CPA awards for the Intermountain Catholic

photo courtesy of Bill Warfield

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Bill Warfield has logged almost 25,000 miles on his bicycle. Bill plans to ride 6,000 miles this year. He tracks all his statistics such as his mileage, heart rate and the number of calories he burns.

SALT LAKE CITY - Bill Warfield, 70, started riding his bike in 2002 because of a back injury. As of December 2009, he logged an accumulated total of 24,265 miles. A former pilot, Warfield is used to keeping statistics and that keeps him motivated.

Warfield's New Year's goal is to ride 6,000 miles in 2010. He had set a goal to ride 6,000 miles in 2009, but got a slow start and rode 5,757 miles.

Warfield met his goal of riding in the 100-mile Cache Valley Century Tour Aug. 29, to celebrate his 70th birthday. He also rode in this tour when he was 65. Also at 65, he rode in a 187-mile bike tour in Pudget Sound, which included a ferry ride between islands, and an 85-mile bike tour in Kauai, where he rode from sea level to 1,000 feet on the road up to Kokee Lodge.

Warfield, a member of the Cathedral of the Madeleine Parish, rides almost every day unless the weather prohibits it. In that case he rides his stationary bike, but does not count the miles. Warfield's doctor does not know how he continues to ride with a bulging disk in his lower back, but all Warfield knows is it helps him feel better.

"In 2002, when I was 59, I was on crutches and really could not walk well," said Warfield. "I had a lot of problems with my sciatic nerve. I started riding a mountain bike on the streets just to get some exercise, and my back started to feel better."

Warfield has always been interested in sports. In 1957 he received an athletic scholarship to the University of Wyoming. As a runner he won numerous medals in 5K and 10K races, but was unable to continue running because of his back injury.

"I like to be active, and I just needed something to do. When I first started riding, I could barely go six miles," said Warfield. "By the time I was 65, in 2005, I had accumulated 10,000 miles." He rides with a GPS on his bicycle that calculates his mileage.

"Knowing how many miles I ride seems to encourage me. I need some reason to get out, for instance when it is only 25 degrees, foggy, and ride 30 miles," said Warfield. "I need some kind of self motivation because I'm out there by myself, and it's lonely."

Last June, Warfield rode 811 miles, and in July he rode 937 miles.

"In order to reach my goal of 6,000 miles in 2010, I have to average 500 miles per month," said Warfield. "Even though I almost doubled that some of the months, I realize I have to ride when I can. I ride all year long; the weather does not stop me. I have 30-, 40-, and 50-mile trails I ride every day when possible."

Warfield also keeps statistics on the hours he rides. It takes him about an hour and 40 minutes to ride 31 miles at 18.5 miles per hour. He also keeps track of his heart rate and how many calories he burns. He carries power bars, boiled eggs, and carrot or apple juice.

"I really ride so I don't exceed my heart rate, my speed or my cadence, which is how many revolutions my feet make on the pedals. I use that combination to gage myself," said Warfield. I factor in the heat or cold, wind and rain and hills."

His wife, Jolina, cooks their main meal early in the afternoon because she knows he will be really hungry when he returns from a ride. She too likes to exercise while he is out for a bike ride. She will go for a 45-minute walk or use a 45-minute video.