By Cam Lucadou-Wells
DEBORAH Geyer is proof that no one ever forgets how to ride a bike.
Ms Geyer, 53, of Doveton, recently got ‘back on the bike’ after several decades to raise money for the charitable Great Cycle Challenge in October.
As part of the event, the spritely grandmother aims to ride 500 kilometres in a month to raise $1500 for children’s cancer research.
She is inspired by the memory of relatives who have died from cancer, including her cousin Sean who succumbed to leukaemia at the age of seven.
Ms Geyer, who was only several years older at the time, recalls visiting Sean in hospital for his birthday a month before he died.
Since February, Ms Geyer has been in training for the event, cycling twice daily via trails to wildlife-rich Frog Hollow Reserve in Endeavour Hills.
She needs to replicate those 20-kilometre daily trips for much of October to reach her challenge goal.
However Ms Geyer said she’s already achieved something significant – improved her fitness, wellbeing and losing six-kilograms.
The type-two diabetic’s blood sugars have settled, and her arthritic toe and sore neck and back are unencumbered by this form of exercise.
Her investment in a $600 bike has returned with interest.
“When I started this ride, I found this big hill and stopped. Now I’m flying over it.
“I’m in a lot less pain because I’m active.”
Ms Geyer has had just one recent spill off the bike, bogging her wheels into a shifty sand trail at Frog Hollow.
After the challenge, her plans are to explore further on Casey’s 200-plus kilometre bike path network.
To donate, go to https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Riders/DeborahGeyer.
