Cycling is enjoyed by an increasing amount of Victorians every year, and in numerous forms; road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking, cyclocross, trials, triathlon and recreational trail riding. All require their own unique combination of man and machine if the experience is to be a positive one.

Many cyclists suffer pain and reduced performance unnecessarily. Clinical assessment of the cyclist at OPSMC will allow you to:

• Maximize performance
• Reduce pain
• Prevent injury
• Get more out of your cycling.

Riding your bike should feel as comfortable sitting on your favourite chair. Put another way- your bike should feel like an extension of your body and perfectly equipped to do whatever you ask of it.

If this isn’t the case, then there could be some simple causes – and simple remedies.

The bicycle is the most efficient machine ever invented, and it should feel this way when you ride. However, the performance of this unique man/machine unit is affected most by the function of the Human element.

Important factors include:

• Body measures and dimensions
• Regional strengths and weaknesses
• Flexibility
• Coordination
• Technique
• Cycle set up and body position.
• Injuries; past and present.

Olympic Park Sports Medicine Clinic offers a clinical cyclist screening and set-up service with APA Sports Physiotherapist Gary Cairnduff. Gary is a physiotherapist with 25 years of clinical experience, and over 30 years of cycling experience including road endurance, triathlon and road race. He combines his love of cycling, sports science and sports physiotherapy to help cyclists both great and small to achieve their goals, whatever they may be.

Our service has several options.

Option 1 – Screening

Duration – 60 mins.

Includes assessment of your strengths, flexibilities and cycle specific capacities. At the completion of this you will be given a regime of home exercises with which to start, and recommendations for ongoing conditioning. This package is aimed at those who are happy with their bike set up, but want to improve their personal capacity to ride.

Option 2 – Screening and Bike Fit

Duration – 120 mins.

Includes:

• Full musculoskeletal screening as above,
• Measurement of the bike,
• Video analysis of the cyclist and cycle,
• Adjustments to the cycle position
• Recommendations for further adjustment that cannot be made on site
• Rehabilitation exercises
• Itemised report
• Include an additional 30 mins for each extra bike.

Bring the following to the Bike Fit session:

• Bicycle (with appropriate “slick” tyres for a stationary trainer)
• Cycling shoes
• Orthoses if applicable
• Cycling shorts and jersey

Note: Bike must be in good mechanical order.