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WE'RE BLOWN AWAY by Frank Pierson, a Super Senior who, at 83, graced the winner's podium at the 2007 Huntsman World Senior Games in St George, Utah. As Frank demonstrates, a Bike Friday is for life, especially for those who have zero intention of slowing down ...send congrats to Frank: frankpierson at gmail dot com |
 SNOW CANYON State Park is a gorgeous setting immediately north of St. George, UT, the setting for the Huntsman World Senior Games. I competed in all biking events, four Cycling and three Mountain Biking. I rode my new Air Glide in the first four and my old Fat Chance/IF in the last three. In two of the four cycling events, the Hill Climb (3 1/3 miles) and the Time Trial held elsewhere, I was #1 starter, presumably because at 83 and in Division III, they figured that the oldest guys need all the help and lead time they can get. Next racer after me started one minute later and so on, until all 320 participants, grouped variously by age category, were off. I got to the top with only seven or eight having passed me, and they were all considerably younger. I learned later that some actually walked a bit, which I didn't. Gold medal for me, as you see in the above picture. |
 The other cycling events, one each following day, were: - Time Trial in Springdale just outside Zion - Criterium at Bluff Park in St. George - Road Race from either Ivins (younger categories) or Gunlock (older) to Highway 18 to Snow Canyon to Ivins. I took Gold in Time Trial, Silver in Criterium and Silver in Road Race, my two rivals each being 80. Older category road racers like me started from Gunlock for a 20 mile race. It was 40 miles for "Baby Seniors". The pictures shows the starters broken down into various age groups, me (dark shirt with yellow Hollywood Post 43 lettering about 3/4 way right front) being among the first. Some walked steepest portions of course, but I rode whole thing. I believe that may be another guy with a small wheeled English bike at far right. If so, we were only two small wheelers among 320 cyclists. I was honored to compete with a very famous guy among Senior Cyclists everywhere, Gordy Shields, 89 - a great guy. Compared with his expertise and experience, I'm but a novice though in great health. Next time, Gordy's looking to see what he can do at 90 and I'll be just whipper-snapper at 84! |
After 7 Biking events in St. George I did a four day hike off Grand Canyon North Rim down onto Esplanade with friend Nick Raboff. Altogether fantastic trip taking most of October, my Bike Friday figuring importantly. Although you may not be able to discern this from the pictures, I had some sponsorship by the American Legion Hollywood Post 43. My Post wants to encourage such healthful activities and I want to help them do it. Help promote my message that the older we get, the more exercise we need every day, not the other way around. |
Super Seniors When 'over the hill' means 'nice passing you, young man' |