Marcel Bastide has a gold medal but more importantly he still pedals a bicycle with both of his legs.

Bastide, a transplanted Frenchman from the Toulouse area who lives in Orrington, won a gold medal in the 20-kilometer bicycle race in the 50-59 age group at the U.S. Senior Olympics in July in Baton Rouge, La.

That Bastide was even riding a bike let alone winning a race was pure luck.

“Three years ago I had an aneurysm. It was misdiagnosed. I have a neighbor who is a nurse practitioner, Mary Jude. She managed to have an emergency meeting with a local surgeon who understood right away what was happening,” Bastide explained.

The doctor discovered an aneurysm behind his knee and a blood clot in the same leg.

“It was very dangerous. If Mary Jude didn’t send me that night, it was just a matter of what killed me first. If I had been very lucky I might just have lost my leg. ”

But Bastide survived the ordeal and climbed back on his bicycle and began to rehabilitate his body and training for the Maine Senior Olympics.

The training culminated with Bastide qualifying for the U.S. Senior Olympics. Only three Maine cyclists were sent to the games.

“I owe my medal to the people who saved my life. I did it because of them. I have been very lucky.”

Now Bastide, 56, has his eyes on even a bigger prize – a cycling medal at the World Senior Olympics next year at Melbourne, Australia.

Last week he checked his fitness against all comers in a 14-mile time trial at Damariscotta at which 46 cyclists competed. Bastide managed a second-place finish, sandwiched between 23-year-old and 17-year-old cyclists.

Bastide came to the United States 16 years ago. After nine years in Hampden, he settled in Orrington four years ago. He has been married to Cynthia Brooks for 10 years. He teaches French at the Liberty School in Blue Hill and in the evenings to youngsters in grades 2-8 in Stonington.

Surprisingly, despite coming from a cycling-crazed country, Bastide didn’t take up cycling until 10 years ago.

His regimen is tough. It is customized according to the competition. Five 50-mile rides per week. Sometimes he takes on a 115-mile ride.

“It’s not bad. Of course, I really have to train to stay at the top because young people don’t do me favors. When they can, they clobber me,” Bastide said.

Tagliabue at United Way event

Friday evening NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will make a visit to Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono. Tagliabue will not be bringing his golf clubs. He will be speaking to a select group of United Way donors known as the Leaders’ Circle.

Bangor city councilor Frank Farrington is the person responsible for bringing Tagliabue to Orono.

“I know Paul a little bit. He’s just a great guy,” Farrington said.

Farrington’s association with Tagliabue comes from the two families having cottages next door to each other on Squirrel Island off the coast of Boothbay Harbor. Farrington said the Tagliabues have been going there for 25-30 years.

“He and Chan [Tagliabue’s wife] love to come to Maine. They think it’s a great state. We’ve agreed to let them become Maine citizens,” Farrington joked.

Tagliabue is no stranger to the United Way operation. He has served as the United Way’s national president in the past. United Way promotional spots run during NFL games.

Charles “Chip” Hutchins is the campaign chairman for the United Way of Eastern Maine. He said Friday’s meeting is a Leaders’ Circle Recognition Reception.

“We’re trying to get more people involved,” Hutchins said. “A Leaders’ Circle event is for those donors at the $1,000 level. We’ve invited some people who we believe could be at that level.”

The meeting is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. with Tagliabue to speak at 6 p.m.

Don Perryman’s Local Spotlight column is published each Wednesday. He can be reached at 990-8045, 1-800-310-8600 or at dperryman@bangordailynews.net