When did you first start riding road bikes?

I’ve always loved riding bikes. I biked as a way of commuting places and for exercise since I was a kid. Later in University, I biked for food delivery apps to make extra money. I eventually got my first real road bike in 2020, and I then dived deep into biking as a sport.

When did you get “serious” about riding road bikes?

Sometime in 2022 once I was able to move my road bike to San Francisco is where I took things up a notch and went on longer and harder rides. Basically each year after that I’ve dialed in more and started actively training.

What does “serious” mean to you?

Serious to me tends to mean looking at cycling from a long-term perspective with specific goals in mind. This could be following a training plan, or consistently racing. Once my YouTube algorithm was dedicated to exclusively showing me videos of training techniques, nutrition guides, gear maintenance, and bike reviews… I realized I was probably more serious than I thought.

In what ways does road biking impact your life?

It has been immensely helpful in my deciscion to stay in SF long-term. The community here is amazing, and the friends I have made have made me appreciate my life and cycling to a much greater extent. Even on solo rides, my mind clears up, I get great ideas, and any stress I’ve had built up vanishes. I feel happier and healthier because of it. 

Have you ever felt like it is negatively impacting your life?

I am a bit obsessive sometimes and I can definitely take things too seriously. I can be too hard on myself for not getting the PR I wanted. I can overtrain and go into a hole. Often though, I am able to manage and realize that at the end of the day it’s just a sport for fun.

Net-net, do you think road biking is positive or negative?

Positive.

Do you have any goals for yourself regarding road biking?

I tend to do ultra-endurance style rides throughout the year. Picking some crazy route just to see if I can actually do it. Once I do it, it’s an amazing feeling. So definitely some more of that this year. I want to do a ride that includes climbing all four peaks of the Bay Area. Definitely some races too.

What are some things you absolutely love about cycling?

The rush of descending down a hill I just climbed all the way up, and the only thing that matters is what’s in front of me. Cycling gives a form of freedom that most things in life just can’t match.

If you had zero constraints on your time, how many hours a week do you think you’d ride?

Probably around 16 - 20 hours. More so if I’m going on a cycling trip or if I’m with friends.

How many hours a week do you ride now?

12 hours on average.

What is something you wish a non-cyclist could experience about cycling?

How supportive the community is here in SF. The incredible sunrise views we get to see several times a week. The meditation of climbing. The thrill of descending. The way it breaks you down and builds you back up.

Have you ever taken a total break from cycling? if so, why?

I took a little break when I moved to SF as I didn’t have my road bike for a bit. Although I have not taken a legitimate break since I got serious about cycling. 

Please choose only three words to describe who you are as a cyclist.

Resilient, willing, determined