Rex Hutchins, who lives in Wroughton, was given a ride-by by Swindon Wheelers on Saturday, November 15.
“Dad didn’t know anything about it. The cyclists started arriving and it was just incredible,” said Pete Hutchins, Rex’s son.
“He was absolutely buzzing, he had never seen anything like it. The emotion was amazing.”
Both Rex and Pete are former members of Swindon Wheelers, formed in 1923, which runs rides across Wiltshire and the surrounding counties every weekend, for people of all abilities.
Swindon Wheelers Vice President and Historian, Howard King, said: “Our President Steve Dutton set up the event after meeting Rex’s son Pete at one of our weekly cafe stops.
“We usually have about six organised rides on a Saturday to different cafes around the Swindon area, but thought we would surprise Rex by all riding to Wroughton instead to wish him a happy 100th birthday!
“Most of our 50-odd riders were quite motivated to see Rex looking active and still riding his bike on occasions!”
“When they all turned up, they sung Happy Birthday and gave three cheers. They got a card for him,” said Pete.
“All the riders were so enthusiastic about it – it was just a magical moment.”
Rex has been cycling his whole life, and has passed on the passion for the sport to his son.
“Cycling is in our family. My dad and my mother spent their honeymoon on a tandem. And they used to cart my youngest sister round in a sidecar on the tandem.
“It’s a family thing. I’ve always cycled. He used to take me out as a kid. It’s just always been there,” said Pete.
Rex’s love of the sport has not diminished over time – he still goes out cycling on the weekends.
Pete said that the buzz of cycling is something “you can’t quite explain.”
“Dad will always ring me on a Sunday morning when he’s out and stopped for coffee. I can hear it in his voice when he calls me and says: ‘what a beautiful morning, it just makes you feel good to be alive.’
“It’s just a lovely feeling,” said Pete.