Brent Meyer with his father Peter.
Camera IconBrent Meyer with his father Peter. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Perth’s best rides in book

Michele Nugent, Southern GazetteSouthern Gazette

The Dalkeith media personality has written the second edition of Where to Ride in Perth and launched it at Mounts Bay Sailing Club with Bicycling Australia director Phil Latz followed by a cruisy nine kilometre family ride along the Swan River to the Narrows and back again.

This is just one of the 75 rides featured in the spiral-bound book that also includes 24 kids’ rides sampled by him and his three children and wife Sandy, and many of his cycling buddies, from serious lycra addicts to casual pleasure riders.

And that’s the appeal of the book says Meyer. It outlines a range of routes for beginner, moderately fit and experienced cyclists and family friendly rides, stretching from Yanchep to Warnbro, Pickering Brook to Freo and everywhere in between. Ride distances and directions, including landmarks and hints for coffee and toilet breaks are given.

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Perth’s many waterways, including Bibra Lake where his father Peter lives and enjoys the tranquil seven kilometre circuit, are a recurring theme, offering gorgeous views and rest stops.

The 44-year-old, who you may remember from his television work on Totally Wild, Healthy Wealthy and Wise and even Kids Company, was raised in Lynwood and his favourite but typical childhood cycling memory was his nine-year-old self and a friend’s successful foray down some busy roads and through an industrial estate to arrive back home an hour later.

‘We shook hands and congratulated ourselves like we’d just conquered Everest,’ he said.

‘I would not be happy if my 11-year-old daughter told me she’d just done the same thing, though.

‘I rode to school every day and on holidays would strap fishing rods to my bike and ride down to Fremantle.

‘I never thought of it as fitness, just a sense of freedom and independence.

‘Now it’s a way to get from one coffee shop to another.’