Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1939-01-06
S. A. Goetchius Montanas Oldest Cycst Pedals Miles Daily

S. A. Goetchius, 80, special deputy
tax collector for the city of Billings
is probably Montanais Oldest bicyclist
In the SO years that he has been riding
bicycle, he believes he pedaled a
distance equal to that around the
world. for he says that he has ridden
his wheel virtually every day during
that time
As matter of fact riding a bicycle
saved his life. In his home town of
Mansfield, Wis, the doctors told him
that he was threatened with tubercu-
losis and that if he remained in that
climate he probably wouldn't live more
than six months. He was advised that
the high, dry climate of Montana was
what he needed, and that outdoor life
and plenty of exercise might head off
the ailment which threatened to cut
him down in his prime.
So he came to Montana and started
to ride a bicycle and to that he at
tributes his longevity and present good
health.
Mr.. Goetchius says that he would
rather travel by bicycle than by any
other mode of transportation. He has
not kept record of the miles he has
Travelled or of the bicycles he has
owned. Estimating that he has ridden
at least two miles day on his wheel
during all of the 80 years, he has COW
cred well over 25,OO0 miles, and prob
ably great deal more than that. for
it is astonishing how little pedaling
1t takes to cover two miles on a BIZ
cycle.
When Goetchius first started riding
bicycle he frequently rode more than
80 miles day. The longest ride he
ever made at one WhaCk was 60 miles
from Dillon to Whitehall
Although he has never driven an
automobile. he has had several ex-
perienceS with them. Once he was
struck by an auto and hurled through
the windshield and knocked uncon-
scious. Another time he was knocked
down and dragged 100 feet by a car
That time he shook himself picked
up his bicycle and rode away.
His bicycle riding started when he
first came to Montana in 1900 from
his native state of Wisconsin. He first
lived at Glendive and was state man.
ager for a fraternal insurance COM
pany. Looking after the business under
his direction, he covered the entire
state on bicycle. He remained in
Glendlve only two years, moving to
Billings in 1901.
Making trips into the western part
of the state he used to take the train
from Billings to Butte, checking his
bicycle as baggage. Arriving at Butte
he started wheeling again. He made
regular trips from Butte to Dillon and
then to Whitehall on that western trip.
The Midland empire territory he usual
" covered on one-day trips out of
Billings. .
Mr.. Goetchius recalls that his prin-
cipal difficulty in those early days of
bicycle riding was breaking the then
single-bar machines. He never tried
to have them fixed but bought a new
machine. Tire punctures also caused
their quota of grief to the cyclist. Mr..
Goetchius carried a regular tool and
tire repair outfit with him and says
that he spent many hours along the
road during the years, patching tires
Coaster Brakes Helped
The advent Of the coaster brake was
welcomed by him. especially on his
trips to western Montana where he
travelled mountain roads and found
going downhill often more difficult
than pumping up a grade. The roads
of that time were not the smooth as
phalt strips of today, either, he re-
calls. They were always bumpy, dusty
in dry weather and little rain made
them almost impossible for a bicycle.
Mr. Goetchius is and has been for
many years past a familiar sight as he
pedals through the streets of Billings
daily, intent upon his tax collecting