We’re all mad about cycling here at Rock N Road with over 30 combined years of experience. We have the stories, the painful crash memories and the triumphs to draw upon when helping you out in whatever style of riding you’re into. However, with all this experience, we like to keep it real. Our small team still remember exactly what it was like buying our first bikes and that’s where our passion lies.
We simply want to get everyone on a bicycle. We can help by providing fun Social Rides, fixing up your old bike from the shed, setting you up with the perfect bike from our store or providing you with expert tips and advice on how to fix your bike up yourself; we just want you to come ride with us!
Our experience extends to cover everything from cycle touring (with trailers and panniers), to tandem bicycles (and tandem racing), elite mountain bike racing, road racing, charity and endurance rides, multi-sport and adventure events, social cycling for fun and cycling with kids (tag-along, child seats & Chariot trailers).
This is Ron.
For 18 years, he has been servicing the cycling community of Mackay as owner of Rock N Road.
Ron spent many years racing tandem bikes, and with stoker Frank Gunthorpe picked up an Australian Gold Medal for the 1km Time Trial at the Australian Blind Cycling Championships.
Ron has been competing in local, national and international triathlons for over 20 years, including the ultimate of all triathlons; the Ironman in both Australia and New Zealand.
These days the main event on Ron’s cycling calendar is the charity ride, Smiling for Smiddy, a ride of 1600km in eight days from Brisbane to Townsville. Ron is one of the original three riders in this event, which has grown in popularity to raise over $1.6 million for cancer research. A capped total of 60 riders undertake the challenge in September each year.
When Ron’s not training on his road bike, he enjoys leading the Saturday Social Rides and attaching the Tag-A-Long for rides around The Gooseponds with his grandaughter.
Meet Cam.
With over 15 years experience in bicycle mechanics, Cam can easily turn his hand to any problem and find a solution.
Cam has enjoyed a celebrated cycling career; riding for national team Diamondback Racing (DBR), was ranked number one in Queensland for the Senior Pro-Elite class and number eight in Australia for elite under 23. During this time he raced against fellow DBR teammate Cadel Evans.
In 1999, Cam was awarded Queenslands’ Cyclist of the Year.
Cam’s focus has moved towards multi-sports and adventure racing, having just completed his third XPD and second Half Ironman.
The newest member of the team is Chris.
Having only just started riding bikes, she had to learn quickly for the RideaboutTour. March 2010 saw a group of Kiwis embark on an epic adventure cycling the East Coast of Australia; from Melbourne – Cape York. While passing through Mackay, Chris met Ron and Cam at Rock N Road and upon the completion of the tour decided to come back and call Mackay home.
Eager to become a cycle mechanic, Chris knows exactly what it feels like when just getting into cycling and how confusing and daunting it all can be. She is keen to encourage as many people (particularly ladies) to get on a bike and fall in love with cycling, just like she has!
She has picked up some great tips while cycle touring, so if you’re thinking about packing up your panniers and setting off – make sure you come in and ask all those curly questions about life on a bicycle.
