EXERCISE for most men in their 80s means a quick round of golf with friends or a ramble with the wife in the countryside.

But for Swindon builder Ken Leon, there is nothing better than a race on the motocross track or a speedy tour of Wiltshire’s rural tracks.

Ken, the oldest member of the Southern Motocross Club, celebrated his 80th birthday with about 60 friends and family recently.

He said: “When you are riding a motorcycle, obviously you are pleased to win a race but the main thing that has kept me going for the last 50 years is that I enjoy it.

“It is getting harder now but I’m still capable of riding so I will keep on going until I can’t get my leg over the bike.

“I’m lucky that I have got my health and I have been able to continue doing it. There are lots of guys of my age playing golf but you know what I say about a golf course: it ruins a good motocross track.”

Ken, whose firm Leon Builders is based in Stratton, started motorcycling in 1946 aged 16 after he was given a lift on a motorbike by a telegram delivery boy.

After riding a motorbike as a means of transport for several years, he took up scrambling and trial riding at the age of 23.

The father-of-one has since taken part in competitions at several motocross clubs, including the Swindon and District Motorcycle Club.

Last year, in the Southern Motocross Club, Ken rode his 250cc two-stroke Honda to finish fourth in the over 60s category and first in the over 70s category.

Ken, who lives at Kingstone Winslow, near Ashbury, also rides a 250 XR Honda around the old tracks surrounding Swindon with other biker friends most Sundays.

“The beauty of motorcycling is no matter how good or bad you are, there is always a chap you can have a race with,” he said.

“There is a saying that the older I get the faster I was, but I find the older I get the slower I get.”

His wife Peggy Leon, 68, said: “I have lived with his motorcycling since before we were married so to me it is just a way of life. It is great that he still has an interest.”

His daughter Amy, 31, added: “I am quite impressed with him. People are always shocked dad is still riding.”