From the deck of an aircraft carrier to the scenic trails of Los Gatos, Louis has spent his life in motion. No stranger to the long haul, the retired Navy captain, naval aviator and commercial pilot has logged millions of miles by sea and air over the last 40 years — once even calling carrier landings “man’s greatest sport.”
But these days, Louis prefers the open road to the open ocean. Since taking up cycling at age 50 to stay fit and social, he has become a powerhouse on two wheels, consistently hitting his goal of 90 miles per week. His impressive track record includes multiple 100-mile "century" rides, which many consider the equivalent of running a marathon. His longest cycling trip was a massive monthlong trek all the way from the Canadian border to Thousand Oaks, California.
After moving from Arizona to The Terraces of Los Gatos to be closer to family, Louis shows no signs of slowing down. Although he enjoys riding in solitude most days, he looks forward to joining a local cycling club to meet other enthusiasts and perhaps find a few new friends to hit the trails with. He also enjoys regular rides with his son, who shares his passion.
"There are many beautiful trails and a variety of terrains in and around The Terraces of Los Gatos,” he says. “One day, you can cycle to an area with steep climbs, and another day, you can be on flat terrain. I prefer riding on the open road.”
Whether he’s tackling steep climbs solo or using his e-bike to keep pace with his bike-racing son, he’s proof that the best view of the world is from the seat of a bicycle.
With his adventurous spirit, initially, he was concerned about feeling at home in a senior living community. “Within a week, that concern was a moot point,” he comments.
His worries quickly dissipated when he discovered the caring, supportive people and variety of activities he could participate in, including bus trips to cultural destinations, such as the textile museum, the natural sciences museum and the local symphony.
And the extracurriculars aren’t the only thing he loves about the community — he notes that it’s conveniently located close to grocery stores, the bank, coffee shops and good restaurants.
Choosing to retire at The Terraces at Los Gatos didn’t put limits on Louis’s life; instead, it helped to expand his horizons and allowed him the independence to pursue his passions. “We were surprised at how much wider our world became when we moved here too,” he says.
Even with millions of miles on his odometer, Louis is determined to keep exploring, keep growing and keep on riding.
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