Bicycle Network Victoria: Great Escapade New Zealand

Natalie is getting ready to ride the 2009 Great Escapade. Having previously visited Western Australia in a car, she was inspired to ride the Great Escapade this year to "have a different experience by bike" and to "explore the nooks and crannies of the South West."

Natalie is also very happy to enter early and get free bike transport. "I haven't taken my bike on a plane before, but friends have. Although they managed, they found it inconvenient." Therefore she has her $200 deposit ready to go for when entries open in August.

Natalie is mostly a social rider, riding for "fitness and fun". She goes for rides on weekends and in the warmer months, to take advantage of daylight savings. She either heads out on her own, or gets her younger sister and Dad to join her. Natalie describes her Dad as the one who got her into cycling. "Dad was probably the reason why (I got into cycling). He has ridden the Great Vic and Around the Bay bike rides and, when I was younger, he took me on Bicycle Network Victoria's Easterbike and Great Melbourne Bike Ride."

Whilst happy to take on the Great Escapade challenge on her own and "make some new friends", she is also trying to convince two friends to join her. Being single gals, Natalie reckons "why not - we could meet some nice fellas!" Our entertainment and activities team are already trying to help the girls with this by organising a speed dating night. Check out the audio-visual file in the column to the right to see what it's like in the Cafe. Stay tuned for future announcements on how the girls go, or come and meet Natalie and her friends and join in the fun on the Great Escapade.