Mar 27, 2021 at 12:16 PM
So many new members! So excited for the warm weather and exciting things to come!
Introduce Yourself, Post a Photo - Mugshots
Mar 27, 2021 at 01:54 PM
@PierreBillet welcome to the very rarified list of Kissenas outside NYC! This thread has may be perfect for you https://forum-archive.kissenacycling.com/discussion/489-p13.html#Comment_111773
Mar 28, 2021 at 04:11 PM
Hey everyone!
My name is Samson Drews and I just joined the club this past week! I was born and raised, until I I was 7, in NYC and then Westchester after that. I'm currently living in Manhattan in Flatiron so shoot me a message anytime for laps in Central Park!
I got into mountain biking as a kid in Westchester, making my own little trails through the woods and went to Killington for a mountain biking camp for a couple of summers, which was awesome (we got to take the gondolas up). I biked less through high school and college playing team sports, mainly football and lacrosse. And then like many during covid I picked cycling back up again and was lucky enough to get a shiny new Specialized Tarmac SL6 this past summer.
Since then (and almost 5,000 miles later without very many haircuts) I've been riding solo or with small groups around the city, 9W, Westchester, and Central and Prospect Parks. After seeing a bunch of Kissena jerseys along the way I loved the idea of combining my loves of cycling and team sports so I'm pumped to be here with you all!
My name is Samson Drews and I just joined the club this past week! I was born and raised, until I I was 7, in NYC and then Westchester after that. I'm currently living in Manhattan in Flatiron so shoot me a message anytime for laps in Central Park!
I got into mountain biking as a kid in Westchester, making my own little trails through the woods and went to Killington for a mountain biking camp for a couple of summers, which was awesome (we got to take the gondolas up). I biked less through high school and college playing team sports, mainly football and lacrosse. And then like many during covid I picked cycling back up again and was lucky enough to get a shiny new Specialized Tarmac SL6 this past summer.
Since then (and almost 5,000 miles later without very many haircuts) I've been riding solo or with small groups around the city, 9W, Westchester, and Central and Prospect Parks. After seeing a bunch of Kissena jerseys along the way I loved the idea of combining my loves of cycling and team sports so I'm pumped to be here with you all!
I’m looking forward to going on some bigger group rides, trying some racing, and eventually getting back into my off-road roots with a cyclocross/gravel bike.
Really excited to be a member can't wait to get to know you all!
Really excited to be a member can't wait to get to know you all!
Mar 28, 2021 at 05:46 PM
Hey Whats going on everyone, My name is Devin And I just joined KCC! Born, raised, and still living in Brooklyn NY! I started biking pre pandemic to commute to work, and the bike sat and collected dust from late 2019 for the most part all the way up until just a few weeks ago. I picked it back up again to get healthy, and get faster, as one of my goals for this year is to do a race (or 2). If anyone is down for prospect park laps, let me know!
Mar 28, 2021 at 09:44 PM
Welcome Devin & Samson!
Mar 29, 2021 at 12:34 AM
Hey everyone! Name is Stephen - Like Devin, I'm a born and raised New Yorker. Currently living out in Sunnyside. Been riding for the larger part of the last 22 years and am looking to start racing. Love spending my time off the bike skiing, hiking, traveling, and trying new things.
Will try and get down to PP for rides but anyone who trains in CP - lmk! Looking forward to riding together! (Don't have any pics of me on my bike so thought Id post the whip instead)
Will try and get down to PP for rides but anyone who trains in CP - lmk! Looking forward to riding together! (Don't have any pics of me on my bike so thought Id post the whip instead)
Mar 29, 2021 at 07:15 AM
Welcome everyone!
Cheers,
PIerre
Cheers,
PIerre
Mar 29, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Oh man, it’s so cool to have you all on the team! Excited to meet more of ya as the summer rolls around. Also if you’d be cool with participating in a lil new member social media campaign...
Mar 30, 2021 at 12:50 AM
Hello all!
My name is Sam Auld and just joined. Stoked for all the miles to come! Cycling has generally always been a part of my life, I've just recently become more focused on it as a pursuit rather than simply a means to get from point A to B. We have a little one at home so I'm an early morning/late night rider through the week, mostly in the most efficient form possible--PP orbits.
I sought out Kissena because I always see so many jerseys at the park and everybody is always kind and courteous (and flying past me on the hill usually!). I'm looking forward to the camaraderie, adventures, and some road and gravel races, pandemic gods willing.
