Staff take up challenge
More than 50 amateur riders from UniSA took part in this year’s Mutual Community Challenge Tour on Friday January 23 – part of a peloton of some 7200 riders in total.
Setting off from Burnside, those riders taking on the full length of the stage faced 155km including a climb of 1700 metres before reaching the finish line at Angaston.
Jeff Kasparian, Business Manager at the Institute for Telecommunications Research and avid cyclist said the ride was not only a great bonding experience for UniSA staff and their families, but a unique insight into just how amazing the world’s elite cycling athletes really are.
"The pros do this ride in about three hours and thirty minutes, and the best from UniSA managed it in about four hours and twenty, which is a great time, but it gives you an idea of just how fit the elite of the sport are."
First across the line from UniSA was Brian Pike, Manager: Business Analysis & Information Systems at UniSA international, but according to Jeff Kasparian, the day is more about conquering personal milestones.
"About 50 riders from UniSA take part and we organise some rides in the lead up to get people used to the distance, but it’s also a really great chance to see other people from the uni that you mightn’t normally meet," Kasparian said.
"You see that especially at the end of the run, when everyone gets together under the shade to rest and reminisce over a hard day’s riding."