Inside the peloton: Chuck Warnock

I signed up and am training for GFNY Florida Hardee because it is a challenging ride I can work toward at 72 years of age.

I started riding at age 61. I don’t know how I missed it before then! I was the senior pastor of a large church in our area, so I kept a pretty full schedule. It kept me in pretty good shape, and I couldn’t believe how much I loved cycling.

However, even though I was riding a lot and all my health markers were good, (cholesterol, blood pressure, and everything else) I had what I thought was a mild heart attack four years ago. It was discovered I had 100% blockage in one of my arteries and 90% in two others!  More or less a genetic condition. Quadruple bypass surgery the next morning.

After several months of recovery and therapy, I was back on the bike, putting in the same miles as before. The next year did a bike tour in southern France and I climbed Mont Ventoux (5700 ft.), a definite bucket list for me.

Riding continues to motivate me and possibly saved my life prior to the heart attach.

I’m looking forward to my first GFNY event!