• Williamstown, Altona, Laverton Star

By Nicole Precel

29th September 2009 11:05:50 AM

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Love of riding … Jennifer Williams will participate in Ride to Work Day. 36774 Picture: SARAH MATRAY

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A BROKEN elbow, ambulance trip and thousands of kilometres pedalled have not stopped Jennifer Williams from hopping on her bike.

The 49-year-old Altona resident will be one of about 140,000 cyclists across Australia expected to ride to work on 14 October as part of Ride to Work Day.

Mrs Williams has been riding to work once a week for exercise and relaxation.

“It takes an hour and a half. It’s 23 kilometres and I have to go around Footscray Rd. The trek through the city is difficult,” she said.

The microbiologist was one of the first to complete the Great Victorian Bike Ride in 1984 and has done several rides since.

“It was very primitive back then. Facilities were basically showers in sporting clubs and ovals and there were 2100 people and it was very, very crowded,” she said.

“It’s still very crowded but it’s more organised.”

She has completed several other Great Victorian Bike Rides since, including the 2004, 2005 and 2006 rides.

But her attempt at the 2007 ride did not end well. “I got quite bad asthma and got sick and had to go to hospital. I got carted off in an ambulance and it was quite dramatic,” she said.

Her rides to work haven’t all been injury-free either.

“I did fracture my elbow riding to work because I hit a gutter. I kept riding and sort of bleeding everywhere,” she said.

“I went to the emergency department... my arm was fractured. I’m a fairly cautious cyclist; if there is ever any doubt, I bail out.” But nothing has stopped Mrs Williams from getting back on her bike.

“I enjoy riding and I just enjoy being outdoors and getting some exercise,” she said. Ride to Work Day aims to promote an alternative mode of transport that is healthy and environmentally friendly.

Registration for the day is free at www.ridetowork.com.au.

The Westgate Bicycle Punt will be operating between the Scienceworks and Fishermans Bend jetties from 6am to 6pm on the day and a free community breakfast will take place in Logan Reserve, Altona, from 7am to 9am.

Register for the breakfast at www.bv.com.au/ride-to-work/40491

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