KATHLEEN SMITH

I’m now 57 years old. I’ve been cycling on and off my whole life (School, commuting, weekend rides), but since retiring a few years ago my cycling has really increased to the point where I’m doing at least 200 kms week, 90% of which is hills.

When I first retired we thought I’d be riding less, as we’d moved to this mountainous region of the far south coast of NSW, from relatively flat Canberra, where it’s easy to avoid hills. But, we were soon embraced into the welcoming arms of the local bunch and now we avoid riding on flat roads!

I now know that there’s probably no climb that I can’t get up, (with the right gearing!), although I am very slow and always last to the top.

Getting to the top of a climb is its own reward. The feeling I get from cycling with like-minded others can’t be bought.

I hope I can keep riding for many more years. The eldest person in our local bunch is 73, average age is probably 60. I’m inspired by friends like these.

We did our first 7 Peaks ride in March 2014 and planned all seven around a 10 day holiday so that we could do them all in one trip (it’s a long drive from here to the Vic Alps). I did a lot of research in preparation, using the info on the 7Peaks website and passport. I was confident about most of the climbs, but pretty worried about Baw Baw. We did that one first! It was tough and I had to do a walk of shame of about 50 metres (couldn’t get started on the slope when I’d stopped). But I kept going and felt pretty good when I reached the top. Elated actually. The rest of the climbs were tackled with a lighter heart, knowing that I’d got through the hardest one. Hotham was hard but the remainder were just a joy and Buffalo is now, after 3 ascents my favourite. We repeated the trip in March 2015, again with Baw Baw first and this time I got up non-stop!

The highlight for us on 7Peaks trips is the local towns we visit, especially Bright. To see so many places welcoming cyclists is fantastic. I think if other towns in Australia saw the benefits cycling brings there would be a lot more positive attitude towards us on the roads.