Cycling life begins at 70 and a decade on couple still riding high | ABC Australia

Del and Cindy Henley are not your average long-distance cyclists. They’re both 81 years of age and only took up long distance cycling in their 70s because they were bored in their retirement village.
They outgrew the cycling routes in their home country New Zealand and have clocked up five long road milestones in Australia - the longest route over 6000 kilometres from Cairns to Perth.
Now over 80 years of age, they are taking on Australia’s iconic Nullarbor, again, as part of a mission to cycle from Perth to the Gold Coast.
Almost halfway, they’ve enjoyed the cycling but it’s been tough with headwinds hampering progress across the long straight stretches of the Nullarbor Plain.
They’ve also done it tough - a resurgence in holiday road travel after two years of COVID border lockdowns means there’s been no accommodation at the roadhouses along the way.
But they’ve seen a silver lining - the view from their tent of glorious stars across the Great Australian Bight.
Produced by Jodie Hamilton, ABC Eyre Peninsula.
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[@arifhaqqani1048]

Absolutely fantastic well done

[@joemulgrew]

Total respect.

[@user-lq1cd6ud4d]

Legends! I enjoy cycle touring, I hope to still be riding at their age.

[@rashpalsingh1423]

Very inspiring couples

[@a1yallop]

Fantastic, you two are an inspiration. 😎🚴‍♂️

[@mattiasandersson2315]

So inspiring❤❤ i turn 49 i thought i was getting too old ,,but there's still some time to do it!

[@rotovelo_naut]

Absolutely marvellous!! there's hope for me yet. I did my 1st cycle crossing of Australia at age 50, in a #Trisled #Rotovelo Velomobile, and about to attempt the second one at 60.... you're an inspiration

[@kelvinkang6423]

Outstanding achievement, well done! What an inspiration!

[@michaelhayden725]

So big congrats to you both for being so adventurous! Best of luck!

[@cyclingperthtomelbourne4739]

This younger person, completed my own solo bike ride, Nov-Dec 2022: Perth to Melbourne, and almost every day, many folks (car users) along the ride mentioned they has seen or met a mature cycling couple up North. Watching the film, this can only have been this couple; I can see why so many folks were amazed. Inspirational. Well-done, don't stop. Anthony

[@davidjohnston2781]

Omigosh...81 & 82 years of age.....incredible.....at 62, there's hope for me yet!!😂

[@aaronforeman1696]

What an inspiring couple. Awesome story.

[@johnmuttitt]

Just an amazing inspiration. Wonderful, thank you.

[@Rosstc88]

Wonderful!

[@josefkapelj3842]

Fantastic Truly inspirational and all that I need to do the Long Distance Cycling thankyou .❤

[@johnbradley1599]

Del & Cindy hello again - we shared a coffee, by the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere. I followed your blog, and again, your story is truly inspirational. Bravo. I'd love to hear from you. Rgds. John

[@johnbradley1599]

Hello Del, so I accepted your challenge and encouragement and this January I rode from Melbourne back to Perth. Yep it was an awesome adventure for me too.

[@georget.9496]

Great video, at 63 my wife and I thought we were old😀 Time to get back on our bikes.✌🤙

[@Celeste-in-Oz]

I wanna retire like that. 🤩 Maybe switch it up with hiking, canoeing etc. ..so better keep fit!

[@pottery1950]

Very inspiring!

[@alfonsojerez3524]

Inspirador y admirable. Saludos desde Chile

[@zulkiflirazak6206]

just WOW... Very inspiring!

[@53andME]

I pray they don't die doing what they love but peacefully in their sleep ❤

[@DurianriderCyclingTips]

Make sure you get in enough sugar and water. The biggest mistake people make is thinking they dont need extra sugar and water each day. You really need to force it in or you lose motivation/power in the hour.

[@rodhurst5831]

I agree, WIND has the greatest impact and can ruin a ride. I just won’t do it if not fun and strong headwinds are not fun. I’m 61 great inspiration you two, thanks.

[@tomsitzman3952]

For anyone new to bike touring, you don't have to wear bike clothing. It is perfectly OK to dress any way you want. I wear hiking sandals and a long sleeve shirt to protect my body from the sun. If this touring seems daunting to you there are many group trips available and is a good way to learn the skills needed before going it alone. Del and Cindy were biking 60 K 37miles mile a day. That is very doable in a day and makes for a nice, relaxed day. Just bike 30 K in the morning take an afternoon break a 30 K more in the late afternoon. I so wish the tent makers would reintroduce the lightweight Pyramid Tent that you can stand in and walk in and out the door. My family biked with ours until it fell apart. Someone please reintroduces the pyramid tent, simple to set up. Stake the 4 corners and put up the center pole inside the tent. I hate crawling in and out of my tent 82.

[@53andME]

That's right but I think it's for better movement not for looks

[@Okokokokokomokokok]

❤❤❤❤

[@mbrylewski]

Wow! I salute you

[@DurianriderCyclingTips]

Inspirational. Bushcamping is the best really though!

[@DameEdnaBrown]

What a great achievement

[@abc-kb1dl]

🥰😍🤩

[@papablueshirt]

Wow, they make this old geezer proud. When people half as old are couch potatoes, they are seeing the world and spending time together. Kudos👋🚴‍♀

[@barrynolaardern7013]

Are you currently living back in NZ. We’d love to catch up with you. We have also done some long distance cycling.

[@Edenriboy.travel]

The road are safe ??

[@Seawithinyou]

What an Inspiring and Heartwarming story Thank you dearly 🚵🏼‍♀️🌞🕊🌳🌊🏔💖