My name is Sam Auld and just joined. Stoked for all the miles to come! Cycling has generally always been a part of my life, I've just recently become more focused on it as a pursuit rather than simply a means to get from point A to B. We have a little one at home so I'm an early morning/late night rider through the week, mostly in the most efficient form possible--PP orbits.
I sought out Kissena because I always see so many jerseys at the park and everybody is always kind and courteous (and flying past me on the hill usually!). I'm looking forward to the camaraderie, adventures, and some road and gravel races, pandemic gods willing.
Mar 30, 2021 at 06:50 AM
Welcome!
Mar 31, 2021 at 07:42 PM
Hey All!
Jumping on here to introduce myself! My name is Ian Fergie and I recently joined the club. I'm a Brazilian native who moved to California 8 years ago for college, and then more recently, 4 years ago to NYC for work.
I picked up biking when I first moved to NYC because I wanted to train for triathlons. Turns out I'm a horrible runner and swimmer, so that was very short lived. I'm not too much better on the bike, but at least I enjoy it! Since then, I've enjoyed exploring all the NY biking scene has to offer. You can often find me doing Central Park loops on weekday mornings, 9W on Sundays, and perhaps even Bear Mountain when I'm feeling good.
Similarly to a lot of people on this thread, I used the pandemic as a good time to bike more often than I was previously. I found that being on the bike was a great refuge from being stuck in my tiny apartment. As such, the longer I spent on the bike, the better mood I found myself in! Throughout this, I also realized I missed riding with big groups and meeting new people on group rides. As such, I sought out the club to meet new people who are bike enthusiast like myself and hopefully to get into some bike racing (I miss competing!).
I currently live on the west side of Manhattan so let me know if you're ever down for some Central Park laps! I rarely say no when it's not raining.
Excited to meet you all!
(P.S. feel free to roast me for my white shoe/black sock combo in the pic below)
Jumping on here to introduce myself! My name is Ian Fergie and I recently joined the club. I'm a Brazilian native who moved to California 8 years ago for college, and then more recently, 4 years ago to NYC for work.
I picked up biking when I first moved to NYC because I wanted to train for triathlons. Turns out I'm a horrible runner and swimmer, so that was very short lived. I'm not too much better on the bike, but at least I enjoy it! Since then, I've enjoyed exploring all the NY biking scene has to offer. You can often find me doing Central Park loops on weekday mornings, 9W on Sundays, and perhaps even Bear Mountain when I'm feeling good.
Similarly to a lot of people on this thread, I used the pandemic as a good time to bike more often than I was previously. I found that being on the bike was a great refuge from being stuck in my tiny apartment. As such, the longer I spent on the bike, the better mood I found myself in! Throughout this, I also realized I missed riding with big groups and meeting new people on group rides. As such, I sought out the club to meet new people who are bike enthusiast like myself and hopefully to get into some bike racing (I miss competing!).
I currently live on the west side of Manhattan so let me know if you're ever down for some Central Park laps! I rarely say no when it's not raining.
Excited to meet you all!
(P.S. feel free to roast me for my white shoe/black sock combo in the pic below)
Mar 31, 2021 at 08:03 PM
Black sock/white shoe ok in my book
Mar 31, 2021 at 09:27 PM
Wout and I have many socks issues to discuss, this is not one of them.
Ian, welcome, you look sharp in that photo. Bring that sharpness to all rides and you'll fit right in.
Ian, welcome, you look sharp in that photo. Bring that sharpness to all rides and you'll fit right in.
Apr 02, 2021 at 04:04 PM
Thanks all for filling out the survey! Be on the look out over the next few weeks for some silly bios on our insta @kissenacycling
Apr 04, 2021 at 02:23 PM
Hello everyone!
I'm super excited to join the club and get to know new people who share the same passion for cycling. I moved to NYC 13 years ago from Israel. I've been riding and racing since I was 12 years old but stopped in my early 20s. For years I always thought "this year i'm buying a bike to start to ride again." It took me a little bit of time but I finally pulled the trigger and started back up a couple of months ago.
My goal for 2021 is mostly to build my base back and do some long rides. Hoping to get back in shape and try some racing in the future.
I live in Brooklyn with my wife and 5 month old baby, and I own a restaurant. You can find me in PP at least a couple of times a week. On the weekends I'm always trying to get a nice long ride in.
Feel free to hit me up for laps in PP or a long weekend ride. Would love to join.
