Leah Graeve

I turned 40 in January this year and have only been a ‘serious’ weekend roadie for about 18 months, so you could say that I came to the party quite late in life. I started out riding a beach cruiser in the Summer of 2013. It was a healthy hobby that my partner and I could do together and we really enjoyed getting out and about. We had a great Summer in 2014 of scooting about town on our cruisers when I decided it was time to ‘get serious’ and get a bike with drop bars… there started my love affair with the road. That first road bike lasted only 4 months before it was time to upgrade to carbon!

I ride with my partner and another friend and I really enjoy being able to combine a healthy activity with the social aspect. As a trio, we have climbed mountains and ridden the Great Ocean Road as well as our casual weekend rides. We’ve seen parts of Victoria we wouldn’t have otherwise, all whilst challenging ourselves physically and mentally (yes, I am talking to you Mt. Hotham).

I ride because I have ‘caught the bug’ and love being out on the road and in the mountains challenging myself. I have been running for many years but I still don’t get the same high as I do when I’m out on the bike.

My first 7 Peaks climb was Lake Mountain during the Domestique ride. It was TOUGH as it was the very first mountain I had experienced on 2 wheels.

After that, I had some idea of what to expect and I completed 6 of the 7 climbs with the two boys in tow.

My favourite climb was Mt. Buller. I felt a calmness during that ride that I hadn’t experienced during the other climbs. My Favourite riding moment was riding under the bridge into Hotham – there were a few times I didn’t think I would make it!!

Each time I completed a climb I felt an immense sense of achievement.

We spent a couple of weekend away in order to complete the 7 Peaks.

We stayed at Dinner Plain over one weekend and in Bright over another. We really enjoyed exploring the Alpine Region and were amazed at how beautiful it is as well as how many fantastic restaurants and cafes there are to enjoy in the area. We’re already looking forward to the next Season’s adventures.