Mrs. Elizabeth Smith

That is Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, aged ninety-four, of Hurtham. I don't know where Hurtham is, or was, but in 1899 her eldest son was seventy-four years old, and there were thirty-two kids in the world who called her grammy, or granny, or which ever was the family word of choice for grandmother. Mrs. Smith was a true lover of bikes and, as long as the weather was fair, took a daily ride.

It has become quite common for people to ride well into the later years of their lives, but even today, and with all due respect to Dr. Beasom, and anyone else of similar age, ninety-four is a relative rarity.

The exploits of Frenchman Robert Marchand - he, who at the age of 105 owns the worlds' hour record in his age group - are well known in the realm of cycling sport. We can all probably point to a veteran rider, or two, or more, who we know, have ridden with, have heard rumors about, have maybe said in conspiratorial tones "hope I can still ride when I get to be that age." Heck, though still roughly half the years of Monsieur Marchand, ego informs me that there could be someone who has said so about me (id tells me otherwise).

I don't think things have changed all that much over the past one-hundred twenty years, and the people who picked up the daily from the corner newsboy, then turned the page to read about the Smith family matriarch, were as in awe of her as we are of Marchand, or any one of those local veterans we may personally know, today.