GamJams.net: Where Mid-Atlantic bike racers roll: 10 Questions With... Wade Wallace

by David Kirkpatrick, Features Editor

Transplanted Canadian Wade Wallace moved to Australia thinking it would be the end of his cycling days. Instead, he's doing as much riding as ever and has founded the excellent and widely read CyclingTips Blog.

10 Questions With... Wade Wallace

(GamJams) 1. You moved to Australia and thought that it would be the end of your pedaling days, but instead bumped into a vibrant cycling scene. What are some of the top tips for integrating one’s self into a new cycling culture?

(Wade Wallace) To be honest I found integrating myself back into a new cycling culture fairly difficult at first. I wasn't in good form, I didn't know the group rides, I was unfamiliar with the training routes and etiquette in the massive rides seen here. You forget how elitist cycling can be until you move out of it and try to get back in.   This was a blessing in disguise though. I would have never started Cycling Tips without having to find my way again.

My advice is to join some group rides. From there you'll meet someone of the same ability who's hooked into the scene. This is what I ended up doing. The guy who took me under his wing was the most motivating and hardman I know. I had to prepare for our training rides like they were a race. He got me into shape and showed me all the local races. I have him to thank for so much.

Joining a club is also a great way of meeting people and figuring your way out.   It's not half as intimidating as it seems at first.

If you're super good and can win A-grade races, you'll have people to ride with in no time. Everyone is your friend when you're good…

(GJ) 2. You’ve often written of your struggles to learn the Australian language. What are some of the challenges in being a voice for the “Australian Everyman Cyclist” (or maybe just a bit faster) when you are not, in fact, Australian?

(WW) The only thing I find difficult is that I'm still learning about Australian cycling history. I feel like a bit of an ass when I meet someone who I should know but it goes right over my head. Living in Melbourne gives you the opportunity to meet and ride with some of the greats. I had no idea who someone like Phil Anderson was before I moved to Aus.   Now I frequently cross paths with some of the most amazing cyclists.

Australia has become my home. I'm not too fussed to ask if I don't understand an Aussie colloquialism. Everyone usually has a good time taking the piss out of me while explaining. The Aussies have taken me in and my career and cycling have given me the opportunity to be friends with some of the most amazing people I've ever met. Every single one of them have invited me into their homes and their lives. It's a very social culture here and the idea of having a foreigner around isn't new to them. Many times when I look around the groups I'm in the Poms, Kiwis, Americans, etc usually outnumber the Aussies.  

 (GJ) 3. Which cycling sites inspired you when you were beginning, and which ones do you spend the most time visiting now?

(WW) I wasn't much of a blog follower before I started Cycling Tips. I did follow a few from time to time but after a while I started to become inspired.

Belgium Knee Warmers, fyxomatosis, Velodramatic and Fat Cyclist are the ones that got me off my butt and started something for myself. I discovered BSNYC through these and really enjoy what he does as well. I'm still waiting for a plug from BSNYC and Fatty, but I figure my chances of a tweet from Lance Armstrong or better.

I have an RSS reader packed with blogs now that I check every day. There are so many fantastic ones out there. I only go to cyclingnews and velonews to skim the headlines these days.

(GJ) 4. You’ve at least flirted with making the site your full time occupation, and now you’ve got the new line as a syndicated (although as yet unpaid) cycling columnist. Do you still consider yourself a telcoms guy or are you well and truly now “A Writer?”

(WW) I’ll never consider myself a "writer". I'm definitely inspired by what I see every day while on the bike and I'm happy I have a way to express it. My goal is to make people think about cycling for just a few more minutes in the day and wish they were out on the bike. I'm trying to get better at photography. It's another growing passion of mine.

Will this ever become a full time occupation? I couldn't think of a better job. It would be a dream come true.

(GJ) 5. The cycling print media has, to one degree or another, adapted to the new world and are now less focused on time sensitive content. How do you foresee the new vanguard of sites like your own affecting the more entrenched “big media” sites?

(WW) The unique thing that blogs have to offer is reader engagement and a personal perspective. There’s a real person behind a blog. This gives people something to relate to and have a connection with.

The big media sites all have their place, but they're not engaging. I love how the Cycling Tips readers contribute to the content just as much as I do.

(GJ) 6. It’s interesting to see so much overlap there is between what Australian cyclists and riders in DC face – people acting like dopes on group (bunch) rides, face offs with cars, etc. How much do you try and make the site “locally Australian” versus courting content that’s relevant to a global audience?

(WW) When I first started this I tried to make it as geographically neutral as possible. After a while I found that I couldn't deny the rich cycling culture that Australia has. Inevitably I started writing more about it and learned very quickly that it's much better to be something to someone rather than nothing to everyone.

I also think there's a certain amount of voyeurism that comes along with an Australian focus as well. More visitors come from the US, Canada, NZ, UK, etc than from Australia. While it's cold and dark in the northern hemisphere it's beautiful and sunny here. I think this provides a bit of escapism for a couple minutes of their day.   I find it interesting that very few people from outside of Australia comment on the site.   Lots of quiet watchers out there!

(GJ) 7. You’ve just finished a brilliant job of covering the Tour Down Under. Any plans to pack up the show and hit some Euro races this year?

(WW) I had a lot of fun showing off the TdU. It would be a dream come true if I could go to the Spring Classics or the TdF, but I have my doubts it'll happen this year. If this was my full time job and I made enough of an income to go I'd be there in a snap. I have all sorts of ideas I’d love to see come to fruition.

(GJ) 8. An Aussie in rainbow stripes, the Road Worlds Race headed your way later this year, Stuey’s bagged Roubaix, Australians picking up big stage wins left and right, and a bumper crop of up and comers. What’s causing this bloom of Australian cycling talent?

(WW) You should see the roads here on a Saturday morning. The amount of cyclists in parts of Australia is just nuts. I find that Australians put a lot of emphasis on sport and they make heroes out of their athletes. I think this is awesome. It gives the young talent something to aspire to, gives outstanding support to their athletes, and fosters a national pride that's infectious to everyone.

(GJ) 9. Despite frequently offering non-didactic material, the genesis of your site is offering useful cycling tips. How do you suppose you’re so consistently able to do that without sounding like a preachy old gas bag?

(WW) I'm constantly humbled by the amazing cyclists that I'm surrounded by in Australia. I sometimes think that I'm the only guy in the group who hasn't been in the Olympics or ridden PRO.   I watch them very closely to see what I can pick up from them. 100% of the stuff I know is passed on to me from others. I can't take credit for anything and I try and I'm still learning every day.   I was a beginner once and I'll never forget the people who helped me. I don't think that the sport of cycling should be learned through the school of hard knocks.

(GJ) 10. Finish the following statement: “In 12 months I’d like to…”

(WW) …be planning my coverage of the Spring Classics and TdF!

David Kirkpatrick is a Features Editor with GamJams. He is enjoying growing fame through his blog Flamenco Chuckwagon, and as promoter of the lauded Lost River Classic.