They may be getting on in years, but there's plenty of life in these old legs yet!
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The U3A Knox Medium Cycling Group, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, will welcome its fifth octogenarian to the club in September.
Member Dieter Roscher is set to reach the milestone in September.
One of four U3A Knox cycling groups, members will celebrate the milestone with coffee and cake at Hahndorf cafe following their weekly ride on September 1.
The group takes weekly rides on various trails throughout Melbourne's outer east on Fridays. It currently boasts 30 members, with about 12-15 taking part in each ride.
Members range in age from their 60s, to the mid-to-late-80s - their oldest member is 86.
Bike leader Heinz Herrmann turned 80 in June, joining other octogenarians Jim Penna, Bob Ramsay and Gordon Smith.
Heinz first joined the group about 15 years ago.
He said he had been looking for an activity to keep himself occupied in retirement and had always enjoyed riding his bike.
"(I) Probably (had) not (been) doing as much riding as I'm doing now, but I was always riding my bike around the local area," he said.
The group has eased off just a little as its senior-most members age (the typical ride length is now around 30-40km. compared to 40-50km per ride when older members were a bit younger), but members maintain a great level of fitness. If riders reach the point where they are no longer able to keep up, they have the option of switching to e-bikes or joining one of the other U3A Knox groups which rides at a slower pace.
Heinz said riding with the group was a great source of exercise, but his favourite aspect of being a member is the friendships he has made.
"We've all got similar interests... and being part of a group always gives you extra incentive to go out and ride when the weather isn't perfect," he said.
"(I also enjoy) just riding around the suburbs - you see areas riding on the bike tracks that you wouldn't normally come across riding on the roads."
Heinz said membership numbers had to be capped because the logistics of managing a group that is too large can be difficult. While the group currently has a full compliment of members, those interested in joining can join a wait list. Often when members go away on holidays, people are invited to join on a casual basis.
Heinz himself has no plans to quit the group, saying he will keep going for as long as he can.
Those interested in joining a riding group in the area can also enquire about joining one of U3A Knox's other cycling groups.
"We've got a group to cover what everyone wants to do. People sort of find their own level," he said.
