Wheaton’s oldest resident celebrates 100th birthday with bike ride

BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

Not many people live to see 100 years old, and when Wheaton resident Floyd Hughes hit the mark on July 19, he knew the best way to celebrate — riding his bike through town.

Starting at his home by the Methodist Church, which he joined with his wife more than 70 years ago, Hughes and more than 50 family and friends rode a few blocks down East Santee Street, across to Main and back around to his home.

Along with the riders and walkers in the paradelike celebration, multiple individuals and groups lined Main Street to cheer Hughes on.

Though he has crossed into triple digits and is the oldest resident of Wheaton, the “limited 1923 edition” Hughes said the day felt the same as any other.

“One hundred feels just like 99 — or 20 or 30,” he said.

Hughes credits his biking, among other things, for keeping him so young at heart and able in body.

“I started to ride my bike when my eyes weren’t good enough to see, and that was about 20 years ago,” he said. “I’ve been riding ever since. When I started losing my eyesight, I told Rodney and Kay I wanted to buy a bicycle, so I sold my pickup because I couldn’t drive two cars anyway, and I could pull my boat with my other car.”

Hughes said the bike was purchased at Cassville Walmart, returned by another individual that did not like how it rode.

“They resold it to us, and I’ve been riding that same bike for 20 years,” Hughes said.

The trike-style bike with a basket has proven useful for more than just exercise, too.

“I ride it to the grocery store to get my groceries and the post office to deal with mail, and to the senior citizens center when my leg is up for riding,” he said. “On average, I ride it at least once every day, even when it rains. But, my bike leaks; there’s no top on it.”

Hughes broke his hip in 2014, and he said his doctor has encouraged the exercise daily.

“The last time I went to the doctor, he said I didn’t have to come back for a year,” Hughes said. “I said all right, I can come back in a year, then I told him about my bike riding all the time. That next year, when he saw my X-ray, he asked if I was still riding my bike. He said I should stay on it and don’t get off for as long as I can.”

When it comes to reaching a century in age, Hughes said the key to staying healthy had little to do with himself.

“The only thing I can say is I had a good wife,” he said. “We worked together, and she could cook and knew how to feed me. I also worked all my life digging ditches and building things, all jobs that kept me active.

“I have had a good life, and the Lord has been good to me.”

Hughes and his wife owned a store in Wheaton together for 29 years, and raised two sons in the community, though his oldest died in a vehicle crash at the age of 31.

“Wheaton has been a nice town to raise kids in and has pretty good schools,” he said. “It would be good to have a doctor here, but the doctors that came never stayed too long. We’re too small to support them.”

Hughes said the community bike ride was an enjoyable celebration, and he hopes others can reach the same milestone.

“I think this is great and I really hope other people live to be old enough to ride together,” he said.

Hughes’ mind at 100 is just as able as his body, exemplified by his sense of humor as he rode down Main Street.

“Hey everybody,” he said as he waved to a crowd of about 15 parked in front of city hall. “What town is this?”