Colin and Logan Matthews aren't the typical competitive brother duo on the cycling track.
The Esquimalt brothers do a number of things together. They play soccer, participate in speedskating, and often ride alongside each other. But unlike most brothers, they try to keep competition between each other out of the picture.
They participate in the Youth Fast Track cycling program, a program through the Greater Victoria Velodome Association, that introduces kids to track cycling to become racers and potential future Olympians.
As part of the program, cyclists between the ages of eight to 16 do skill development activities, including riding for endurance and speed, and to get comfortable riding in a group environment.
This year they have 48 athletes in the program.
Instead of competing against each other Colin, 13, tries to teach Logan, 9, how to improve his skills by pushing him harder.
“I try to help him most of the time,” Colin said, adding the family used to go on rides together on the weekends. “I just teach him to keep going, don't stop, never give up.”
Twice a week, the Matthews brothers practice at the Velodrome in the West Shore, honing their skills on the bike.
“It's fun to ride around the track with my friends,” Colin said. “I just like to get outside and go fast. Riding with new people is fun.”
Logan said he enjoys going fast on the track.
Former Olympian and program coach Kurt Innes has coached the pair for the past two years.
“The boys have a great time. They're both fun and exciting kids, really outgoing,” Innes said. “Colin really likes to push himself and works quite hard at practice. Logan really likes to go fast. His favourite drill is going fast. Both of them really like the peer atmosphere.”
For both brothers, cycling is a chance to increase their athleticism and keep their endurance up for the upcoming speedskating season.
Last year Colin competed in the B.C. Winter Games in speedskating.
For more information about the Youth Fast Track Cycling program visit gvva.bc.ca.