A freak accident during a wild Melbourne storm was the impetus for Burnet’s Andrea Fischer discovering a hidden passion – cycling.
“Two years ago a huge wattle tree fell on my garage during a storm, collapsing the roof and crushing my old Mazda 323,” she said.
“Overnight, cycling became a very good transport option!” she quipped. “It was a definite sign.”
And so began an involvement with cycling that has morphed into a 20km commute to Burnet’s Headquarters in Prahran each day. The avid cyclist promised herself she would never be seen in the cliché cycling trademark – lycra – but rules are meant to be broken.
“I did promise myself that I would never weaken but last month I bought my first matching lycra racing suit. It was on sale and pink! But really it was the attractive price tag that sealed it for me,” she laughed.
Fischer, a Harm Reduction and Development Advisor at Burnet, has switched from lycra to tropical wear this month during her trip to Papua New Guinea to help acquaint Burnet Ambassador and HIV positive mother, Deanna Blegg with the Tingim Laip ‘think about your life’ HIV prevention program.
“The Burnet Institute manages this AusAid-funded HIV prevention project that operates in high risk settings in the more remote highland areas,” Fischer said.
“We want to recognise the invaluable work of the volunteers that work on the Tingim Laip project in these communities. The people of PNG are just amazing. The diversity of cultures is challenging but the chance to work closely with their communities is very rewarding.”
Fischer’s current role at the Centre for International Health at Burnet involves working with the effects of drugs and alcohol on PNG communities and their vulnerability to HIV, but she has also worked in many Asian countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.
Taking part in the Rainforest Ride: Cycle for a Cure event attracted Fischer because of its fundraising element and the chance to raise public awareness about Burnet’s fight against The ‘Big Three’: HIV, TB and malaria.
“When I return from PNG it will be less than one month till event day so that will be motivation enough to increase my training and also my fundraising efforts, which is an important factor in my taking part in the ride,” she said.
Fischer has opted for the picturesque 140km circuit and believes she has the fitness to complete it with ease but is concerned about saddle soreness!
“My biggest problem will definitely be sitting on my bike for that long,” she laughed. “Riding for up to six hours is not that hard but it’s quite taxing on the body staying in that position for that long.
“I will ride a TREK road bike which I love because of its colour – purple - and the fact that Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong rides one too!”
With less than a month to go, it’s fair to say that life and work demands have limited Fischer’s preparations but she still has the best intentions.
“Training, training, training,” she sighed. “It’s just not happening at the moment!”
Sound familiar anyone?