RAPID STORIES - DON
“I’ll never give up riding. It is one of the greatest pleasures in my life. When I’m riding I’m free and I’m happy.”
Six years ago, Don Glover was diagnosed with a terminal lung disease and given 2-4 years to live. But this lifetime biker refused to let that get in the way of his passion for riding and now 88 years of age, he has defied medical predictions, is still an all year biker, and has even squeezed in the odd track day.
When did you first started riding?
I started riding when I was a teenager in Liverpool. My first bike was a Triumph 3T which I bought when I was 18. Back then, biking was all about hanging out with mates and meeting girls. It was just before the Beatles became famous and one of my riding mates was Harry Harrison - George Harrison’s older brother. We often met up at Harry’s house and George usually tried to join us, but we wouldn’t let him - he was younger than us and we didn’t want him cramping our style!
After 70 years, what is it about riding that you still love so much?
I still get butterflies of excitement every time I get on my bike. When I ride I feel completely free and completely content. I leave all my worries and cares behind and am at peace with myself and the world.
How often do you ride and where do you go?
I ride out most weeks right through the year. I live in Liverpool so heading out towards Wales, the Peak District or even the Lakes are easy rides for me. I can still handle a couple of hundred miles or so and usually ride for a couple of hours before taking a break. I avoid motorways whenever I can and prefer to find my way around secondary roads - even on long trips.
You were diagnosed with a terminal lung disease 6 years ago, how did that affect your riding?
The main problem has been weight loss. I’m skin and bone now and have lost a lot of strength. It hasn’t affected my riding but I struggle pushing a heavier bike in and out of my garage. I’ve had to trade down to a smaller bike which is lighter and easier to move around. I miss the bigger bike but as long as I’m riding I’m happy.
“The thought of fairly imminent death flawed me. But I would never give up riding.”
Did you consider packing in riding when you were diagnosed with your illness?
Even though I was 82 at the time, the thought of fairly imminent death still flawed me. But no, I would never give up riding. I’m sure that our passions, whatever they are, give us a sense of purpose and achievement and play a very important role in our mental and physical wellbeing. For me, riding has been one of the greatest pleasures in my life and it has kept me going through difficult times. I’m 88 now and I’ll keep riding for as long as I possibly can. I don’t care if I end up being the slowest rider on the road, I’m going to keep on going.
What would you say to people who worry about the dangers of riding?
Life isn’t about avoiding risks - where would we be if we hid away from all life’s risks? That would be no life at all. Almost everything worthwhile involves some risk. For me, life is about recognising the risks and learning to manage them. I’m 88 years old and I honestly think that riding has helped me to get to that age. As long as I still have a passion in my life, I have a reason to keep going.