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It was almost 30 years ago a passion for cycling began for a Sun City West resident.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Anne Brown went to work, racking up more than 4,500 miles after biking for 100 straight days.
Ms. Brown’s cycling journey first took off in 2008, after she made the last tuition payment for a child and bought herself a good road bike.
“The first thing I did when we moved to Sun City West was join the cycling club,” she said. “I found a wonderful group of people who shared my passion.”
The number of miles and amount of days were tracked by Ms. Brown on an Excel spreadsheet and many of the rides she, her husband and members of the cycling club rode are based on a destination to pick up a treat. While the shutdown was in place, Ms. Brown joined other riders while social distancing up to five times per week riding in Sun City West, Surprise and Peoria.
“You have to do something when you are in a pandemic and bicycling is something you can do to social distance and exercise. I am blessed to live in Arizona and be able to do these things. This group is wonderful. We support each other and try to obey the bicycling laws and always wear helmets,” Ms. Brown said.
She’s no stranger to the dangers of cycling and suffered an accident last December as she rode in front of Echo Mesa Golf Course, 20349 Echo Mesa Drive. Her bike was totaled. But she got back on the bike when hers was replaced, saying she’s been riding for so long this wasn’t the first accident she’d been involved in.
Over the years Ms. Brown said her riding has evolved. She set a goal to ride an average of 10 miles per day for the entire year. Of course, this year she most definitely surpassed the goal and the competitive side of her was proud to have done it in the first part of the year.
“This is just a bicycle friendly area and I stay off of major streets since there are lots of places with bike lanes and it is easy to get out and do it here. Our weather is conducive to it and I laugh because I have my ready-made play group everyday,” Ms. Brown said.
She loves the camaraderie with friends, but sometimes the solitude and enjoying nature is also enjoyable and just feels good to get physically active.
Ms. Brown and her husband headed back to Missouri to visit family and cycling is in the plan, but when Ms. Brown returns, she will begin to fulfill her duties as an official governing board member for the Recreation Centers of Sun City West.
Reporter Jennifer Jimenez can be reached at jjimenez@newszap.com or follow her on Twitter @SCW_Independent.
I am passionate about sports and community writing and shining the light on positivity, while delivering the facts. I have been with the Independent team for five months, but in the game for 15 years. I am a proud Grand Canyon University alumni. Born and raised in Peoria, I also am blessed to have a street named after me called Jennifer Rose Court.
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