Cathy: saying yes to a life of Adventure
Testimonial
“Go on the trip. Pack light with your gear and pack light in your head too. Don’t go on the trip thinking, “I can’t do it,” or “It’s so far.” Lighten up what’s in your head. Go with your eyes wide open and let it roll”
Introduction
Cathy Switzer is full of love for the bike and the incredible adventures we can experience on two wheels. At nearly 70, she has learnt that some of life's best adventures begin with a simple decision: saying yes.
A lifetime of cycling has taken her across landscapes she might never otherwise have seen, introduced her to lifelong friends and opened the door to experiences that have expanded her sense of what is possible.
Most recently, Cathy put this mindset into action on Ride & Seek's fully supported epic, Strzelecki cycling tour(opens in new tab) in 2025, riding through Australia's spectacular wilderness.
But for Cathy, adventure isn't just about how far you ride or how many places you visit. It's about staying curious, being open to the unexpected and making the most of the opportunities that come your way.
Sometimes, the hardest part is taking that first leap. After that, you discover there's a whole world waiting for you.
Interview
Bea sat down with Cathy to chat about a lifetime of two-wheeled adventures, the friendships that cycling creates, and why her advice to anyone sitting on the fence is simple: say yes and let everything else fall into place.
So before we dive in, I want you to take us back to your first memory on the bike?
“I grew up in Hong Kong. There weren’t lots of places to ride, but we had a little bike with small, small wheels, kind of like a Brompton. A friend and I would ride around the courtyard. One time, we went out, our tires hit the guide channels for the front gates and we both went flying! I guess you could say we dove straight in.
“I didn't really ride again until I came to America as a freshman in college. A friend told me, ‘You've got to go get a bike!’ So I bought a Panasonic bicycle, and I had that bike for years. It was mainly transportation. You rode to class and used it to get around on weekends.
“Years later, my husband and I had a choice between building a new deck or buying two bikes. We chose the bikes, and that's how we started riding together. That was in 1992.”
What began as a practical way to get around eventually became something much bigger. That decision to choose bikes over a new deck marked the beginning of a lifelong passion Cathy has for exploring the world on two wheels.
What first drew you to cycling adventures?
“We started off doing century rides, and in the Bay Area, there are at least two every weekend. They run from late March or mid-April all the way through to October, so there are plenty of opportunities to explore the immediate area.
“We started doing all these long rides, and then a friend of mine did a tour on the East Coast. I thought that sounded fun, so we signed up for a trip called Ride the Rockies in Colorado. It was a one-week trip, and that was my first cycling tour.
“My father-in-law had passed away the year before, and my mother-in-law said, ‘I want to go!’ She said she'd bring the motorhome and follow us along. It turned into a group of girls heading off on these adventures together.
“After that first long-distance trip, it's kind of like a drug. That trip was the gateway, and from there, I was hooked. I just loved it!”
“We started doing all these long rides, and then a friend of mine did a tour on the East Coast. I thought that sounded fun, so we signed up for a trip called Ride the Rockies in Colorado. It was a one-week trip, and that was my first cycling tour.
“My father-in-law had passed away the year before, and my mother-in-law said, ‘I want to go!’ She said she’d bring the motorhome and follow us along. It turned into a group of girls heading off on these adventures together.
“After that first long-distance trip, it’s kind of like a drug. That trip was the gateway, and from there, I was hooked. I just loved it!”
What keeps bringing you back to long-distance cycling trips?
“What keeps bringing me back is the exploration. I never would have seen as much as I have if it weren't for long bike rides. I'll get out a map and think, ‘I want to hit every state!’ Then it's, ‘Oh my God, Europe!’ The list never gets any shorter.
“We signed up for an REI tour around Tuscany. It was my husband Larry's first European trip. We didn't pack correctly; we had the wrong stuff, but we had SO much fun. Seeing all those different landscapes and cities by bike was incredible
“The drug just keeps regenerating, if you know what I mean!” Cathy jokes.
For Cathy, one adventure has a way of leading to the next. Each trip reveals somewhere new to explore, another road to follow or another idea to add to the list, another lifelong friendship. The more she sees by bike, the more she wants to discover.
Cathy with her trusty tandem cycling pal Craig arriving at the Brandenburg Gate, the end of at 2,368 km ride from Biarritz
You’re obviously an independent cyclist who’s been on lots of trips yourself; why did you book with a company? And how did you find it?
