“Why Not Have a Crack?” – 74-Year-Old Cyclist Shares Her Journey From Start to Beating Her Own Records in Two Categories at the Southland Track Championships

‘It is never too late to begin’ and ‘age is just a number’ are motivational phrases that are thrown around quite frequently. An elderly couple from Southland, New Zealand, made the news after shattering several cycling records at the Southland Track Championships. They held the competition for a period of three days at the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome.

Jock Hughes and Pete Grandiek, their relentless pursuit of excellence and never say die attitude, has won the hearts of many. Hughes, especially, has a unique story very when it comes to competitive cycling. The cyclist started her journey only 16 months ago, but she’s now breaking records and setting new ones, writing her name in the history books. What a terrific turn around!

74-year-old cyclist shatters records

Hughes’ journey is nothing but inspirational and a great lesson for people that there is no mountain too tough to climb. She started at an age where majority people would think of giving up, but such was her mindset that she powered through.

A 92-year-old Peter Grandiek cycling and breaking records for fun is also nothing short of peak motivation. How can young adults give an excuse for a workout or stay lazy after reading about these triumphs? Only they would know.

She already clocked the record time in the 70-74 age bracket before the start of the championship, with a time of 47.652, bettering Margaret Speed’s 47.801 back in 2015. Based on her biological age, Hughes had shot at the 500m time trial for 70-74 category, but because of cycling age grading guidelines, they pushed her to the 75-79 bracket.

“Honestly, I am still shocked and surprised I managed to bike so well,” she said.

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It is never too late to shine

After giving a record breaking performance one category just an hour earlier, Hughes saved the best for the last. Battling cramps and a tired body, the cyclist monster bettered her previous performance by an entire second. She managed to set a record for 75-79 age bracket and also shattered all previous records of 500m.

“I ended up beating the time I set in the younger age grade about an hour earlier by nearly a second, when I gave the 500m time trial in the new division a crack. I was pretty chuffed with that effort,” said Hughes.

If you thought it was over, thing again! Hughes bagged another record in the 200om individual pursuit. She finished the race with a time of 3.26.060 minutes and capped off a brilliant day. Whichever category she entered, she put on a record-breaking performance. This is the stuff dreams are made of!

“I never ever thought I would be competing in cycling races. I kind of jumped on my bike, gave it a go and loved it, and haven’t looked back since,” said the champion.

To go from a rookie cyclist to a multiple record-holding cyclist in only 16 months, at the age of 74, is a feat that deserves all the praise it can get. Jock Hughes is a great example of what happens when a person has a firm belief. There is no road too bumpy and no destination too far if one puts one’s mind to it. Hughes’ next focus is the New Zealand Masters in March, where the athlete will be hungry to add to her medals tally.

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