Yellow jersey for 87-year-old cyclist Joan
A pensioner has received a special award for her efforts to use cycling to change her life and inspire others.
Joan Reynolds, aged 87 and of Walsall, has become one of the first people to be awarded the UK's inaugural 'Real Yellow Jersey'.
Joan is one of 10 people from around the country to receive the honour, having returned to cycling after 65 years out of the saddle.
She received help from Cycling UK's Big Bike Revival and her local cycling group and spoke about her experiences getting back into cycling.
Joan said: "The Big Bike Revival events helped me with advice about the right type of bike to get and have given me lots of guidance on how to maintain and look after it.
"This was important for me to stay safe, especially at my age. If I got injured it would be much more serious.
“I was a bit wobbly at first but I soon started to get the hang of it.
"I’ve got quite short legs and even though they gave me their smallest adult bike to try it was still almost too big for me!"
The jersey is based on the Yellow Jersey, worn by the overall leader of the Tour de France, and recognises that cycling isn’t just about sport, but is an everyday activity for leisure, transport and health.
Jenny Box, Head of Behaviour Change in England, said: "We wanted to celebrate all those amazing people across the country who are getting back on their bikes, changing their lives and helping others to do the same.
"Joan is one of the real heroes of cycling whose skills, commitment and personal journeys are helping the nation reap the benefits of two wheels.
"The Real Yellow Jersey is also a symbol of everything that’s to be celebrated about everyday cycling and an encouragement for more people to get in the saddle."
Joan is keen to keep cycling when the weather gets a little warmer and really enjoys the friendships she’s made with the group.
She said: "Being with each other and cycling is great and everyone is really nice. I’d recommend other older people to give it a try.
"You’ll be surprised the difference it makes, if you don’t try, you won’t do it.
"When you get going it’s great, you don’t want to stop then, you just want to keep going."
