Neville Woodcock bikes his way through lockdown

It started out as a way to build a routine and maintain fitness during the uncertainty of lockdown.

But Hilda Ross resident Neville Woodcock’s pledge to cycle 10 laps of his retirement village every day has seen him pedal an impressive 680km – and inspire a few fellow residents along the way!

“You have got to be positive when these situations happen,” said Neville, 80, a retired sheep and beef farmer from Tauwhare.

“When we went into lockdown I thought I have got to do something positive and keep to a routine.

“I haven’t missed a single day. And I really think this lockdown has helped the residents here to get together more and get fit.”

Pre-lockdown, Neville was already a familiar sight on Hamilton’s many cycleways on his electric bike and would usually manage three rides a week of roughly 20km.

But the strict lockdown measures put in place to stop the spread of Covid-19 meant Neville couldn’t leave the confines of the Ruakura Road village.

“A circuit around the village is 1.5km per lap so I thought I would do 15km a day. I have a distance metre on my bike and I wouldn’t stop until I’d done 15km. I did it every day and rode 680km.”

Neville said the length of time it took to complete his 15km could vary wildly from day to day.

“Sometimes it would take me one-and-a-quarter hours - if it was a little bit windy I wouldn’t see as many people. But sometimes it would take two-and-a-half hours and it would be because I was talking to people!”

Describing himself as a ‘reasonably friendly person’, Neville, whose wife passed away before he moved into the village, said he particularly enjoyed talking to those with walkers and wheelchairs.

“I found it quite exhilarating to be honest.

He was thrilled to be able to finally visit some family when lockdown rules changed.

“I’m going out on my bike today to see my daughters. This will be my first visit since lockdown started and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Pictured: Neville Woodcock takes a moment during his lockdown laps.