Photo: Gordy Shields
The “Ride With” Program is an opportunity to meet and ride with some of the most interesting people that ride the San Diego Century. Some are real Legends of Cycling, whose exploits on the bike excite everyone who loves the sport. Some are experts who can offer advice on training, nutrition, cycling technique and the history of the sport. And some are the people who have done incredible things in their life and brought that to their cycling. The San Diego Century Bicycle Tour is privileged to host a wonderful group of cyclists.
Gordy Shields Profile:
We are honored to bring you more information about Gordy Shields, the featured "Ride With" Athlete for this edition.
Gordy will be turning 92 this year, and says that the discs in his lower back are deteriorating. This keeps him from walking too far, but it doesn't keep him from breaking cycling records.
In 2008, In April 2008 while racing in California, Gordy shattered the American record in the 20-kilometer time trial for cyclists 90-and-older. The old record of 57 minutes, 6.89 seconds was set by the late Jack Pardee in 2003. Gordy's time was 44:53.98. That's just the latest in a list of bicycling credits that includes numerous Senior Olympics medals and national championships. He now holds the national time trial records for 3 age groups: 80-84, 85-89 and 90-older.
Incredibly, Gordy did not start cycling until he was 50, when he developed bursitis in his back. Over the 40 years since he began his journey on a bike Gordy has become a well known advocate and activist for bicycling. He was an original member and ten-year chairman of SANDAG (San Diego of the Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee of SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments), a founding member of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC), and a member since 1985 off the long-standing member of San Diego Cyclo-Vets, one of the country's most successful masters cycling clubs.
To top it all off, Gordy has a bridge in San Diego named after him. Just south of San Diego, a bridge crosses a span of the Sweetwater River. It's called "Gordy Shields Bridge." The bridge is a part of the Bayshore Bikeway, a five-city, 24-mile route around San Diego Bay, strictly for pedestrians and cyclists, a bikeway Shields championed since its inception in the 1970s. (San Diego Union Tribune)
To read more about Gordy, check out the San Diego Cyclo-Vets and the San Diego Union Tribune.
If you are interested in meeting Gordy at the San Diego Century Bicycle Tour then leave a comment here. Gordy isn’t planning on 100 miles, but he’ll be there, and will be cheering everyone on.
San Diego Century Bicycle Tour "Ride With" Athletes
Here are the rest of the current “Ride With” Program members who will be out on the course in May:
Kim Mueller – Kim is an All-American Triathlete, a Registered Dietitian and is armed with a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology/Sports Nutrition. She used her expertise to develop and launch Infinit Nutrition, a company that custom blends functional ingredients to address a variety of performance and health goals. Kim thoroughly enjoys helping others achieve optimal health and peak fitness performance.
To read our feature article on Kim, click here>>.
Darryl MacKenzie - Darryl has been a Licensed USA Cycling Coach since 1997, has 30 Double Centuries completed, and is a leader in the cycling community. He trains 50-100 riders a year through a combination of spinning classes and road rides.
To read our feature article on Darryl, click here>>.
Damon Poor – Damon underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2001, and went from 350 pounds to 4 Double Century’s in 3 years. He’ll be on the course providing inspiration for all of us.
To read our feature article on Damon, click here>>.
We look forward to building upon the “Ride With” Program for the San Diego Century Bicycle Tour in 2010 – we hope you get as much fun and inspiration out of it as we do.
Leave a comment if you are interested in riding with or contacting the “Ride With” Program members.
Click here on The San Diego Century Bicycle Tour to get more information, register for the ride on May 22, 2010 or purchase the 2010 Jersey!
Ride on!
by Greg Hendrickson
Greg's Blog: WatchMyRace
Photo: Gordy Shields
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