Cycling Without Age—Seniors Hit The Road!
Winter 2024 Issue
By Cynder Sinclair, PhD
Edna donned her fanciest blouse and a bright blazer in anticipation of her favorite activity. She perched on the half-wall to wait, eyes glued to the entryway. At 89, she felt giddy as a schoolgirl.
Edna heard her chariot before she saw it. Actually, she heard the pilot-cyclist whistling a happy tune as he pedaled closer—her knight in shining armor.
John Seigel Boettner, Chief Enchantment Officer of Cycling Without Age, stopped in front of Edna, extending a hand to help her onto the trishaw, a three-wheeled cycle with a bench seat in the front. Once settled, she beamed with delight. Edna has admitted to once wearing a disguise to sneak in two rides the same day.
“I love bringing joy to older folks,” said Boettner. “This joy is reciprocal, giving as much to the pilot as to the passengers.”
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy says loneliness has become an epidemic in the U.S., especially with older adults (see Gary Linker’s column on this subject on page ___). Dr. Murthy reports that 50% of American adults say they experience loneliness, most being elderly.
According to the National Council on Aging, social isolation and loneliness hinder good health, putting older adults at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and even death.
Cycling Without Age (CWA) is a worldwide movement that aims to provide joy and vitality to older adults through the magic of cycling. For the hundreds of older adults in our community who are isolated and experience significant loneliness, CWA helps to set them free if only for an hour each week.
“Many of our members are living with mild to advanced cognitive challenges,” said Kathryn Westland, Executive Director of Friendship Center, which provides day services for older adults. “They look forward to the friendly CWA pilots showing up to take them on their cycling adventures. This lets them experience the outdoors, enjoying the movement and feeling the wind in their hair, which many of them have not felt in months or years.”
There are nine facilities that the volunteer CWA pilots visit to take seniors for bike outings, including Heritage House, Mariposa, Mission Villa, Friendship Center, Maravilla, Valle Verde, Garden Court, Hillside, and Alexander Gardens.
Weekly outings with CWA treat sets of two “riding partners” to one-hour rides around the neighborhood.
“It gets them outside under the sky with fresh air, trees, and ocean views,” said Melissa Cunningham, CWA Manager. “Many are in memory care units and no longer have language skills, but they relish every minute.”
As the pilot pedals the bike through the invigorating breezes with two passengers snugly buckled into the front bench, they wave and greet everyone, even dogs. Instant smiles reward their efforts at every turn.
“Joy is guaranteed and puts a smile on your face,” said Boettner. “When is the last time someone waved to you in your car?”
The seniors often share bits of their life stories with the pilots as they ride along. The simple act of sharing a bike ride weaves a sense of community and inspires the sharing of unique and invaluable stories, freed by the wind and the wheels.
“During the war, the boys would come ashore for dances at the Armory or the Vets Hall,” Margie reminisced. “I was only 16 and the rules said you had to be 18 to go, so I just faked my I.D.”
Margie eloped to New Orleans to marry her Marine. They moved back to Santa Barbara and raised a family on The Mesa.
Cheryl said, “My grandfather rebuilt the Old Mission after the earthquake, and after that he built the Granada Theater. My dad took over the company. Do you know Earl Warren Showgrounds? That was one of his projects.”
One bright August day, Boettner gave Alex and his wife Sarah a ride through a 5k course. Alex was a 17-time Boston Marathon runner who developed a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that has confined him to a wheelchair.
Thanks to Boettner, Alex completed one final “run” where he proudly wore a few of his Boston Marathon medallions. The marathon runner will be forever grateful for this thrill—breezing through the streets with the sun on his face.
“I always thank the CWA pilots for the joy they bring to our wonderful residents,” said Rev. Edgar A. Mohorko, Activities Manager at Heritage House. “To see the smiles and great joy of our amazing residents is inspiring.”
“We are always inviting financial donations so we can maintain the trishaws in good working condition and purchase new ones,” said Boettner. “The theme for our fundraising campaign this year is Tithings of Great Joy. We hope readers will include CWA in their holiday giving this year. The joy is guaranteed!” https://cwasb.org/donate/
Call to schedule a ride: 805-284-1697