While most are settling into retirement, 70-something Terry Knowles of Great Bend is simply shifting into a higher gear.
Almost, Tour de France-like, if you will.
As a result, Knowles has qualified for the National Senior Olympic Games, which will be held in Cleveland, Ohio, in July 2013.
Knowles and teammate Dennis Weinback, team members of Capps Bike Shop cycling team of Topeka, captured gold medals at the Iowa Senior Olympics last Saturday to qualify for the senior games.
Knowles, competing in the 70-74 age group portion of the 5-kilometer time trial, turned in a personal-best time of seven minutes, 11 seconds. His time was seven seconds shy of the course record.
Weinbeck, who hails from Topeka, won two gold medals in the 50-54 age group, claiming first in the 5K and the 10K.

                                                         — Mack McClure