A cyclocross cardiologist buddy of mine from Louisville, ://www.drjohnm.org/2014/02/100-is-the-new-80-if-you-are-good-to-yourself-and-lucky/”>John Mandrola, from Louisville, sent me a link to a Frenchman, Robert Marchand, who at 102, set a new hour record on the track. He rode 16.7 miles. If I can ride 16 mph on a bike when I’m 102, I’ll be stoked.
Right now about 1 out of every 10,000 of Americans live to 100. That is changing, but not super fast. I doubt many of the 100 year old here ride their bikes much. I’ve never been convinced that racing bikes is very healthy for your body. At least to the extent I do it. I’m sure if I would have done a “toned down” career, it would be beneficial, but that wasn’t happening.
Anyway, chapeau to you Robert. I hope you break your record at 110.
102 year old Robert Marchand after setting the hour record yesterday.
… and he wasn’t even wearing a TT helmet. Impressive.
Pretty Amazing! I wonder if they drug tested post record? Tongue in cheek! : )
If he’s able to ride that distance at that age, most likely he isn’t using *and* hasn’t used PEDs.
there’s more to this story – four months ago, he rode 62 miles: “Marchand’s original record was set on February 17th 2012 at the World Cycling Centre in Aigle. On September 28th 2013 he went to the Parc de la Tête d’Or Velodrome in Lyon and rode 300 laps, totalling 100 kilometres.
He covered that distance in four hours 17 minutes 27 seconds, again setting a new standard.
“I feel like a guy who is a hundred years old, I feel good. I’m an ordinary guy,” he said then, showing considerable modesty. “I rode a bike for 52 years, it is not new today.”
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/16245/Robert-Marchand-smashes-his-own-hour-record-at-102-years-of-age.aspx