Gold medal winner signs up for ride

Rodger Nelson, 80, is the oldest registrant so far in this year'sSt. Petersburg Times Bike Tour.

By Helen Anne Travis, Times Staff Writer
Published March 1, 2008

Cyclists whiz by along Hayman Road during the 2006 Times Bike Tour. About 420 cyclists participated in the event.
	[Photo by Will Vragovic (2006)]

ADVERTISEMENT [Handout] Rodger Nelson, right, is shown with his training partner Donald Mainland after the 2003 Senior Olympics in Norfolk, Va.

Rodger Nelson's high school sweetheart came from a bike riding family. Her dad was Wisconsin's American Bike League representative. Her sister and brother were former state champions.

"Anyone who came over to their house was measured up and put on a bike," Nelson said Thursday.

Six decades later, the high school sweetheart is his wife of 57 years, Nelson is a state cycling champion himself, and as of Tuesday, he was the oldest registrant for Sunday's St. Petersburg Times Bike Tour.

"That usually happens," said Nelson, 80.

Nelson might be the oldest in Sunday's ride, but he'll be in good company. As of early last week, there were more people in their 60s and 70s registered for the 75-mile tour than there were people in their 20s and 30s.

That didn't surprise Lee Fenton, director of the Pasco and Pinellas county health and wellness programs for Community Aging and Retirement Services Inc.

Fenton has seen increased attendance in many of her senior wellness programs.

"To remain independent, you need to be healthy," she said. "There are a lot of diseases like diabetes, like heart disease, like hypertension, that can actually go away or be easier to control when you exercise."

Nelson said he used to ride because he loved the competition. Now he does it for his health.

"I get done, take a shower, and I feel good," he said.

Nelson hopes to complete the 40-mile route in a little more than two hours Sunday. And don't think the competition has left his blood.

"If someone tries to pass me, I still give them a go," he said.

The 75-mile route kicks off at 8 a.m., followed by a 40-mile course at 8:15 a.m. and a 9-mile fun ride at 8:30 a.m. All three courses start and end at Pasco-Hernando Community College in Dade City.

The hilly course stretches from State Road 52, then north to the Hernando County line.

For Nelson, the back roads of Pasco County will serve as training for the inclines of San Francisco. Nelson wants to compete in the 2009 national Senior Olympics, which will be held in California. He won two gold medals for his age bracket in the 2003 competition.

His wife, Barbara, also 80, used to race. Now she leaves that for her husband.

"Rodger likes to ride fast," she said. "I just like to smell the flowers along the way."

The couple has four children in their 40s and 50s. Nelson affectionately refers to them as "couch potatoes." He doesn't need to remind his children that their octogenarian father is in better shape than they are.

"They already know that. There's no use in me telling them," Nelson said.

Helen Anne Travis can be reached at htravis@sptimes.com or 352 521-6518.

IF YOU GO

Times Bike Tour

The 75-mile course kicks off at 8 a.m. Sunday, followed by a 40-mile route at 8:15 a.m. and a 9-mile fun ride at 8:30 a.m. All three courses start and end at Pasco-Hernando Community College, 36727 Blanton Road. Registration is $30 for the 75- and 40-mile routes and $10 for the fun ride. Participants must wear helmets.

Visit tampabay.com/biketour.

[Last modified February 29, 2008, 21:27:43]