87 year olds take on the great bike challenge
The annual Great Victorian Bike Ride was a rugged 588 kilometres from Yarrawonga to Marysville but for two 87 year olds it was “just a new challenge” and an event that had a great “party atmosphere”.
Former dairy and beef cattle farmer, Gordon McKeown, is 17 days older than ex-anaesthetist and farmer, John Lane, and was keen to replace him as the oldest person to take part in the ride. He said he bought a new bike with “a granny gear” and there would be “no cheating. I will ride all the way”.
Asked by The Age newspaper why he competed, he said “What else would I do? Sit around like a vegetable? I eat well, just meat, salad, and vegetables and never drink before 5pm and then it’s only a couple of beers because Gladys keeps her eye on me”.
Dr John Lane stopped jogging and started cycling because of an arthritic knee.
He said “I walk badly but can ride without pain” and loves the “party atmosphere” of the Great Victorian Bike Ride which he had already competed in five times.
His training regime included a 12-kilometre round trip from Foster to Leongatha and back to get the newspaper.
“Training becomes a big feature of my life. And though I look in the mirror and see an old man, I don’t feel like one,” Dr Lane said.
