Walter Fowler, known to his friends as Wally, achieved another victory this month when he battled fellow riders aged over 80 to win a medal in the 2km sprint in 3.17 minutes. The retired marketing executive has cycled almost all over the world since 1949 after taking up the hobby at the age of fifteen.

Walter’s parents had no money during World War II. He could only dream of a spinning bicycle. “After that, when I got a bike, I couldn’t get enough. I’ve ridden more than a million kilometers in my life and I’ve enjoyed it all,” said Walter. “Now, more than 70 years later, life would not be normal or even acceptable if I couldn’t ride a bicycle for whatever reason.” he added.

Walter has a grown son, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His wife Margaret supported him in cycling for 50 years. “When my wife died in 2014, I decided to continue racing and ride with her passion.”

Walter will be 90 years old next April. Even so, he was ready to face another challenge, breaking the world record for a one-hour endurance race for cyclists over 90 years old. The record is currently held by American cyclist Carl Grove. But Walter is confident he can beat his winning time.

Previously, he broke the one-hour endurance race record at the Geraint Thomas Velodrome in Wales – in 2019 in the 85-89 age category at a distance of 34.602 km. And this year he beat dozens of cyclists to win the 2km race at the 2023 Masters Track World Championships in Manchester.

But Walter rides a bike mainly because he enjoys it and keeps fit. “Of course it’s fun to race, but of course it’s not necessary to win,” he said. He doesn’t plan to stop cycling just yet. “But if I can’t race, maybe I’ll find a mountain to climb.”