Grandmothers to Grandmothers

Kay Mulholland very fall, a group of senior women can be spotted cycling on trails and roads around Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula. They wear colourful jerseys with E

Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign 4 Africa printed in bold letters on the back. These women are training for an annual fundraising ride from

Campbell River to Victoria for African grandmothers and their families affected by HIV. The 275 km ride is accomplished over three days in September. photo credits: Terry Chalmers and Lauren Wilson

I’ve loved cycling for 70 years. It started when I received a bike for my birthday, and I still enjoy riding today. However, it wasn’t until 2017 when I moved to Victoria that I started to do some serious riding with the Victoria Grandmothers 4 Africa. For me, cycling is a good way to clear my head and to keep physically active, and even better, cycling with the VG4A riders for a very worthy cause is a huge bonus. I was looking forward to the ride this year, especially after a two-year hiatus of virtual cycling due to Covid. Unfortunately, In the spring I injured my back and couldn’t walk without excruciating pain. A doctor advised me to give up the ride and, having had two previous back surgeries, it seemed like wise advice; however, I could cycle without pain so I continued to ride short distances. I greatly missed the social aspect of the group rides, and so after eight weeks of recuperation I was back riding with the grannies and looking forward to the Campbell River ride in September. The doctor agreed that I could do the ride but perhaps give up tennis in the meantime. We had 30 cyclists starting out from Campbell River on September 9th this year, and three of us are 78 years old. Some of the younger riders tell us we are an inspiration. It is fun to brag about being 78!

Cycling Gets me Places that Seem Too Far to Drive

Peggy Frank

I remember when I discovered that cycling to Quadra and Mckenzie was faster than driving from my James Bay apartment. I couldn’t believe that I had done the trip in only 25 minutes, and safely on trails for the most part. Traffic and an abundance of red lights often make this a 30-minute drive from home, not including the time to find parking. Today, I cycle up the hill to the Blenkinsop Connector: a hub where a north-south biking trail meets one that heads east. I will join friends from the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa cycle group. Today we are photo credits: Terry Chalmers and Lauren Wilson headed past fields of ripening pumpkins to the northern end of the Saanich Peninsula. Last week we cycled to Metchosin. I would think twice before getting in my car and heading to either of these destinations, even though they are only 23 to 30 km away. We pass several turkey vultures soaring overhead as we make our way past the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. As the Saltspring Island ferry pulls in, I recall another day when we headed from the city towards Brentwood