By Isle of Wight Observer
Members of the Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team have been clocking up some serious miles while making use of their extra free time during lockdown.
Riding around the Island once wasn’t enough for several team riders with Matt Allsopp and Kev Chant completing two full laps – totalling 130 miles – in under six hours, with an average speed of over 20mph. Stuart Waite and Adam Holleyman decided to push things further with Stuart riding three laps and Adam cycling four, meaning he clocked up an epic mileage of more than 260 miles in a single day.
As well as training for endurance races, riders are preparing for their time trial series which they hope will resume on the Island in July, under government guidance.
“A number of our team riders are key workers in the NHS, police force, fire service, schools and other services so cycling has provided them with a much needed break from their day jobs during the crisis,” said Jerry Cooper from the Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team.
“Although our team members have been able to ride solo throughout lockdown as part of permitted daily exercise, as restrictions have been lifted we have been able to start socially distanced group rides in small groups of no more than four. This has been a great opportunity for team members to reconnect and is a great source of motivation for our riders.”
Stuart James, Wightlink’s Director of Marketing and Innovation, said: “We’ve been truly inspired by the stories of how many of the athletes we support have kept themselves fit and occupied during lockdown and the Wightlink Wight Mountain team have clearly been going the extra mile in every sense. As lockdown eases we hope their efforts will pay off and reward them with success in their competitive sports both on and off the Island.”
Isle of Wight Observer