While no Jamaican National has ever done Tour-de-France, David Weller was the surprise winner of the bronze in the 1000 metres time trial at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, becoming the first (and still the only) Jamaican to win an Olympic medal in another sport than athletics (track and field) while also breaking the 16 year old world record. Lorenzo Murdock, at the time a 23 year old Portlander from Berrydale, participated in the 1984 summer Olympics in Los Angeles representing Jamaica in the Men’s Road Race event, though did not finish.

It could be said Oneil Samules is currently the No 1 cyclist in Jamaica.  He won regional Central American & Caribbean Games (CAC) in 2006 in Columbia (1^st international gold medal) and is now riding at amateur professional level with a club in Atlanta, Georgia (USA).  Oneil also won the Tour of  Jamaica, an island wide annual event,  in 2009 and in 2007 and came 2^nd in 2006 which was his first time in the championship competition

Coach Cecil Pinnock also known as “P” started cycling in 1976 and retired from active competition in 1983. His initial interest in cycling was spurred on by good old fashioned boyhood competition. A childhood friend who was always competing with Cecil challenged him to a race and introduced him to the original Portland based cycling club the Devil Riders. At the time, Ted Gray the then Coach of the National Cycling team in Jamaica was going around the country promoting the sport.

Cecil’s friend had joined the club and invited him to his first race, which he eventually won and has had a passion for the sport ever since. As a youth instead of toys and clothes who would always ask for bicycle related gifts. Although Cecil won local championships twice, it was travelling that really opened his horizons to just how large the sport was not to mention reinforcing his zeal to see his local childhood club continue to live on!

The Coach essentially runs the club outline individual/level based training schedules and selecting cyclists to compete who are consistently training. Alongside the Coach the club has received an enormous amount of support from local businessman Mr. Kris an avid enthusiast, who allows his business premises to be used for club meetings. The local club receives no financial support at national level and each cyclist must pay at least $500 JMD to enter any given competition.

As with any small club, members face a number of financial constraints. Each cyclists is required to possesses a “riders license” which now costs $1500 JMD annually. Diet is also another important aspect of cycling – without the adequate nutrition training can be futile, not to mention the cost of cycling equipment. “A cyclist can loose a tire costing $3000 JMD” says Coach Pinnock. Cutting corners is not an option “the equipment needed for professional cycling is specialized, expensive and often only available from Kingston” says the Coach. There are competition fees, transportation costs, costs associated with hosting competitions, all difficult for a small club to maintain, especially while encouraging new youth membership. Each local club under the Jamaican Cycling Federation must host two events per year.

The next Portland Cycle Club event will be held this weekend, Sunday 13th June 2010 @ Carder Park Circuit. These events require a great deal of coordination as well as support and approval from the police and medical authorities – volunteers are welcome to actively participate in the event or just turn out and show them your support!

To learn more about the Portland Cycle Club contact Mr. Kris’ office 3^rd floor, Singer Building, Port Antonio Jamaica.

Republished from interview of Jun 8th, 2010