Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Speed, adrenaline and adventure! For Sinead Stoker, a hygienist at Kids Smile Paediatric Dental in Broadmeadow, NSW, dirt-bike riding has it all.
“Dirt-bike riding can be very dangerous. Everything is a potential obstacle, from sticks and trees to loose gravel and slippery surfaces. I had many stacks when I first started out. One time, I misjudged a corner and came within centimetres of going over the edge of a cliff. Another time, I swerved to miss a tree, fell and cracked a few ribs. As I was in the middle of bush, I had no option but to ride back to my car. After that, I purchased all the protective gear. Now when I’m riding, I wear knee and elbow pads along with body armour that has a chest and back plate. Feeling safe and protected has drastically improved my confidence when riding.
“I came to dirt-bike riding relatively late in life; I was 26 when I started. Even though I enjoy thrill sports such as go-karting, skateboarding and bungee jumping, the closest I had come to a dirt bike was riding a moped in Bali. My then-boyfriend, now husband, Ben, had ridden his whole life and encouraged me to give it a go. On my 26th birthday, we woke up and decided to go buy a dirt bike. Eventually, I figured out the clutch and stopped stalling.
“Presently, I ride a Honda CRF125f. It’s red and white and I call her Ruby. There are lots of fantastic areas and bush tracks around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley where we love to ride. My husband and I often ride together or we’ll be joined by friends and family and go out in a group.
“Riding was put on hold for a while when we started our family and we now have two girls—three-year-old Millie and one-year-old Isla. I’ve since purchased a moped and every year we ride in the annual Bikers for Kids Newcastle Toy Run. This is a fundraising charity event run by the Salvation Army for disadvantaged children. Our kids love it and it’s a great day out.
“I love the excitement of dirt-bike riding. Before each ride, I tend to get the shakes because I’m so full of adrenaline. It’s thrilling and even though you’re not going too fast, it feels like you are. I love exploring the land, going to unexpected places and seeing the view from the top of mountains. Our daughter Millie loves being doubled on my bike for a gentle ride, so hopefully, one day, we’ll all go out as a family. Then we can all enjoy the unique sensation of feeling free.”
