An Invercargill man fast approaching the grand age of 89 is about to teach us all a thing or two about keeping positive and active.

Peter Grandiek is about to take on a 100k ride around Invercargill on his bike.

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The octogenarian will be on his pedals on Friday October 16 as a fundraiser for St John Ambulance, which is also Restart A Heart Day, a day that aims to train people and raise awareness in CPR and the use of a defibrillator.

He says he chose St John Ambulance as he’s had to use the service a couple of times.

Peter Grandiek told whatsoninvers.nz that he first took up cycling in his younger days in his homeland The Netherlands.

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Peter Grandiek with Tracy Kilkelly, St John Area Executive Officer. Photo: St John

After moving to New Zealand Peter Grandiek put cycling aside in order to raise a family and build a house. He kept active by playing and refereeing rugby and running for St Paul’s Harriers. It wasn’t until more recent times that he got back on his bike to ride competitively.

The 88 year old has ridden at the World Masters Games in Sydney and many national events. His favourite events have been the 500m time trial and the 2000m individal pursuit.

Mr Grandiek uses the road for fitness and endurance work.

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His prime year was 2015 when he he bettered the world 1 hour track record for his age group.

Arguably the oldest and fastest man on two wheels in Southland won’t be short on company and encouragement next Friday October 16th, 4 days before his 89th birthday.

Watch the video interview with Peter by Nathan Burdon from Sport Southland.

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How about this champion?! Four days out from his 89th birthday, Pete Grandiek and a few mates will be riding 100km to raise money for St John Ambulance. The ride is happening next Friday (October 16th) and also marks National Restart A Heart Day. You can support Pete at https://stjohnchallenge.everydayhero.com/nz/peter-grandiek-s-100k-cycle-at-88 or head down to the ASB Bank (the ASB crew will have the BBQ going) in Invercargill about 2pm for the finish. St John New Zealand Cycling Southland Cycling New Zealand ASB Bank Tracy Kilkelly Peter Grandiek
A post shared by Sport Southland (@sportsouthland) on Oct 8, 2020 at 8:46pm PDT

Experienced riders including Barry Harcourt, Ray Robinson, Bruce Jones and Red Burnett. Glen McLeay and Bruce Jones will also be getting back on their bikes to support Grandiek.

Both McLeay and Jones have won medals at Commonwealth Games, McLeay narrowly missing out on a medal at the Barcelona Olympics.

Nicole Avery and Kara Roderique-Wandless will also be riding.

Peter Grandiek says he is really thrilled and privileged to have such and illustrious crew to support him, something he says that can only happen in Southland.

The cyclist who lists creating pottery as his hobby says he is ready to ride with plenty of road training under his belt with the 100k distance not being a problem.

Peter Grandiek with hoamz real estate agent Dave Hegarty. Photo: St John

His fingers are crossed for a good day, with the wind mostly on his back, certainly not a wet day.

St John Area Executive Officer Tracy Kilkelly says Peter is a fantastic supporter of St John having cycled and raised funds for them before.

She says interest in the 100k ride has been building with donations coming in on the St John EveryDay hero page.

Tracy Kilkelly says the biggest to date is $531.31 from Southern Urology.

hoamz real estate is also supporting the ride with agents Dave Hegarty and Ross Malcolm sponsoring to the tune of $300 and supplying Peter’s yellow top.

The big ride will leave the ILT Velodrome at 9am to swing out and around north of Invercargill and conclude at the ASB Bank on the Dee – Deveron St corner where ASB staff will be holding a fundraising bar b cue.

The trip is expected to take 4 to 4 and a half hours weather dependent.

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