Cycling champion sees no end to lifelong ride

Nothing stands between 73-year-old cyclist Mick Patton and crossing the finish line

GOING THE DISTANCE: 73-year-old Mick Patton is still breaking records in cycling. Picture: Warren Lynam

NOTHING stands between 73-year-old cyclist Mick Patton and crossing the finish line.

"Limits are something you put in place to save yourself from yourself,” said the world champion who continues to beat records.

Since claiming the 70-plus age group title at the Gran Fondo World Championships in 2016, Mick is determined to persevere with cycling.

He is now training for a qualifying race for the World Series in Brisbane, and the Queensland Criterium Championships, which he has won 13 times.

The Buderim resident has been cycling on and off since he first got on a bike in 1958 and loves "how good it makes (him) feel”.

"If you could make drugs out of the endorphins you get from riding hard, you would make a fortune,” he said.

Mick has no plans to put the brakes on his career.

"Well, who would have thought I'd be doing it at 73?” he said.

"I guess we'll just see what happens, but the years roll on and I don't feel any different.”

Cycling has taken Mick to all corners of the world, but the man born in the UK thinks of Australia as his home and is celebrating 50 years since he moved.

"There's nothing like it here, it's just fantastic. You couldn't get a better place.”