For our 7th issue of People of Timmins, we interviewed Brenda Torresan, a Porcupine resident who stays active by biking, and whose biking sparked another kind of activism.
Q: What got you interested in biking as a hobby?
A: As a somewhat physically limited senior, still active, biking fit the bill. No extra stress on my joints/leg, and an activity that I could do outdoors and at my own pace with friends or solo.
Q: When did you start the South Porcupine Senior Biking Club and what inspired you?
A: The group was started in the Spring of 2017, as I was looking for an activity to offset the days of the city's very successful Therapy Aqua Fit program. It is so important to stay active, however as a senior even more so.
Q: Is it just seniors who participate in this group?
A: Not at all. Anyone can join us. A few rules, like no racing, wearing a helmet is a must, share the pathways, be respectful. We are however mostly 50+. A bike or trike and you are most welcome to join in.
Q: What local path do you follow as a group?
A: We begin at the end of Essa Avenue, in South Porcupine, down at the White Water Front Conservation Area. We follow the trail from there to the Northern College trails and MRCA trails and all the way to Bannerman Park. Some are done then and turn around to head back home, while others continue to follow Dixon & Haileybury Crescent to Lovers Lane, and get to the adjoining trails that continue to take you all around the lake, a 6 km ride from start to finish. It is just beautiful on the trails and they are kept up perfect for us and the rest of the community.
Q: It’s obvious you’ve taken an interest in the cleanliness of Porcupine Lake and the surrounding trails. Can you tell us a bit about your efforts there?
A: It is because of the biking club that my interest was peaked for the lake. We could not stand the smell on some days. We asked the questions: what was going on? Why the strong sewage smell? Was it the weed beds? Was it the pumping station overflows? From this, connections were made with people of the community, PLIG (Porcupine Lake Information Group),Tim Trevenna, Bannerman Park Group, the Hoggett family,the Richards family, and many more, who had knowledge of the lake and waterways and also a connection with the past group Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed (FPRW) and the facebook group PLIG. With community interest we have become the new not-for-profit Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed. You can follow our journey on facebook, or on our website at www.friendsoftheporcupineriverwatershed.com.
Q: Why should someone take up biking as a hobby?
A: First it is fun, period. It provides a fresh air activity for all ages, an activity you can share with friends and family and community. The bikes out there now are made for anyone and everyone. I ride a trike, not a bike, and we have four trikes in our group. They help with balance and although you still need to learn to ride them, once you learn, you seem to be able to ride forever.
Q: Is there a cost to join your group, and are you accepting new members?
A: There are no fees and we welcome everyone. Just watch our facebook page South Porcupine Senior Biking Club, and stay informed.
Q: Ok time for a few fun, rapid fire questions. What is your favourite decade you have lived through?
A: The 70’s and 80’s: old enough to get things done and anxious enough to make them happen. Who doesn’t remember playgrounds that required “Mercurochrome” daily, lifesavers, friendship pins with the beads, Hollywood Squares, electronics on TV like using an Atari, playing Pacman, Mork and Mindy, MASH, The Beatles, and mood rings just to name a few. My children grew up in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Exciting times every day.
Q: If you could wake up at the same time everyday, at any time of the day, What time would you choose?
A: I would wake up at 7:00 a.m. everyday. I’m a creature of habit and I never want to miss anything.
Q: If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?
A: “Family and Community”: Never doubt that you can make a difference in peoples lives. It is up to you. Make things happen.
If you’d like to recommend someone for People of Timmins, email [email protected].
