Active seniors: The bicyclist and the triathlete

A couple of area seniors take the term "active" to a higher level.

Robbie Telles, 55, is an ardent bicyclist and Greg Southard, 64, regularly participates in triathlons.

Telles is employed with the Clovis Police Department.

He is a captain and oversees the special operations unit.

"I try to do at least three weekly rides of at least 16 to 20 miles. Saturdays I meet up with a group and we ride from 16 to 80 miles," Telles said.

Telles got interested in bicycling when he was working in upstate New York in the late 1990s.

"I was into riding mountain bikes. I had access to some great riding in the Adirondack Mountains," Telles said.

Telles' bicycles are specifically designed for speed and going the distance. One is specifically for climbing and the other is for endurance.

"I have two different road bikes. I converted back to road bikes when I moved back to New Mexico. I have two carbon fiber Treks. Trek is a quality bicycle," Telles said.

Telles sees bicycling as an excellent option for exercise as it's not too hard on the body.

"For me it's just good physical fitness without beating my body up. There's no heavy impact on any joints and I'm able to maintain endurance," Telles said.

Telles sees bicycling as good for the mind also.

"For me, bicycling is good therapy. It gives you the time and opportunity to get your mind clear," Telles said.

Telles said he hasn't given consideration to being labeled an "active senior."

"I've never given any consideration that I am a senior citizen. I work in an environment that is full of younger adults and I've just never actually stopped to realize how old I really am," Telles said.

Some people consider bicycling "dangerous" due to possible collisions with vehicles.

Telles is undeterred.

"It's sad you have to be concerned about your safety when you're riding. It would be nice if there were more places designated for cycling," Telles said.

Telles believes anything done for physical fitness or physical well being has risk associated with it.

"I think it's a great sport. I'd like to see more people involved in bicycling," Telles said.

Bicycling is also a big part of Greg Southard's active regimen as he works to stay in shape to participate in triathlons, an event made up of bicycling, swimming and running.

"I swim or bike or run most days. I swim for 30 minutes, come home and ride my bike for an hour or I swim then run for 30 minutes.

When he's not exercising, Southard helps his mother who is recovering from an illness.

He is also "having fun" working at Zia Radio Group and working as a concealed carry instructor at Caliber's USA of Clovis.

"I don't consider myself a senior citizen. It's a mindset. I don't consider myself at a disadvantage because I am older," Southard said.

Southard got interested in triathlons in the 1990s when, as a pharmaceuticals salesman, he met some doctors in northwest New Mexico who had active lifestyles.

"They were mountain bikers. One time they suggested we do a triathlon. We did and we still do, we are friends to this day," Southard said.

Southard sees triathlons as the best kind of exercise.

"It's a total body workout. As for the mind, it helps with stress. It gives me a chance to stop thinking about work stuff and focuses my thinking on my workout," Southard said.

Like Telles' bicycles, Southard's bicycle is a carbon frame model.

"I race on a carbon fiber Felt (brand) triathlon bike. It's a bicycle specifically designed for triathlons," Southard said.

Southard feels good about the riding environment in eastern New Mexico.

"Clovis has a lot of bike lanes. There are more friendly drivers here than other places," Southard said.

Southard said the triathlons he participates in are the ones in New Mexico and west Texas.

"I've never been particularly good at it but I enjoy it.

"Those guys I go to triathlons with would laugh to know I'm being interviewed on the topic.

"They'd say, 'If a schlub like Southard can do it, anyone can do it. That's my encouragement," Southard said.