Seeing 90-year-old Terry Hackett walk – deliberately and carefully assisted by his trusty cane – one might not assume that a dedicated and motivated recumbent e-biker lives deep in his soul.
In fact, he’s a lifelong cyclist whose passion took a turn nine years ago. At age 82, he was experiencing problems with his balance. At his son’s suggestion, he tried an e-trike and fell in love with it. Now, he perseveres after several surgeries, including two knee replacements and hip and shoulder replacements. That, and an assortment of broken bones, mostly due to biking mishaps.
Hackett logged over 3,600 miles in 2024, typically 150 per week in good weather. Since switching to the trike, he has carefully documented his monthly mileage all on two large recipe cards – more than 20,000 miles.
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Small butterfly and deer ornaments adorn his trike, inspired by close encounters with the animals shortly after he started on his trike. “I run like a deer and fly like a monarch,” Hackett says.
Now a Greendale resident, Hackett grew up in Lake Geneva. Early on he sold occupational therapy kits to nursing homes and hospitals around the Midwest. When government funding for the kits dried up, Hackett changed course and followed his love for sailing to Sturgeon Bay. He managed the marina there for many years. He scooted around the marina on his bike, impressing customers with his prompt customer service.
Fast forward to 2025. It’s nothing for Hackett to head out by himself to “get in a quick 20 (miles)” on his trike. But his greatest joy is the camaraderie of group treks of four to six riders, which he takes three times per week. His wide smile and infectious chuckle assure fellow cyclists this is going to be “a good ride.”
“It’s exciting to see people enjoy it, going a little farther, and a little faster,” he says. “Seeing that individual improvement is very special to me.”
At 90, Hackett shows no signs of slowing down. His 2025 goal is 4,000 miles, which would be a personal record. He’s halfway there with half the biking season left.
His recruiting has been equally active. Three years ago, upon reconnecting with a distant cousin at a suburban Milwaukee church, he suggested they start a biking group. They did, and Hackett joins this group of five twice per week.
Hackett frequently hauls his trike an hour or more in his minivan to various state and local bike trails. Often these become 40-mile rides, or even 60 if he’s feeling especially motivated. His longest single ride was 85 miles in 2023. His favorite trail is the Glacier Drumlin State Trail, most often from Waukesha to Wales.
What keeps Hackett going? The thrill of the trail, fellow riders, and sunny, warm Wisconsin biking weather. And sharing stories, about his shipbuilding, sailing, and restoring log homes in Door County. About growing up in Lake Geneva, and his close calls and mishaps on the trike that leave fellow riders shaking their heads in disbelief and admiration.
“It never gets old when you’re riding on the trail,” Hackett says. “You never know what you’re going to see.”
Any message to prospective bikers contemplating hitting the trails for a ride?
“Ride as far as you can,” he says. And set a goal for yourself. “Make it your ride, and just go. You can always do more than you think you can.”
