When Ted and I were having breakfast at the Travelodge in Cleveland a few days ago we struck up a conversation with a group of 10 bicyclists who were traveling south from Cleveland to just north of Cincinnati. They were at least a decade older than us but just as enthusiastic if not more. Like many enthusiasts they all were wearing the appropriate bicycle garb: high-tech fabric shirts with a bicycle-oriented message, padded shorts and clip-on shoes. For the most part they had very good bikes that were well-suited to their ride.
They were very friendly so during breakfast we chatted them up and they told us of their various trips, how they were arranging for the transport of their luggage and getting cars back and forth. Then they started commenting about how much they ride and one of the riders started to talk about one of their female companions.
“She is the real champ,” said one of the riders. “She has chocked up about 160,000 miles as she rides every day. Nothing stops her.” Ted and I stared at each other incredulously as our virtual jaws dropped to the floor.
Now if you were to look at this person, you would never believe that she has a bicycled more than half-way to the moon. She is a petite woman whom I estimate is north of 80 and closer to 90 if my mother’s friends at Meadow Ridge (an independent living facility) are any indication. But listening to her, she is as sharp as a tack with a body of lean, sinuous leg muscles. The group and their love and dedication to biking gave Ted and me hope that we would be able to continue our adventures for many years to come.
Her friend continued, “I am so far behind her. I have only done 140,000 [miles].”
