When did you first start riding bikes?

I started riding bikes in the fall of 2022, using it as a tool to recover from breaking my leg. My PT suggested I pick up cycling to rebuild strength in my leg, and I figured since my dad raced bikes since he was young, that I could share that with him. The first bike I bought was a Scott Gravel bike at Sports Basement, so I could explore with it. 

When did you get “serious” about riding bikes?

After riding for a few months (Sep-Dec 2022), a friend of mine told me about the Grasshopper Adventure Series, a gravel race series in NorCal. The first race was Low Gap, a 40-mile race with 6000ft of elevation, and I figured I would love to do that with him, so we signed up. I knew nothing about training, nutrition, or anything at all when it came to racing as a cyclist. I also did not fit the stereotypical build, as previously I was a powerlifter and weighed 285lbs. The day comes, and the race absolutely killed me. I bonked three separate times and was so unprepared for that, but instead of it deterring me, I was so motivated. I am competitive and always have been, but after that race, I knew I wanted to ride with the best of them, and I was going to make a change because, if others can do it, why can't I?! I went home and started over. I started training more, eating better, and going to group rides in the city. That moment is precisely when I started to take it more “serious”.

What does “serious” mean to you?

Serious to me means dedicating time to riding my bike and making space for it, so if that means waking up at 5 am to fit it into my schedule, I am doing that. It also means what I do outside of biking is beneficial to my health. I rarely drink alcohol anymore, as those days were during my time in the military, but now I am thinking more as an athlete, I don't find myself wanting to drink either, just a personal preference. I also make a conscious effort to fuel off the bike properly. Lastly, I am working with a coach and investing into my fitness by using structure. All of this is what serious means to me. 

In what ways does road biking impact your life?

Biking has impacted my life in many ways! First, the freedom to experience nature and different places/environments has been life-changing. Ive been in the Bay for about 10 years, and until 2022, I barely explored the wonderful nature we have here. I have been able to meet some of my greatest friends through cycling and also share this sport with my father, which I am so grateful for. It is also a therapeutic tool. If I am feeling off or going through something hard, I can go for a ride and feel free to think about whatever I'm going through. Lastly, my health has never been better. As I said earlier, being a powerlifter, I was strong but lacked cardiovascular health, and now I feel so much more well-rounded as a human.   

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

For sure, it has negatively impacted my life. The crashes and injuries have been brutal, especially for my wife, as she has to deal with me having broken bones and the other side effects of injuries. This sport is also time-consuming, which I didn't think much about until last year, but I feel that early morning rides make it more manageable. Cycling is also extremely expensive, which can be hard, but I try to be smart, and I’d be much better off if I stuck to the gym.  

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

No question, biking has been so positive!  

Do you have any goals for yourself in regards to biking?

Over the last few years, I have been working to improve my fitness and race against the best. Last year, I raced in a few elite fields and finished mid-pack. What I gained from this and noticed is that I have a lot to work on before I can mix it up with the pros, but the goal for me is to continue to improve my fitness, do my best at these races, and see what happens! A long-term bucket list goal is to do Leadville with my dad and big buckle together in 2027, as that has been a massive goal of his. 

What are some things you absolutely love about cycling?

I love the feeling of pushing my limits and how rewarding it is to finish something hard. I love the friends and community I have here in San Francisco; it has truly been life-changing.

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

20-25 hours if it were a perfect world, as that seems standard for the modern full-time cyclist.    

How many hours a week do you ride now?

I ride 15-20 hours a week now

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

I wish a non-cyclist could experience what I felt during the Bariani Road Race with Ivan Bonet, when we launched an attack 60 miles out and went so deep to win by a substantial margin, and at the end, one of my best friends and I crossed the line, leaving it all out there. I can’t describe it other than to say it's like a massive, monumental effort I shared with a friend. 

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

2025 has been a year of readjusting for me. In May, I took a 1.5-month mental break from cycling. I was putting a lot of expectations on myself, and it was neither healthy nor benefiting me in any way, so I stepped away to reset and come back with a better mindset. The most recent, which has been accident-related, where I broke my collarbone and suffered TBI during a team ride, will have me off the roads until February 2026, but I just started trainer riding after 4.5 weeks after the crash and mentally I have been so lucky to have the community I have and I am very excited to get back to riding soon and prep for the 2026 season which for me will start in April to make sure I am very ready!