About Me
My earliest memory of riding was of my Mom and Dad teaching me to ride my “Knight Rider” bike without training wheels. There are other photos of me on tricycles and stuff, but that’s what I remember. Later on, I won a BMX bike in a national contest from Aqua-Fresh toothpaste called, “What Makes Me Smile.” I can’t remember exactly what I said, but it was extremely sappy and was meant to win the contest, not to be extremely sincere.
From that point on, I was hooked. I have loved bikes for as long as I can remember. I have ended relationships over group rides. I have raced a little bit, had some good finishes, and won a few races in a few different cycling disciplines. No matter how much I dream about racing on the cobbles of northern France, or in the slop of Belgium in the early spring, I’ve never been anywhere near becoming a pro. I know my place. My forte is working on bikes.
After working in two local bike shops, I got my USA Cycling Mechanics’ License and started making my way into working at professional road races. I volunteered at the right time and made the right connections and have had the opportunity to work at some pretty big races throughout the years.
Tour de Beauce 2005, Quebec City - Jittery Joe's/Kalahari Pro Cycling Team
Some may see the life of a professional race mechanic as a cool job, but it is truly one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had, even comparing it to my time in the US Marine Corps. The hours are crazy, the work is demanding, the riders can be picky… but it’s a blast! The first time you do a repair out of the window of a team car, your heart is beating so fast… the adrenaline is pumping… but you can’t screw it up. You get the job done and get ready for the next thing you encounter.
I met my wife on the road. Niki was working as the soigneur for a professional team, when I was recruited to fill in as the team’s mechanic for the remainder of the summer. She stopped at a truck stop to fill up with gas and to rendezvous with me for the trip up the East Coast… and we haven’t looked back. We now have an amazing family, including two young children, Sadie and Maggie.
Right now, I’m working at Out Spokin’ Bicycles, a bike shop in Woodstock, GA, that I can honestly say is the best shop I’ve ever worked in. We’re a small shop and don’t use a lot of titles, but if I had to give my role a name, I’d say I’m a Sales/Customer Service Manager. I also maintain the shop’s website, send out the shop’s e-mail newsletter, and glue tubular tires.
In addition to my day job at Out Spokin’, I recently started a side job as Technical Editor for the VeloReviews.com website/cycling community. I’m also very active in my church, Revolution Church, in Canton, GA. I’m still working races as a neutral support mechanic on occasion, but haven’t worked full-time with a team since 2007.
It’s a good life. I definitely can’t complain. Maybe one day, I’ll get to France and Belgium for a few rides… and maybe a little pro wrenching during the Classics. For right now, I’ll just do what I’m doing.
