82-year-old cycles his millionth mile
The 82-year-old retired civil servant rode a mere five-mile ride from his home in Aldershot.
ENGLAND (Reuters) - Russ Mantle’s 67-year love affair with his bike has grown stronger with every pedal stroke and on Thursday (November 7) he created a piece of history by becoming the first Briton to clock up one million registered miles (1.6 million km) in his lifetime.
The 82-year-old retired civil servant rode a mere five-mile (eight-km) ride from his home in Aldershot, to a cafe in Mytchett, Surrey, near London to complete the one million miles. Mantle has recorded his mileage since he got his first bike - a Coventry Eagle - in 1952.
He has meticulously made note of every ride in his diaries as he made short trips to work, participated in local races and pedalled up the mountains in Europe and America.
Mantle conceded he is not able to cycle as much as he would like due to his age, but still manages 25 to 30 miles (40 to 48km) in the saddle every other day.
"This year I’ll do about 8,000 which is going to be my lowest ever," he said.
"These days I cycle about 25 to 30 miles every other day, I’m used to doing so much more. My fitness has always been great but over the last three years it has deteriorated."
