1.    When did you start racing and why?

Racing bikes didn’t start until 2015. However, I’ve been racing (running) for nearly 20 years.

Cycling is a natural evolution for me and I’m still learning a lot. I always knew that I’d like cycling and the new field of competition brings out a competitiveness I haven’t felt in many years. I love it!

2.    What makes you love cycling so much?

The biggest factor is exposure to the area where I live. While I don’t always love the amount of time I need to devote for cycling, I LOVE being able to see so much of the countryside or cityscape.

3.    What different cycling disciplines do you participate?  Race or recreation?

At this point I’m purely a road cyclist. Cyclocross will be a no-brainier for me in due time and I’m sure I’ll also get into mountain biking.

Did I mention being competitive? Yea, I like racing.

4.    What do you take in your jersey on long rides?

I pack up pretty light: tube, pry bar, co2 with nozzle on one side, phone on the other. I keep a sleeve of shot blocks on my thigh under my bibs.

5.    What piece of your cycling gear(clothing, wheels, anything) is your favorite?

I love clothing and, as such, I have many jerseys. Dave is usually the first person to notice when I’ve enhanced my wardrobe.

My favorite jersey is either my Twin Six King of the Mountain jersey or a jersey given to me as part of a deal I worked out with the shop manager of a cycling store in Asheville, NC. Beer City Bicycles, FTW!

6.    Which pro cyclist will you cheer for in the pro peloton?

Probably all of them since I have no clue about the field, history, etc. Can I root for Lance? …bad idea? Oh, he retired?? Five years ago? Hu.

7.    Which pro cyclist do you think your style is most like?

And because I’m a complete novice [insert: n00b], I have no idea.

8.    What do you eat after a long ride or race?

Is ‘all of it’ an acceptable answer?

If I’m choosing I want chocolate milk or a smoothie, and then whatever sounds good at the time.

9.    What is your favorite race memory, what race was it and why do you remember it?

OSRS Lake Hope, 2015. Going into the race I knew it would suit me well because I like climbing. The part I hadn’t realized yet, pre-race, was that if no one knows you and you try to break the pack, they’ll just sit instead of chase. This is what happened to me. …being a cat5 race plays a factor too, I’m sure.

On the second climb of the back-half of the course I made a big move on a 8-15% incline and completely broke away. One to two miles later I look back and the pack had not changed much. Once I realized that I’m an unknown and therefore no one has a reason to chase, I let up to let the pack reel me in so that we could see how the last lap plays out.

In the final few miles there were maybe 10 of us on a big descent. With a smallish hill at the 1k mark, most of our group had enough power left to make moves; I did not. Finished 8th.

10. What advice do you give to your team member or a new team member?

I’ll absorb a few years before handing out advice. I will say this though: if you’re looking to push some pedals, look me up. ��

11. What are your 2017 goals?

First is a mileage goal, 7000. I want to race as much as possible. Five to ten road races, 2-3 crits and a few cool events would make me happy.

Start at the front, race smart, push the pace and rely of my strengths. If I do this, I will move up to cat4 and maybe better.

12. When you aren’t pedaling your bike what do you like to do?

Like Dan, I like TED talks and general YouTubing. I run. Play in two pool leagues, three nights a week. Play 10-20 hours of poker, mostly cash games. I walk/run my dog a lot (Ollie, staffordshire terrier. …yes, pitbull.) I sell software. A bit of cooking and a smaller bit of crafting. Yea, I like to do things.