Seventy-two-year-old Lou Silva will this year be completing Around the Bay for the 29th time.
Around the Bay is Australia’s biggest bike ride, taking place on Sunday, October 8.
Mr Silva lives in Altona, which forms part of the route, he is one of only eight “legends” who has never missed a ride since the early 1990’s when the ride started.
“For the first ever event I trained the most and even rode 225 km a fortnight before the event,” he said.
“On the day, the weather was perfect, my average speed was the fastest for all the rides around the bay.”
Mr Silva said he was inspired to take part in the first Around the Bay in 1993, from living in the area.
“Living in a bay side suburb, I would look at the bay and think one day I would ride around the bay.
“After the first one, I do not recall thinking about the ride becoming an annual event.
“My aim was to successfully complete the ride once.”
After completing his third ride, Mr Silva set himself the goal of completing ten in a row.
“I remember finishing the tenth ride and thinking ‘what now?’, it has been one at a time and now in 2023 it will be the 29th.”
This year, Mr Silva is riding for a special cause, the event’s official charity partner is Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision.
The organisation, founded in honour of Maddie Riewoldt, who was just 26 years old when she tragically died from a Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome.
“I’m riding in this year’s United Energy Around the Bay to help Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision fund vital research and provide support for patients living with Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes and their families.
Jennifer Pittorino
