By Holly McGuinness
Taylors Lakes cyclist Manny Karvelas is in the midst of preparations for his 28th consecutive Around The Bay bike ride.
He will attempt the 210km ride in October, with 2022 the first year back after a two year hiatus because of COVID.
Mr Karvelas is adamant he’ll keep signing up for the ride until his body won’t allow him to anymore, but admits he’s apprehensive to take on the mammoth ride after a two year break.
“You stop, you start, you run out of water. It’s a long way for a bike, it doesn’t matter how fit you are, what makes it even more of something is I’m 60, I’m not a young fella anymore and I did my first one at just over 30,” Mr Karvelas said,
“You’ve got to do a lot of training. You’ve got to train all year round and especially during those awful winter months when it’s cold, it’s miserable, it’s all black, that takes even more mental resilience.”
Cycling for Mr Karvelas he says translates into many aspects of his life.
“A lot of people think how did I get myself into this? or will I ever see the end of it? It’s the same approach, bit by bit, just break it down into pieces,” said Mr Karvelas
He also says it is imperative to have a riding group for support, training became difficult during covid as the 5km radius around his Taylors Lakes residence eventually left him “dizzy,” riding around in circles but his group was supportive and encouraging of each other to get back out there.
The ride will take place on Sunday, October 9 and involve 10,000 participants riding the length of Port Phillip Bay.
