By ElenaJanuary 26, 20260 comments

Pedal With Purpose: A Father, A Son, And The Ride That Connects Them | Australia

There’s a quiet kind of magic that happens when a parent and child share the outdoors. No screens. No schedules. Just movement, fresh air, and moments that don’t need explaining. For Dennis Vollmer, a Sydney, Australia–based Silverback Bikes rider, that magic lives on two wheels — and it’s shaping not only his own recovery journey, but the foundations of his toddler’s future.

From Setback to Saddle

An active lifestyle has always been part of who Dennis is. From representative basketball in his youth, to training for an MMA bout in his 30s, to lining up for marathons in his 40s, movement has been a constant thread through every chapter of life.

Then came an unexpected pause. During last year’s Sydney Marathon, a serious knee injury forced him off the road and onto the sidelines. Two months without training can feel like an eternity for someone used to pushing forward.

Cycling became the answer.

Low impact, high reward, and mentally freeing — riding offered a way to keep his legs moving, maintain cardiovascular fitness, and release the built-up energy that comes with being unable to run. What started as rehab quickly became something more meaningful.

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Adventure Is a Mindset

To Dennis, adventure doesn’t need to be extreme or far-flung. It’s about trying new things, exploring unfamiliar paths, and keeping life interesting. Cycling opened that door — not just for fitness, but for connection.

And that connection soon included the smallest, most important riding partner of all.

Introducing a Toddler to Two Wheels

Sport has always been part of Dennis’s identity, and leading by example was never optional, it was the goal. With a toddler whose little legs aren’t quite ready for long runs, the bike became the perfect bridge.

There was a false start, of course. The first child seat wasn’t right, parts had to be reordered, and patience was tested. But the seed had already been planted.

Every day, the same question followed:

“When are we going for a ride?”

Soon, those rides became a rhythm — moments filled with laughter, new smells in the air, changing scenery, and the simple joy of shared experience. No single ride stands above the rest, because each one carries its own magic.

Lessons Beyond Fitness

These rides aren’t about performance or pace. They’re about showing that movement can be fun. That exercise doesn’t have to feel like a grind. That being outside, breathing fresh air, and exploring your surroundings can be a normal and enjoyable part of life.

In a world where screens compete for attention at younger and younger ages, the bike becomes a tool for something deeper — presence.

Adventure has a way of bringing people closer, and few things compare to seeing pure excitement light up a child’s face mid-ride. Hearing him retell stories about their outings is a reminder that these moments matter & that they last.

Why Silverback

After researching his options in Sydney, Silverback stood out for Dennis by striking the right balance: style, comfort, features, and value. With guidance from the team at 99 Bikes, the choice felt easy.

Since October last year, the Silverback SE:SERIES 12 MTB has been a solid companion for Dennis — comfortable enough for daily rides around Sydney, and capable enough for bigger adventures still waiting beyond the city limits.

If he had to sum it up in three words?

Cool. Comfortable. Cost-effective.