He joined the Army to pay for motorbike tyres. Little did he know Army would take Sergeant Roger Derrick on the ride of his life.
The peak of his journey occurred at the end of last year, when Sergeant Derrick was presented with a life membership award plaque by Australian Defence Force Cycling (ADFC) for his service to the club.
The infantryman, now posted to Army Logistic Training Centre in Bandiana, was beyond chuffed, stopping to reflect on his 16 years in the ADFC.
He said the hairpin turns, the stacks and airtime, for him, ran parallel to service in Defence.
“Mountain bike riding is so much like the good bits – the bits that really matter in service – like operations,” he said.
“Lining up at the start gate of a gravity race is not dissimilar to a paratrooper about to jump out of a plane.
“The crossover is controlling your adrenaline, maintaining focus, remaining calm and delivering in the moment. There’s this big build-up, all of a sudden ‘beep beep beep’, and it’s just you and the track.
“You’ve gone through the logistical stuff – prepping all your mission-essential equipment, attention to detail and the teamwork involved in bringing it all together – then all of a sudden it’s H-hour.”
Chasing an adrenaline rush for 16 years is not what Sergeant Derrick was awarded the life membership for, however.
ADFC President, Squadron Leader Aaron Pyle, said Sergeant Derrick’s contribution to the club had been immeasurable.
“We executive members were looking at what we would do if we were able to stand up a life member award, and the first person that came to mind was Roger,” he said.
“His passion for cycling, his commitment to Defence and Defence Sport, relentless optimism and the overall camaraderie that comes with it has resulted in an unwavering commitment to ADFC.”
Sergeant Derrick believes his greatest service to the club was in the years post a tragic “act of God moment” at the 2013 National Cycling Championships that claimed the life of a Defence member. Sergeant Derrick was the first person who attended to him.
“I wasn’t a stranger to fatalities on bikes due to my motorcycle racing, though it didn’t make this any easier,” he said.
“That incident galvanised myself and two other key individuals. We knew our friend would never want all of this to fade away.”
The next few years were tough for the ADFC, with a drop-out of members and leadership. A small group, including Sergeant Derrick, managed to keep the club together, and eventually the ADFC “got their mojo back”.
Today membership stands at about 1500.
Sergeant Derrick was still surprised to receive the life membership award at the most recent AGM.
“It means a hell of a lot,” he said.
“I’ve always been deeply invested in ADFC but I really see the value in Defence sport and how it rounds out a person.
“To be plumbed into it forever now is significant. I feel it will give me more opportunity to contribute quicker, simpler and with more economy of effort, because all I want to contribute is to keep people safe and happy on their bikes.
“Live to fight another day.”
