An 85-year-old woman cycled 1,600 km to heal the pain of losing three children

An 85-year-old woman cycled 1,600 km to heal the pain of losing three children

After enduring heartbreaking losses, the 85-year-old woman found solace in facing new challenges, seeing cycling as a way to heal her pain.

Turning to Cycle to Overcome Grief

Mavis Paterson, 85, from Galloway, Scotland, turned to cycling to cope with the immense losses in her life. She lost all three of her children under different circumstances—one to illness, another to an accident. To date, she has cycled approximately 1,609 km across Scotland.

Paterson lost her son Sandy in 2012 to a heart attack, her daughter Katie in 2013 to viral pneumonia, and her son Bob in 2016 in an accident. All of them passed away in their 40s.

“If it weren’t for cycling, I wouldn’t want to go on living. Losing my entire family was too much to bear. My daughter once told me how unimaginable it was to lose a loved one when a friend of hers passed away. At that time, I said, ‘I can’t imagine that pain either.’ But now, I have no one left,” she told CNN.

Finding Strength and Purpose on Two Wheels

Cycling has been a great source of comfort for Paterson. “It was difficult, but I got through it. People tell me I’m strong, and they ask where I find my strength. I don’t know. I just kept going. My bike has been invaluable, and my friends have been wonderful,” she shared with CNN.

Besides cycling, another motivation that helped her overcome tragedy is her three grandchildren, who are now grown.

For her long-distance cycling journey, Paterson wakes up early and covers around 80 km a day. Throughout this endurance challenge, she has also raised funds for a charity supporting cancer patients.

“I miss my children so much, but I have to keep living. So, I decided to take on challenges. It’s been incredible because it has helped ease some of my pain,” she said.

For an entire month, she cycled across Scotland, experiencing breathtaking landscapes, rolling hills, and unpredictable weather. Throughout her journey, she was supported by fellow cyclists who joined her ride. As she neared the completion of her 1,609 km challenge, crowds, including her grandchildren, gathered to cheer her on. In the end, she celebrated at the finish line with a glass of wine alongside her family.

Paterson has loved cycling since childhood. Besides her epic ride across Scotland, she has taken on numerous challenges, including hill climbs, 24-hour rides, and cycling adventures across Canada and the U.S. She has also climbed Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. In 2019, she became the oldest woman to cycle from Land’s End to John o’Groats in the UK. Although another woman now holds the record, her achievements remain remarkable.

To accomplish such feats, she doesn’t just hop on her bike and ride—she trains rigorously every day, regardless of the weather. “At my age, you’ll give up quickly if you don’t train and set goals. It’s a tough process, but thanks to it, I don’t feel old at all,” she said.

Looking ahead, Paterson plans to take on more endurance challenges and continue raising funds for charity to help others and honor her children’s memory.

I know some people might think, ‘If that old lady can do it, so can I.’ Others who lack confidence in themselves might say, ‘Oh dear, I shouldn’t be like this. Poor Mave has lost even more than me.’

It seems that some have taken up cycling because of my journeys. People tell me I inspire them. If that’s the case, I’m happy to have helped someone,” she told the media.

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