Back on the bike after 50 years

Seventy old cyclist takes on 23-mi Hot Rocks course

(ROCKWALL, TX – August 7, 2015) After a 50-year break, Larry Maddox is back on his bike. The 70-year-old picked up biking again last year and biked a total of 2500 miles, and plans to bike another 4000 miles this year.

For Maddox, biking has plenty of benefits.

“It relaxes you, clears all your tension, allows you to see other sights you might not otherwise see, and you meet a lot of nice people and build camaraderie,” he said.

Photo by Larry Maddox.

Maddox carries a camera with him on his rides to document all the sights he sees. Some of his pictures have even been featured in The Racing Post magazine’s August 2015 issue.

Photo by Larry Maddox.

Maddox will be participating in the 2015 Hot Rocks for this first time this year, biking on the 23-mile course.

Even though the Fort Worth native will have to be up at around 4:00 in the morning to make the trip to Rockwall, he is dedicated to his biking and finds Hot Rocks to be well worth the trip.

“One of the things that I like about Hot Rocks is that the money goes not only to scholarships but also to bikes for needy kids,” he said about his decision to participate in the ride. “All the money goes to nothing but good.”

Of course, there are other benefits of participating in Hot Rocks for Maddox.

“It’s important to see the police are involved, and that support vehicles will support the riders. Plus you get a free T-shirt and you get fed!”

Maddox says he is looking forward to being able to “have fun, get a little money to a good cause and feel rewarded” by participating in Hot Rocks this year.

Biking has become a great part of Maddox’s life.

“I truly, truly enjoy it,” he said. “Biking is good for the entire family.”

By Abbie Killian, Blue Ribbon News intern/reporter and rising junior at the University of Missouri, working towards a Bachelor in journalism with an emphasis in Strategic Communication and Public Relations.

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