Long-distance Yuma bicyclist, 83, pedaling strong

Although Bill Anderson hasn't ridden his bicycle on any long distance or cross-country trips recently, he's still doing long rides - just closer to home.

"I just can't go on any long rides right now," Anderson said. "I want to stay close to my wife right now, so I'm just doing short rides in and around the area."

Anderson, who is now 83, spends about four to six hours a day exercising and riding his bike on 30- to 50-mile trips around the area.

He also goes on short three-mile runs every day with his 13-month-old Rhodesian ridgeback puppy named Jackson.

"The dog loves it," Anderson said. "That dog would rather run then eat."

Anderson's bicycle feats include a 2,000-mile bicycle ride around the edge of the state in 2007 on behalf of the Crossroads Mission to call attention to the issues of hunger and homelessness.

He has also ridden his bike from here to the Canadian border in 2006 and from the West Coast to the East Coast in 2004.

"I know I'm getting older, but I don't feel it. I don't feel any different now than when I was 40," said Anderson. "At my age I guess I'm supposed to be in a nursing home."

An award-winning master cyclist, Anderson has won over 150 medals and trophies. He rides for the San Diego Cycle Vets bicycle club.

But Anderson, who always watches what he eats, never drank alcohol or smoked, isn't ready to quit pedaling yet.

He said his next long-distance ride will probably be around the perimeter of the state of New Mexico, which would be approximately 3,000 miles. He hasn't started planning the ride yet, which he estimates would take him about 25 days.

"That's the one I really want to do," Anderson said. "There are some big mountains on the West side of the state and they are steep."

In the meantime, Anderson said he will be making some shorter rides around the area to train and get in shape for the longer ride.

"Whether I do it monthly or weekly, I don't know yet," Anderson said. "I have to do most of my riding at night."

For his first trip Anderson wants to ride from Yuma to Antelope, then back to the Dome Valley cutoff to Highway 95. He will then take Highway 95 up to Yuma Proving Ground.

From there he would ride over to Laguna Dam down to Bard, through the Quechan Reservation, and back to Yuma. It would be a ride of about 175 miles.

"I think it probably takes me about nine hours," Anderson said.

Other rides he is considering are from Yuma to Holtville; from Holtville to El Centro; from El Centro to Calexico; and Calexico back to Yuma, which is approximately 130 miles.

"When I was younger I would use this ride as a training ride for other longer rides," Anderson said.

He is also considering riding from Yuma to San Diego again, from Yuma to Gila Bend and the 315 miles from Las Vegas to Yuma again.

"The first two times I did it I failed. You have to ride all day and night," Anderson said of the Las Vegas ride. "I made it the third time."

Other possibilities include riding the 215 miles from Yuma to Blythe and back, the 132 miles from Yuma to Parker and back and the 180 miles from Yuma to Calexico and back.

Anderson added that he plans to celebrate his 84th birthday by walking the Grand Canyon, from rim-to-rim, non-stop.

"I want to do something no other man my age has ever done before," Anderson said. "No sense in doing something if you can't set a record doing it."

If he can do it again, Anderson said he will hold the Guiness Book World Record as the oldest man to walk the length of the Grand Canyon.

"I did it in 17 hours the last time, so I want to do it faster this time," Anderson said.

Anderson said he pushes himself physically because he hopes it will serve as inspiration to other elderly people to become and stay more active.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.