Cycling: On your bike

Local Heroes

Thursday, August 30, 2007

By Chris Holt

Read all about it - Andrew's on hunt for cycling success

It's not that unusual for a teenage boy to have a paper round to get a little extra cash.

What is out of the ordinary, however, is for that job to be used as part of training for something bigger.

East Belfast lad Andrew Hunter delivers Belfast Telegraphs up and down the steep streets of Ballyhackamore on his bike for the Wyngrove Newsagents.

But not only is the job handy for the few quid in his pocket, it's an important part of his preparations for racing as a member of the Ulster Cycling team.

At the age of 15, Andrew is perhaps slightly older than your average paperboy but he feels that the job is the ideal way of keeping himself fit for his tilt at sporting glory.

"I have been cycling for four or five years now and it was just something that I was interested in getting involved in," he said.

"I like the outdoors aspect of it and although the training is hard I really enjoy it.

"Having the paper round has been brilliant as far as training goes. I don't suppose there are too many paperboys my age, but it is a great way of adding to my training.

"I train for an hour or so everyday then go and pick up my papers and set off on my round. There are plenty of hills around here so it's not exactly easy, but that's what I want really."

Andrew is currently on his way back to action after suffering from a bout of glandular fever.

In his last race - his first since making the comeback-? he finished sixth but now feeling fully fit Andrew is targeting success in his final year as a junior.

"The glandular fever took it out of me a bit but I'm okay now and I just want to get as many races under my belt," he added.

"This is my final year as a junior with the Ulster cycling team before I make the step up to the senior ranks and hopefully I can go out with a bang."

Naturally in an age when iPods and Playstations are more likely to be at the top of a young lad's Christmas wish-list, Andrew's dad Colin was only too delighted to see his son chose a healthier option.

"I was delighted when he said he wanted to take up cycling and we helped him to get the money to buy a bike," said Colin.

"But he had to meet us half way and helped pay for it using the money that he got from the paper round.

"It's a healthy activity, it keeps him very, very fit and he gets a lot out of it as well.

"Unfortunately he was struck down with a touch of glandular fever last year, which knocked him back a bit, but he is fit and raring to go again.

"He has been to training camps and has learned a lot about nutrition and the best diet to be on and as a parent that is something we are so pleased about.

"It also keeps him off the streets as well and he has a genuine passion for it."

For more information on how to get involved in Cycling in Northern Ireland go to www.cyclingulster.com