A family team - Susan & Harrison
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Cycling is a great activity for families - Susan tells all.
It is not uncommon to see parent-child teams riding in any of the Big Rides or Great Rides. Not only is it a great way to spend quality time together but it is also a fantastic way to encourage children to keep fit and have fun in the mean time. Susan Walker agrees. Susan and her son Harrison have signed up for the 2008 Great Escapade 5-day Ride, the Grape Escapade, through the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. Diana Hrasko, a regular volunteer, talked to Susan about her thoughts on riding.
Susan Walker is 35 years old and has only become involved in bike riding herself over the past three years.
It began on a cycling trip three years ago, with her then partner Darren and his friends from Melbourne. The ride started in Everton and went through Beechworth, Yackandandah and Tawonga Gap before ending in Bright. Little did Susan know how difficult it would be.
“Oh I had no idea! No cycling experience to ride these distances.” Needless to say, she ended up driving which turned out to be quite handy, carrying the gear and the food for the other group members. “After that I was determined to get riding,” she said, “and I did!”
Susan has 2 sons, Harrison, aged 9, and James who is 4. I asked if they ride as a family in their home town of Newcastle.
“We do ride together at home although I wish it was more of a regular thing.” As a clinical midwife specialist at John Hunter Hospital and a part-time hairdresser, work commitments sometimes get in the way. She says the best part about riding with her sons is “the quality time that we have together. It’s fun, just like when I was a kid.” Susan believes that “families don’t spend as much time together anymore and this is great fun for families.”
Harrison is a fan of BMX racing and cricket. When asked for his opinions on bike riding he was quick to respond: “I love the fun of cycling and the exercise.” The exercise response surprised his mother – “I didn’t think a 9-year-old would think about that at all!”
Susan says Harrison has been interested in riding since the age of 2 when he got his first bike. She thinks Harrison has inherited her father’s genes, grandpa being long distance cycling great Murray Walker. “Harrison can cycle 50km no problem. He loves it.”
James, who just recently turned 4, likes to ride behind mum in the baby seat. While Susan thinks “it’s time that he graduated to our half-wheeler”, she also admits to enjoying having him behind her as he will often rub her back to encourage her to keep going. James is yet to accompany his mum and brother on a multi-day ride, but give it a few more years and he will be there for sure.
I asked if Susan and her boys make use of any public riding trails in her area. They said they enjoy riding along the bike track to the beach as well as the Fernleigh track.
“We love the Fernleigh track, it’s beautiful. The smell of the gumtrees and the bush are very dreamy.” Literally! Susan confessed that on one ride through Fernleigh, she “went into a little dream state, rode off the bike path and almost landed in a bush!”
Susan has ridden in two cycling events with Harrison: the Spring Cycle and the Gong Ride. She enjoys riding in these events for many reasons, the scenery, the chance to ride over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as well as having the added safety within the events including having the road closed off to other traffic and the added support of staff, volunteers, and other riders.
The Great Escapade will be her first overnight ride with Harrison. “I always wanted to do a big ride like this so I thought, get the holidays in first and then book it, which I did.”
When asked what she is most looking forward to Susan said immediately: “The challenge of the ride.” She is also looking forward to the Sleep Easy option, which she says she “couldn’t live without, especially with the kids.” Susan likes the fact that for her the ride is close to home and even finishes across the river from their home town of Newcastle.
Like most riders, Susan is least looking forward to the hills. And for a family who enjoys their sleep the early starts might be a challenge but one that can be managed.
If Susan could have her ideal Great Escapade ride it would include a mix of beaches and bushland. “The ideal ride would include the Fernleigh track, perhaps the central coast and some bush riding,”
On a final note, I asked Susan what she would say to encourage other families to ride together at home and even to sign up for other Great Rides and here is what she had to say:
“Cycling is a great activity for families, regardless of riding abilities. It is something that you can all do together and so enjoy quality time together. The kids will love it. As for the Great Rides, I would encourage families to select what suits them, if you have smaller children then perhaps choose a smaller portion of the ride as we have done. It really is a great family activity.”
Story by Dee Hrasko, Volunteer
