Please meet Sydney Uni Velo cyclist Barry (Baz) Doosey. Originally from Barrington Tops, Hunter Valley, NSW. We asked Baz about his cycling, inspiration and more in our latest Q&A.

Staminade: How did your love of cycling begin?

BD: Growing up in the country, my first bike gave me a sense of freedom and adventure – and cycling still does.

Staminade: What are your top 5 tips for young aspiring cyclists?

BD:

1. Join a club that focuses on development and learn from the experienced riders.
2. Don’t miss a skills session for a workout – you’ll rely on technique more and more as you progress.
3. Nutrition management is everything.
4. While training is often a solo pursuit, appreciate that cycling is a team sport and embrace it.
5. There’s always another day on the bike. Don’t dwell on bad days as there are many good ones.

Barry’s Successes and Goals

Staminade: What has been your greatest success to date?

BD: As part of a team, I won an elite race around the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in the late ’80s. Less prehistorically though, my favourite was winning at my local circuit, Heffron Pk, with a bunch of club mates and getting that familiar, jovial call at the presentation “welcome to A grade”.

Staminade: What’s your ultimate cycling goal?

BD: In my twilight years frankly, to keep riding (competitively) and be an example for those coming through.

Staminade: Who was your role model as an aspiring cyclist?

BD: The legend of Rene Vietto inspired me. In the 1934 Tour de France, as virtual race leader, he heard via a marshal that his leader had crashed. Instead of pushing on and perhaps winning the Tour (he’d never win another), he turned, rode back up the mountain into descending riders and gave up his bike up.  He never won a Tour but epitomises what road cycling is about.

Staminade: What’s your pre-event routine?

BD: On the day of a race my routine is to eat early and get a good hour or so of warm up time with a steady supply of Staminade so I’m well-hydrated.

Staminade: How does a typical training week look for you?

BD: In full training mode, I’ll train 5 days over the week with a mix of intervals, hill repeats and threshold power sets with a regular race on top.

Staminade: Favourite part of training?

BD: Racing. I have always thought build up races are the best way to train and an opportunity to enjoy the experience without pressure.

Staminade: Hardest part of training and how you overcome the challenge?

BD: I am not big on routine so training blocks can become tedious. My favourite response of recent times was when I trained with my old mate Leigh Jackson who motivated me and kept me on the straight and narrow. Training with a friend is the best way for me.

Staminade: What’s your favourite flavour of Staminade?

BD: Orange Blast

Staminade: Staminade’s tagline is ‘First Aid for Thirst’. What does this mean to you?

BD: It means that Staminade, taken before, during and after racing or training, will help me avoid under-performance from dehydration and those painful cramps.

Find out more about Sydney Uni Velo here: https://suvelo.com.au/

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