Tom Stormcrowe

He winks at luck and a life of music, then pedals on.

By JOSEPH DITS
Tribune Staff Writer

Carl Grove is holding his own in a pack of 14 cyclists. The pace is stiffer than guys a quarter of his age could stand — 20.2 mph for the day. He stops short of whining. He doesn't want to wear himself out for that 40-kilometer race a week later. But the early morning sun is spectacular on Berrien County's leafy back roads. The air is dry.

"Gotta have some fun," he says on the ride last Sunday — on his 80th birthday.

To celebrate, the pack of friends ride his age with him: 80 miles. Actually, 82 miles.

More at https://www.southbendtribune.com/apps...WS01/807200324

(By the way, his Mom is still alive and living on her own at 101! Cool beans!)

I hope I can do this when I'm in my 80's.

maddmaxx 

One would hope that the biking helped to get him there.

George

WOW, is that a story or what. It makes me feel good to read stuff like that, thanks Tom.

Bob Ross

today's Road Bike Review newsletter had this tidbit on Carl Grove:

If you ever get discouraged about your progress on the bike as you age, have we got a great story for you.
RBR reader Alan Fassler sent us an email about the exploits of 82-year-old Carl Grove, who last year became an “overnight sensation” in winning a national championship, and two weeks ago followed it up with a world title at the World Masters Cycling Championships in Austria. [The World Masters Cycling Federation event is separate from the UCI’s worlds, and offers competition for the over-70 classifications. This year’s event drew close to 2,000 racers from over 35 countries.]
Grove, who admits he’s a “freak of nature,” has an unusually high VO2 max and the almost unheard of ability to add muscle mass at his age. (He attributes his lung power to his career as a sax soloist in the U.S. Navy Band. Do I smell a new cycling training program in this?) He followed a regimented 9-month training program to prepare for last year’s Nationals and carried it through to this year’s Worlds.
The results speak for themselves: He won both the TT and road race in the 80-and-over category at Nationals last year in the searing heat of Louisville, Kentucky, in early August. Then, two weeks ago in Austria, he won the world title in the TT -- by a whopping 3 minutes, 37 seconds, at a speed of 39 km/h (24.2 mph). He took 3rd and 4th in two other races.
Click here (or maybe it's here) to read a news story of his accomplishments at the 2010 Nationals, along with some of his personal tips about how to stay fit as you age (it’s a year old, but still relevant). His parting quote in the story is certainly worth repeating here:
"I just want to create enthusiasm for what older people can do if they'll just get off their duff," Grove said. "I like when what I do encourages somebody else."