“For Strzelecki, my first trip with you guys, it was location, location, location.
“I'd been to Sydney before, but I'd never been to Melbourne or Tasmania. I kind of thought it made sense to book a trip that was going through all these places I wanted to visit, but it was so, so much more. What really surprised me was just how much interesting history, cultural context and cool facts I learnt along the way. Not only in the Ride with GPS resources, but also in how thorough and diverse the guides' daily descriptions and stories were. It really helped to connect you with and ground you in the landscape, instead of just passing through.
Also, the routes took us through some of the most amazing parts of the country I don’t think I would have found on my own. I’d read up on Australia, but I wasn’t expecting such amazing beauty.”
Huge Mountain Ash Trees just outside of Melbourne, and a wombat friend coming to say hello at Bundanoon, Strzelecki Cycling Tour
Was there a moment on the tour when you paused and thought, “This is why I ride”?
“There were so many moments! Riding across Sea Cliff Bridge and going through the eucalyptus forests and seeing the trees and their canopies moving in the wind. They were just so beautiful. Those moments were stunning.
“And Mount Hotham (below), I was bawling my eyes out because it was so beautiful. I don't know why that was a surprise. I've travelled so much, and all of those places have their own special beauty.
Stunning Mount Hotham above the snow line.
Which memory do you think you'll be retelling for years to come?
The one throughline across Bea’s conversation with Cathy is her gratitude for the ability to ride and the amazing experiences she’s had on two wheels.
“I feel SO lucky to be able not only to afford these experiences, but also to experience them on my bike.
“When I’m home, every time I do my local ride, I stop, look at the California coastline, and start crying because it's just beautiful. There are people who can't see this. People who are less inclined towards adventure, who are working full-time or who don't have the resources. I appreciate so much being able to do this stuff.”
Cathy speaks with a strong sense of gratitude about riding. She recognises that the freedom to travel, explore and spend time outdoors is an opportunity not everyone has. For her, that makes the experience all the more meaningful.
“One of my other favourite memories is of seeing the wombat pooping cubes!”. Cathy adds, laughing.
It’s true, the wombat is the only animal in the world with cube-shaped droppings. Handy when building small pyramids to mark their territory.
Has travelling by bicycle shifted the way you think about your own strength, limits, or sense of adventure?
“I probably would never have signed up for a tour alone if it weren't for the bike.
“I think the bike has given me the opportunity to go out and meet people. I've met some of my best friends through cycling. It's also just expanded my friendships so much.
“It has broadened my sense of adventure, too. Before I started riding, if someone had said, ‘We'll rent a boat and go sailing in Mallorca (or Greece or Baja California or wherever!) in May,’ I would have said no. And yet, we've made time to do all these things by pushing my limits and making new friends through cycling.
“My comfort level with going into new situations where I might not know anybody has changed, too. I usually come out of them with friends.”
Cycling has given Cathy more than a way to travel. It's given her the confidence to enter unfamiliar situations, meet people from different walks of life, and say yes to new experiences she might once have ruled out.
There's something about joining a group of people who share a love of adventure that makes taking that first step easier. You might arrive not knowing anyone, but you've already got something in common.
“We have a network whether we know it or not.” Cathy points out.
Before long, the shared kilometres, conversations and challenges create connections that extend well beyond the ride itself.
Cathy on top of Mount Kunanyi (Mt Wellington in Hobart), Strzelecki Cycling Tour
and her trusty blue and orange steed during her bike & barge trip on the Danube.
How did the guides, or the people you met along the way shape your experience?
“Two things really stood out to me. Anne Maree brought in the Aboriginal aspect of the trip, including the Welcome to Country and the opportunity to learn about the culture. I'd never experienced that before. It was so refreshing and new, and really special. Her passion became our passion.
“Anne Maree also puts out the best lunches ever!
“I also loved the positive vibe from all the guides. You expect that, at some stage, people are going to get cranky, but none of you ever did. You were fun, patient and always had a smile on your faces.
“I'm very excited for Napoleon. As soon as I saw the guide team, I was like, ‘I'm in!’
“When you're spending long days together on the road, the small things really matter. A welcoming atmosphere, thoughtful details and people who genuinely care about the experience can make a group of strangers feel like family.
