Kev is a Highlands local who’s vision impairment has not put a dent in his love and success in tandem cycling
Kevin O’Meley is an extraordinary bloke with a passion for cycling despite facing the challenges of vision impairment. Through his sheer determination and profound love for the sport, Kev has proven that obstacles are merely opportunities to push the boundaries.
In only three years of tandem racing, this Southern Highlands local has racked up quite the list of achievements in spite of having less than 10 degrees of peripheral vision remaining. Kev participated in last year’s Bowral Classic completing the 120km Challenge Classic with pilot cyclist and friend Richard Vollebregt.
1 // Hey there Kev! How long have you been racing?
I have ridden bicycles most of my life, riding endurance rides with my brother in our youth. Back in July 2020 I contacted the Southern Highlands Cycling Club asking if they knew of anyone that would be keen to take on the tandem pilot position for competition riding. The club came back quite quickly with a yes and introduced me to Richard.
Richard and I started training soon after and entered club races. Over the years Richard has become a friend and a mentor, encouraging me to continue racing. After racing and training twice a week we decided to enter the State Championships. Fronting up to our first competition – we came in second, some 1.5mins behind the winner of the time trial. This was an eye opener for what is required to be competitive.
Since that day I have trained hard in my goal to become the best I can. Those days paid off and in 2021 we entered the National Championships in the B (Blind) Tandem para-cycle category for time trial and Road Race. We won the time trial and became National Champions at our first attempt, and placed 3rd in the Road Race. I have competed in many competitions in the three years Richard & I have been racing.
2 // Wow amazing! Tell us all about riding a tandem?
Riding the tandem, you need to have a lot of trust in your pilot’s [the rider at the front] ability and bike handling skills. When riding or racing there needs to be communication between the pilot and the stoker [the rider at the back] so as to be as smooth as possible in controlling the bike. I don’t be like a sack of potatoes and flop around on the back, this puts the bike off balance making it hard to steer, balance and control in general.
My tandem is quite good to ride, although awkward in tight situations to turn. Over the years I have made upgrades to make it smoother and faster. During the winter months we ride twice a week and in summer about four times, this includes racing at the local velodrome.
We’re used to so many questions and comments from passers by like: “Oh there’s two of you on the bike”, “How do you pedal in sync so easily!?”,”Who does the most work?”, “Does the stoker have brakes on his handlebars?”, “Who controls the gears and brakes?” and “Do you fight?” Hahaha!
3 // As someone with a vision impairment, can you share what cycling means to you, and why you love it so much?
Being vision impaired makes life challenging. I have an eye condition called Retinitis pigmentosa (RP for short). It’s an inherited eye disease that slowly deteriorates your peripheral vision. Having a good group of people around me makes it a little easier. Being able to get out on the tandem has meant I have a friend that is encouraging and tries hard to understand my limitations, making getting out enjoyable. Even though most of the time when we go out it’s training, training, training, and very little social riding, I still love it . Racing is the best part of riding my tandem, I train hard to be competitive and experience that feeling of exhilaration.
4 // We hear you are training for the Bowral Classic this year. What are your go-to training tips?
Although I don’t train specifically for the Bowral Classic because I am always training, as the date approaches I tend to do more hill climbs on my indoor trainer using various APPS.
My tips are, practice hill climbs to get that endurance up. Have a nutrition and fueling strategy sorted before the day – there’s no point trying something new on the day. The Bowral Classic is fun but challenging and you don’t want to be caught out and not finish.
My advice to others doing the Bowral Classic is to take in the scenery, stop and take a photo. And of course keep hydrated and keep up the nutrition during the ride.
5 // Excellent tips! Last of all, what do you love most about living in the Southern Highlands?
I’ve been living in the Southern Highlands most of my life. The beautiful countryside is what I like most. The way the scenery changes as you move around the shire, it makes you thankful to live here and not in a city.
Thanks Kev, we’ve loved chatting to you today.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Bowral Classic this year, head here for all the details.
***
This blog features friends and advertisers of The Fold Southern Highlands and is fully endorsed by The Fold Southern Highlands. We strongly believe in the businesses and all the information we share with you on The Fold and we’re excited to share the amazing stories and adventures of our local businesses. We want to say a BIG thank you to you for supporting our sponsors who help make The Fold possible.