80-yearold leads bicycling group

Nan Horvath reached senior citizen status some years ago, but the 80-yearold hasn’t even given backpedaling in life a thought.

In fact, it’s all systems go for the avid biker who regularly leads groups of Cleveland Touring Club members throughout miles and miles of Lake County.

Horvath, of Mentor, took up the sport more than 30 years ago when her mother-in-law gave her an old, 3-speed bike. In order to keep up with her husband, Bruce, also a biker, she upgraded to a 12-speed model.

After learning of the Cleveland Touring Club the couple became members.

In 1986 she decided to initiate a Tuesday evening group ride with the starting point in Concord Township. The first night two people showed up. Since then the assembly of biking enthusiasts has grown. There are now four levels of riders numbering in the dozens who meet Tuesday evenings from spring through fall to enjoy exercise, camaraderie and fun.

Horvath leads the “social” or entry level.

“We ride on the Lake Metroparks and Geauga Park trails,” she said. “We also do a lot of road riding. I am the leader and map the ride as we go. The ride is different every week and gets longer as we have more light in the summer. We ride north to Mentor Headlands Park, west up Little Mountain, south to Chardon and east to Leroy and Madison.”

Social level riders travel at about 10-12 mph while Group “A”, the fastest of the pack, rides at approximately 22 mph. Depending on the amount of daylight, trips can average from 1 ½ to three hours.

Shirley Graves, who lives in Mentor, has been riding with Horvath for three years. Like other club members she appreciates the leader along with the expertise and knowledge she provides.

“Nan probably knows every route and road in her head,” Graves said. “She keeps us going. She’s the Mama Goose and we’re her goslings.”

Chuck Radgowski of Mentor, who has been riding with Horvath for decades, admires her tenacity.

“She always shows up,” he said, and added that her affection for the group is shown in many ways, including passing out popsicles when temperatures are especially hot.

Along with biking about 15 hours and 100 miles weekly while at home, Horvath and her husband practice the sport throughout the U.S.

They’ve enjoyed countless beautiful views of nature and some surprises as well, like encountering a family of wild hogs while biking on a holiday trip in Florida.

“We cycle all over the country and all the trips have memories that are special,” she said. “The trips I remember most are those that I have made lifelong friends. The USA is beautiful, but it’s the people who make the riding interesting.”

This winter they’re looking forward to meeting up with friends on a 200-mile jaunt in the Florida Keys.

For those interested in pedaling up the biking path Horvath recommends buying the lightest road bike possible. Additional required gear includes a helmet, water bottle and mirror. Also, “if you want to enjoy the seat wear padded bike shorts,” she said.

Other advice is to be aware of who is behind and in front of you, riding single file on roads with traffic, and riding on the right side of the road. And she encourages those who are thinking about the sport to follow through.

“Get outside,” Horvath said. “Ohio is beautiful. You see more from a bike.”

For more information on the Cleveland Touring Club, visit www.clevelandtouringclub.org.

SUBMITTED Nan Horvath, 80, of Mentor, is an avid cyclist who has been leading groups of cyclists throughout Lake County for more than 30 years.