Jim and Diana Oleskevich like to say they’re “retired and lovin’ it.” But you won’t find them taking it easy on a golf course in Florida—unless that golf course is at the end of a cross-counrty bike ride hundreds of miles long.
The two biking fanatics, Diana, 69, and Jim, 71, have covered an astounding amount of territory in only five years of retirement: They’ve ridden their bikes from Canada to Mexico, Seattle to Montana, and Seattle to Maine to New York, and throughout the Alaskan wilderness. When they complete a trip planned for this fall in the Appalachians, they will have biked all 50 states.
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But you don’t have to travel far to get into cycling. Diana and Jim are regular bike commuters here in St. Louis. Starting from her home in Shaw, it’s typical for Diana to bike to City Greens in the Grove for groceries, over to Brentwood to run an errand, and then stop for coffee on the way home: “Bam! That’s 18 miles,” she says. With joyful hearts and great advice for St. Louisans of all ages interested in cycling, Diana and Jim share their life on two wheels.
What inspired you both to get into biking?
Diana: I used to be a jogger and got shin splints about the time of my 50th birthday… My doc said to try a “low impact” sport, and so I let Jim talk me into a “Wine & BnB” bike trip on the Katy Trail, which I loved and was hooked into bicycling!
Jim: I liked the idea of exercise and biking with my friend Jim, who was an avid cyclist.
What do you tell people when if they say, “Whoa, you’re biking that much at your age?”
Diana: We’re blessed with health, time, and luxury of being able to ride. Besides, it’s great fun and, we love biking together.
You’ve biked coast to coast and throughout Alaska, just to name a few of your adventures. Can you share about any of the more memorable roads you’ve traveled?
Diana: Yes, we loved riding the Pacific Coast, from the Canada border to Mexico. That was our first really long trip, and we learned so much by being with an Adventure Cycling group—that’s an international group started in 1976 for the “Bike Centennial,” and they’ve mapped 40,000 miles of bike tour routes.
Some people might feel intimidated to bike such long distances. Any words of wisdom for the wary?
Diana: Start slow and easy. Ride around the block one day, then twice, then ride a mile, just one! Nothing worse than a sore butt. Next, get to your local bike shop and get your bike fitted and ready. Consider taking a class (often free!) on changing a tire and basic repair skills. Next, get a fun buddy to ride with. Stay off your bike in the heat of the day. Mornings are our favorites, but summer evenings can be fun too. Check out local bike trails off-roads. (Trailnet is great.) Join others on group rides to hone your skills and have fun.
Not only do you bike hundreds of miles, you also carry your equipment! Share a little bit about the system you’ve come up with for sleeping and camping on the road.
Diana: When we are bike touring, we don’t have a car. We each put half of our tent and a sleeping bag on the back of our bikes, along with four panniers (bike saddlebags).
We got special heavy duty frame bikes (we love the Surly Long Haul Trucker) to carry extra weight without worrying about broken spokes.
We belong to Warm Showers, an online hospitality site for people who arrive and leave on a bike. We are Warm Shower hosts here in STL—and offer a free place to sleep, a safe spot for bikes overnight, and of course, a warm shower! We get to meet wonderful people with big hearts who open their homes and share bike tour stories.
You’ve both said that biking is one of your spiritual practices. Can you share any more about that?
Diana: The time out there is zen, time to think and be in the present moment. Of course, that’s very different when we’re riding on the road and need to be super-present to the traffic and ride with vigilance. But out in the country or on a bike path, it’s a time to savor the beauty and know the feel of the breeze on my face. We see things differently from a bike, more slow and gentle.
Pedaling is a wonderful repetitive action with the breath, and I remind myself of let go of shoulder tension, especially when going up a big hill.
What have you learned about yourself on the bike?
Jim: I can meet the challenge, with joy, whether it’s miles, distance, or climbing. I love the feeling of satisfaction of knowing that I can do it. Most people are good most of the time. We always have angels there to lend a hand when we were in a bind, or on the edge of getting lost—someone showed up to help.
Diana: I learned I was able to do more than I ever dreamed I could—as a grandma! There is an inner strength that rises up when I pay attention to what my body needs: sleep, good food, lots of water, and the joy of biking feels like the freedom of being a kid again. I’ve learned how much I need and appreciate others and the goodness of people.
Say someone your age is interested in getting into long-distance cycling. Where can they start?
Diana: Four tips: 1. Adventure Cycling Association has lots of trips and tips to offer. 2. Trailnet, right here in St. Louis. 3. Oasis has short bike trips. 4. Your local bike shop can connect you; there are lots of us grey-heads out there biking because it’s fun and very easy on the ol’ joints.
On and off the bike, what’s your perspective on staying active?
Jim: Whether it’s walking, hiking or biking—you better use it, or you’ll lose it!
Diana: Life is to be lived with gusto and joy. Every day is a gift, so don’t waste it. Take this moment, and get out there to feel fully alive.
Favorite route to cycle in St. Louis?
Jim: The Riverfront Trail starting from the Arch. It’s easy for us (only 5 miles) to ride from our home near Tower Grove Park to downtown, and it’s “our” hometown river. Every season is new. We’ve seen eagles, wild turkey and deer, folks fishing, and high Mighty Mississippi River waters. Chain of Rocks Bridge is awesome, and it’s easy to come back south on the Madison County bike trails on the McKinley bike-ped bridge.
Diana: I like riding to Morganford from our front yard and south to Grant’s Trail, then looping through Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and home via the River Des Peres Bike Trail… maybe detour to Ted Drewes. (On weekends Grant’s trail is often crowded, which is great to see folks out but makes for tough biking).
Any parting words?
Diana: Biking has renewed vitality and fun in our lives. We’re retired and lovin’ it—beautiful people and places await. St. Louis is becoming a fine bicycle city.
