CX and COVID-19 Part 4: Joshua Sek
Image: @benxlehner
Tell us a bit about your cyclocross experience. How did you get your start in the sport, and what racing have you done?
I think I started racing CX back in 2013, a friend of mine and I were working in a bike shop together when cross was just starting to come on the radar in Victoria (I think that Dirty Deeds were the first races I became aware of) and a supplier had some cross bikes on special that were a little too small for us but we bought them and lined up at Spooky Cross for our first crack at cross. I had a ball and have been hooked ever since! Since then I’ve tried to make every race I could, and over the past 3 years I’ve been racing with the Team that has been known as Maker/Kern, Kern/Flanders and this year Burgh/Flanders. I’ve had the privilege of racing all around Australia with those guys and even had the opportunity to head to China to race.
Tell us a bit about your work. What do you do for a living, and how has it been impacted by COVID-19?
I’m a paramedic full time, and still work casually as an emergency nurse. It goes without saying that my work has been impacted heavily by COVID-19. Working on the front line has been a challenging experience but I work with some incredible people and despite the increased level of risk and stress it’s placed on us we all still come to work to do the best we can.
In addition to working in the medical field, you’ve also just bought a bike shop - CycleSpeed in Brighton. How has that experience been, given the unusual times we’re in?
That’s right, my brother (Ashley) and I decided to fulfil a life long dream of ours and buy a bike shop after an opportunity presented itself unexpectedly. I can tell you now it’s been pretty nervous times with the whole COVID situation, we took on the business only a few weeks before it really kicked off in Australia and I remember there were a few sleepless nights wondering if we’d made a big mistake. I’m happy to say now that our business has been going really well and we are glad it’s starting to look like that’s all behind us now!
Tell us about your involvement with the cyclocross community. How has it been impacted by COVID-19?
This year I’ve taken over some of the team management responsibilities of the now Burgh Flanders Squad alongside Nick Norden. Obviously COVID-19 has thrown a real spanner in the works and delayed a lot of our plans. We were hoping to have a proper launch of our new team ‘Burgh Flanders’ and fully announce our new lineup and partners, but we look forward to doing this properly when the time is right.
Image: @mason_hender
What’s helped you get through the crisis? Zoom calls with friends, Netflix binges, bike rides etc.?
Definitely getting out on the bike as much as possible has been the biggest help. Sitting in the gutter with a takeaway coffee after a ride has been a unique experience but helped my keep my sanity!
The sense of community in cyclocross is one of its biggest draws. What advice would you give to all the cross community out there who aren’t in the medical field?
I think the biggest piece of advice I can give is don’t be complacent, take social isolation seriously, wash your hands regularly, isolate yourself and get tested if you are feeling unwell. We have a responsibility to do what is right so we can get back to normality sooner!
Image: @benxlehner