Long-distance cycling across countries by a group of seniors? That’s a different story.
Organised by RSVP Singapore, Cycle with a Purpose sees volunteers from the silver generation embarking on a round trip from Singapore to Batu Pahat, Malaysia.
Officially launched on Oct 31, 1998, RSVP Singapore is a non-profit organisation that engages seniors – between 40 and 80 years of age – in purpose-driven volunteerism.
Today, RSVP Singapore has 9 ongoing programmes and more than 1,000 members serving over 150,000 beneficiaries each year. These include the mentally disadvantaged, at-risk children from low-income families, and socially isolated seniors.
These include the mentally disadvantaged, at-risk children from low-income families, and socially isolated seniors.
Speaking to Move Happy, board member of RSVP Singapore, Cyril Ong, 70, said: “Seniors are our social capital – they have a lot of experience and talents that we can tap on.
By 2030, the number of seniors above 65 in Singapore will increase approximately threefold to almost one million. Thus, it is important that we actively reach out to our seniors and empower and engage them so that they lead active, purposeful lives.”
To further promote senior volunteerism, RSVP launched the National Silver Volunteer Month on Sept 4, 2015. In its third edition this year, they’re stepping up their efforts with Cycle with a Purpose that serves to motivate seniors to push their limits and go beyond their comfort zone, says Ong.
Indeed, with 400km to cover over six days (Sept 5 to 9), it can be physically daunting and safety is a major concern that comes to mind as well.
However, Ong explained that the participants – ranging in age from 52 to 65 – have done the necessary training and planning.
“We do our daily fitness exercises, we cycle every week (around Singapore) for 40 to 60km, we went on a recce and got the best route with hotel accommodations,” he said.
While he acknowledged that there are still foreseeable challenges as the path can get very narrow and some of the roads are winding and hilly, Ong has prepared for this with two vehicles that will carry the essentials needed for this journey and at the same time, provide tired cyclists with a place to rest.
As someone who adopts the active mobility lifestyle, Ong sees this event as a way to reach out to more seniors to come forward and take up cycling as an exercise.
He said: “The cyclists have been practising for the past few months and are now ready for this opportunity to show the community that aging is not a problem but just a number.”
He added: “Remember, this journey to Batu Pahat is not a race of any sort. It is for seniors to enjoy the experience, to sightsee and eat local food. It is a way for seniors to take on a different routine with excitement.”
However, if you are new to the lifestyle, Ong advises against doing too much too soon.
He said: “Do lots of training on cycling paths or PCNs (park connector networks) and always be alert. Learn all the basic safety rules, do not take any chances and do not rush.”
And as an avid cyclist, what safety tip can he offer to budding cyclists?
“Be mindful of others. Stop when you are tired, rest and drink lots of isotonic drinks and eat bananas.”
