Elite Connecticut cyclist Bill Humphreys prepares for mountain ride after heart surgery

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 22, 2026, 9:00 AM

Last updated Jun 22, 2026

Elite Connecticut cyclist Bill Humphreys prepares for mountain ride after heart surgery
Summary

Bill Humphreys, an 81-year-old cyclist from Connecticut, is preparing for a challenging ride up Mont Ventoux in France on August 24. Known as 'The Bike Guy', Humphreys recently underwent successful open-heart surgery in October 2025, receiving a new aortic valve after being diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and a pulmonary blockage. This diagnosis followed high pulse rates during his participation in events like the UCI Gravel World Championships. Despite his age and health challenges, he is back on his bike, riding 110-120 miles a week in preparation for upcoming races.

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By the Numbers
  • Humphreys is training for a ride up Mont Ventoux on August 24.
  • He underwent successful open-heart surgery in October 2025.
  • Humphreys rides 110-120 miles per week post-surgery.
  • He previously competed in the 52-mile UCI Gravel World Championships in 2024.
  • Known for his coaching role in elite cycling, including Olympic athletes.
Latest Updates
  • 9:00 AMYahoo SportsElite CT cyclist, 81, isn’t letting heart surgery slow him down. Up next? A grueling mountain ride
What they're saying
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Connecticut native Bill Humphreys, known to many as “The Bike Guy,” established himself on the national cycling scene in the early 1970s and later in the decade as an elite level coach who worked with young athletes that later competed in the Olympics and the Tour de France. Always with a need for speed, Humphreys, 81, said he sold his car for a bike in his 20s after a California judge threatened to take away his license if was written any more speeding tickets. As the decades have gone on, Humphreys, an Old Lyme resident, remained active in the sport and as recently as 2024, he trekked up Mount Washington and competed in the 52-mile UCI Gravel World Championships in the 80-plus category.

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