Bicycling is a Lifelong Sport

In early October a letter arrived in the B.I.K.E.S. post office box, along with Betty Roberts’ membership renewal check.  I spoke to Betty a few days later to ask permission to publish her letter.  She said “That’s what I was hoping for.” 

She also shared her enthusiasm for bicycling and the friendships that she and her husband Lloyd developed through B.I.K.E.S.  Betty has a number of maps for old club rides and will pass them on.

Betty told me that Lloyd rode until about ten years ago.  Please take a few moments to ready Betty’s letter.  It might inspire you to invite a friend to join you on an upcoming B.I.K.E.S. ride.

Debby Grant, Treasurer

Enclosed is a check to renew B.I.K.E.S. membership.  Please renew the membership for just Betty Roberts. Lloyd Roberts passed away in June of this year.  I would like to report to all the new and younger members of B.I.K.E.S. how important B.I.K.E.S. was to Lloyd all these years.

Lloyd started riding a bicycle at the age of 70.  He never had a bicycle as a youngster.  We enrolled in a beginner’s bike class sponsored by Everett Community Schools and taught by Rob White.  It was a six week course on bicycle touring for beginners. 

We joined B.I.K.E.S. in April, 1986 when we became acquainted with Harry Stavert who took us under his wing and helped us by taking us on rides around the area.  I remember when we would come to a hill, Harry would go up it without any difficulty, we struggled to get to the top.  But after many rides we were able to keep up with Harry. 

There were many rides for beginners in B.I.K.E.S. and we went on all of them.  We became acquainted with other B.I.K.E.S. members – Burt & Colleen Scquire, Claudine & Dick Yonke and Bill and Sheila Schneider.  We became sort of a four-some. 

And Harry Stavert and Rob White were also in the group along with other B.I.K.E.S. members. 

We trained for the STP building our mileage up to 80 or 90 miles a day.  In June, 1987, we did the STP… Lloyd was 72 years old. 

After that we went over the North Cascades, went to Victoria BC, Leavenworth, and many more trips too numerous to mention. 

Our bicycles were part of our camping activities… took them all over the country and rode in many interesting places.  Lloyd lived to be 93 (2 months short of being 94). 

Note: It’s never too old to start riding a bicycle!

Betty Roberts