Tokyo Paralympics: Cyclist Gordon Allan’s DIY bathroom hack to beat heat

Tough times call for inventive ways to train and this Sydney athlete has hit on a genius - if a little odd - hack to help him prepare for the big heat in Tokyo.

Cyclist Gordon Allan is contesting the race against the clock at the Paralympics. Pic: Casey Gibson.

It’s the DIY way to prepare for a major sporting event - go to Bunnings, buy a couple of heaters, squeeze a standing bike into your bathroom and boom - a homemade heat chamber for training.

Lalor Park cyclist Gordon Allan came up with the home invention during the coronavirus pandemic when locked down and unable to train outside.

Coupled with a rigged-up temporary sauna in his garage, Allan reckons he has the right tools to beat the heat in Tokyo.

Track cyclist Gordon Allan has had to use his imagination to prepare for the heat and humidity in Tokyo. Pic: Supplied.

“It gets humid and steamy so it was pretty good,” said the 23-year-old who jammed his bike. into the cramped space for one hour training sessions.

“It was 35 degrees because the bathroom was pretty small and I did my bike sessions in there. “So the training hasn’t exactly been straightforward.

“It did work and if it’s the different between a result and a podium then it’s all worthwhile.”

Allan, who is studying sport and exercise science at Western Sydney University and trains at the NSWIS and Dunc Gray velodrome at Bankstown, has cerebral palsy which affects his balance and co-ordination in all four limbs.

Cyclist Gordon Allan, left, has not had international racing for more than a year. Pic: Casey Gibson.

This meant Allen took years to learn how to ride a bike but once he had mastered it, he was determined to pursue an elite career in the sport.

“I went to a talent search day back when I was 13 and afterwards they did some skills and testing and asked me was I interested in doing more cycling,” he said

“It took me months to learn how to clip my shoe in and click my shoe out, starting and stopping.

“But I really enjoyed it. It was always something I liked doing because I always wanted to do what my mates were doing, what all the other kids were doing.

“I couldn’t get off the training wheels for a long time. Then one day my mate dared me to race down a big hill and I did it.

“I thought what’s the worst that could happen. I was just keen to try everything.”

Para track cyclist Gordon Allan and his family. Pic: Supplied.

The right side of Allan’s body is more affected than his left so he wears a specially moulded carbon fibre brace with a rod in it to help give him strength and keep him steady on the bike.

“My co-ordination is better than when it first started and I have adaptations on my bike for braking and changing gears.

“My right hand side is more affected, my dexterity is quite limited.

“I ride with a brace on my right side which helps me keep my foot in the right place.’’

In Tokyo Allan will ride the C2 1km time trial, his main event, and will then be involved in a team sprint with two teammates.

“It’s my first games but I would like a personal best and ideally to get onto the podium,” said Allen, who’s PB in the race against the clock is a 1:11.5.

Originally published as Tokyo Paralympics: Cyclist Gordon Allan’s DIY bathroom hack to beat heat