Fifty Plus (50+) - Here's a 80+ rider starting a TransAm tour worth following...

Hi all,

Over at www.crazyguyonabike.com (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com) tonight I spotted a journal of an 81-year-old bike tourist who is getting ready to leave on his dream tour -- from Sacramento to St. Augustine. From what he's written, he's highly experienced and well prepared, and ready to leave in a few days. His wife is suffering from Alzheimer's and apparently is in a care facility, but is headed back home in a few months. So he is going to take off on his dream tour while he can.

Here's the link to his profile -- at the bottom of this profile page you can then click on the link to his journal, "Solo Tour of the Southwest."

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/kengp



As you may know, if you register at CrazyGuy you can leave comments in his guestbook as well...

Thanks for the link, I'll have to keep an eye on that one.

Bump - this rider is now a couple of weeks into his tour; has done about 600 miles in 13 days. Is working his way down into the desert of Southern California and in a couple of days will turn East and head to Florida.

He turns 82 in a few weeks - it's a pretty inspiring journal, and a quick read (he doesn't post long entries).

Bump - this rider is now a couple of weeks into his tour; has done about 600 miles in 13 days. Is working his way down into the desert of Southern California and in a couple of days will turn East and head to Florida.

He turns 82 in a few weeks - it's a pretty inspiring journal, and a quick read (he doesn't post long entries).

I'll have to send it to my Dad, make him feel guilty. ;)

Thanks for posting this, just read his progress to date, an amazing person and a source of inspiration for us young 'uns.

I'm bumping this thread again just to note that Ken Payton is still moving along. He's 982 miles into his tour; last night he got delayed by a broken chain so he had to stealth camp. He arrived in a small town after the only restaurant closed so dinner was a Power Bar.

Next week is his 82nd birthday....amazing journal.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=4767&v=4b

An amazing story.

Thanks for sharing this inspiring story! Hope I'm still touring in my 80's.

Here's a direct link to his journal:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=4767&v=4b


(his 82 b-day is on 4/24, wish him a Happy in the guest section)

Yes, I've been watching his ride from the start. It just goes to show your never to old, I think.

Very cool indeed! Thanks for sharing the story , I will be sure to keep track of his progress.

Bump. Today is Kenneth's 82 nd birthday. I'm sure he would appreciate birthday greetings from cyclists. Just click on the contact button on his journal. http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=4767&v=5N

Bump again - Ken Payton is still going strong, just logged into his journal today after about a 5 or 6 day break. He's been cycling in 100-degree weather near Del Rio, Texas, mainly camping the past few nights.

He's done nearly 1,700 miles in all...

Another bump. Ken Payton still rolling along. He's at 2,200 miles plus, should be in Louisana by tomorrow. He's a little nervous about being able to make it to Florida before he has to end his tour, but it appears to me his pace is picking up.

We met Ken in Marfa, Tx, after he rode in from Van Horn TX.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/TMT%20BB%20Ride/FourOldFarta.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/TMT%20BB%20Ride/74miles.jpg

another bump

My wife and I check his journal every morning. He appears to be getting stronger all the time. We live in St Aug and look forward to meeting him at some point.

Mike

He appears to be getting stronger all the time.



It looks like that to me, too. Pretty impressive.

Ken has made it to Florida! He's now over 2,900 miles for his journey. Looks like he will finish the trip in a few days.

I've been enjoying reading this one too. His reports are pretty concise. I don't know if he's inspiring or discouraging for some of the elderly in my church I've shared this with. He's inspiring to me.

Ken is almost finished with his tour - he's in Northern Florida, a couple of days (at most) from St. Augustine, Florida. He's making excellent time and is excited about finishing his tour....

Amazing story. Ken should post in our "does anybody feel like a younger person" thread - he looks like a lot of folks I know in their mid 50s. He brinhs me hope.

I saw Bush 1 this week sky diving, I think thats great but at 85 he looks frail and old. Ken looks vigourous.
With the current state of economics my dream of retireing at 55 is gone, so this leads me to have faith that I may have many more years to do these kinds of things after I actually can retire.

GO Ken GO!:thumb: