Higgins raced as a young kid before years serving in Vietnam, but found his love for the two wheels again at 45 years old when asked by a mate to race around Waverley Park, formerly VFL Park as Higgins knew it, in Melbourne.
Since then, Higgins and a bike has been a non-stop love affair.
On a road bike or mountain bike, Higgins has travelled Australia on a bicycle, and even with age, he continues to race at great speed.
At the conclusion of the 2026 cyclo-cross season - a style of bike racing involving difficult terrain where racers often have to dismount and carry their bike, or power through unstable muddy conditions - Higgins walked home with silverware.
Although regularly the oldest racer, Higgins is often the only person in his age category, and instead bases his performances on the younger riders he overtakes in the cyclo-cross event, rather than the medallion, which he confirmed when he became the AusCycling National Cyclo-cross champion for his age bracket in Ballarat.
“It was a bit of a tricky course, there were quite a lot of water crossings,” Higgins reflected.
“There were some muddy patches too, but I was really happy with the performance.
“As the oldest, I’m the last to start, and I passed about four or five.
“In the muddiest parts you see a lot of people weave to the side to try avoid it, but I think the best way is to power straight through the wet! That worked well in my favour.”
Higgins also finished second overall for his age range for the 2026 AusCycling National Cyclo-cross Series.
“I really enjoy it, but all types of cycling as well,” he said.
“I’m always swapping road tires for gravel tires, or to mountain bikes. I just love it.”
While the cyclo-cross season is over, Higgins will travel to Western Australia in October for another bicycle event.
For Higgins, cycling is a 12 month sport, and as he powers on with pace in his 80s, there’s no reason to slow down.
10°C