Part III: More Forever Young Guests

The stories continue to pour in. This week we’ll read about the FOREVER YOUNG journeys of two special (multiple trip) past guests who are over 60 and still humming! The sharing of these stories continues to enlighten us with real life accounts of the benefits of riding, affirming that it keeps us young and only inspires us to do more!

Jim Hoffman, age 67

Tuscan Fantasy ’98, Tuscany & Elba ’00, Dolomite Adventure ’00, Campione ’01, Giro d’Italia ’03, Bike Across II ’04, Tour de France ’04, Piedmont ’05, Maratona ’07, Maratona ’08, Giro 100th Anniversary ’17

Jim cycling in Slovenia

When did you start cycling and why? I started cycling when I was three.  I had a wagon tethered to my bike so I could haul my important stuff, including tools, scraps of wood and Button Nose, the family dog.  I rode a bike to class in college.  I never competed until the age of 45.  It was then that I took on cycling as a pathway to fitness, comradery and a way to see my world.

How has cycling contributed to your physical and mental health and well-being, your own fountain of youth? When I was 22, I topped out at 195 pounds.  Only 5’6, that was a lot.  At 45 I went from 155 to 145, where I remain today.  My blood pressure and heart rate are all at the low end of the scale for someone my age.  And since cleaning up my diet 20 years ago, I haven’t had a serious illness.  When I am stressed or feeling low, there’s nothing like a bike ride to recalibrate.

Have you had any obstacles that impeded your cycling/surgery, disease, etc and how did cycling help you get your health back? When I started training hard, I was getting a sinus infection at the end of each training period.  Once I cleaned up my diet, that stopped.  I also was having some hip joint pain at one point.  I went the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine and had an excellent bike and shoe fitting.  It has never recurred.

How do you feel when you ride a bike compared to other physical activities? I like a variety of physical activities. Biking offers wind in my face, the warmth of sun on my back and the ability to modulate my effort at any time.  It also provides me with the opportunity for high intensity, low impact exercise.

What keeps you riding now?  Hey, it’s ride or fade away.

Pedal Your Passion means that cycling is a way for each of us to discover and enjoy other passions–food, travel, wine, photography, meeting new people. So what passion do you pedal? I have a passion for new places, seen from my bike.  While traveling extensively for work, I have ridden my bike in 11 countries.  One Sunday morning in April 99, I rode laps around the Royal Palace in Japan.  I have ridden in Slovenia, Austria and Italy on one ride. I also love good food and good wine/beer.  Riding allows me to enjoy those – both to access them and to burn it

What about a Ciclismo Classico tour makes you feel forever young?  Every trip has a feature that makes me say, “Wow, I have never experienced this!” That’s learning and that’s rejuvenating and that keep me young.

What other kind of cycling do you do?  Regular club rides, something called the Church of the High Pines ride on Sundays.  It’s predominated by Cat1/2 riders.  Trying to hang in there, I sometimes see the face of God.  Mountain biking is something I have taken up this year.  Still working to build a circle of like riders, as I don’t ride the trails around here alone.

How often do you ride? I ride 3-5 times a week. That is ramping up as I train for my next CC trip.

Where are you traveling to next on your bike? I am following the Giro d’Italia for its 100^th anniversary with Ciclismo Classico!

Join me!

Larry Scancarelli, age 60

Tuscany & Elba ’96, Bike Across Italy ’97, Tuscany & Elba ’98, Bike Across Italy ’99, Tuscan Fantasy ’01, Assaggio Toscana ’16

Larry with his wife Nan in Tuscany, May 2016

When did you start cycling and why? While I had a bike as a kid, we lived in Manhattan, so I did little cycling. I was reintroduced to cycling by a close woman friend when I was about 37 and had a mt bike for many years.

How has cycling contributed to your physical and mental health and well-being, your own fountain of youth?I have cycled almost daily for more than 25 years; I also swim about 4-5 miles/week.

Have you had any obstacles that impeded your cycling/surgery, disease, etc and how did cycling help you get your health back?Over three years ago I had heart surgery-repair of a very leaky metal valve; I was back on the bike in 20 days.

How do you feel when you ride a bike compared to other physical activities? Cycling is easy, relaxing and very convenient, as I live 1/2 block from Golden Gate Park, a mile from the Presidio and 2-3 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge; I am still a pretty strong cyclist, and not a strong runner anymore.

What keeps you riding now? Habit, discipline and the endorphins!

Pedal Your Passion means that cycling is a way for each of us to discover and enjoy other passions–food, travel, wine, photography, meeting new people. So what passion do you pedal? Since I live in SF, and am very social, I don’t need cycling to discover and enjoy other passions, except for Ciclismo and Italy; my wife Nan is also into it.

What about a Ciclismo Classico tour makes you feel forever young? I love exploring Italy, learning more about the food, wine, history, language, and culture, and with the help of the stupendo Ciclismo guides. Fellow Ciclismo as on a tour are always good fellow travelers.

What other kind of cycling do you do? Just regular daily riding for recreation.

How often do you ride? Every day, rain or shine (it doesn’t get colder than about 40F in SF).

Where are you traveling to next on your bike? No plans as of yet.

But hopefully soon!