Cycling hero shares rules of the road
Published: December 31, 2004
Olympian Susan Palmer-Komar often cycles up Highway 99 past Queen’s Rangers School in Copetown on her three to five hour training rides.
“I cycled by just the other day at lunch,” quipped Ms. Palmer-Komar to the school’s packed auditorium. “Did anybody see me? I waved. Ah, I guess you were busy.”
As the assembly erupts with laughter, it’s obvious Ms. Palmer-Komar has the children’s attention
Talking about bicycle safety and her own competitive experience, Ms. Palmer-Komar’s enthusiasm was apparent as she gave an hour-long presentation.
“Now, I know not all of you think you need to wear your helmets, but I want you to think about what would happen if I dropped a watermelon from this height,” she said, raising her hand to her waist. “Your bike helmet is the number one piece of equipment.”
Showing the students basic bike maintenance and rules of the road, the children had questions of their own.
“How many times have you crashed?” asked one little boy.
Another child wanted to know how many gold medals the elite cyclist has won.
A qualified teacher, Ms. Palmer-Komar patiently answers each question.
It’s not only the children who are fascinated by Ms. Palmer-Komar, parents also eagerly listen.
“I’m a huge cycling fan,” said Larry Jones, who invited Ms. Palmer-Komar to speak at the school. “It’s not a very well known sport.”
Mr. Jones said he asked Ms. Palmer-Komar to the school after stopping her when she passed his home in Jerseyville shortly after the Olympics.
“For about 20 seconds, I had no idea what to say to her. Then we got talking, and I asked her if she would come and make a presentation to the school. She said yes instantly, no hesitation whatsoever.”
Mr. Jones, whose two children, Nicholas and Jordann, attend Queen’s Rangers School said he hoped Ms. Palmer-Komar might inspire a new generation to get active and start cycling.
“She’s a great role model dedicated to the sport.”
At 37 years of age, it’s not hard to see why the tall wiry athlete is inspirational. A member of the Canadian national cycling team, Ms. Palmer-Komar has raced in 4,500 events and visited 16 different countries. Every year she cycles about 22,000 kilometres.
Silver medal
She has represented Canada in two Olympics, won a silver medal at the 2002 Commonweath Games, and won the Canadian women’s time trial at the national championships in 2004. She has also won the right to wear the coveted yellow jersey in this year’s prestigious Tour de France.
At 40 beats per minute, her average heart rate is in a zone that even the most avid workout enthusiasts would hanker after.
During an average race, she burns 3,000 calories or the equivalent of 42 apples or 12 chocolate bars.
Her schedule is demanding. This year alone she travelled 50,000 kilometres and was away from home 132 days.
Ms. Palmer-Komar said she loves to visit schools and help get the word out about the importance of fitness, and that, yes, in Canada you can have a career in sports.
“There is a problem with childhood obesity, but most kids have a bike. I want to encourage kids to get out there, ride their bike, but to also be safe about it.
“And a career in sports is viable. I tell kids that my job is to race bikes. It’s not the most lucrative, but it is a great lifestyle,” said Ms. Palmer-Komar.
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