Dean Welch’s journey with biking began like many childhood adventures, riding around with friends. However, it wasn’t until he reached his 50s that biking transformed into a profound passion. Now, at the age of 89, Welch has traversed the country multiple times and accomplished a global feat, circling the world on his bike in 2000.
Initially a means of staying fit, biking evolved into a pursuit of long-distance rides that captured Welch’s heart. His introduction to organized biking came in the 1980s when friends invited him to join a ride in Iowa. It was during the training for this event that Welch discovered the joy and fulfillment of biking as a hobby. Since then, he has pedaled through 45 countries, exploring landscapes from Vietnam and New Zealand to Argentina.
For Welch, biking isn’t just exercise; it’s a therapeutic escape. “If there is tension, if there’s anger, if there’s other emotions, a few minutes on a bicycle will relieve most of those in my case,” Welch shared. Achieving personal milestones, such as completing over 100 miles in a day, brings him a deep sense of accomplishment. Additionally, Welch cherishes the opportunity to connect with nature while biking, highlighting destinations like New Zealand, South Africa, and Scandinavian countries as his favorites.
Beyond personal satisfaction, Welch values the social aspect of biking. Recalling memorable interactions during a biking trip in China with his wife, Welch described how locals paused their work in rice paddies to wave and children eagerly sought autographs and bike demonstrations. Connecting with fellow cyclists has also been a source of joy for Welch. “There are very few bikers I’ve met and haven’t enjoyed getting to know,” he affirmed.
Welch has forged enduring friendships through biking, particularly during long, organized rides where camaraderie deepens with shared experiences on the road. His biking community even celebrates “birthday rides,” matching the miles biked to the rider’s age, although they’ve scaled back since Welch turned 82 due to time constraints.
Welch takes pride in potentially inspiring his children to embrace biking, eagerly anticipating the Pedal Across Wisconsin event in July where he plans to ride alongside three of his four children. “This is a special ride,” Welch reflected, underscoring the significance of family bonds and shared passions in his lifelong biking journey.