Nothing cosmetic about this executive’s hobby
Monday to Friday he’s a mild-mannered executive. On weekends he’s a BMX bandit. Rohan Widdison answers our Time Out Q&A.
Rohan Widdison is chief executive at New Laboratories, a boutique cosmetics manufacturer. He lives in Melbourne.
First memory of riding a bike?
Riding a gold Malvern Star dragster in the early 1970s, thinking it was amazing to be on such a “cool” bike, as they were based on the 1960s chopper motorcycle. I raced BMX for five years from 1980. These were the “free” years when we could do anything, anywhere on our bikes. School holidays were all about my brother and me taking our BMXs on adventures.
Rohan Widdison riding the Knox BMX track at Knoxfield, Melbourne.
How many bikes, and how do you know when you have too many?
I have two custom-built Chase BMX bikes set up for racing. Can you really have too many BMXs? I think the limit comes when the sheer volume of bikes takes over your garage: then an intervention by your wife is needed.
How much did they cost?
$11,000 and counting. There is always that little part “needed”.
Dream bike and equipment?
The bike that compensates for my gate starts – anything for that 200th of a second. I am working towards that dream with a full Chase setup, including Ikon carbon-fibre rims and a Chase Act 1.2 carbon frame. Maybe won’t improve my race times, but such a feel-good addition to the collection.
Kind of riding?
All BMX racing. After a 38-year break, I jumped back onto the track this year with my eight-year-old son, William. We train with the Frankston BMX club every Wednesday after school and practise at different tracks around Melbourne on the weekend. Every month, we are at club or state competition races and loving every moment. It’s great to see how quickly William has taken to BMX and to watch him grow as a racer.
Widdison took up racing again after a 38-year break.
Tips for cyclists wanting to be better riders?
Get to know your bike and equipment – it’s your best friend and needs care and love.
Hills or the flat?
I prefer the berms [banked corners], where you have the chance to chase down your competition.
Love most about cycling?
The excitement and speed of the races, the sense that anything might happen: you could misjudge a jump, or find the elusive perfect race line that changes everything in a split second. It’s 40 seconds of pure skills and fitness that rewards every time.
Most like to go on a long ride with?
A training session with Chase Pro’s Izaac Kennedy, who is an unbelievably talented pro from Brisbane, or Barry Nobles in the US, who is incredibly inspiring.
Will you ever be too old to ride?
Good question. After my too-long hiatus, I am aiming for the 60-plus class in the not-too-distant future. I intend to be cutting laps until they take me off on a stretcher.
Widdison and son William at the Knox BMX track. They train and race together.
Favourite refuel station?
Ginger Fox in Beaumaris on the way to the track. A nice flat white provides that wake-up at 7am before the gate drops. And the owner, Trent, is secretly jealous of my bikes, which makes for good conversation.
Favourite piece of cycling gear?
My Ace Race Adrenaline Stretch Racepants. I love race gear that also fits nicely, and Ace Race is Australian-owned and run by some great people.
Favourite ride?
Macarthur BMX Club in Elderslie in NSW. Raced there for the National Series in July – incredible design and a fully sealed track that’s an absolute dream to race on.
Dream bike holiday?
Start by racing at the Rock Hill BMX Supercross Track in South Carolina, then a tour of all the iconic racetracks in the US with my son, finishing off with a race at the USA BMX Grand Nationals. The very distant dream is to qualify for the World Championships and make this a family holiday.
If you take long rides at the weekend, how does your partner feel about it?
My wife, Belinda, definitely likes reminding me to be careful when I leave for the track with William.
Widdison, right, in a race. “It’s 40 seconds of pure skills and fitness.”
Crashes? Catastrophes?
So far, I have avoided any disasters, just minor bumps and bruises. I’m still finding my skills and my limits as I return to BMX.
Ever felt scared on a bike?
Scared, no; anticipation, yes. There is a moment before the race starts when I am at the gates, hearing, “Riders ready, watch the gate”, over the sound system – in that split second I am either in the zone or something is not right. That’s the point of no return. I have also felt hesitant racing on unfamiliar tracks. I always remind myself that this is fun, and I have my team at New Laboratories expecting to see me on Monday.
lifeandleisure@afr.com
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