Bicyclist, 71, Closes In on 100,000 Miles After Slow Start

WHITELAND, Ind. —  Jim Dunn, who celebrated his 71st birthday recently, is closing in on 100,000 miles of cycling. He started nearly 20 years ago after a doctor told him he needed to lose weight.

Dunn, who now pedals a blue Schwinn one-speed, bought a used bike for $25 in 1977 and in just 13 weeks lost 70 pounds.

“I more or less ate just enough to get by on,” he said.

Dunn didn’t realize at the time that he would keep biking through all kinds of weather.

“The first week, I biked 35 miles and I figured that’s as high as I would go,” he said. “The next week I rode 65, and the week after that I rode 110, and figured that’s as high as I would go.”

Dunn has since ridden as much as 555 miles in one week. He averages about 175 to 180 miles each week in warm, sunny weather.