Life change sparked cycling success
Looking at his lean frame it is hard to believe Ray Dunstan was 117kg when he started cycling 10 years ago in Dunedin.
Since then the athletic 47 year old has exceeded all expectations to grab two World Masters Games golds and hold the New Zealand record for the 3km individual pursuit.
I started cycling for health reasons and really enjoyed it, just the social side of getting out and riding, Ray said.
About eight months after I started I was selected for Otago to go to the nationals. I won bronze at my first nationals in the individual time trial which was a bit of a surprise. I took two seconds off my PB.
From that race on Ray has dominated New Zealand masters individual time trial racing. Amid a CV littered with Otago, South Island and New Zealand titles Ray has a number of highlights.
He won gold medals in the 20km individual time trial and 3km individual pursuit at the World Masters Games in Canada in 2005 and last year at the UCI Masters Road Champs placed ninth in the time trial and third in the individual pursuit at the track champs in Sydney.
Last year Ray also took home two golds from the New Zealand track champs. With the advantage of racing on an indoor track he shattered the 3km individual pursuit record by 23 seconds.
The trip to the elite level has not been easy for Ray who suffered a serious head injury suffered after a cycle fall five years ago.
While he is happy to get out on the bike in any competition, Ray said he specialised in the time trial and individual pursuit due to his poor sprinting ability.
Im not a great sprinter and I prefer to grind it out at a steady pace. Im very stubborn and from a big compet-itive family of 10 children. I think youve just got to push yourself right to the limit.
Ray showed that ability to go beyond the normal breaking point when he blacked out during his bronze medal IP ride in Sydney last year.
I didnt know where I was; if I was on the front straight or the back straight. I went off the track by about a metre at one stage. I tweaked my back in qualifying for the race so I had to be lifted onto my bike. My partner (Julie Aitken) and my son (Matthew) were there and they were the only reason I carried on. I could hear them in the centre of the track yelling for me.
Ray moved to Blenheim from Dunedin six months ago to spend more time with Julie and to indulge his other passion: opening a bike shop.
Most recently involved with selling heavy machinery and formerly manager of SKF in Dunedin for 15 years Ray, along with fellow Marlborough cycling identity Chris Ginders, will open Bike HQ at 2 High St on Monday.
Ive always wanted to do something for myself. To do something that is my passion is pretty special, he said.
As well as racing, and selling bikes Ray is also keen to help out new riders whenever he can with coaching and advice.
The new arrival to Marlborough doesnt plan to be moving on any time soon.
Back in Dunedin youd go out for a ride in the evening after work and during the ride your drink bottle would freeze, it would get so cold. Cycling here has been awesome. The club has made me feel very welcome. The whole community have been very supportive with the shop. Ive had awesome support and its fair to say Im here to stay.
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Friday, February 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 am under