About Us
Why Ride Above T1D
Ride Above T1D is a Western Australian community initiative dedicated to supporting, empowering, connecting and inspiring young cyclists living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Ride Above T1D was founded by the owners of Wembley Cycles, Felicity Palumbo and John Carney, following the diagnosis of their son Oliver in 2024. Ride Above T1D combines lived experience, cycling industry relationships and strong community networks to create a support model for young riders with T1D. Ride Above T1D aims to:
- Provide tangible and practical support to junior cyclists with T1D
- Build a peer community of young riders who understand the unique mental, physical and emotional load of living with diabetes
- Deliver sport-specific diabetes education through workshops and information sessions
- Inspire young people with T1D to pursue their sporting aspirations without limitation
While significant fundraising exists for diabetes research, there is currently no Western Australian — or Australian — initiative dedicated to directly supporting young cyclists living with T1D.
Young endurance athletes with T1D face several often-hidden challenges, including:
- Complex glucose management before, during and after training or competition
- Increased financial costs for diabetic equipment, medical supplies and specialist care
- Psychological pressure associated with managing a chronic condition
- Persistent sleep interruption impacting training and recovery
- Limited access to sport-specific diabetes education
Our Approach
Our Mission
To provide practical, educational and emotional support to young cyclists living with T1D, enabling them to thrive in competitive and recreational cycling.
Our Vision
Young diabetic riders feel that they have the knowledge, support and confidence to pursue their cycling aspiration however big or small.
Our Story
When our son, Oliver was diagnosed with T1D, we quickly discovered, like all families, that managing diabetes is about much more than blood glucose levels and insulin.
Life with Type 1 diabetes is relentless.
It’s the quiet, constant calculations. The decisions made every hour of every day. The interrupted nights. The invisible weight carried in the background of everything. It’s a complexity that never switches off, a condition that asks children to dig deep into their reserves of strength—not once, not twice, but countless times a day.
And most of it goes unseen. From the outside, these kids look like any others. Riding bikes, laughing, playing with friends. But beneath the surface is a world of mental gymnastics, balancing insulin, food, exercise, stress—every decision carrying consequences.
It’s brutal. It’s exhausting. And yet, these kids rise to it with a quiet courage that is nothing short of extraordinary.
Ride Above T1D exists to celebrate that strength.
Ride Above T1D was born from a simple belief; We believe that when children are surrounded by support, inspired by role models and connected to others who truly understand, they gain the confidence to ride above the challenges of T1D and discover what is possible.
