Port Lincoln Times: Optimism - buying a new bike at 91 years of age

For so many people hooked on it, the love of cycling is so strong that the determination of some older cyclists to keep cycling when other forms of exercise have become impossible for them, is quite amazing. Buying a new bike at age 91 might seem optimistic to some but not to an old Englishman. Here is an excerpt from his letter I found in a newsletter for an English club “The Fellowship of Cycling Old Timers” or COTS for short. “I am now 91 years old, but I still do not wish to give up every form of cycling”

“Unfortunately it is not possible for me to walk or stand up without being held or using a frame, owing to the fact that the veins in both ankles have thickened, and when I am sitting down I have to have my legs 2″ above parallel from the ground. When I stand, the pain is indescribable so to get exercise for my legs I have bought a new 8-speed Shimano Pashley sprung-frame cycle which I sent to Ken Rogers the tricycle specialist who designed and made a rear end.”

He goes on with details of the trike and its gearing then “My wife puts a stool on each side of the trike and I lift my right leg up as far as I can and my wife holds it and pulls it over the twin tubes on the Pashley. She then takes the stools away I go out on about five to six days a week and leave about 9am and keep on the flat roads as much as possible. So I get fresh air and my thighs keep fairly strong; otherwise, as I cannot walk my thighs would wither away”.

What a tough old nut. And another letter on nuts, “We used to ride in winter irrespective of the weather. I remember one ride when it was several degrees below zero, with ice everywhere. After forty miles I stopped at a small cafe for toast and tea and after a few minutes I had terrific pain between my legs.

My …. had obviously been partly frozen and were beginning to thaw out. I picked up a thick paper bag from the counter and when I eventually got outside I put it inside my trousers and had no further trouble after which in winter I always carried a thick brown paper bag, and on many occasions I used it.

Brrrrrrrr.

Would plastic bags have done the same job? There were other letters indicating similar determination, fortitude and endurance which made me wonder about our own Aussie veteran cyclists and in particular those here on Eyre Peninsula.

Ginger Raven has recently revealed his life story including his exploits as a cyclist in Port Lincoln so there must have been a cycling club many years ago in Port Lincoln. So who were the other cyclists? Are they still around? Where did they ride and what were their club colours?

There must be some great stories out there about their club and experiences and there must be interesting bikes in sheds and memorabilia in old trunks somewhere. I wonder if a venue could be found for displaying them so that history will not be lost. It would be great to hear from anyone who would like to share their cycling stories. Arthur can be contacted by email at arthurfarthingATbigpond.com or writing to P.O. Box 782 Port Lincoln.