 30C, the day was ideal for cycling and was pleased to see so many riders getting involved in the event.
“The conditions were very good, hot but not too hot. The early morning was perfect, perfect riding weather,” he said.
“It’s amazing to see how this event has grown. When I first started doing this ride in about 2002 there was only a few hundred people and now it’s up to over 3000.
“I hope that the authorities can see that this is a tide that won’t stop and sooner or later they will have to do more for cyclist safety. They might as well start now rather than later!”
Prof Høj said he felt great after the ride and was very pleased with his time of three hours and 50 minutes.
Another UniSA participant and keen cyclist, Jeff Kasparian, Business Manager for the Institute for Telecommunications Research at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes campus, said the route was excellent for amateur riders and those just getting started.
“It was a great route. You get the Tungkillo hill out of the way early and it’s fantastic countryside to really get a feel for hill riding without overdoing it.
“The 73km route starting at Woodside is also an excellent course. It’s very rider friendly.”
Both riders cycle an average of around 100 to 200km a week.