The 18-year-old typically rises before sunrise, hitting the bike to clock between 40 and 45 kilometres prior to commencing year 12 studies from home.

"It's most definitely helping," O'Callaghan said.

"With everything that is going on at the moment it can be a bit depressing so it's helping my study to get and ride.

"You can go out and by the time you're at home you're wide awake and ready to go."

O'Callaghan said his morning rides were usually between one and one and half hours long.

"It's a nice little cruise. I'll do that, come in and have breakfast and sit at the computer to do my online schooling," he told The Standard.

"I love getting out in the mornings with the fresh air. It's especially good when you're allowed to have things like group rides.

"It's nice and peaceful being out in the middle of nowhere when you're riding out at Wangoom."

The Emmanuel College student said while it was minimal interaction, greeting passing cyclists and friends meant he could maintain connections.

"You do ride past people you know and say g'day," O'Callaghan said.

He said he'd been unable to race in formal competitions since COVID-19 first plunged regional Victoria into stage three restrictions in March but was enjoying the Warrnambool Cycling Club's virtual 'Corona Cup'.

"It's all about trying to get the quickest time from point a to point b," O'Callaghan said.

"It keeps you training and on top of things."

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