The golden years are no time to be slowing down, not for Bob Kelly.

At age 76, this Edmonds resident was the oldest rider in the 2010 Tour de Peaks, which took place Sunday, Aug. 14, in the Snoqualmie Valley.

“I have always been active, enjoying exercise,” Kelly said.

After decades off the pedals, Kelly got back into cycling with a big race, the Seattle to Portland run, or STP. Since, then, he’s tried the RSVP, or Ride Seattle Vancouver BC and Party, and other organized races in the region.

Kelly’s sons and grandsons are riding companions. In the Valley ride, he was joined by his youngest son Ron and grandson, Sean.

“I loved the ride immensely—the beautiful scenery and the wonderful volunteers,” Kelly told the Record. “However, the scorching heat, I could have done without. One feature that really hit the spot was having cold water to replenish my bottle.”

Kelly rode an extra six miles on the long course at Tour de Peaks, “making the miles match my age,” Kelly said.

“My whole family, children, spouses and grandchildren were there to cheer us on,” he added

“Never give up. Keep moving,” Kelly advises fellow riders. “To be 76 years young is sometimes more cheerful and hopeful than to be 40 years old!”

Rolling ahead, he would like to eventually bike the California coast.

“I just want to try to keep riding my age, since I can’t golf it,” Kelly said.