It’s taken some changes. But fifty years later, Bill and Elaine are still riding strong.
In 1976, 32-year-old Bill Schroder led a motley group of bicyclists on a ride called Bikecentennial. I was a member of that group.
We rode from Oregon to Virginia — 4,246 miles in 58 days. The ride changed my life.
It also changed Bill’s. During pre-ride leadership training, Bill met a woman named Elaine Becker. Years later they married. They have ridden together, many thousands of miles, all over the world.
In mid-January of this year, four members of the original group — Andy Elliott, David Gallagher, Gus Touker, and me — traveled to Bill and Elaine’s home in Sebring, Florida to celebrate the ride’s 50th anniversary, swap stories and catch up.
Bill and Elaine have continued riding well into their 80’s.
Their balance isn’t what it once was, and both have taken some falls. To continue to do what they love, they’ve made a significant adjustment — both have switched to 3-wheel recumbent e-bikes.
The lower profile and third wheel reduce the fall risk, and the battery provides a boost when they need some extra power.
They may ride a bit lower and a bit slower than they did in the past. But by changing their strategy and equipment, Bill and Elaine can still ride, and ride well.
Our bodies change when we age. Bill Schroder and Elaine Becker don’t have Parkinson’s — aging by itself can create havoc. For those of us with Parkinson’s, the challenges may come earlier, with infinine unpredictable variations.
To continue the activities that bring us joy, we may need to change how we go about it.
After reading my post about Redditor OldRounder’s return to the basketball court, Shakin’ Street subscriber Sharon Bergman writes that she’s thinking about taking up line dancing again.
I stopped because it wasn’t as fun anymore due to losing some coordination. I’d like to try it again and see if I can build some new neural pathways. There’s also contra dancing which got too fast for me and I miss it so much. I’d like to see if the organizers for the dance I used to attend would include an occasional slower paced dance for ones like me.
Soccer players with Parkinson’s like John Roche of Liverpool have switched to “walking football” — a variation where players aren’t allowed to run, head the ball, or crowd the goalie.
The sport hasn’t attracted only experienced players. “People who’ve never kicked a ball before who just want to see what this walking football is about are made to feel welcome,” says Stuart Carrington [the coach of Roche’s team], who’s also manager of England’s national walking football team for people with Parkinson’s. “Most of them come back because of the atmosphere and the relationships.”
Sometimes we need to ask for help. Songwriter and musician Joanne Duffin dreamed of one day recording an album of her songs with an orchestra. When she developed Parkinson’s, which affected her hands and her voice, the dream seemed out of reach…until she contacted a musician named Naomi LaViolette.
I won’t spoil the story, which you can read here or watch below. But I will tell you there’s a Joanne Duffin album called Apricot Sunshine, available wherever you buy or stream music.
Me? I’m still riding a conventional bicycle around town.
But I’m no longer 100% confident of my ability to quickly take my right foot out of the pedal in an emergency. So for fall prevention purposes, I’m riding without toeclips for the first time since the early 1970’s.
Parkinson’s makes things that once came naturally become more and more difficult. It’s a negotiation with an erratic, cruel opponent on the other side of the desk. In some cases it may be necessary to give up a treasured activity long before we’re ready.
But sometimes by changing equipment, adjusting the rules, or seeking out help from others, we can do the things we love for years to come.
Bonus for Those Who Read to the Bottom
I heard the Sammy Johns original for the first time in a long time recently. When Mr. Johns sings it, the song sounds like it describes a sweet, romantic interlude. When Dale Watson sings the same lyrics, the vibe is a little different.
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This is really just one okay joke stretched to four minutes — but Bob & Ray’s delivery is brilliant.
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If you’ve ever watched the video of Mookie Wilson’s grounder going through Bill Buckner’s legs — and I’ve watched a few hundred times — you’ll be very impressed at how faithfully a group of Kenyan schoolkids recreate the end of 1986 World Series Game 6.
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“Stand By Your Man” works surprisingly well as a surf-rock piece.
Shakin' Street -- A Parkinson's Blog 
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