I rediscovered cycling at the age of 22, when I moved to Reno, Nevada from Upstate New York. I had just finished one year of driving an 18 wheeler all across America, and I had fallen in love with the mountains of the American West, seeing them for the first time from behind the wheel. I wanted to focus on working directly with people in Reno, and took a job providing support services for people with disabilities at High Sierra Industries. I loved the work but the pay made for a tight budget, so I sold my car and bought a bicycle to make ends meet, a strategy I used off and on for ten years. Cycling for routine transportation made me healthier, happier and fitter. I started exploring Reno and the surrounding environs by cycling on the weekends, and found myself doing group rides. Soon I got into racing. Who knew something so practical could be super fun too! I started using the bike as a research tool while finishing my college degree in geography. You really do see places with a new perspective and greater detail on a bike. Plus you get a feel for places. On bicycle the West really opened up for me. One thing I didn’t expect was the way cycling brought me into contact with so many people that I wouldn’t have otherwise met. The way cycling builds community, and the journey of discovery cycling affords, is magical. I keep learning more, and deepening my love and commitment. In cycling there is a wonderful congruity between people, technology, and the world. The sense of belonging, that is cycling. Every place I bicycle feels like home. My goals are to keep improving as a cyclist and share the fun with more people. You can follow me on strava and instagram.
Media:
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1817826
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markaasmundstad/
Race and ride reports:
The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, 2017 road race: https://bikeinitiative.org/2017/05/30/everybody-up-iron-horse-bicycle-classic-2017/
Pikes Peak, US National Hill Climb Championships, 2016:
https://bikeinitiative.org/2016/11/27/taking-the-high-road-with-team-csp-sbi/
Cycling Valles Caldera with Mai:
https://bikeyogiblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/rolling-valles-caldera/
Southwest Bike Initiative 