Bike club more than just racing for the win

WHILE the name might suggest Goldfields Cycle Sports Club is located on a velodrome, road race circuit, or downhill track, the organisation is actually a not-for-profit association that helps support avid cyclists.

The club also runs a bar, cafe, and gaming room out of a High Street venue and has recently started to host live music events.

“We are trying to bring live music back into the venue,” said operations manager Tammy Johns.

The next event will be guitarist and singer Chris DeAraugo on Saturday 9 December.

The money raised from the sales at the bar and cafe is used by the association to support events and sponsor local groups.

“It’s basically a not-for-profit cycling club, so anything we make goes back into the cycling community,” said Ms Johns.

“It might be towards helping cyclists go compete internationally, or just for equipment, different events, that sort of thing.

“Ten staff and a board of six people link up with other organisations and help support them.”

In 2017, professional cyclist Jason Lowndes was killed by a vehicle while riding in a crash near Mandurang.

As part of keeping his memory alive, the club offers an annual scholarship to support two riders in the area.

“Every year we give $5000 to a male and a female cyclist to assist in their career,” said Ms Johns.

“It’s open to all disciplines of cycling, so anybody’s welcome to put in an application, it’s usually to assist them with flights or equipment or entry fees.

“It can be an expensive sport. We don’t put too many limitations on it because there are so many different aspects to cycling.”

Applications for the Jason Lowndes Scholarship close 31 December.