Cycling: It's Not All Work and No Play
The Retreads are a local women’s cycling group who meet on a weekly basis to ride the local roads and trails. Many of the members are retired and so they no longer need to cycle to work but cycling has become their recreation and their method of transportation. Mary Preston, one of the founders of the Retreads said “We jump on our bikes to run errands, to meet for coffee, meet to play bridge and just for the sheer pleasure of riding for fun”. Cycling as a group has extended into biking vacations. They have made trips along sections of the B.C. Kettle Valley, overseas to France and….and this year they are off to the Chilcotin area of B.C. for their next adventure.
The group has become increasingly aware of the impact of cars on our environment. Mary Preston said “Choosing our bicycles for commuting is our contribution to reducing our carbon footprint”. Mary and her husband Terry, have found that through cycling they can quite easily live with one vehicle. The monies saved on car insurance, gas and vehicle maintenance are a financial bonus. In 2008 Mary encouraged the Retreads to become involved in Bike to Work Week and this year they will be back as volunteers at the first celebration breakfast station on Monday, May 11 from 6:30 – 8:30 am at Frank James Park. Everyone is welcome. For more information on Bike to Work Week events, to print out a count down poster or to register a team check out www.biketowork.ca or phone Linda or Meghan at 250-923-7911.
