Emerald Cycling Club: Brent Rohrlach speaks about new club
For the first time in decades, Emerald has its own official cycling club. Here’s all you need to know.
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When Brent Rohrlach bought a bike to ride from Frankfurt to Rome in 2015 with his older brother, not only did he discover a passion for cycling, but so began the journey toward creating the first Emerald Cycling Club in decades.
According to Mr Rohrlach, who is the secretary of the new Emerald Cycling Club, this is the first organised club for cycling that Emerald has had since the mid 80s.
“We have been told that there was a club of sorts back in the mid 80s,” Mr Rohrlach said.
“There has been nothing formal, just solo and group riders, since then.
“Emerald Cycling Club was incorporated in 2022. We’re an AusCycling affiliated club in road, cyclocross and track discipline.”
From these humble beginnings the club has gone from strength to strength, with its first competition held on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15.
The competition consisted of three events, the graded scratch race, the criterium, and the handicap race with riders across A, B, C and D grades, juniors and seniors.
Around 30 riders contested each event, with entrants from Rockhampton, Gladstone, Mackay, and Mount Isa.
Mr Rohrlach said all entrants who competed in the event did well.
He said ECC was growing in members by the day and that if people wanted to get involved they could contact the club through its Facebook page, Facebook messenger or by emailing emeraldcyclingclubinc@gmail.com.
Membership is via AusCycling and includes volunteer members, lifestyle, or race.
ECC held an annual general meeting on Monday, June 20 and future events include social/come and try days at the Emerald go-kart track to introduce younger people to the sport.
There will also be members from the ECC competing in events in Mount Larcom and Rockhampton throughout the year and depending on permits and approvals, the ECC will host another competition sometime in October.
Mr Rohrlach thanked Emerald Car Wash and Ensham Resources for sponsoring the May event.
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