Kathy Brunning & Sons

Name
Kathy Brunning

Occupation
3 days a week: Executive Assistant - Cycling Promotion Fund
7 days a week: mum to two boys aged 7 and 4

When I was a kid
I loved daylight savings and the freedom that came with being a latch-key kid. Whenever my parents were both on night-shift, my brother and I would roam the neighbourhood - him on his bike and me on my roller skates.

I'd love to meet
Lance Armstrong. I don't know that I consider myself a fan as such, but he's a pretty amazing guy anyway you look at him. I'm particularly inspired by the bike shop he's set up for commuters and his statement that he doesn't want to see anyone else new to cycling be intimidated or confused when dealing with bike shops, like he was in his early days. I'd love to meet him to try to garner my own insight into him.

When and why did you become interested in cycling?
I started calling myself a cyclist after I started riding to work. A colleague rode to work and used to park his bike in the office. I started thinking I could do that too. I was motivated to save money and get fit for an upcoming overseas trip and riding to work seemed perfect. I found once I was overseas I really had itchy feet - I booked myself into as many cycling day trips as I could.

What do you think you get out of cycling?
Time to myself, time with the family - it's quicker than driving to work, exercise (I'm pretty lazy), and most definitely energy. I find cycling so invigorating which is absolutely necessary given the little and disturbed sleep I get as a mum of kids who won't sleep through the night or stay in their own beds.

On average how many kilometres do you ride a week and with whom?
Around 80km. I commute alone to and from work, 3 days a week, after I drop my youngest at crèche - he travels in a bike trailer and we'll sometimes chat on the way. Often other cyclists and pedestrians, and sometimes motorists, also talk to us - usually commenting on my son's easy ride. I also occasionally ride to the shops or the library (the trailer and my panniers fit lots - it saves us finding a car park and saves my arms and shoulders from having to carry bags home). I'll often also ride if I'm going out on my own, even at night. Taking the bike means I'm not beholden to timetables and I can leave our car at home in case there is an emergency and my partner needs it.

I also lead and organise bike rides for families with young kids called Mums (& Dads) on Bikes, so I'm often riding with families - they're short rides to child-friendly destinations, usually no more than 10km return. We often incorporate the train to keep the ride short enough for little kids. Our motto is No one is too slow. We're happy to stop for a rest, snack, play, toilet stop, nappy change, breastfeed or until a tantrum is over.

I occasionally ride with other women, for exercise, training, socialising and child-free time, but haven't established any regular dates as yet.

Describe your most memorable ride?
Probably the one time I did Around the Bay in a Day, in 2003. It started off a balmy morning, but turned rainy and cold before we reached halfway. Many people hadn't brought raincoats. I huddled in cold wind for a couple of hours waiting for a ferry to take me across the bay. One friend was in a bad way and could barely speak. We saw plenty of people wrapped in silver blankets. The ferry brought no relief - it was still cold. The only good thing about it was the toilets: women could walk in, while there was a long line for the mens - there's a first for everything!

I stopped with a friend in town on the other side of the bay and bought a dry top. Joke is, the sun came out soon after and we would soon have been dry.

I can well remember learning that the Westgate Bridge was closing later than we had thought and realising that we were going to make it. It was like a dream come true!

Give us a description of a ride you would rather forget?
The ride that resulted in my partner not getting on a bike for over 5 years. He was a beginner - the 5km ride turned out to be 15km return, went over gravel and involved planting in the rain in between. He's only just gotten back on his bike!

What is your favourite post cycle beverage?
Coffee - also my favourite pre-cycle beverage.

What is your favourite cycle energy food?
Bananas, sultanas and dried apricots - popular with adults and children.

How do you cope with cold winter mornings?
At the moment: by staying in bed, or in the warm house. I'm a night owl and early mornings don't come easily to me.

When I used to do early morning rides, between pregnancies, I used to wear plenty of clothes - two pairs of gloves, socks and booties, merino next to my skin, and layers, so that I could take things off as the sun came up and I got warmer.

Is there anything that can be done to improve the on road relationship between cyclists and motorists?
I really think slower speed limits and narrower roads are the answer. If a motorist can't possibly travel fast, they presumably won't get hot under the collar.

I also believe that more people cycling helps the situation. If a mother, aunt or neighbour is a cyclist, a motorist is more likely to slow down around a cyclist.

What advice can you give those who are thinking of taking up cycling?
Enjoy the journey. Find a route that suits you - check the street directory, follow your nose, check bikely.com and ask others, but find your own route. After 5 years in my job, I still occasionally get a heart flutter as I ride through Studley Park to work - it's beautiful.

Experience has taught me that t
here is no black and white, but many shades of grey.

Who inspires you the most?
Probably my seven year old son: he's incredibly enthusiastic about, and good at, lots of things, yet he's not at all competitive. He has great stamina, and puts a lot of adults to shame where cycling's concerned: his longest ride to date is 26.6km on his 20 inch steel bike with no gears.

What is your life/cycle philosophy?
They won't remember a messy house after you're gone - enjoy yourself and your family and forget the dust!

I often daydream about
The rolling hills, the sea and the bird soaring above me on a ride I did many years ago between Warrnambool and Port Fairy - breathtakingly beautiful!

When you are not cycling you are…. Gardening, cooking, washing or reading emails.

When all else fails
Take time out, however you can, and do something you like. For me that means shopping, movies, gardening and/or wine.