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Biking Is My Secret To Feeling So Young
A GRANNY who has two replacement hips can't beat the feeling of hitting the open road on her motorbike, even at the ripe old age of 80.
Easy rider Joan Cade had to swap her old bike after hip surgery left one of her legs shorter than the other.
But it didn't force her off the road. Instead she found a smaller version which she cruises on around the streets of Portsmouth every day.
Petrol head Joan has been riding for 59 years after being inspired by her family who had a love affair with two-wheelers.
Throughout her motoring life she has owned 10 different bikes, but it is her current beast which is her favourite. Her 250cc Yamaha Virago is capable of speeds up to 100mph.
She said: 'After my hips were replaced they shortened one of my legs and my foot couldn't touch the floor. So I had to buy a smaller bike which is the one I have now. ‘I get a lot of people laughing as I ride past and shouting out comments like "slow down granny" but I don't mind, I laugh back.’
She has had a few scrapes in her time, but they haven't put her off. She said: ‘A car swerved into me when I was over-taking it and someone reversed into me and threw me off.
But overall I have been lucky to avoid any major accidents.’
Young at heart Joan is confident of riding well into her 90s and believes its the secret to youth.
‘I ride everyday, it definitely keeps me young, I love it.
I don't feel ready for a rocking chair just yet,’ added the pensioner of Lennox Road South, Southsea.
The supergran only has one ambition to complete her motorcycling legacy – to ride a Harley Davidson for the first time.
‘I am still hoping one day I might get the chance to try a Harley, but I don't think they make one small enough for me,’ she added.
Finbar Colson represents the southern area of the Motorcycle Action group.
He said: ‘Joan is a real credit to her generation.
If you are healthy in body and mind it is a great way to get around no matter how old you are.’
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