Roy is on charge with electric bike
OAP completes 6000 miles in 12 months
An OAP has just cycled 10,000km – mostly on the highways and byways of rural and urban Stirling district – through the combination of pedal and electric power.
Eighty-year-old retired electrical engineer Roy Baker, of Bridge of Allan, has always liked to keep active through cycling, canoeing and hillwalking.
And determined to keep exercising, he bought an electric bike last December and set himself the target of completing 10,000km (6214 miles) within a year.
It followed Roy’s completion of 5,000 kilometres – under his own steam – on his push bike in 2016.
He said this week: “The electric bike certainly makes cycling a lot more enjoyable. One of my favourite routes is along the Carse Road from Bridge of Allan. Just past Old Keir there is a steep little brae there.
“Previously I had to get off my bike and push, but with the electric bike it is no problem at all. The Sheriffmuir Road is very steep as well, but the battery gives you extra power. It’s a great help.”
Mr Baker bought his ‘Volt Pulse’ electric bike in Dunfermline last December 15 and cycled the 23 miles back home to Bridge of Allan where he lives with his wife Helen, also 80.
Since then he has completed a route from Aberfoyle to Inversnaid and back as well as routes taking in Pendreich, past the Sheriffmuir Inn, Braco and Greenloaning. He has also been cycling on the Lookaboutye Brae in Clackmannanshire.
Last May he cycled round the Isle of Bute to mark his 80th birthday, and during his travels on his bike Roy has taken a number of photographs showing the beauty of the surroundings.
Roy completed his 10,000 kilometre challenge on December 2. He said: “I reached 80 this year. I thought it was now or never to complete 10,000km.
“It meant averaging 27.4km every day whatever the weather. If I missed a day I’d have to make it up another time. It’s only a personal target. I’m not trying to break any records.
“It has been a struggle at times in bad weather.
“The longest ride was 61 kilometres from Aberfoyle round Loch Ard and on to Inversnaid via Stronachlachar and back again. On that occasion I carried my bike to Aberfoyle on a bike carrier which fits on the towbar of my car, but most of my rides start from home.”
Now that the 10,000km target has been reached, Roy aims to move down a gear or two in 2018, but plans to keep pedalling.
“I won’t be setting any targets. I’ll be using my bike purely for pleasure from now on.
“I’ve always enjoyed walking and cycling and intend to continue.
“I don’t think people should think about stopping exercise at a certain age. It’s about having the right frame of mind. You just have to look at (the naturalist and broadcaster) David Attenborough. He keeps going and he’s ten years older than us!”