Cyclist aged 75 plans 200-mile charity ride
Published: April 13, 2007
A PLUCKY granddad is getting on his bike to try to cycle 200 miles in less than 12 hours - at the age of 75.
Grandfather-of-four Jim Goodwin, of John Street, Eckington, who turns 75 in July, is also hoping to break a record on the way.
“I am not nervous about the challenge at all,” said Jim, who will be raising cash for Macmillan Nurses.
“I’m very confident that I can hit the 200-mile target within the hours and if I still have some time to spare then I am going to try for an age record. The current age record for a 75-year-old is 221 miles in 12 hours and I’m hopeful that I could do around 225.”
The trial itself is actually a race but retired plumber Jim is not interested in his ranking, he just wants to complete the challenge he has set for himself.
“I have asked people to sponsor me to do the 200 miles in 12
hours and I can’t expect them to pay up if I don’t,” he said. “I wouldn’t dare fail the challenge, there are too many people supporting me.”
Jim, a member of the Sheffield Phoenix Cycling Club, has been cycling for almost 60 years. He holds several Veteran championship awards for time trialling and goes cycling most days.
“I decided to do the trial in aid of Macmillan Nurses after I got one of their letters through the door asking me to donate £2 a month,” said Jim, who lives with his wife Win. “I didn’t want to mess about with a direct debit so I phoned them and said I will do this one off event and donate everything I make instead. They sent me out a fundraising pack straightaway. I have collected more than £300.”
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