Amir
I'm super excited to join the club and get to know new people who share the same passion for cycling. I moved to NYC 13 years ago from Israel. I've been riding and racing since I was 12 years old but stopped in my early 20s. For years I always thought "this year i'm buying a bike to start to ride again." It took me a little bit of time but I finally pulled the trigger and started back up a couple of months ago.
My goal for 2021 is mostly to build my base back and do some long rides. Hoping to get back in shape and try some racing in the future.
I live in Brooklyn with my wife and 5 month old baby, and I own a restaurant. You can find me in PP at least a couple of times a week. On the weekends I'm always trying to get a nice long ride in.
Feel free to hit me up for laps in PP or a long weekend ride. Would love to join.
Amir
Apr 04, 2021 at 10:04 PM
Awesome , let us know the name of your restaurant
We get hungry
We get hungry
Apr 05, 2021 at 01:27 AM
Happy you joined up Amir! I think i said this at the donut ride, but the paint job on that allez is soooooo nice.
Apr 09, 2021 at 07:01 AM
Apr 09, 2021 at 07:02 AM
Nice sunny ride in Brittany, the nearest french county from New York city!
May 01, 2021 at 11:32 PM
welcome Adam, great story and I look forward to seeing you out on the road and possibly a biking and fishing adventure.
May 04, 2021 at 01:33 PM
Hi all,
Very excited to be a member of the club. I've lived in Hoboken/Jersey City for the last 4 years but just got back on the bike last year. I used to ride and race a lot about 10 years ago when I was living in Connecticut but lost touch with it for a while. Definitely feels good to be back on the bike! Cycling actually changed the trajectory of my life when I first started in 2009. I had just graduated college, and didn't know what I wanted to do with my career. I started cycling just to get in shape and fill my days. Through a local cycling club in Connecticut, I connected with the guy who produced the Tour de France for a small sports cable outfit called Versus (now NBC Sports Network). I was unemployed at the time, so he decided to throw me some part time work which eventually led to a full time gig. I was lucky enough to cover cycling and travel to some really cool places and have worked in media (both digital and broadcast) ever since!
Anyways, with the pandemic last year, I decided to use that to get back on the bike and get back in shape. My goal for this year is to get back to racing and just have some fun on the bike. I do most of my rides on this side of the Hudson, so definitely feel free to reach out if you're looking for a good ride in Jersey!
Looking forward to meeting you all in person at some point.
Thanks,
Nigel
Very excited to be a member of the club. I've lived in Hoboken/Jersey City for the last 4 years but just got back on the bike last year. I used to ride and race a lot about 10 years ago when I was living in Connecticut but lost touch with it for a while. Definitely feels good to be back on the bike! Cycling actually changed the trajectory of my life when I first started in 2009. I had just graduated college, and didn't know what I wanted to do with my career. I started cycling just to get in shape and fill my days. Through a local cycling club in Connecticut, I connected with the guy who produced the Tour de France for a small sports cable outfit called Versus (now NBC Sports Network). I was unemployed at the time, so he decided to throw me some part time work which eventually led to a full time gig. I was lucky enough to cover cycling and travel to some really cool places and have worked in media (both digital and broadcast) ever since!
Anyways, with the pandemic last year, I decided to use that to get back on the bike and get back in shape. My goal for this year is to get back to racing and just have some fun on the bike. I do most of my rides on this side of the Hudson, so definitely feel free to reach out if you're looking for a good ride in Jersey!
Looking forward to meeting you all in person at some point.
Thanks,
Nigel
May 04, 2021 at 02:09 PM
Welcome Nigel
As weekend group rides return from COVID-hibernation you will see more rides starting from Fort Lee/ GWB heading north or into NJ. Join us if you can!
As weekend group rides return from COVID-hibernation you will see more rides starting from Fort Lee/ GWB heading north or into NJ. Join us if you can!
May 04, 2021 at 04:43 PM
My name is Edwin Fitzgerald Groby “Edwin” and I was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia which is in northern Colombia close to the mountains. I was adopted from Colombia when I was 10 months old.
Been living in Brooklyn for 30 years, lived in the village for 1.5 years but that was when I was a baby so that don’t count.
My father has definitely been my number one influence for cycling he was quite an avid cyclist when he was younger. I grew up watching the grand tours every year starting at the age of eight.
