Robert Marchand Pedaled Beyond What’s Possible

Standing Cyclist Useful Possibilities Centenarian Cyclist Robert Marchand

Let’s face it, we are obsessed with youth and speed but Robert Marchand reminded us that greatness doesn’t retire, it keeps rolling on. Born in 1911, Marchand lived to be 109 years old. But he didn’t just live. He rode. At age 100, he wasn’t easing into a quiet retirement, he was an athlete setting world records. Robert redefined, for us all, what’s possible. He kept moving forward, one pedal stroke at a time, even when the world thought he was (should be) done.

From World Wars to World Records

Robert Marchand was born in Amiens, France, before World War I. He lived through both world wars, worked as a firefighter, a lumberjack in Canada, a sugarcane planter in Venezuela, and even spent time as a prisoner of war during WWII. His life wasn’t cushy by any means. It was physical. Demanding. But it taught him something essential: how to keep going. He discovered cycling early on, but it didn’t take center stage until much later. In his 60s and 70s, while many people are slowing down, Robert was ramping up. And by 100, he was just getting started.

A Record-Setting Centenarian

In 2012, just after turning 100, Marchand rode into history by setting the hour record for his age group, a feat so unprecedented, the cycling authorities had to create a new category just for him.

On an indoor velodrome in France, he rode 15.07 miles in one hour. Let that sink in. One hundred years old. Fifteen miles. On a track. Most of us would brag if we cracked that in our 40s. Five years later, he did it again, this time at age 105. He covered 13.98 miles in an hour. He was a little slower this time, sure but only by about a mile and a half. And he still beat…well…literally everyone else in his age group. Why? Because there was no one else in his age group. Robert was in a league of his own.

Scientists Were Stunned

Marchand wasn’t just setting records; he was breaking assumptions. Sports scientists studying him found something incredible: his VO2 max (a key measure of aerobic capacity) was equal to that of a healthy 50-year-old.

His heart? Strong.

His brain? Sharp.

His legs? Still spinning.

They published papers. They ran tests. They marveled. And Marchand just smiled and said, “I’m not trying to be a champion. I’m just doing what I enjoy.” That certainly gives us a lot to reflect upon.

His Lifestyle Wasn't Fancy

There’s no secret training program or elite coaching team behind his success. Robert’s formula was refreshingly simple:

• He rode most every day, nothing extreme, just consistent.

• He ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains.

• He minimized alcohol, sugar and coffee.

• He drank lots of water, stayed mentally active, and got plenty of rest.

• And he never overdid it.

Balanced living. Forward motion. Purpose. That was pretty much it. He didn’t chase perfection, he just kept moving.

France Fell in Love with Him

Marchand became a national treasure. France named a velodrome after him. News crews followed his rides. Young cyclists looked up to him. People lined the track to cheer as he circled by, defying time. And Robert? He waved, smiled, and kept pedaling. Even after he retired from racing at age 106, he still got on the bike nearly every day. He lived independently until almost 108. When he passed in 2021 at age 109, tributes poured in from around the world, not just from the cycling community, but from everyday people who had found hope in his story.

Why Spotlight Robert Marchand?

Because Robert Marchand proved something most of us desperately need to believe: that our story doesn’t end when the world expects it to. He showed us that the body, when treated with care, movement, and humility, can continue serving us long past the point of what’s “normal.” He reminded us that joy, purpose, and health aren’t reserved for the young. They're available to anyone willing to keep moving forward, regardless of age. And most of all, he gave us a model not just for growing old but for growing bold.

One More Lap

Robert Marchand didn’t just ride a bike. He redefined the finish line. His life was a quiet revolution, a pedal-powered reminder that sometimes the most radical thing we can do is keep going. So, if you're wondering whether you're too old to start something…

Or too late to get strong…

Or too behind to be bold…

Just remember Robert. Get started and keep going. For as long as you can.

About UP:

Promoting quality content that cracks open the mind and sparks curiosity. Standing Cyclist presents Useful Possibilities (UP), spotlighting extraordinary teachers and leaders, athletes and activists, researchers and writers, filmmakers and engineers, and their groundbreaking projects. UP recognizes individuals and teams who raise awareness and drive innovation in areas such as health and wellness, environmental science, spirituality, personal growth, and human rights. We celebrate those who promote unity, tolerance, respectful collaboration, mindful living, and the [responsible] use of technology, social media, and modern marketing tools. Honoring people and content that inspire us to be the very best versions of ourselves.

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Frank Angelo Cavaluzzi

Frank Angelo Cavaluzzi, known as the "Standing Cyclist," is a whole food plant-based athlete, author, meditation practitioner and entrepreneur. Since 2005, he has inspired others with his unique "rolling" style - cycling without a seat on a fixed-gear bike - to raise awareness for important causes. Founder of Team Standing Cyclist, Frank has logged thousands of stand up bikepacking miles supporting charities and authored “Standing Cyclist: Flirting with Wisdom, One Breath, One Mile at a Time,” an acclaimed memoir. Frank combines wellness, athleticism, education, adventure and philanthropy to energize and elevate through his new project, Useful Possibilities (UP).

Author’s Note: This article reflects my own research and personal opinions. I have not received any compensation for its creation from any subjects highlighted within. Some content was developed with the support of various generative AI models.

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