The Jacksonville man’s love of cycling takes him around the world, to Wisconsin

Like most kids, Dean Welch rode his bike with friends.

But it wasn’t until he was over 50 that cycling became his passion. Welch, now 89, has cycled across the country several times – and once, in 2000, around the world.

“It was just a way to stay in shape, but then it evolved into endurance riding,” Welch said.

Welch began organized cycling in the 1980s when two of his friends invited him to join him on a ride in Iowa. While training for that ride, Welch discovered the joys of cycling as a hobby. Since then, he has ridden in 45 countries, including Vietnam, New Zealand, and Argentina. He plans to ride in Pedal Across Wisconsin in July with three of his four children.

What Welch particularly appreciates about cycling is the fact that it helps him relax.

“If there is tension, anger or other emotions, in my case, a few minutes on the bike can relieve most of them,” Welch said.

Welch enjoys the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction he feels when he completes a ride that exceeds 100 miles in a day. Being able to enjoy nature while cycling is another benefit, he said.

His favorite places to cycle include New Zealand, South Africa and the Scandinavian countries. When he is home, he cycles about four times a week and enjoys riding to Lake Jacksonville and using the bike paths there and in Springfield.

“The whole world is really beautiful,” Welch said.

The social aspect is another attraction. When he and his wife cycled in China, people working in the rice fields stopped their work to wave; children asked if they could see their bikes or sign autographs, he said.

He also enjoys exchanging ideas with other cyclists.

“There are very few bikers I have met that I haven’t enjoyed getting to know,” Welch said.

Welch made friends through riding by participating in long, organized trail rides that gave him the time to get to know the other riders well and share both good and bad times during the ride.

Welch and his friends have a tradition of “birthday rides” in which the number of miles driven corresponds to the year of his birthday; after Welch turned 82, they reduced the mileage because the rides became too time-consuming.

He believes his example has inspired his children to take up cycling, and he’s looking forward to taking a ride with them in July.

“This is a special ride,” Welch said.