Linda Elgart was looking for somewhere to live while in graduate school at Southern Illinois University. In the pre-internet era, this involved a lot of asking around. She eventually heard of an open room in a house full of cyclers, including John Elgart. If you haven’t already guessed from the matching last names, this is a love story.

“We lived together from the moment we met,” Linda told the Local with a laugh.

However, this love story involves more than just people, because Linda didn’t just fall in love with John in that house — she also discovered a passion for cycling.

“John loaned me a bike because he had an extra,” Linda said. “Then he took me out and he bought me cycling shoes. That was it right there. That did it.”

The Elgarts have spent decades devoting themselves to cycling — on roads, tracks, and mountains. Their dedication to the sport paid off in success at the 2025 Masters Cyclo-cross World Championships in Italy last November. Linda won first place in the women’s 70-74 age group, while John won second place in the men’s 80+ age group.

A lifetime of cycling

For about 35 years, the Elgarts lived in California and worked for Voler, a cycling apparel company. While in the Golden State in the early 1990s, the pair got involved in cyclo-cross — a form of racing that involves hills and obstacles that force riders to dismount and carry their bikes. It requires a combination of endurance and power, as well as strategic precision. As Linda says, cyclo-cross is like “bicycle steeplechase.”

“Every course is different, so you have to figure out how fast you can go through corners, and what to do about barriers, and when you get on and off a bike,” John said. “So there’s a lot to think about when you’re on the course.”

The sport is most popular in Europe, so during the time the Elgarts were starting to participate, it was very grassroots in the U.S. However, the pair helped start a cyclo-cross group in Sacramento.

Several years ago, the Elgarts moved to Mt. Airy in their retirement. Part of the location’s draw? Proximity to the Wissahickon Valley Park, of course.

“It’s right out the door,” Linda said. “It’s gorgeous out there on the trails.”

In Philadelphia, the Elgarts enjoy volunteering with youth cycling programs through Guy’s Racing Club, a local group of competitive cycling enthusiasts.

Championship competition

The Elgarts have participated in the Masters World Cyclo-cross Championships twice before — once in Louisville, Kentucky, and once in Great Britain. This time their journey took them to a villa in Varese, Italy. The couple enjoyed a two-week stay in an Airbnb with a local family.

Despite a few days of poor weather during the trip, the day of the competition remained clear. After the roughly 45-minute race, both cyclists were satisfied with their results. Although he had won first place a prior year, John was content with second.

“I was happy because I’ve had some health concerns,” John said. “It wasn’t that close. I was clearly in second — I wasn’t going to be third and I wasn’t going to be first. So I had a while to get used to it during the race. I was happy to finish. It was a fun course.”

Meanwhile, Linda was proud of her first place finish.

“I went there really wanting to win,” Linda said. “I felt like this is my year. I may not get to do this again and I think I’m in shape. I feel like I’m ready. So when I actually won, it was a relief. It felt more like a relief than anything.”

A lifelong love

After their success in November, Linda and John are undecided on if they’ll compete in the championships again. Traveling is a consideration, as well as staying injury-free. But regardless of whether they compete again, a lifelong love of cycling will continue to benefit the Elgarts in many ways.

“We’ve had such an interesting life doing this, traveling around and racing and knowing so many people … having this thing in common where you can show up anywhere and be a part of it,” Linda said.

In addition to the life experiences and sense of community, cycling gives the Elgarts a positive outlet to relieve everyday stress.

“It’s quite a relief from the preoccupations that most people have, to be out there and to be in the moment,” John said.

Linda added, “You may be preoccupied and worried about the state of the world, but once you get on the trails, that all goes away because you got to pay attention to what you’re doing. … All you’re thinking about is that rock, that ditch, that climb.”

Maggie Dougherty can be reached at Margaret@chestnuthilllocal.com.