Riding again at 94

[owlice]

Found this on my biking forum; thought I'd share.

Lifelong cyclist, 94, finds her wheels with daughter's help
By Kameel Stanley, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Sunday, May 8, 2011

SEMINOLE — Phyllis Harmon wasn't sure why the young man was handing her a helmet.

The 94-year-old hadn't been on a bike in years.

But on Saturday, the lifelong cyclist and oldest living member of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame found herself at Bicycle Outfitters.

Earlier that morning, Harmon's daughter, Carol Terrazas, 61, had driven her to the shop. There, owner Adam Beland approached the two with matching silver helmets.

And Terrazas revealed her Mother's Day surprise: a tandem bike ride.

More, including video, here: http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninter ... lp/1168455

She didn't like not being able to steer, so they put her in a 'bent, and off she rode!

[orin stepanek]

She looks pretty good for 94! I liked the video but it drove my pop up blocker wild when I clicked on the url. I don't even try to get on any bike except for a stationary exercise bike. Good for her.

[BMAONE23]

Renaining active is one of the best ways to attain centenarian status

[neufer]

Remaining active is one of the best ways to attain centenarian status

But "the 94-year-old hadn't been on a bike in years."

[Beyond]

Like the French woman who gave up smoking at the age of 113. If i remember correctly, she died about two years later. But i don't think she rode a bicycle either.

[owlice]

But "the 94-year-old hadn't been on a bike in years."

Harmon hasn't been able to ride her bike since.

"I've been on the exercise bike, but that doesn't count," she said with a grin.

So she'd been riding; just not going anywhere!

[emc]

See owlice, I have plenty of time to pick up bick riding... maybe I'll wait 'till I'm 95!

[neufer]

See owlice, I have plenty of time to pick up bick riding... maybe I'll wait 'till I'm 95!

Click to play embedded YouTube video.

[owlice]

See owlice, I have plenty of time to pick up bick riding... maybe I'll wait 'till I'm 95!

Ed, might be better to pick up riding now so that you make it to 95!!

neufer, you find the weirdest stuff sometimes!!

[neufer]

neufer, you find the weirdest stuff sometimes!!

Just "sometimes"?

[emc]

See owlice, I have plenty of time to pick up bick riding... maybe I'll wait 'till I'm 95!

Ed, might be better to pick up riding now so that you make it to 95!!

neufer, you find the weirdest stuff sometimes!!

owlice, I reckon your right... and Art has left me no excuse.

[Mon Joie de Vivre]

Just an update. Phyllis went on to ride 5 miles that day and 5 more miles the next day (including an overpass!) She never ceases to amaze!

[rstevenson]

Okay, I'm only two-thirds her age, so I can't brag too much. But a little...

Two weeks ago I went and bought a bike and have been riding it as often as weather permits. (Around here that ain't much, so far this year, but the weather's getting better.) I'm not inclined to sweat recreationally so I just ride it to our small business' office/warehouse and back. Alas for me, I live near the top of a hill and the office is about 2 km away near the bottom, so no matter how creative I become in route selection I inevitably have to ride uphill to get home. [pant, pant, pant]

I'm reminded of the old ever-so-descriptive unit of energy, the foot-pound. Every pound I drag around on that bike has to be raised about 100' to get back home, resulting in, well, um, ... a lot of energy expended. The interesting thing is that by doing that, I will eventually reduce the number of pounds I drag around.

Rob

[Beyond]

See owlice, I have plenty of time to pick up bick riding... maybe I'll wait 'till I'm 95!

"bick" riding Isn't that like "click your Bic". And don't we call people who use writing instruments "pencil pushers"? Interpreted that way, Ed, you are getting exercise already ((conclusion drawn by using 'neuferistic' principles))

[rstevenson]

I thought you might want to see a picture of my bike...

I couldn't get such a big tire into the back part of the frame, so I had to settle for just the one donut tire. Certainly eases the bumps!

Rob

[Beyond]

Doesn't all that sticky 'honey' dip slow you down greatly going up hill

[rstevenson]

No, it's not really a donut B. But now that I think about it, when i went through a puddle this afternoon, the spray did taste a little sweet. Hmmmmm ... .

Rob

[owlice]

Okay, I'm only two-thirds her age, so I can't brag too much. But a little...

Two weeks ago I went and bought a bike and have been riding it as often as weather permits. (Around here that ain't much, so far this year, but the weather's getting better.) I'm not inclined to sweat recreationally so I just ride it to our small business' office/warehouse and back. Alas for me, I live near the top of a hill and the office is about 2 km away near the bottom, so no matter how creative I become in route selection I inevitably have to ride uphill to get home. [pant, pant, pant]

YAY, Rob!!! I'm a hill weenie, and there you are, making your way up the hill every time you bike! Woo-hoo!!

[Ann]

I thought you might want to see a picture of my bike...

donut-bike.jpg

I couldn't get such a big tire into the back part of the frame, so I had to settle for just the one donut tire. Certainly eases the bumps!

Rob

Where are the "rolling on the floor, laughigh out loud" and "clap, clap, clap" smilies? This one will have to do - and maybe I'm green with envy...

Ann

[Beyond]

Ann, my yahoo 'Rolling on the floor' smilies come out like this-->=)) =)) =)) =)). Not really worth it, eh?
And besides, Rob's probably already picked up some coffee on the way home and had it with his tire. Now he'll have to 'run' up and down the hill to work off the 'spare' tire he got from eating that Big donut.

[orin stepanek]

I admire all the effort riding bikes! I just gave my bikes away; as all they did was take up space on the patio. I have two recumbent bikes in the basement which I ride from time to time.

[Beyond]

Ahh, recumbent bikes. The Art of getting nowhere at a leisurely pace.