Time Flies When You’re Having Fun


Michael Finch |

Six years ago today, Oli wrote his first column for Bicycling Magazine. It’s also the day he writes his last!

Photo by Gary Perkin
Photo by Gary Perkin

On the 28th of September 2011 Sanchez and I were rolling through Green Point en route to Giovanni’s for a cappuccino (archaic I know, but this was before the the cortado and flat white had made their mark on society). In the weeks leading up to that day I had been battling with a strained Achilles tendon and the ride was a test to gauge my recovery.

A few kms out, we happened to ride up alongside Bicycling’s Editor, Mike Finch who joined us at Gios. After a lively conversation, where I most likely talked too much, Mike thought it would be cool if I wrote a weekly column, colourfully describing the ins and outs of what it was like being a full time athlete within the South African context. Later that day I received confirmation of Mike’s proposal and just like that I was a columnist on Bicycling.co.za. This, while racing full-time for Team Mr Price GT.

Image by Craig Kolesky / Nikon / Lexar
Image by Craig Kolesky / Nikon / Lexar

I soon realized that creating original content each and every week – with images – was no laughing matter. It required discipline and focus to find ‘the angle’ in whatever I was doing that week, and most importantly communicate it in a way that readers could relate to.

My consistency and dedication to the column, originally called ‘Living the Dream’, saw me inherit the position of Bicycling’s Gear Editor from Neil ‘the Hoff’ Gardiner in 2014 … a position I have held for the past three years.

Today is the 28th of September 2017. It is exactly, to the day, 6 years since Mike, Sanchezzzzz and I got high on caffeine at Gios and I joined the Bicycling family. Quite remarkably, it is also the day I submit my last column on Bicycling.co.za as well as announce that my role as Gear Editor will end at the end of this month.

While the past 6 years have been absolutely incredible, as the saying goes all good things must come to an end. I would like to thank each and every reader for their support over the past 6 years – the highs, the lows and sometimes a bit of controversy! Thank you too, to the industry at large who were always willing to go the extra mile in an effort to make sure Bicycling’s gear was as rad as possible. And to Mike and the team in giving me the scope to Live the Dream.

Photo by Gary Perkin
Photo by Gary Perkin

So folks, I’ll check you on the road or single-track soon!

Arrivederci

Oli

 

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