Coodanup cycling identity Bob Addy reminisces on 80 years

Nicknamed 'The Driller' due to his drive to attack and ride as hard as he can in races, his talent for cycling is undeniable.

Mr Addy said watching a national title race was what first whet his appetite for the sport.

"I got my first bike by having a paper round when I was 13 and that progressed on as I started riding it on the weekends," he said.

"Then I saw the finish of a national title race and from that day on I got the bug of wanting to do racing."

This love of racing saw him compete in races all over the world including the Tour de France, the Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics.

"I won the national British title and subsequently won the Australian title," he said.

"I'm the only rider to win both titles for my age group so that was quite an achievement.

"At the time you win these races and begin to think of the next one, it isn't until now when I look back and think, did I really do that?"

However, Mr Addy said winning didn't come naturally and it was hard work that saw him take out national titles.

"I started racing when I was 17 and never won a race in the junior section," he said.

"I worked very hard - I was averaging 800km every week as well as having a full-time job.

"It's like most sports, you put a lot in never thinking how far you're going to go."

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Still riding up to 350 kilometres a week, Mr Addy said it was the feeling of fitness that keeps him going now.

"People say, don't you ever have a day off or just keep to the back and I say, no why should I do," he said.

"Racing is about getting out there and giving it all you have."