How cycling changed my life...
Peter Langford, 85, from Suffolk, took up serious cycling when he retired 20 years ago and has never looked back…
WHEN DID YOU START CYCLING?
“I took up cycling after retiring as a vicar 20 years ago. I remember cycling and camping as a teenager but it’s only now that I get to spend a good amount of time on the bike.”
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO KEEP ON CYCLING?
“I’ve experienced some of the UK’s most breathtaking landscapes by bike, and I enjoy being out in the fresh air, but the health benefit that come with riding a bike is one of my top motivators.”
HOW DOES CYCLING HELP YOU KEEP FIT?
“My physiotherapist suggested I started cycling because, unlike other activities, it doesn’t put too much pressure on your joints and helps to strengthen the muscles, which support your knees. That’s not to say it cures arthritis. But, for me, cycling is one of the easiest ways to get my heart racing without causing any discomfort, and I really believe that regularly going out on two wheels has contributed to my good health over the years.”
WHERE DO YOU RIDE?
“I ride with my local club once a week. We’ll do a 20-30 mile ride from Beccles and stop for coffee on route. I travelled through a lot of incredibly beautiful countryside through Scotland, between Loch Lomond and Inverness. Our club runs a three-day U3A sportive ride each summer, and I’ll possibly be leading the next one. I also ride with my sons, daughter and nephew up to Wells-nextthe-Sea on the Norfolk coast.”
BIGGEST CYCLING ACHIEVEMENT?
“For my 85th birthday, I decided to take on the epic challenge of travelling over 1000 miles by bike from Land’s End to John O’Groats for the third time. I remember the first time – I managed to raise £28,000 for charity but I thought to myself, ‘Never again!’ I was using an old bike and I was underprepared, so I found the whole journey incredibly difficult, both physically and mentally. This time, I cycled 2500 miles in the runup to the challenge. I was determined to get out on my bike, come rain, shine or gale force winds, cycling up to 100 miles a week.”
GET IN TOUCH...
Has cycling changed your life? Email us at cyclingplus@immediate.co.uk
FOR MY 85 TH BIRTHDAY, I TOOK ON THE CHALLENGE OF RIDING FROM LAND’ S END TO JOHN O’ GROATS