92 year old man, 56 year old bike...read the story

[littlegrasshopp]

http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/1102347.html

[ginny]

that is the coolest story ever! I just may have a new hero...

[Tri Girl]

Wow! Someone I can really look up to! I hope to be like him when (if) I'm 92 years old. That's just amazing- what a guy!

[Trek420]

What a delightful man! I love his saying "I'll give you a motto. I think it's important. Be truthful. Keep learning. Keep loving. That's enough," he says. "Those are the big headings. Everything else is frosting."

Plus what he said something like "we're very conservative unless it's politics" Sounds a lot like my Dad.

[7rider]

I love it!
Thanks for posting it.

[mimitabby]

good grief! sounds like my husband in 40 years!

[KnottedYet]

That Fred Mathes, he's my kind of Fred!!!

[Zen]

I do wish he'd give in and wear a helmet though.

[sundial]

In 2002, Mathes sent a photo of his bicycle to the Schwinn company.

"I told them, here's a picture of my bike. It's 50 years old and has maybe 35,000 miles on it. You can use it in your advertising no charge.

"They sent me back a pair of socks."

LOL!

[Jo-n-NY]

What a great story. Thank you for posting and sharing. I sent it on to others that I know also.

~ JoAnn

[Tuckervill]

If you live to be 92 and are still riding, you can ride without a helmet, too, in my book!

I told my mother, when she quit smoking, that she could give herself an out--she could promise to start again when she was 90.

Karen

[Melalvai]

If you live to be 92 and are still riding, you can ride without a helmet, too, in my book!

That's what I plan to do! But until my 90th birthday, I'll wear a helmet, just so people don't say "Shoulda been wearing a helmet" when I break an arm falling off my bike or get squished by a Mack truck that didn't give me enough room.

[Trekhawk]

Fabulous!!
Thanks for posting the link. That story has made my day.

[littlegrasshopp]

The first time we went to the VA Creeper Trail I was happily surprised to see all of the elderly people riding the trail daily. They were wonderful! And in very good shape!! They ride it up hill, and then back down again. I think that's more than 30 miles. The last 15 are admittedly slight down hill, but still - they went 15 UP the slight hill first!

[janeho]

Inspiring.
I know a bloke who is in his eighties, has had both his knees replaced and still enjoys cycling and mountain walking.
Recently he went on a cycling trip and cycled the length of the Scottish Hebbridean islands - not known for their good weather or flat going.