"Inspired by Cathy’s Australian adventure?
Ride the same route across the Great Dividing Range, Snowy Mountains, and Tasmania: Ride this route: Strzelecki – Sydney to Hobart.(opens in new tab)
Why do you think experiences like this matter, especially when life is so busy?
“We're all running out of time. This is what you look back on.”
Life can easily become a succession of commitments, routines and reasons to put an adventure off until later. There's always another thing to do, another responsibility to meet or another time that might seem more convenient.
But the memories that stay with us are often the ones we make when we choose to step outside that routine. The landscapes we've travelled through, the people we've met and the challenges we've worked through become part of the story we tell about our lives.
For Cathy, making time for adventure isn't about escaping everyday life. It's about making sure there's room in it for the experiences that matter.
Cathy and her tandem partner in Montana 2023
What would you say to someone who's tempted by a Ride & Seek tour but isn't sure whether to take the leap?
“Did you ever see the movie Moonstruck with Cher? There's a scene where someone says, ‘I think I love you.’ She whacks him and says, ‘Snap out of it!’
“If anyone is teetering on the edge, I'd say, ‘Snap out of it!’ You'll have the most amazing time.
“Sometimes things happen that are a pain in the ass. If your bike doesn't arrive until the day of the tour, that's hard. But go with the flow. Those moments also become part of the memory.”
Cathy doesn't pretend that every adventure will go perfectly. There might be logistical hiccups, unexpected challenges or moments when you wonder what you've signed yourself up for. But those things don't have to define the experience.
Sometimes, the imperfect moments become the stories you laugh about later. And when you're open to what comes your way, the unexpected can become part of the adventure rather than a reason to wish you'd stayed home.
Her advice is to take the leap, accept that not everything will go to plan and give yourself the chance to discover just how much you might enjoy it.
And do you have any hot tips for first-time tour riders?
“Pack light! The less you have to manage, the easier the trip is.
“Go on the trip. Pack light with your gear and pack light in your head, too. Don't go on the trip thinking, ‘I can't do it,’ or ‘It's so far.’ Lighten up what's in your head. Go with your eyes wide open and let it roll.
“You can't get upset about things. Well, you can, but really look at this: you're out on this amazing trip.
“In our bike group, there's always someone who has something different to offer. Listen to them and go and be part of that group.
“If you've got the time, the ability and the finances, how could you not?”
Beyond packing less, Cathy's advice is about arriving with the right mindset. You don't need to know exactly how everything will unfold, and you don't have to be the most experienced rider in the group.
“When something goes really wrong in life, or you get hit with unexpected challenges, these moments really give you a reality check on life. Take the time to be present. Do what you're doing and love it.
“I'm going to be 70 next year. I hope I can ride until I'm 90, but let's see. You've just got to make the most of the opportunities you're given and say yes when you can.”
At its heart, that's what Cathy's cycling journey is all about. Saying a wholehearted yes to adventure and staying open to what life offers while she can. It's about appreciating the freedom to ride, the people who make the journey so special and the beautiful landscapes and places that bring you to tears.
Her advice is a reminder that adventure doesn't have to wait until you feel completely ready. Sometimes, you just need to turn up and see where the road takes you.
Featured epic cycling tour
The Strzelecki Australian Tour: Sydney to Hobart Epic Cycling Adventure.
Number of days: 29 days Number of stages: 3
Experience an unforgettable guided cycling tour following the journey of 19th-century explorer Sir Paul Edmund de Strzelecki from Sydney's beaches through the Australian Alps and Mt. Kosciuszko across to Hobart.
Guest Review
"The Strzelecki tour provides a great opportunity to experience some of the best guided cycling on Australia's East Coast and in Tasmania. The history, cultural connections, local wildlife, and iconic mountain climbs made every day on the road completely unforgettable."
— Wendy H., Strzelecki Tour Participant
Inspired to plan your next epic tour?
If Cathy's story has inspired your next cycling adventure, we'd love to help you plan your journey.
Contact us - our team can walk you through routes, dates, and what to expect on tour.
For more information about our Strzelecki Australian CyclingTour.(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab).
Whether you’ve already cycled in Australia or it’s still on your bucket list, drop a comment below! And if this post inspired you, share it with a riding buddy who would love a taste of the samurai spirit on two wheels.