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105-Year-Old Cyclist Rides 14 Miles in an Hour En Route to a World Record

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21–30 of 114 posts

Re: 105-Year-Old Cyclist Rides 14 Miles in an Hour En Route to a World Record

#22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think I saw a variation on this article that said he started cycling regularly when he was 68. Our city has been taking steps to make bicycle commuting more friendly, but they haven't gone far enough. I really hope we end this absurdity with having too many cars; they are ruining everywhere nice.

> Our city What city is that?

Most American cities ;p

Re: 105-Year-Old Cyclist Rides 14 Miles in an Hour En Route to a World Record

#23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think I saw a variation on this article that said he started cycling regularly when he was 68. Our city has been taking steps to make bicycle commuting more friendly, but they haven't gone far enough. I really hope we end this absurdity with having too many cars; they are ruining everywhere nice.

If he's been doing serious road biking since that age it's probably not something that he's doing on regular streets. Or, he's not just hopping on a bike and taking a leisurely ride down the street for groceries anyway.

>If he's been doing serious road biking since that age it's probably not something that he's doing on regular streets.

Of course he rides on regular streets, he's French. Seeing an elderly woman riding to the shops or a group of lycra-clad pensioners attacking a mountain pass is perfectly normal there.

It is a peculiarly American belief that bicycles are somehow incompatible with motor vehicles. Cyclists need no special facilities, just sane traffic laws that are actively enforced.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be48mIvXZrw

Re: 105-Year-Old Cyclist Rides 14 Miles in an Hour En Route to a World Record

#24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If he's been doing serious road biking since that age it's probably not something that he's doing on regular streets. Or, he's not just hopping on a bike and taking a leisurely ride down the street for groceries anyway.

What basis do you have for either of those claims? What sort of irregular streets do you think "serious" road bikers use, and why do you think serious road bikers don't also use a bike for shopping?

Not sure why you decided to create a throwaway, but it's a valid question.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Marchand_(cyclist)

Aged 35 he finished seventh in the Grand Prix des Nations in 1946.[3] He returned to cycling in 1978[2] and continued training after his 100th birthday.

My point is that the guy has very clearly been training and seriously cycling for a long time. While you can do it on normal city streets, you are often served better to do that on dedicated bike paths or on the open road.

You can reduce the impact of cars all you want and even make your city bike friendly but that's not going to change your ability to really train. It's not crazy to think that his health benefits are from this elevated level of training and not just leisurely cycling.

Re: 105-Year-Old Cyclist Rides 14 Miles in an Hour En Route to a World Record

#25
post #3
post #2

> he set a new record for the 105-plus age group wait, what? That's a thing? How many members of this "group" are there? How many attempts have ever been made?

The age-group was created as a result of his attempt. He is the only one. It's preetty fuckin' baller of him. I bet this record is gonna stand for a while.

Challenge accepted, I'm 34 though :) I really hope I'll have his mental and physical abilities at least.

Re: 105-Year-Old Cyclist Rides 14 Miles in an Hour En Route to a World Record

#26

Mind blown. His diet that consists mainly of fruits and vegetables along with his lean body are likely major factors that contribute to his youth like health at 105.

My grandpa is 96 years old and never owned a car. He rides his bike a few miles almost daily. His diet includes a lot of pork, some fish, veggies, and a crazy amount of bread. He has been lean all his life. He worked hard in the farm, most of his food was from it. So no proceeded food, a lot of physical activities and low stress. Genetics may have something to do with it, my ancestors old passed away around 100 years of age, but the lifestyle is a major factor.

Re: 105-Year-Old Cyclist Rides 14 Miles in an Hour En Route to a World Record

#27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If he's been doing serious road biking since that age it's probably not something that he's doing on regular streets. Or, he's not just hopping on a bike and taking a leisurely ride down the street for groceries anyway.

>If he's been doing serious road biking since that age it's probably not something that he's doing on regular streets. Of course he rides on regular streets, he's French. Seeing an elderly woman riding to the shops or a group of lycra-clad pensioners attacking a mountain pass is perfectly normal there. It is a peculiarly American belief that bicycles are somehow incompatible with motor vehicles. Cyclists need no spec…

You can drive to Plano, Texas and find packs of bikers attacking the open road as well. That's not a video of Marchand in lycra speeding down a Paris boulevard.

Is it a particularly European belief that Americans are unenlightened savages? I mean, we are, but you don't have to assume it.

Re: 105-Year-Old Cyclist Rides 14 Miles in an Hour En Route to a World Record

#28
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it it all necessary, but without great genes to provide rock solid joints, cardiovascular system and lack of debiliating diseases ala alzheimer or Parkinson it wouldn't be possible. For every guy like him, there are thousands and thousands who exercise almost same, have almost as good diet and die in +- normal age, many even earlier (ie cancer, weak heart and so on). At the end it's all about managing probabilities w…

Yes longevity is basically not taking stupid risks and genetic luck on your side. Exercise and eating healthy is about making the longevity you have enjoyable.

If I am able to do at 80 what this guy can do at 105, I will count myself very lucky.

Re: 105-Year-Old Cyclist Rides 14 Miles in an Hour En Route to a World Record

#30
post #3
post #2

> he set a new record for the 105-plus age group wait, what? That's a thing? How many members of this "group" are there? How many attempts have ever been made?

The age-group was created as a result of his attempt. He is the only one. It's preetty fuckin' baller of him. I bet this record is gonna stand for a while.

It's baller, but I wish they would focus on the fact that a 105-year-old is doing what he's doing, not focusing on a "record" that's a 1/1 attempt. Add enough caveats and everyone's a record-holder in something.
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