Former national cyclist Winston Virgo showing his son, Sheldon, how to repair his bicycle. Interestingly, Sheldon won the Under-Six category at the recent Rotary Club of Montego Bay East Bikeathon. - Photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

While many state agencies would struggle to explain their social intervention programmes for former national cyclist Winston 'Mawga' Virgo, this important function has been a part of his daily reality for many years.

Virgo, who represented Jamaica for just over three years and rubbed shoulders against the Caribbean's best cyclists at the CARIFTA, Central American and Caribbean and Pan-American games, has been offering cycling as an alternate lifestyle to youngsters from some of Montego Bay's toughest inner-city communities for well over a decade.

"I have riders from areas such as Rose Heights, Green Pond, Glendevon and Norwood," said Virgo, who heads the Western Wheelers Cycling Club and operates the popular Cycle World Bicycle Shop in Montego Bay, St James.

"My cyclists have become so well respected in their communities that when they are riding out to training at 4 a.m. they have no problems with either thugs or the police," added Virgo.

High standard of discipline

To ensure that antisocial behaviour do not creep into his organisation, Virgo sets very high standard of discipline and demands compliance. "Discipline is key. That is why when you come here at Cycle World, which is our headquarters, you will not hear any bad words or witness any rowdy behaviour," he said.

"In addition, all our cyclists must be attending school. You can't be a part of this club if you are not attending school regularly."

Virgo, whose dynamic programme of grooming young cyclists over the years has produced national cyclists such as Kenneth Kerr, Gareth Young and Olympian Raymond Thomas, not only prepares his cyclists to race but for life in general.

"We have a time when we spend time checking the books of the riders to ensure that they are not neglecting their schoolwork," said Virgo, who sometimes assists with homework.

"I have riders from Cornwall College, Irwin High, St James High and Herbert Morrison Technical, among other schools, and they are all doing well."

Some of the riders, especially those from the tougher neighbourhoods, believe that cycling may have saved them from a life of crime and even death. One rider brought the point home when he said many of the guys he hung out with before becoming a cyclist had been killed in gang-related violence.

The face of cycling

In addition to his own cycling organisation, Virgo has become the face of cycling in Montego Bay and is held in high esteem by the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East, which stages an annual bikeathon in the western city.

"Mr Virgo is doing wonders for the young cyclists and cycling in general and I believe that his good work needs to be highlighted," David White, a top executive of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East, told The Gleaner. "He is a credit to cycling and promoting discipline."

While Virgo is no longer competing at the highest level, he continues to lead his organisation, which includes his son, Theo-Raye Virgo, a promising rider and Cornwall College student, by example.

"I still make the two-hour training ride with them ... sometimes we ride from Montego Bay to Green Island in Hanover, and back. These riders believe in me because I lead by example in terms of discipline and good order and I find that it helps in my goal to help create well-rounded young men."