TORRINGTON – Torrington’s Toby Lewis, 80, is looking to cycle in eight separate Senior Olympics this summer to complete his “8 for 80.”
He got the summer started June 16-17, competing in the Montana Senior Games in Polson, Mont., laying down times in both the 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer time trials. He clocked a time of 12:53 in the 5-kilometer and 27:23 in the 10-kilometer, earning the gold medal in both events.
“I was pleased with those times,” Lewis said, even though he noted a stiff wind during the competition.
The Montana Senior Games were the first competitive action for Lewis this summer. He is entered in six more games this year and is searching for the seventh, possibly in Kansas or New Mexico, to complete his goal of eight this year.
He returns to competitive action July 14-15 for the Southeast Idaho Senior Games in Pocatello, Idaho.
On the first weekend of August (3-6), Lewis is slated to make a return to the Nebraska Senior Games in Kearney, Neb. The Wyoming, Utah and Nebraska Senior Games are all on the same weekend, and Lewis chose Nebraska out of the three options. He competed in the Nebraska Senior Olympics last summer, picking up the bronze in both the 5K (10:53) and 10K (23:53). Lewis is looking to better those times in Nebraska this summer.
Following action in Kearney, Lewis is slated for two Senior Games in back-to-back weeks. On Aug. 12-13, he will attend the Rocky Mountain Senior Games in Greeley, Colo., followed by the North Dakota Senior Games in Fargo, N.D. on Aug. 17-18. In September, the cyclist hits the road for Sioux Falls, S.D. for the South Dakota Senior Games.
Rounding out the year, Lewis is set to compete in the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. The World Senior Games averages more than 11,000 participants across 30 different sports.
“This year I just want to compete. It’ll be a challenge to me,” Lewis said. “I want to prove to myself what I’m capable of.”
The 80-year-old’s bike, bought in 1988, was once ridden in the Tour de Switzerland. When he is not riding in competitions, Lewis rides around the area to lower his time for the next race. He averages 15-25 miles a day, five days a week. Lewis said that between Senior Games, he will not rest, but continue to push himself during his training to improve.
“Every one of (the games) is important to me,” he said. “I want to try and be competitive at every level.”
During his Senior Olympics rides, which he devotes to several friends who cannot compete, Lewis hopes to be an inspiration to other seniors.
“I want people my age to say, ‘Holy cow. Look at what he is doing. I can do it,’” Lewis said. “I’m not doing it to be prideful, I just want to be an example.”
