Yama Hilder

I am 51 years old and started cycling about 8 years ago with a group of friends who I originally did a quilting group with. Our first event was the 100km Sorrento back to Melbourne of the Around The Bay. We enjoyed this so much we went on to do a few days of the Great Vic Bike Ride, and later the whole thing. Then we moved onto to many different events around Victoria, as well as cycling girl’s holidays.

I love getting outside when cycling, getting fresh air, seeing new places. I see it as a social activity, as well as getting satisfaction from completing goals, such as an extra long course, or the 7 peaks Challenge. I love the feeling of freedom that you get from riding a bike.

My partner Jeff introduced me to the joy of mountain climbing, and I must say I have got a bit hooked on the amazingly satisfying feeling of reaching the top of a mountain. I have done most of the 7 peaks challenges with Deb my good riding friend who has made it a lot of fun. I have completed all the 7 peaks for three years.

The first peak I climbed was Mt Buffalo, whilst holidaying in Bright. I like this ride because of the scenery, and it’s fairly even gradient.

The most satisfying climb was the first time I rode up Mt Baw Baw because I really wasn’t sure that with it’s extremely steep gradient that I would be able to do it. Even though I was riding at 5 km per hour for some of it, I was ecstatic to be able to ride all the way without walking.

I felt very proud completing the Mt Hotham climb because that is such a huge and grand mountain.

I have always enjoyed the initial part of the ride out to Falls Creek when you have all those mountains up on the left, it is very very scenic.

I have enjoyed doing Lake Mountain because it is the most gentle one, except of course for that initial steep climb just out of Marysville!

I always love a celebratory Coffee at the end of the climb. Staying in a ski lodge at the top of Mt Hotham was a lovely treat. Also having a beautiful Italian lunch at Ceccanti Winery in Mt Beauty was very memorable.