08 Dec 22 | By pp-admin
Peter Granleese has been riding in the Hartley Cycle Challenge as part of the Pedal Power Fitability team for 15 years and it is the highlight of his cycling year.
Peter took up cycling late in life, after retiring from the public service. “Fitability was having a come and try day and I decided to have a go” he recalls “Now it is my main form of exercise, because it is important to keep fit as you get older.”
Fitability Tandem Cycling is a Pedal Power program run entirely by volunteers, providing cycling opportunities to Canberrans with vision impairment or other disabilities, who would not be able to ride otherwise.
“We entered a team of four tandems and two single bikes in the Hartley this year” says Peter “that was 6 pilots taking turns in the front of the tandems and four stokers riding at the rear. We raised $9430”.
The Hartley Cycle Challenge is a unique, annual event, critical to supporting the work of Hartley Lifecare. It spans across three days and three different routes based out of Jindabyne. The Challenge helps raise awareness of people living with disability and the funds raised support Hartley Lifecare’s ongoing work in providing residential, respite and community programs.
As well as in the Hartley Cycle Challenge, Peter has also participated in other cycling events such as the FITZ’s, the Five Peaks and the Great Canberra Bike Ride. He also rides for fun weekly with his friend Glenn.
“The most memorable Hartley Cycle Challenge was the 2021 event (postponed to February 2022)” says Peter “when it was raining heavily for two of the three days. Getting on a bike at 8:00am and being soaking wet until the evening was quite a different experience!”
Peter is keen to really thank Rural Funds Management who sponsored the Fitability team this year, as well as all the Fitability volunteers who make cycling possible for him and other people with disability.
If you would like to train to become a Fitability tandem bike pilot you can find more information here.