An MIT Alumni Association Publication

'Fittest of the Fiftieth' Bikes from Cleveland to Cambridge

  • Amy Marcott
  • slice.mit.edu
  • 4

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Class of '59

The class of ′59 gave reunion attendees a lot to smile about last week. They marched with dignity—and some humor—into Killian Court on Friday. They danced their hearts out after Saturday's class banquet. They even rallied at Reunion Row on Sunday, coming in second in the first heat. But one alum takes the cake for his ability to awe and inspire his fellow classmates—Oliver Seikel, lawyer and cycling enthusiast, biked 794 miles from his home in Cleveland, Ohio all the way to the steps of 77 Mass. Ave.

Cyclists

Affectionately dubbed the "fittest of the fiftieth," Seikel maintained a blog for the duration of his trip and his local  TV station posted a video on his adventure.

(And in case you're wondering, yes, even a bike trip can be infused with distinctly MIT-ish charm: "The wind made it possible to build up kinetic energy on the downhill, and then convert it back to potential energy on the uphill, with some entropic loss of course," Seikel wrote in his blog after three days of riding.)

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Comments

Oliver Seikel

Fri, 03/05/2010 4:07pm

David:

True, but being fit permits me to enjoy it more while it lasts. I have now more than doubled my father's life span (he died when I was two and a half, and that is worth something. I am in better shape than a lot of people half my age -- and doing more adventuresome things.

Oliver

David Morrison

Thu, 03/04/2010 8:19pm

No matter what, you're going to croak, Olivier.

Paula Kaval

Mon, 07/13/2009 3:26am

Congrats! on your trip.. What a great job!! I am sure you enjoyed it.. What a wonderful way to celebrate your 50th.. Paula Kaval

Oliver Seikel

Fri, 06/12/2009 9:36pm

Credit should be given to another MIT graduate, Dr. William Steffee, MD, PhD XX 1974, who got me started on the road to fitness some 27 years ago in the Excel program at St. Vincent Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Also, credit should be given to the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic who help keep me in good shape, especially Dr. Robert Dimeff in Sports Medicine.