“My greatest challenge is trying to keep up with Monica and all the other riders on Strava,” says Rick Bates, 56. Cycling with his wife for the past 8 years (they’ve been together since they were teenagers), he says he most enjoys seeing “the beautiful country that the Pacific Northwest has to offer, and spending quality time together.
“We became avid riders when our kids went off to college, and we had more time to dedicate to biking. Now that our two kids are grown (in their 20s and married) and we have a new grandchild, we are back to balancing family, work, and biking.”
“We became more serious about biking when we turned 50—we wish we would have started sooner,” Monica says. “Few hobbies allow you to enjoy a physical activity, the outdoors, and each other’s company.”
Together they train and participate in local events such as Spokefest and 8 Lakes Leg Aches. They’ve also completed the Lake Chelan Century, STOKR (Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River) in Libby, Montana, and a Gran Fondo in Golden, Colorado. “We incorporate biking in our vacation plans through bike tour groups,” says Monica. Those rides together have included Napa Valley, Banff, and, this year, the French Alps. //
