This Cyclist Bike Tours Whenever and Wherever She Can—and Brings Her Family Along for the Ride
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Name: Glynnis Lessing
Age: 64
Hometown: Northfield, Minnesota
Occupation: Professional potter
Time Cycling: 43 years
Reason for Cycling: I ride for the freedom and adventure, and it’s the best way to see the world.
I first got serious about cycling in 1980 when I was dating Keith Morical—in 2020, he set a Guinness World Record for biking the 48 contiguous states in a month. At the time, he was into touring and we went on a three-day bikepacking trip. I was hooked.
Keith and I didn’t last, but my love of bike touring has never ended. I did several other local unsupported tours, got a new touring bike, and then a job at a bike shop in Chicago. I bike-commuted to work there even in the winter.
In 1986, armed with the latest in bike-touring equipment (Eclipse panniers!) I convinced my fiancée that our honeymoon should be eight months of biking and camping through Europe. Then, in 1991, we biked through Italy, riding from Rome to Florence and back.
Back in Chicago, I had a really good off-road bike (a Klein) and did one race, winning my category despite doing a header into a stream. Then a month later, I was pregnant and gave up racing but kept cycling.
Despite having little ones and limited resources, my husband and I kept squeezing in small tours—a weekend here, a five-day trip there. We just added a burley cart, a trail-a-bike, bike seats, and kids bikes to our equipment. In 2008, we took our 15- and 8-year-old on a three-week bike trip in Italy.
When the kids were grown, and I was working full-time as a potter at 59, I realized I was out of shape. My husband I were spending some winter months in Merida, Mexico, and started exploring the region on bikes. During that time, I also began to slowly regain my fitness and stamina over several years.
Upon turning 60 in 2019, my goal was to ride 60 miles in one day—which I did during a four-day bike trip! However, in 2020, I found out that I had an aortic aneurysm and the doctor thought I might need open-heart surgery. I needed to keep my blood pressure down, and so I buckled down on diet and exercise and at my last check-up in 2023, my heart looked really healthy and the aneurysm had not gotten any worse, so it was not necessary to operate.
In 2023, my husband and I traveled to Italy for two months to ride and had a wonderful experience. After that we did a few more bikepacking trips—I love the self-reliance, freedom, challenge, and being outdoors all day. Plus, I am fortunate that my husband and bike-partner is so supportive and willing to go on this journey with me.
I currently cycle first thing in the morning when I’m in Merida. My bike in Merida is a 24” wheel women’s bike but I take it on rocks, gravel, shopping, city riding, long distance, and just for whatever I need. Back in Minnesota, I try to bike three to four times a week.
Physically, I am sure I would be grossly overweight by now if I didn’t cycle. I’ve fought that all my life, but I’ve come to realize that I have almost always been fit because of my habit and love of cycling. I’m proud that I brought up both my children to be good cyclists.
Emotionally, cycling has always been a source of deep happiness for me. I can’t imagine my life without cycling—it has been a source of inspiration to lead a creative, unusual life.
These tips have made my cycling journey a success:
1. Get a comfortable bike fit and seat
I’m 5’3 and when I started biking, I couldn’t find a frame that was small enough. Recently, I bought a 51cm XS Giant. The fit made a huge difference in my comfort and power.
2. Build riding into any and everything you do
Traveling? Bring, rent, or borrow a bike, even if it’s just for a day. Groceries, commuting, meeting for coffee? Get good bags and save the gas money. Add a biking element to any trip! When I do art fairs in other cities, I bring along a bike. In 2016, I did a bike-share in Paris to get around. In 2020, we rented bikes several times in Italy. It’s a wonderful way to see any place.
3. Get your children riding with you
Keep it fun for the kids. They’ll thank you later. If it feels unsafe, get a bike rack, drive to a bike trail, and bring treats for after. You are building their health and the next generation of cyclists. Teach them good habits and safety.
4. Be adaptable as you age
As health gets more fragile, don’t give up! Adapt how you exercise and be creative with it. Do whatever it takes to keep going—maybe that’s reducing mileage or getting a different kind of bike. Set realistic goals and even then, be flexible with those, but don’t give up.
Glynnis’s Must-Have Gear
→ Peak Design Magnetic Phone Holder: I needed a very secure but easy way to access my phone to film while biking. This is a fantastic, durable, dependable mount.
→ TransIt Ragster SPD Cycling Sandals: I love these because they are super comfortable sandals, and I can ride well in them.
→ Po Campo Orchard Grocery Pannier: A friend gave me one and I used it for shopping. The attachment system is super simple yet works really well. It’s durable and holds a lot.
→ Shimano PD-ED500 Road Touring Pedals: I got my first ones in 1991—they changed my life.
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