July 10/13 12:48 pm - Sad News

Posted by Editoress on 07/10/13
 

Erick M. Oland passed away on July 6th in his hometown of Winnipeg MB.  Mr Oland was a legend in the Manitoba Cycling Community and beyond.  He was 3 time Canadian Champion and held many Canadian mileage records in his cycling career before turning his hand to coaching and directing associations.  Oland served as President of the Manitoba Association from 1968 to 1970 and was a Director of the Canadian Cycling Association from 1979 to 1981.  MBA has a bio.

He coached his son Erick Jr. to a National Junior Track Championship and more.

Jim Fisher, six time National champion, Pan Am Medalist, Commonwealth Games and Olympic team member attributes much of his success to the influence of his grandfather.

Upon being inducted into the Manitoba Sports hall of Fame in 2008, where his grandfather holds a place of honour , Fisher recounted "My grandfather has been so influential to my cycling and my life. I can't put it into words.  We've been the museum to look at his memorabilia, so it's exciting to be able to see each others."

Oland Senior worked with other notable cyclists, Jocelyn Lovell, Ron Hayman, Gord Singleton and Tanya Dubnicoff.

Dubnicoff recounts: "Eric Oland was the team manager for Team Manitoba back when Track Nationals was in Victoria. I think 1994.

I had just come back from Europe and I was exhausted. I remember Eric was totally old school. “He said you always take a spare set of wheels and a spanner to the line with you!”  We talked about gearing, he said we used to sprint on 80-84" gears now you guys are riding 88 or 90”... That’s too big!.

He was great on ethics of the sport, a real treasure from someone who was part of the early years. It’s always an adjustment meeting people from the past who have so much to offer. I wish we had more opportunities to learn from the generations before us! "

Obituary

Our condolences to the Family