I started mountain biking in eighth grade as a way to get active and healthy. But, that weekly hobby turned into a daily activity, and I soon found myself racing mountain bikes in the jr. 15/16 sport category.
At the end of the 2005 season, I decided to race the Mt. Tam hill climb on a new Fuji that I bought as a training bike. After placing seventh, I checked the results to find that Tieni Duro had taken the race win along with many other top places.
So, I decided to look the team up online to see if I could join on a provisional basis. I wasn't quite sure whether the road was for me, but after my first team ride I knew that the dirt would be a thing of the past.
In 2006, I raced my first full year on the road as a member of the club team. I first raced at Cherry Pie, and was dropped in the first lap… oh yeah, I was good. But, I still knew that this was the sport for me. With a lot of training, I was able to get a few top fives before taking my first wins at the Mt. Diablo Hill Climb Time Trial and the Carrera de San Rafael.
Over the off-season, I have devoted myself fully to training on and off the bike. I am lifting in the gym (oh yeah… the abs… nick knows), doing some sweet 25 45s, and I hope that strong off-season preparation will help me to perform my best in some of the country's biggest races.
Beyond the bike, I am interested in physics, and hope to pursue cycling and the sciences in college. My greatest aspiration is to beat Thor Hushovd in an arm wrestling match (best of three, to be fair). I can do it… with a few more bicep curls.
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