Six years ago, Keilor’s Peter James was on a slippery slope.
Before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995, Mr James had been a regular jogger and sportsman.
But by late 2007, at the age of 55, he was obese from his sedentary lifestyle and had to use crutches and sometimes a wheelchair to get around.
The turning point came when he bought a recumbent tricyle.
Mr James began riding every day and today he covers more than 120 kilometres a week.
“I’ve got my life back in many respects,” he says. “Through diet and exercise I now use just one walking stick, can climb stairs and have sold the wheelchair. I’ve cycled over 42,000 kilometres over the past six years and learnt a lot about myself.”
Mr James is now an ambassador for the MS Melbourne Cycle charity ride.
He’s ridden in the past seven events, helping to raise almost $150,000 for MS Australia with his 12-member team, Keilor Cares.
Mr James is looking forward to joining thousands of cyclists who will take to the streets of Melbourne’s CBD this Sunday for the eighth annual ride.
