Introducing our 2023 ambassadors
Bass Coast Cycle Challenge is excited to announce our amazing ambassadors for 2023. Each year we showcase extraordinary riders as ambassadors. This year our ambassadors are Rocky Belingeri and Gregory Pratt.
Rocky is a blind cyclist, riding in the 121km on a tandem bicycle – human powered. At 60 years of age, Rocky is an experienced rider who loves riding large events. Gregory is support rider for Rocky. From his early days of riding his BMX on paper rounds, Gregory can now often be found on a tandem bicycle, helping others experience the joy of riding.
ABOUT TANDEM CYCLING:
Tandem cycling is inclusive, highly social, fun, and healthy. In addition to providing a great workout, the teamwork required by tandem cycling can strengthen friendship bonds and rapport between riders.
In tandem Cycling athletes can compete on a track or on the road. It was first developed by visually impaired cyclists who competed using tandem bicycles. It was introduced as a Paralympic Sport in Seoul in 1988. Today the sport includes four groups of handicaps; blind and visually impaired riders, people with cerebral palsy, locomotor disabilities and handcycling.
Whether you are competing or just riding for fun and health, a tandem bicycle is required for riders with a Vision Impairment, to ensure the safety of both riders and others. Having a Pilot for the Tandem Bike is crucial to be able to cycle with a Vision Impairment.
In tandem cycling, better known as a “bicycle built for two,” a sighted rider (the “pilot”) sits at the front of the bike and communicates what’s ahead to the person who is blind or low vision in the back seat (the “stoker”). The tandem partner informs the stoker about surface changes, obstacles, turns, upcoming hills (uphill and downhill), and when to brake.
MEET OUR AMBASSADORS
Read the Q&A below to find out about Rocky and Gregory’s cycling journeys, why they ride and what advice they have ahead of the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge.
Meet Rocky Berlingeri
“Riding gives me a sense of Freedom pleasure and relaxation. Give it a go because it is well worth the effort.”
Cycling experience: very experienced in riding
Are you a member of a cycling group / club? Rowville riders
What ride will you be entering in 2023 BCCC? 121 kilometres road route
Which bike will you be riding? Tandem
How often do you ride? Roughly once a week
What inspired you to ride initially? For fitness and enjoyment and meeting others
Why do you ride now? To keep fit and socialisation
What does riding give you / how does it make you feel? A sense of Freedom pleasure and relaxation
How did you both meet / come to work with each other? Through a support network we met about 6 years ago when Gregory was tandem riding with another vision impaired rider. We’ve been tandem cycling regularly for the past 2-3years.
What are some of your favourite riding routes in Victoria? The Dandenong Ranges and various bike trails
Do you have a favourite riding memory / story? Yes raising money for / ride for sight in the Gippsland area
What do you like about the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge? The Gippsland Hills and surrounds
What advice would you give to anyone teetering on whether to enter the ride or not? To give it a go because it is well worth the effort.
Meet Gregory Pratt
“Bike riding helps me to feel independent and free. It keeps me feeling fit, healthy, and capable. It’s also very social, and reduces my impact upon the environment which I feel is very important.”
Age: 53 years young from Victoria
Cycling experience: very experienced – have cycled in overseas and interstate events.
Are you a member of a cycling group / club? Yes – Bicycle Network, Audax, Rowville Riders
Occupation: Social Worker
What ride will you be entering in 2023 BCCC? The 121km road route
Which bike will you be riding? A tandem bicycle – human powered
How often do you ride? Nearly every day
What inspired you to ride initially? I started doing paper rounds on a BMX when I was 12 and carried that through until I was 18. I also used a bicycle to commute to school each day. I have always loved the independence bike riding provides.
Why do you ride now? Now I ride recreationally, for personal challenge, for commuting, and the tandem cycling to assist others to enjoy the pastime.
What does riding give you / how does it make you feel? Bike riding helps me to feel independent and free. It keeps me feeling fit, healthy, and capable. It’s also very social, and reduces my impact upon the environment which I feel is very important.
What are some of your favourite riding routes in Victoria? I love the Alpine Ranges and the Great Ocean Road, and the ever expanding network of rail trails. Rocky lives near the Dandenongs so that’s a favourite area for both of us.
Do you have a favourite riding memory / story? I have just returned from a month of cycle touring through France, completing the Paris-Brest-Paris event for the 2nd time, and climbing many of the Tour de France hills in the Pyrenees. The PBP is the oldest cycling event in the world commencing in 1891. It runs every 4 years – 6000+ riders from around the world cycling 1200kms in less than 4 days. I could go on and on about this event 😊
What do you like about the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge? I love the Gippsland Hills – my mother’s birth country – born Wonthaggi and a life saver at Cape Paterson in her youth. It’s well organized, inclusive, and not far to travel to.
What advice would you give to anyone teetering on whether to enter the ride or not? Give it a crack – with the support provided and the camaraderie on route, you’ll be surprised by what you can achieve.
Anything else you’d like to add not covered above? Much thanks to the organization behind the BCCC and the efforts to make road use safer for cycling.
