Pez Cycling published a feature article on Albuquerque cycling stalwart John Frey. Over the 3+ years I’ve lived here I’ve met John many times while out cycling. Even before I moved here I was aware of the US 40 kilometer time trial record he set in 1990 on one of the fastest courses in the world in Moriarty, NM. John averaged nearly 32 mph! And his record still stands. Pez Cycling’s article helped me learn much more about the depth and detail of John’s accomplishments and the prominent cycling traditions here in Albuquerque.
I grew up in Tucumcari, New Mexico and discovered cycling by visiting a small pro shop in Albuquerque, NM while attending the university and using the bike for transportation. I was intrigued by the specialized equipment and [the] fact that bicycles were raced like horses, even the cleats were nailed onto the shoe. –John Frey on getting into cycle sport
Each time I’ve met John it has been an impromptu meeting on the bike, and every time has been memorable. I first met John on the North Diversion Channel multi-use trail, while I was cruising with my friend Chris. We stopped and said hello. Another day I was climbing the Sandia Crest and rode up beside John and he started talking to me. I matched his pace for a while and he told me how popular this climb was for cycling. As I recall he got through a couple different subjects including steel bicycle frames before I spooled ahead. The last time I met him we rode together north to Bernalillo and east through Placitas.
It was a fun ride. John was on a team ride with Sandia Cycles, a bike shop in Albuquerque, and the group I was with bumped into them at the traffic circle on Tramway Road, a common meet-up spot for group rides. We all decided to share the road together and headed to Bernalillo and then Placitas. During the ride we came across a herd of horses. We carefully chose our path around them. On the same ride John led us through a series of backroads bypassing busier roads. It was a new route for me, and a beautiful one.
John is a lot like New Mexico. His down-to-earth authenticity makes his monumental stature approachable, if you can keep pace with all the interesting stories. On the Placitas ride he was looking after his teammates and keeping the herd of cyclists together. As typical on a medium sized group ride, you ride side by side and change partners as the group rotates through. I heard a lot of stories from John and his teammates about the cycling heritage and traditions here in Albuquerque and New Mexico. John’s feats of speed on the bike did not surface. You have to read the Pez Cycling article for that! The links are at the end of this post.
Continue crazy for the bike, but enjoy anything outdoors in New Mexico altitude with my wife, Kelly, who is still on my wheel after plenty of rough road and bad weather! Advocate for cycling and health prevention to anyone, whenever possible. –John Frey on what he’s up to now
Links and references:
Pez Cycling talks to chrono legend John Frey, part 1
Southwest Bike Initiative 