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The Valley Today is a radio show and podcast dedicated to shining a light on the vibrant community leaders and local events that make the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia truly special.  Insightful conversations, engaging stories, and event details connect listeners with the heart and soul of the valley, showcasing its unique culture, initiatives, and people.
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  2. Cycling Without Age: Bringing Winchester Along for the Ride

Cycling Without Age: Bringing Winchester Along for the Ride

May 28, 2026

A two-year YouTube rabbit hole, a heart-tugging keynote in Norfolk, and one perfectly-timed introduction — that's the unlikely path that brought Cycling Without Age to Winchester. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury with Steve Policastro (founder of Cycling Without Age Winchester), Jeannie Shiley (Westminster-Canterbury's President & CEO), and Teresa Barton (Wellness Manager) to talk about the global nonprofit that's giving older adults the gift of wind in their hair — one slow trishaw ride at a time.

The conversation unpacks how a Copenhagen-born movement (now in 40+ countries with 6,000 trishaws and over 5 million rides given) landed in Winchester through "big world, small town" timing, what the rides actually feel like, and the five principles — generosity, slowness, storytelling, relationships, and "without age" — that guide every chapter. Plus: how to become a pilot, how to support the push for a second trishaw that can serve the whole community, and where Janet's orange blanket fits into all of it.

 

ABOUT CYCLING WITHOUT AGE WINCHESTER

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit chapter of the global Cycling Without Age movement (founded 2012 in Copenhagen). Free trishaw rides for older adults, powered entirely by volunteer pilots. Currently 15 trained pilots and one trishaw, partnered with Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury. Fundraising underway for a second trishaw to serve the broader Winchester community — downtown walking mall, museum trails, Jim Barnett Park, and beyond.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

  • Become a pilot — if you can ride a bike, with practice you can pilot a trishaw 
  • Donate or fundraise toward the second community trishaw 
  • Spread the word — follow on Instagram and share the rides 
  • Watch for an upcoming community fundraising event featuring the same documentary that inspired Westminster-Canterbury

LINKS & RESOURCES

• Cycling Without Age Winchester: cyclingwithoutage.com/winchester

• Email: winchester@cyclingwithoutage.com

• Instagram: @cyclingwithoutagewinchester

• Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury: svwc.org

• The global Cycling Without Age movement: cyclingwithoutage.org (Ole Kassow's TED Talk and the founding story)

• Partner organizations referenced: Bike Walk Winchester, Winchester Wheelmen

THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations.

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