Armando came to Australia from Faro, Portugal in 1973. Armando started getting out on his bike almost right away, cycling to work in the Steelworks where he was employed as a fitter mechanic.
A few years after he and his family had settled, Armando and his uncle started to ride for recreation, going to road cycle events in Albion Park. Albion Park was a very popular place to cycle in the 1970s as there was little housing and the roads were relatively clear. The races attracted cyclists from all over the Illawarra and they raced between 40 to 50 kilometres at each meet. A few other Portuguese riders started to join them, and as a result, they founded the Portuguese Cycling Club in order to be officially recognised in the records.
Armando recalls there were some very enthusiastic riders and the Portuguese Cycling Club stayed together for about 10-15 years. Armando was humble about his victories, but he still has a number of trophies in his cupboard for winning numerous events. His received his first trophy in 1977, coming 3rd in a teams event but Armando’s strength was in hill climbs. While the hill climb isn’t long, its tough! They would race up Hill 60 in Port Kembla and Armando won first prize in the climb in 1991.
Armando enjoyed the recreational rides but he also used his bike for commuting to the steelworks each day for over 38 years. He recalls there were quite a few men who rode to work in the early years. They would all meet up on various corners to create a bigger pack for safety. Armando says he didn’t know many of the others who came from Warilla and Oak Flats but their camaraderie brought them together at each change of shift.
Many of the men stopped riding to work as the traffic congestion and accidents increased. But Armando saw riding to work as an activity that helped him to stay healthy.
He would love to ride again but his knees are stopping him. His bikes hang in his garage in the hope that as the weather improves, he will go out onto the cycle way.
Armando says his bikes aren’t worth much but with a glint in his eye he said that many years ago there was a man selling a bike with wooden rims. Now that’s something he coveted!
