Leonie Williams

Aged 57 and working in an office, I was introduced to riding around the age of 50 through an acquaintance who lent me a bike.  Being nervous, I Googled ‘Womens Cycling Groups’ and came across a group who taught me the basics and gave me confidence. A few of us left the group to tackle the hills of the Mornington Peninsula after feeling the need for more of a challenge.

I look forward every week to my Saturday ride with this group of wonderful women, all in our 40’s and 50’s. They motivate me and inspire me and there’s always laughs a plenty. We ride for the fitness, the challenges and the social outlet. We don’t ride to race each other, often we stop just to take a photo and take in what the ride has to offer.

Being introduced to the 7 Peaks came along when Susan mentioned she would like company on a ride to complete Lake Mountain.  My first mountain climb – Yikes, I can’t do that!  So, with a lot of encouragement, next thing I was climbing Lake Mountain!  Three of us climbed it, staying together, chatting all the way and making the climb a memorable day, full of laughs and comradeship. Since that day, I, along with my other girlfriends, have climbed every mountain, although I am still to climb Mt Baw Baw.

Mt Hotham would have to be the mountain that I found most memorable and with a great sense of achievement as I always thought it was beyond my riding capabilities. Throw in a couple of girlfriends and next thing you know, you’re at the top 🙂

Baw Baw still evades me, or I evade it 😉  This year several of us stayed at Bright for a few days where we not only climbed a few mountains but also took advantage of the flat trails to take in the scenery. We went swimming in rock pools, shopping, eating out. Bright has so much to offer all year round.