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Going the distance: Athletes over 70 President and Publisher | Rob Devincenzi Ad Manager | Lori Pearce Advertising Operations | Diane Sartarelli This Senior Style Special Section is produced in its entirety by the Advertising Department of the Marin Independent Journal and did not involve the editing or reporting staff of the Marin IJ's newsroom. The Marin Independent Journal is located at 4000 Civic Center Drive, Suite 301 in San Rafael, Calif. 94903. Sports keep seniors young at heart Four athletes over 70 tell how movement has enriched their lives By Judith M. Wilson Special to the Marin IJ P hysical exercise is good for the body and brain. For people with a passion for sports, it's a lifelong pursuit that brings substantial satisfaction. Four Marin residents over 70 share what their sports mean to them. Cyclist fosters lifelong love to ride Bob Freitas' father owned a bicycle shop, so he was exposed to cycling early. He took little interest in learning to ride, though, until he saw his sister riding his bike. Then he hopped on, took off and found the road to adventure. Cycling became a lifelong love, taking him on long-distance rides on the rural roads of West Marin and Sonoma counties, trips through Tuscany and a tour of the San Juan Islands with his daughter, when she was in college in Seattle. The Netherlands and Brazil are among places he has explored by bike. Freitas, 72, has ridden over Mount Tamalpais many times; the Paradise loop in southern Marin is a 22-mile ride that he's done hundreds of times. "It's addictive. When you get to a certain level of activity, you get that rush," he says. "For overall fitness, it's excellent." Much of the pleasure, however, comes from the company of other cyclists. Above: Bob Freitas' Birthday Ride XV taken in Tiburon. He is the ninth person from the right in the blue windbreaker and yellow helmet. Freitas has a big party every year that includes a ride of the ''Paradise Loop'' and then ends up at his home for a nice lunch (temporarily paused due to the pandemic). Below: Freitas in Tiburon on a loop he estimates he has ridden 1,000 times. – Photos courtesy of Bob Freitas 6 October 17, 2021 Senior Style A Marketing Supplement of the Marin Independent Journal | marinij.com