Part II: Forever Young Guest Stories

We heard from several more past guests this week about how cycling and bicycle touring continues to keep them healthy, vibrant and young. There is no denying it! The sport of cycling continues to enrich the lives of many far into the later years of life. Read more here as Ciclismo Classico guests share their tales about slowing down the pace while remaining forever young at heart!

Photo above: Guest Julie Gould and I sharing a cafè on Bike Across Italy, 1997

Barry Goldstein, 71 years old

Provence ‘11, Piedmont ‘10, Puglia ‘01, La Bella Sicilia ‘99, Mediterranean Island Hopping ‘97

I began taking organized bike trips about 40 years ago. The trips provided such insight and education about the people, culture, food and environment. I cannot remember an organized bike trip that I have taken that was not an exceptional experience. My last outing to Burgundy, France was a celebration of my 70th birthday. What is great about getting older is the ability to adjust how hard and how far you want to ride. Even with bad weather, which occurs occasionally, there is the evening get together for dinner with the other bikers where stories can be shared. The educational parts of the organized tours provide a wonderful background of the area visited. It seems after a trip, the memories stay with you forever. As a lover of wine, these trips offer a wonderful way of learning about the specific region where the grapes are grown.

As I have a bone on bone knee problem, biking is one of the activities I can still do, where as I have been unable to continue skiing, running or even playing tennis.

For me, biking is such a wonderful way to:

-Stay in shape
-When on an organized trip, meet the people of the country or area; see a part of the world in a moderately paced way to understand a little more about the people and culture
-Meet other bikers who enjoy the same activity whom with you may become long time friends
-Be active outdoors in such a unique way

When I bike in my home town of Aspen, I can enjoy the beauty of the mountains and know that my activity hopefully keeps me younger for longer.

Julie Gould, 61 years old

Tuscan Fantasy ’96, Bike Across Italy ’97, Piedmonte ’98, Venice to Bologna ’99, Spoleto to Siena ’01,

Cinque Terre walk ‘13

I remember my dad teaching me to ride a bike on training wheels when I was five years old growing up in Oakland, California. I’ve been riding ever since, mainly for fun rides and transportation at college. My first trip with Ciclismo Classico in 1996 was different: three friends and I decided to see Tuscany and its hills on a bike. We trained but, of course, not enough. And who can mimic the hills of Tuscany in the Washington, D.C. area?

The first day of our Tuscan Fantasy tour, based out of the Castello di Montegufoni near Florence, we cycled past olive groves and sunflower fields on relatively flat back roads. No problema. Then, we turned the corner and faced a hill that looked like a mountain. With no distance to build up any forward propulsion, we each fell like bowling pins! That’s when we learned from our guides about ‘belly breathing’ and to shout ‘forza’ (‘strength’ in Italian) as motivation to keep on pedaling.

I love the cycling experience that Ciclismo offers: challenging cycling, beautiful routes, nice hotels that always had hot water, great food and wine and caring guides that want to have fun as well as a safe, adventurous trip. I was hooked and went on to sign up for three more Ciclismo trips in as many years. I also biked the Pan Mass Challenge (190 miles in two days!) for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute with the Ciclismo team.

My passion for pedaling is to document my travels with a camera. I was a photojournalist in college and as an encore career, have just started my own pet photography business (www.BrightEyesPhotosDC.com). While cycling in Italy, I seemed to always be chasing dogs much to the dismay of my guides. In Piedmont, for example, the region famous for Barolo and Barbaresco wines and truffles, I sought out cani di tartufo or ‘truffle dogs’ in the fall of 1998, as they were a farmer’s most prized possession and treated like royalty. So, these are three passions fulfilled for me: healthy exercise, photography and love of dogs. Nowadays, I’ve been hiking from Peru to New Zealand with my hiking friends. We call ourselves “”Team Forza””!  

Next trip? Hiking the Italian Dolomites with Ciclismo Classico for our next “”Team Forza”” adventure!    

Don Logie Jr., 70 years old

Costa Brava ‘16, Heart of Tuscany ‘14, Assaggio ‘13, Piedmont ’13, Andalucia ‘11

I started cycling as an adult when my fiancee hounded me into taking a ride with her. I had to borrow the bike of one of her girlfriends!

I think of cycling as meditation in motion. When I cycle, I think a lot, relax in a way, and generally enjoy the day and surroundings. It simultaneously helps me control my weight and I enjoy eating. I don’t get sick very often, and I think that cycling helps with that.

Eight years ago, I shattered my elbow when I hit a large pothole while cycling. I got back on the bike in a couple of months and took a previously scheduled October trip in Andalucia. Three years ago, I separated my shoulder while riding when I was stung in the head by a bee and fell over. For this reason, I postponed a trip to Piedmont for a month. I flew to Europe a week after being discharged from physical therapy. Unfortunately, halfway through that trip, I got a bad sore throat because I seriously overdressed on a cool day. I am a hypothyroid. I take synthroid for this. In 2015, I couldn’t ride the last day of my Tuscany trip because I woke up very tired on that day. Two weeks after my return home, my physical exam disclosed that my synthroid dosage was a bit low. If the dosage is low, energy levels and physical capabilities are diminished. It obviously had been low during the trip, and I believe that the low dosage had some effect on my energy level that last day. My thyroid level was normal during the Costa Brava trip, and I was able to complete it.

I like being outside, as I can see things and places that I couldn’t otherwise see and I always bring cameras with me. One is small enough to carry on a bike. On my Tuscany trip, I wasn’t about to miss the visit to the amazing winery, Nostra Vita in Montalcino.

I try to ride three times per week, weather permitting, of course. No snow riding! I am a recreational, touring rider. I do club rides around Connecticut. I’ve been riding alone a lot this year and covered 2,299 miles. That is over 50% more than I’ve ever done. I have never been and will not become a speed rider by today’s standards. The Lance Armstrong experience is not important to me.

Next Trip? Friuli & Slovenia. I select rides partially based on places that I want to visit or look interesting. During the Friuli trip, for example, I could visit Trieste, and I could get to Venice, one of my favorites.

Phil Faris, 65 years old

Chile ‘16, Austria & Czech Republic ‘12, New Zealand ‘10, Piedmont ‘06, Puglia ‘01, Bike Across Italy ‘96

As most kids growing up in the 50s did the same, I rode everywhere. I began riding more seriously in 1986 when my knee arthritis (after multiple surgeries from football injuries) prevented me from participating in other impact type sports. My wife Cindy and I began riding together in the late 80s and biking vacations became our main way of travel from that poing on.

Without cycling, my physical and mental well-being would be greatly impaired. I have been able to incorporate biking into my surgical practice both by riding to work and taking noon-time rides.

I was able to continue riding until my knee arthritis became too painful to pedal (and stand in surgery). However, I was able to ride for many years before this happened. After my knee replacement, riding became my main rehab activity beginning two weeks after surgery.

Riding allows me to continue being active. We have traveled with a few other companies, but Ciclismo Classico is always our favorite and many of their trips happen to be on our bucket list.  

Cindy and I ride several times each week, wherever we can (donut ride!). We ride with our kids and grandkids as well. They love it. I have also mountain biked with the grandkids.

Next Trip? Mediterranean Island Hopping

{{cta(‘6b20f5ad-659e-4cfb-b19b-f067641362ac’)}}