HEALTH & BEAUTY Pedal to the metal
for Ray’s cycling scheme By Dave Doyle
An ultra-runner wants to get Rotherham residents off the couch and into the saddle, turning the town into an “Amsterdam of e-bikes”.
Many will know of running legend
Ray Matthews (77) and his incredible feet, which carried him through 75 marathons in 75 days, aged 75, raising £30,000 for Rotherham’s Newman School. The fit-as-a-fiddle pensioner has also trekked through deserts and once ran a gruelling 150 miles over 36 hours straight. But fewer will know about a loyal
outrider, who accompanied him on several mammoth efforts - with help from a high-tech bicycle. When runner Ray made his
Forrest Gump-like marathon plans, he feared missing wife Maureen. So he bought her an electric-assisted push bike, or e-bike, so she could keep him company on the monster runs. Now the couple have an e-bike each, on which they enjoy regular trips out - and want others to do the same.
Ray would like to see fleets of e-bikes on Rotherham’s streets, like the Dutch city famous for its many cyclists.
He said: “After the marathons, Maureen was still going riding and I was missing out. So I decided to get myself an e-bike too. “As soon as I tried it I just thought:
‘Wow, these are too good not to share with people.’ “We get out most weekends. We ride mostly on the Trans Pennine Trail - once we ended up in Hull.” He added: “The great thing about them is that you can decide how much assistance you need. So I
try not to use it at all - until I see a whacking big hill coming up. “It occurred to me that there must be lots of older people who could benefit from this. It’s amazing just to get out in the fresh air.”
Ray thinks the technology would also benefit people who have not cycled for some time, or are feeling frail after surgery or illness. He hosted a two-day trial event
on February 19th and 20th at Herringthorpe Valley Stadium, inviting everyone to come and try out the new technology.
They were joined by South
Yorkshire Electric Bike Centre (SYEBC), who brought along some bikes for cyclists to get a feel for just how easy life in the saddle can be. Ray, an Age UK Rotherham ambassador, hopes to access funding which will allow older or less able cyclists to hire an e-bike cheaply, trying the tech before deciding to buy.
He would like to design an affordable cycle, alongside bike- builders at SYEBC, which is easy to afford and maintain. The fitness fanatic would also like to organise e-bike rides, getting them out for some healthy, sociable activity. “Loneliness is also such a big
killer. We need something to get people together and get them out.” said Ray.
“This technology seems to fit the bill. Even on the highest assist setting, you’re still getting some
exercise by turning the pedals. “Why not turn Rotherham
into an Amsterdam of e-bikes? Let’s get more people off the couch and outside.”
Ray’s first passion remains running. The pavement-pounder will host Rotherham’s second annual town centre 10K this summer. “Last year was absolutely amazing,” he said. “It was a huge success and will be even bigger this year, thanks to the great
support I receive.
“I’ve since managed to get 40 local schools running a mile every day. I’ve invited them all to take part in the fun run at Clifton Park this year.”
He added: “When you get older, you realise that you will never be 21 again. But you just have to try and get the best from what you’ve got. “That’s what I do and I would like to help other people, old and young, to do the same.”
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