Cycling has always been a big part of my life. As a young child, my family would go on weekend bike rides together. As I grew older, my dad became an avid road cyclist. Every year, we would attend the Tour Down Under in South Australia and watch the professional cyclists’ race. I even participated in a community stage ride as a teenager!
Cycling challenges me, but it also makes me feel free and like I am flying, especially when I am going down a hill! There is no feeling quite like soaring down a hill with the wind in your hair.
As an adult, I continued cycling because it is fun and an adventure. You can discover new places around your city with a completely different perspective. I have now got my husband into cycling, and it is fun to spend time together, being active, and adventuring through our local area.
If you want to start cycling but have never learnt to ride a bike, I would recommend that you first get cycling lessons. Riding a bike is quite a skill and requires some education so you can continue to ride safely and have fun. I also would find local bike paths to ride on. In Victoria, we are lucky to have many long bike paths that are away from busy roads, this ensures you feel safe and secure while riding your bike. Lastly, physical activity is always more fun with friends! Grab a friend or family member and go out on a ride with them, together you’ll find new places and have a blast.
Cassandra, Health Promotion Practitioner, Monash Health.
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