Want to not only be riding but competing well into your 80’s? Sharon Roggenbuck seems to have discovered the secret.
She turned 83 in October, 2021, and is still competing in triathlon, completing over 200. She isn’t slowing down either: she was preparing for a duathlon event in Spain when we caught up with her. Find her profile here: https://www.triathlon.org/athletes/profile/8173/sharon_roggenbuck
Sharon has an 18-year-old Terry titanium bike, and has logged over 34,000 miles on it. She has ridden in local Multiple Sclerosis rides for 26 consecutive years, in her home state of North Carolina. She has completed a total of 33 events, and she is always a top fund raiser.
Sharon’s weekly routine consists of two 30 to 40 miles rides, a swim, and 1 or 2 short runs. She confesses a lack of love for the swim side of triathlons, adding that her four jumps out of airplanes were easier than swimming in triathlons!
I did my first triathlon in ’81 when I was in my early 40’s. I had been running competitively for a few years and triathlon was a very new thing. The first two or three triathlons that I did I used one of my kid’s bikes. It didn’t fit me but I didn’t know any better. Then I decided that if I was going to be doing triathlons I had better get my own bike. Being only 4’10”, there wasn’t a whole lot to choose from. I got a Nishiki, the smallest frame I could find and had good components put on it. I used that bike for several years until I discovered Terry.
At last a bike meant for women, even short women! My first Terry was steel, a beautiful forest green. I used that bike for a number of years as I continued doing triathlons. I then convinced myself (and my husband) that I deserved better. In 03, I bought my titanium Terry. That is still my one and only bike!
Besides triathlons, I also enjoy riding the roads around home and venturing out on week-long biking/camping trips in different states.
Thirty three years ago I did my first NC 2 day bike ride to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. I have done this ride in NC every year since and in many other states. I generally raise over $10,000 for MS each year. I usually do back to back Century rides, or at least a Century on the first day, and a shorter ride the second.
This picture is at the end of my most recent MS ride in New Bern, NC, in 2013. I’m 83 now, I still do triathlons, long rides and MS rides on my sweet little Terry.
Thank you Georgena!
Sharon Roggenbuck
Read a little more about Sharon here: https://www.americansenioralliance.com/heart_of_champion_burns_bright
I remember riding in the NC Triangle Tri series for 10 years and seeing Sharon. She was way faster than I and in an older age group. (I’m 76) Sharon always did cartwheels after she won the events. She was awesome. One year she did the tri two days in a row. I haven’t been to NC in years. It’s super to see she is still at it. I can no longer run due to an injury several years ago so my tri days are sadly over but biking and swimming are still on my plate regularly.
Thanks for your comment, Hope. Wonderful memories, and by the way, you sound pretty inspirational yourself!
Hope,
I didn’t see this article until long after it came out. Thank you for your comments. I’m still doing tris and duathlons. Hope you are doing well. Sharon
Glad to hear it, Sharon. Let us know how we can help keeping you tri-ing!