Jock the 101-year-old biker is still going hell for leathers
YOU won't catch 101-year-old Jock Stares popping to the shops on a mobility scooter – he's believed to be Britain's oldest biker.
Having first jumped on a motorbike at the age of seven, in 1923, Jock still rides his Yamaha 125 every day and has no plans to hang up his leathers.
The retired dentist, from Swansea, said: “Motorbikes are my life. People are always shocked when they find out my age and that I'm still riding around. But every three years I apply to renew my licence and every three years it comes back through the post.
“I even took an unofficial test when I turned 100 and the chap told me I would have passed easily.
“I still feel 25 and as fit as anything – and my birthday is February 29, so technically I've only had 25 birthdays! There's no reason for me to give it up yet.
“I still get the same thrill from my scooter now as I got when I first started riding and when I had big powerful bikes.
“I get excited about going to the shops because it means I get the feeling of being on the road again. There's a true feeling of freedom.
“I'm not stupid about it. The second something happens that means I shouldn't ride any more I'll stop. But that will be a very sad day.
“The bike is my lifeline. I use it to visit my friends and family, and I pop to the shop for milk on it.”
Jock also makes daily trips to three old people's homes so he can sing and play the piano to residents.
Motorcycle-mad Jock has passed on his love of them to son Roger, 76, and continues to try to stoke the passion in his great-grandchildren.
Roger said: “I've really enjoyed all the times we've been out riding though. We have more of a friendship than a father-son relationship and it's always been so much fun.”