Before the invention of spinning classes, and before stationery bicycles even existed at all, people used to ride actual mobile bicycles in order to move from one place to another.
- Fred Mathes, photo courtesy of the Fresno Bee
Case in point, the utterly fantastic FRED MATHES of Madera Ranchos, California, who at 92, is still riding the Schwinn cruiser he’s had since his days working on the Marshall Islands. His bicycle is older than me, by 18 years.
What is Fred’s take on why riding bicycles is so great?
“(It’s about) the breeze in your face, the exercise, and the constant change of scenery. It’s the frosting on the cake. Plus, it doesn’t wear out your knees and hips.”
At 92, Fred’s seen every state in the Union– except Michigan. He wrote to Schwinn to even tell them about his dedication to their brand for 56 years. They sent him socks.
I say Schwinn owes him a trip to next week’s Michigander Bicycle Tour, so he can complete his collection of the Coffee Mugs of the 50 United States in the best way– in the saddle!
Note: Thanks to CT Post, Diane Marcum at the McClatchy-Tribune and the Fresno Bee for source material.
Bicycling is great!! I only wish we had more roads that I felt safe riding on.
COME RIDE RAGBRAI WITH US IN TWO WEEKS!! We’re riding the Ames to Tama day, which just happens to run through the great, wonderful town of Nevada!
I think we just need to keep moving until you finally get to a place where bicycles are a good thing on the road. Then you have arrived!
Colin and I both road in London. There isn’t any such thing as “safe” but I do think cities, even if they are jammed with cars, are more logical for bikes. After all, you can stop at any time and get a beer!