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Nickname: Flipper
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Birthplace: Lake Forest Illinois
Age: 23
Favorite Ride: Skaggs Springs Rd to King Cazadero, aka “Levi’s Ride” in Santa Rosa, CA
Favorite place to ride? Santa Rosa, CA
What sparked your interest in cycling when you were young? I never rode when I was a kid; I played tennis when I was really young and then got really lazy and fat during middle and high school, and found other forms of entertainment that I won’t mention here.
When did you get into cycling, and what form was it? My senior year of high school, my uncle challenged me to do a Sprint Tri with him in Boston, he told me if I trained he would fly me out and pay my way. I started training then and took to running more though and really starting to do that more.
Have you had any serious injuries while Racing? How long did it take you to get back on the saddle? I have broken ribs, and of course had my fair share of road rash, but nothing thankfully has kept me of the bike for any considerable period of time.
Who are your favorite Cyclists? Jens Voigt – who doesn’t love the guy? Who else will ride in the break all day long and laugh about it?
What events do you plan on attending or racing this season? My last race of the season is Univest Grand Prix in PA, my first UCI race. After that I plan on taking a good break from the road.
What are the biggest podiums thus far in your racing career? I just got back from a 3-day stage race in Eugene where I placed 2nd on GC. It was nice to have the reassurance that I am still going well this late in the season. However, by far my biggest win was the Criterium this year at Collegiate Nationals in Fort Collins, CO. That really changed things in my mind about cycling.
What is you philosophy on competing? Is it more metal or physical for you? Totally mental. I have been in races this year with guys that are at the top of the sport in the US, and some that have been at the top of the sport in Europe, and having the confidence to know I can race with these guys is more mental than anything physical. That being said, a huge amount of work went into getting me to the level were I can race with those guys.
What other aspects of your life have been influenced by cycling? Fortunately, or unfortunately, everything. It just all depends on how you look at it. This past year it has been close to a full time job with training, racing and travel.
What is your biggest goal for this season? Next season? To get to Univest and try to support some of the faster guys on my team do well there. Ideally by getting into the break, that would be a dream come true. For next year, I want to start and get results at NRC races and get picked up by a pro team. I had a very successful season locally in the northwest, but I need to grow that into doing well at some of the bigger races.
What do you do to occupy your time when you’re not on the bike, besides work? There are times when you aren’t on your bike? Really?
What bike do you ride? What’s it weigh? I totaled my bike this year in a crash at Cascade Classic in Bend, and am currently riding a Ridley Excalibur as a loaner; I think it is probably about 17 pounds with race wheels.
What would your advice be to up coming riders that want to start racing? Don’t hesitate. With how racing is set up in the U.S it is REALLY accessible, and there are categories for everyone. You may surprise yourself and find you’re upgrading rather quickly.
How many miles a week do you ride to train for road racing? In the winter I am training on average 28-30 hrs a week, mostly on the bike but not all of it. In the summer with racing and travel that comes down quite a bit. It takes a lot of time to rest and recover from racing.
Have you ever toured anywhere? Bob trailer or panniers? I road to Glacier National Park a few summers back with my friend Mike. I pulled an old Burley trailer on that trip. It was amazing, and every year I hope to go on another long tour, but I haven’t got another long one in since then, just some shorter ones.
Who have been some of the people that have helped you along with your racing career? The cycling community is great and there are several people to whom I owe a lot of my success. The Western Washington University Cycling team really developed me as a cyclist and introduced me to some of the people who keep me riding and going fast. My coach Brian Ecker, and doctor, Steve Noble (of Noble Chiropractic) have both helped me more than I could every pay them back for. Also Ed Layton with Natural Health Bellingham has helped a ton utilizing Traditional Chinese medicine. Of course there is also my girlfriend, who has somehow put up with this craziness for the last four years.
