73-year-old adventure biker

**Blatman** · 19th April 2009, 18:14

I love these stories about adventure rides, this guy was 73 and headed off to South America on a 125cc!

Why would a reasonably sane man in his 70s ride the length of Hispanic America on a small motorcycle - a man who is overweight, suffered two minor heart attacks, has a bad back and survives on a small pension? Age has much to do with it. My wife is younger by almost 30 years. I suspect that our late-teenage sons find me an embarrassment. I am mistaken for their granddad - or an old tramp. And my tales of past travels bore them.

So an attempt to prove to myself and to my family that I can hack it? And to others of my age that solo travel remains possible and an enlivening experience.

I chose a Honda 125cc for the journey, the original pizza delivery bike. I could buy it new in Mexico for £1,200; it's built in Brazil, and spares are available throughout Hispanic America; it does 120 miles to the gallon; my legs have sufficient strength to hold it upright and I can lift it after a fall.

Finance and time governed my preparations. I bought a thick jumper and a pair of strong Church's walking shoes in a Hereford charity shop, packed thermals and a six-month supply of heart medication. Insurance? For a biker in his 70s? I don't think so......
Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/200...-bike?page=all

**mattian** · 19th April 2009, 18:19

Thats bloody awesome....... quite frankly, inspirational.

**duckonin** · 19th April 2009, 18:25

Age has nothing to do with anything untill your dead..Go hard do it all..

**Forest** · 19th April 2009, 19:06

I hope I'm even half that awesome at 73.

**Blatman** · 19th April 2009, 19:10

And a wife 30 years younger than him - dirty bugger, lucky sod

**Ixion** · 19th April 2009, 19:19

His first time on a bike in 40 years ! These buggers keep raising the bar for the rest of us.

**tri boy** · 19th April 2009, 19:38

Douglas Sutherland is also a late seventy something who has ridden through India, Turkey, Australian out back and dozens of other remote places also.
Life member m/cycling Australian for his dedication to the sport and a inspiration for all riders.
I had the pleasure to ride the Taglung, and Kardung La with this wiry old coot.
We are humbled by these gentlemen and their abilities