Gustav Häkansson, nicknamed "Stilfarfar" ("Steel Grandpa"), was a Swedish cyclist who became a legend for his grit and stamina in his 70s. In 1951, at 66, he was denied entry to the Sverige-loppet, a tough 1,000-mile bike race from Haparanda to Ystad, because he was over the 40-year age limit. Unfazed, he rode the race anyway on his old bike, sporting a homemade bib with a red zero. Starting a minute after the last official rider, he biked without support, sometimes going three days without sleep. He finished first in 6 days, 14 hours, and 20 minutes—24 hours ahead of the official racers. Häkansson lived to 101, passing away in 1987.
In Album: Jimmy's Timeline Photos
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