Clarkston native, 81, gearing up to cycle in another Michigan Senior Olympics

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Clarkston native, 81, gearing up to cycle in another Michigan Senior Olympics
Detroit Free Press
Clawson, MI - When it looked like his cycling days were over after contracting West Nile virus, he used the skills he picked up in the automotive industry to build his own recumbent tricycle out of custom-made parts.

In 2002, Norm, then 66, contracted the West Nile virus. He credits his recovery to exercise and a plant-based nutrition program. During his recuperation, Norm applied the skills he honed from 39 years at General Motors and seven years with American Gear and Axle to build a recumbent trike. The trike featured his design and tooling expertise - built with custom-made parts. Doing so kept him on the road and helped him overcome the aches and pains of the virus.

"I started having problems and couldn't keep my balance on a bike, so I built a three-wheel recumbent, and me and my friend who also couldn't keep his balance rode around on our three-wheel recumbents together.

"It's helped me when I was trying to get back in shape. I've always liked it, but I've enjoyed riding for quite awhile."

At 72, he had both knees simultaneously replaced. A few months after the surgery, he was back on his bicycle. Norm recalled, “My Beaumont surgeon called me his ‘poster boy’ when he saw me on my recumbent trike.”

His rehab from knee surgery went so well that Norm took no pain medication. Again, he credited his plant-based diet. Many of the vegetables he consumes are grown in a small backyard greenhouse.

About five years ago, he was hit by a car while cycling not too far from his home. Yet he still rides.

Despite his healthy lifestyle, in 2012, at age 77, an exercise stress test confirmed he had some blocked heart arteries. He underwent open-heart surgery with four bypasses. Fortunately, Norm experienced a rapid recovery and seven months later was again back on his recumbent trike. He also started riding a mountain bike.

Flaga used to cycle 25 miles every other day to stay in shape. Now he tries to get out ...


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