Is Gerald Shropshire's oldest Segway rider?

Is this the oldest rider on two-wheels in Shropshire? Eighty two-year old the Reverend Gerald Davies, from Bronington, near Whitchurch, has begun riding a Segway after finding out about the vehicle just a few weeks ago.

The two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle was invented by Dean Kamen in the USA 10 years ago and has become a well-used form of transport in parts of mainland Europe.

The Rev Davies, a former vicar of Hanmer for 11 years, took up the craze just three weeks ago after discovering it, completely by accident while on a stroll around Dearnford Lake, near Whitchurch.

He said: "Shropshire Segway was there. I paid my money, had a short introduction course and once I got used to it, I went around the lake.

"It's a bit like riding a bike, except you learn how to ride a segway in about five minutes. The machine does it all for you and you learn to trust it. To my knowledge, I'm the oldest person in Shropshire doing it which is all a little bit unbelievable because it's a young person's sport."

Shropshire Segway has been providing tours around Dearnford Lake for riders since August and about 1,000 people have taken up the craze in just over two months.

The Rev Davies said: "The Segway seems to defy the laws of gravity by staying upright. You stand on a little platform, with two wheels below you, two handlebars for grip, you lean forward very slightly and away you go."

Kevin Gee, of Shropshire Segway, said: "Gerald is very proficient, very competent and very steady. Gerald is certainly the oldest rider we've had in Shropshire and we've not heard of anybody older than him."