Pedal power improves life for senior couple
In 2019, Lamont seniors Terry and Dolly Farrell were using scooters to get around town.
“I can’t drive anymore, so we had two scooters to start with. We used to use them to run around town but they were fussy,” he said. “They weren’t really strong enough to use in inclement weather, for one thing, and I was going to have to buy bigger scooters to use in the snow. Plus, on the scooter there is no exercise. You just sit and go.”
Troubled by the scooter problems, Terry had an idea.
“Using an exercise bike is not very interesting,” he said. “Then I remembered a friend I had years ago who had a recumbent bike.”
A recumbent bicycle is one that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position with the rider’s weight distributed comfortably over a larger area, and supported by the back and buttocks. After finding a tandem one that could sit both he and Dolly, Terry felt he had the solution.
The Farrell’s three- wheeled tandem recumbent bike had everything they were looking for; including pedal assist.
“It has a battery to give us 20 – 50 per cent pedal assist,” he said. “And even a tall flag on the back so people can see us because we are so low to the ground.”
Today, Dolly, 88, and Terry, 78, say the bike has changed their lives.
“We have a heavy-duty studded tire in the back so we ride this bike all year round as long as it’s not 35 or 40 below,” said Terry. “For people like us who have trouble walking, this has just opened up the world.”
In terms of adventures, Terry said he and his wife have raised the bar.
“We’ve travelled to Bruderheim and back and even gone up to the entrance of Elk Island Park,” he said. “I just got an extra battery so we can try biking to the Fort. It should take about two and a half hours there and back.”
Visiting the neighbourhood on daily excursions is also one of the many perks Terry and his wife enjoy.
“We try to get a couple of hours in every day. We’re out and doing what we love doing. Because we are low to the ground all the neighbourhood kids and dogs know us,” he said.
“People have told us that they are walking on the other side of the street and the dogs see us and know us and immediately walk towards us. We can’t have pets where we are living, so we visit everyone else’s.”
Even though the new bike has improved their lives, Terry noted some disadvantages as well.
“I have a heavy-duty tire in the back but the front tires are pretty fragile. I’ve had about 5 flat tires in the year and a half I have had the bike and had to right out replace them three times. The next upgrade is to put heavy-duty tires on the front too,” he said. “Also, you can’t take the bike into stores. We just lock it up and get a cart to lean on while we do our shopping.”
Additionally, riding at night is not a problem for the Farrells.
“We have a light on the bike so we can ride at night. When it gets really hot outside its so nice to ride at 10 or 11 at night when it gets a bit cooler,” he said.
All in all, the Farrells could not be happier with their transportation.
“It’s absolutely marvelous. We get the scenery, the fresh air, and my wife is right behind me so we can visit,” said Terry.
Dolly added her thoughts; “We don’t have to buy gas or insurance and we go everywhere. It’s just fantastic!”
Read THE FULL STORY in the latest edition of The Lamont Leader – on newsstands now or read the digital version below:
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Jana Semeniuk
Staff Reporter
