Story of Kafanchan’s 80-yr-old woman bicyclist

Bicycling is very common among the male folks, the young or the elderly. But a glimpse into the world of an 80-year-old woman riding a bicycle in Takau, a community in Kafanchan, Jema’a LGA of Kaduna state tells many  stories.Naomi Musa, the 80-year-old lady, wakes up in the morning and climbs what people of the […]

Bicycling is very common among the male folks, the young or the elderly. But a glimpse into the world of an 80-year-old woman riding a bicycle in Takau, a community in Kafanchan, Jema’a LGA of Kaduna state tells many  stories.
Naomi Musa, the 80-year-old lady, wakes up in the morning and climbs what people of the area sees as “a vehicle” consisting of a light frame mounted on two wire-spoked wheels, one behind the other and having a seat, handlebars for steering, brakes, and two pedals by which she  then rides for several kilometers.
The octogenarian can’t walk without the support of a stick. Little wonder, the bicycle she bought at N200 in Jos, Plateau State many years ago, is what she values more  than the latest cars in town.
Sighted recently riding her bicycle with her veil on one side of her shoulder, and her bag hung on the steering, one can’t believe that the 80-year-old grand-ma won’t have covered several kilometers without the support of her “car.”
Despite being faced with several ailments such as high blood pressure, Ulcer, Typhoid fever and Malaria, Mrs. Naomi Musa still rides  her bicycle, and would always wave to  familiar faces on the road while keeping an  appointment with her Doctor in the Kafanchan General hospital.
“I’ve been riding this particular bicycle for over 20 years, and as you can see, I am on my way to keep an appointment with my Doctor,” the 80-year-old  said.
“I bought the bicycle in Jos many years ago at the rate of N200. When I visited my sister, I told her I want to buy another bicycle because the other one I’ve been using since I got married had deteriorated, and she took me to the store. The colour was white but because I’ve been repairing it with some parts, only the frame has not changed from its original white colour,” she said.
“I did not acquire Western education, but my husband was very educated and supported me in everything I do.I am contented with life as a farmer. When my husband was alive, we never got distracted with the changing wealth of the world, because at that time, the bicycle was the in-thing, and that is why I still value it till today. Apart from the fact that this bicycle helps me to travel several kilometres around my communities, I won’t stop riding the bicycle, because I want to preach contentment to the younger generation,” Naomi added.
Naomi now said that  she gave birth to nine children, but six of them died, leaving her with only three that are also parents.
“People think its poverty that makes me to keep riding the bicycle at this age, but I can tell you that there are several health benefits to it. I’ve been diagnosed with  high blood pressure, ulcer, typhoid and malaria. But the problem I am having most is the leg, and cycling is one of the easiest ways to exercise ,and this has kept  me going.”

Naomi says one can ride a bicycle almost anywhere, at any time of the year, and without spending a fortune. “I learned how to cycle at a very tender age and once you have learned, you don’t forget,” She said.
“Cycling also builds strength and muscle tone. Contrary to normal perceptions, cycling is not a fitness activity that solely involves the legs. Cycling builds strength in a holistic manner since every single part of the body is involved in cycling. Cycling increases muscle tone, builds stamina, improves cardio-vascular fitness because it makes the heart pound in a steady manner and helps improve cardio-vascular fitness. That is why despite many of the sicknesses, my Doctor encourages  me to keep riding my bicycle.”
Yusuf Simon, a teacher with Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Takau, said Mrs Naomi values  her bicycle, which she has been riding for many years. “She travels to many places with her bicycle without hindrance. Because of the value she places on the bicycle, every morning, she properly checks it before going out. Everyone around our community knows her love for cycling and she can’t walk without her bicycle,” Yusuf said.
Medical experts have applauded the 80-year-old woman’s courage of indulging in activities that are keeping her fit and agile, but fear the  implications.
“The implication is that she will over stretch an already weakening body. In old age, the body cells are already weak and not functioning optimally. So, to over work them and stretch the body can risk exhaustion. But that can only happen if she has not been doing the exercise when she was younger,” said a medical personnel at Kaura rural hospital, Dr. Sheyin Madaki.