At 88 years young, Peter Grandiek is an avid cyclist and has no plans of slowing down on his bike anytime soon. 

He is gearing up to take on a 100km bike ride from Invercargill to close to Winton and back to raise money for St John's ambulance on October 16 - just four days shy of his 89th birthday.

Mr Grandiek said this would be the farthest distance he has cycled in one go, but he wanted to do something special to celebrate his birthday and raise money for a cause close to his heart.

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"I've been picked up twice by the ambulance [St John’s] now," he laughed. 

"I think they are doing an incredibly important job. They're always there when you need them, and they couldn't survive without volunteers and the donations from the public."

Eleven years ago, Mr Grandiek was working on his farm in Rimu, Southland when he had a sudden heart attack out of the blue. 

By all accounts, he felt like he was fit and healthy, he was a non-smoker, and had been taking some cycling classes at ILT Stadium Southland for a few years previously.

A short while after the heart attack, he found out he would need triple bypass surgery. 

The surgery was significant but as he progressed in his recovery, Mr Grandiek decided to get back on his bike.

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He started cycling again at the stadium, though a programme called CycloFit run by Cycling Southland, which helps people of all ages and abilities to get back on their bike. 

"I would recommend CycloFit to anyone," said Mr Grandiek.

It wasn't long before his fitness improved and his instructor quickly noticed his speed and endurance on the bike. 

"The instructor told me: “I think you better get on the track because people are getting terrified of you flying past them,” said Mr Grandiek.

Then, much to the shock of his doctor, six months later he was competing in the cycling world championships in Sydney.

Since then Mr Grandiek’s love of cycling has flourished, and he has competed in cycling competitions all over the county.

He has three stacked coat-hangers worth of medals to show for it. 

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Last weekend, Mr Grandiek took part in the Southland Road and Time Trial Championships, braving the elements to complete his 15km race. 

When asked about how he has the energy to compete in so many races he said, "age is just a number.”

“You think when you get old that you can’t improve your fitness, but you have to disregard what age you are, the numbers mean nothing.”

He said it's never too late to start a new hobby and look after your health. 

As well as cycling, Mr Grandiek also likes to keep fit by going to the gym and pilates classes.

He hopes his story can inspire other people who are later in life to get on their bike and give it a go. 

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Mr Grandiek’s 100km through Southland on October 16 fittingly coincides with the national 'Restart A Heart Day'.

He will be accompanied on the ride with a group of support riders and the group will finish up at ASB Bank, Invercargill around 2pm that same day.

ASB staff will have a BBQ going for supporters waiting to meet and greet Mr Grandiek and his support riders.

To donate to Mr Grandiek’s 100km bike ride in support of St John's Ambulance, you can donate via his everyday hero page.