Handlebars of Happiness - Stories That Inspire Every Ride
Bernadette Hince - Sharing the story of how she cycled through every subrub in Canberra
On 24 September, Pedal Power celebrated the joy of cycling through storytelling at Handlebars of Happiness, an evening that brought riders and dreamers together to share the experiences that shape their journeys on two wheels.
The night’s atmosphere was filled with laughter, curiosity, and admiration as two remarkable storytellers took the stage: Bernadette Hince and Robin Brown, each offering a window into a very different, yet equally inspiring, cycling world.
Bernadette captivated the audience with her extraordinary 13-year adventure, a personal mission to cycle to every Canberra suburb, in alphabetical order. What began as a quirky idea turned into a long-term love letter to the city. Through her travels, she discovered hidden corners, unexpected encounters, and the quiet beauty of persistence. Her story reminded everyone that sometimes the most meaningful rides aren’t about distance or speed, but about seeing familiar places with fresh eyes.
Robin Brown - Sharing the story of his mother cycling 8,000 km across Europe in 1939
Robin Brown then took listeners back in time with a story rooted in history and courage, that of his mother, who in 1939, cycled 8,000 kilometres across Europe as the world stood on the brink of war. Her journey, filled with determination and grit, carried echoes of freedom and resilience. Robin’s retelling connected the past to the present as he embarked on a similar journey to follow in his mother’s footsteps to see the world as she saw it, showing how the spirit of adventure can endure across generations.
Together, Bernadette and Robin painted a portrait of cycling as more than movement, it’s memory, curiosity, and community on two wheels. Handlebars of Happiness was a celebration of those stories, reminding us that every ride has a story worth sharing.
