Olympic cyclists to ride BCCC: a journey of triumph over adversity
Australian champion cyclists, Robert Crowe (OAM) and Jamie Kelly are set to ride the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge on 11 November. It’s a story of triumph over adversity that we can all learn from.
“There's no such thing as failing, there's only two possible outcomes - winning or learning.” This is one of Jamie Kelly’s most inspiring quotes, and one which Rob Crowe hears almost daily. These two accomplished riders will be very familiar to many in and out of the cycling world, and they are set to take part in the 2023 Bass Coast Cycle Challenge 100km gravel ride - Jamie Kelly on his recumbent tricycle, with Rob Crowe alongside as chaperone rider.
Rob Crowe is a dual Australian Road Race Championship (winning 1991 Australian Men's Road Race and 1991 Australian Men's Individual Time Trial), he participated in the men's team time trial at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and also as an Australian Paralympic tandem cycling pilot where he piloted Kieran Modra in endurance events, wining gold in the Men's Individual Pursuit Tandem B1–3 event – in world record time, and a bronze medal in the Men's Road Race / Time Trial Tandem B1–3 event.
Jamie Kelly was known in Australia and abroad during the early 1990’s as one of the fastest road-sprinters in the country. Training under Australian Head Track Coach, Charlie Walsh prior to 1991, he then spear-headed our AUS Olympic road-racing campaign scoring several stage wins under Heiko Salzwedel (specialist coach from the Eastern Bloc).
In 2016 Jamie experienced a “back-breaking cycling crash”, then a year later, suffered a paralysing stroke and is now hemiplegic. While this may stop most people in their tracks, Jamie’s determination, talent and outlook on life – “one (of) great candour, and humorous pranking, a kind of poke fun at the world outlook” – has underpinned his rehabilitation journey, to getting back on the bike, and becoming elite again as a recumbent tri-cyclist.
At the 2023 Bass Coast Cycle Challenge, Jamie will ride his recumbent tricycle in the 100km gravel ride, with Crowe alongside as chaperone rider.
“I’m keen to tackle gravel ride challenges around Australia… there is more skill and tenacity involved with off-road events … so the BCCC Gravel Ride is what attracted me.” Said Jamie.
“I’m looking forward to seeing new roads, and the better views from the gravel ride route looking out to sea … and being around the lovely coastal township … we are both very fond of the area.” Jamie added.
Rob, as his chaperone rider is also looking forward to being back in this beautiful region after spending most of his cycling career training himself in the area (1989 - 1996) and then other riders between 2005 – 2020.
“I do love and know all of the BCCC roads - I trained in the Inverloch area to get fit enough for selection into the 1992 Olympic Team. South Gippsland is also my chosen region in all of Australia to run camps and group rides for training cyclists, so I will be reliving many fond memories on these roads as I ride along.” Said Rob.
“We are absolutely thrilled Jamie has chosen the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge as one of the rides he will undertake on his journey to becoming an elite recumbent tri-cyclist.” Said Event Director Gavin Slavin.
Jamie wants to develop his ability to ride over 100-140km challenge events, like BCCC, AGF Gran Fondo, Dirty Warrny 140km in 2024. He is also setting a goal to tackle a one-legged fund-raiser challenge up Mount Buffalo on the recumbent in 2024, to be named the STROKE OF LUCK which supports Stroke Foundation in Victoria, raising people's awareness of stroke.
And their message to others thinking of setting the BCCC as a goal:
“My personal philosophy with cycling is that it adds more fitness, fun and connects people in real time, rather than by phone! And there are few large group events that can achieve all of this and more, like the BCCC - especially as this particular cycling event happens in a very safe and quiet cycling-friendly place to ride.” Said Rob.
Enter now at www.basscoastcyclechallenge.com
Jamie (centre), Rob (right of Jamie) and his sponsoring staff team at Shimano Australia headed up by Matt Bazzano (lhs) who also was in the Olympic Squad with Jamie and Rob in 1991!
Jamie and Rob (larrikin-ising) on the front riding strong for Australia in the 1991 Tour of Wellington, New Zealand