Cycling was not my first sport though, Soccer & Hockey are my two sports. I played soccer into college playing at the division II level in Florida . In my sophomore year I tore my ACL on my left leg and that was the end of that.
Went to school back in NYC and ended up joining an education start up where I taught in the public school system for almost ten years.
I now help manage a skateboard non profit called the Pablo Ramirez Foundation. Pablo Ramirez was a prolific Skater who passed away tragically two years ago. We now try and strengthen communities through Skateboarding, arts, music, & environmentalism.
I started cycling when I was 13 years old on beautiful Trek race series my father lent me from the 70s. Prospect Park has been my proving grounds all my life 😂😂
The pandemic really helped highlight my cycling ambition like many of us.
The rest was history!
Blessed and honored to be here! 
May 05, 2021 at 01:02 PM
Welcome Nigel and Edwin!
May 06, 2021 at 01:24 PM
Welcome Edwin and Nigel! I look forward to riding with you soon!
May 07, 2021 at 03:16 AM
Hey everyone!
I'll jump on the intro train here. My name is Bram VanderMark, I'm a director in the film industry and have been in NYC just over 3 years - I live in Greenpoint!
I was a late bloomer when it comes to cycling... After playing soccer my whole life and then finding some fulfillment in the mental challenge of Crossfit, I found distance running and fell in love. After completing a few half marathons and a full, I started having some strange back pain. This was early 2020. I chalked it up to a running injury, tried to push through, but eventually running became too painful to continue.
Alas, I reached out to a buddy of mine who races and is a cycling obsessor, and he encouraged me to give it a shot. I dove deep, fast, and absolutely fell head over heels in love. I immediately trained for and completed my first century, and it was the best shape I've been in.
My back pain was persisting... After a long journey of seeking answers, I found I had a tumor just outside my spinal cord, and was months from paralysis. Miraculously, we found it, it was benign, no permanent damage to nerves, and I had spine surgery in December.
All that to say... I was back on the bike by February! This pushed me to want to explore new levels and new limits, and through that, I was inspired to train harder and take a stab at racing. I'm also passionate about building relationships in the community, and can't wait to learn from you all as we ride together in our beautiful city!
Grateful to be here! Look forward to meeting you guys.
I'll jump on the intro train here. My name is Bram VanderMark, I'm a director in the film industry and have been in NYC just over 3 years - I live in Greenpoint!
I was a late bloomer when it comes to cycling... After playing soccer my whole life and then finding some fulfillment in the mental challenge of Crossfit, I found distance running and fell in love. After completing a few half marathons and a full, I started having some strange back pain. This was early 2020. I chalked it up to a running injury, tried to push through, but eventually running became too painful to continue.
Alas, I reached out to a buddy of mine who races and is a cycling obsessor, and he encouraged me to give it a shot. I dove deep, fast, and absolutely fell head over heels in love. I immediately trained for and completed my first century, and it was the best shape I've been in.
My back pain was persisting... After a long journey of seeking answers, I found I had a tumor just outside my spinal cord, and was months from paralysis. Miraculously, we found it, it was benign, no permanent damage to nerves, and I had spine surgery in December.
All that to say... I was back on the bike by February! This pushed me to want to explore new levels and new limits, and through that, I was inspired to train harder and take a stab at racing. I'm also passionate about building relationships in the community, and can't wait to learn from you all as we ride together in our beautiful city!
Grateful to be here! Look forward to meeting you guys.
May 07, 2021 at 09:35 PM
Hey guys!
I'm Greg. I joined the club back in March/Feb time, but just getting around to doing an intro. I'm a product engineer living over in Ridgewood, Queens.
I come from a swimming/triathlon background, so cycling is a bit of a fish-out-of-water experience for me, but I love it. Last summer, I had the pleasure of being able to explore the New Hampshire hills and countryside, and it really ignited my passion for all things bikes. (Gravel anyone?)
Having finished up 2 races so far this season, I'm loving it even more! Really looking forward to meeting more Kissena folk and riding/racing with you all this season! With the ginger flow and the "fancy" painted bike, I'm pretty easy to spot out riding too.
-Greg
I'm Greg. I joined the club back in March/Feb time, but just getting around to doing an intro. I'm a product engineer living over in Ridgewood, Queens.
I come from a swimming/triathlon background, so cycling is a bit of a fish-out-of-water experience for me, but I love it. Last summer, I had the pleasure of being able to explore the New Hampshire hills and countryside, and it really ignited my passion for all things bikes. (Gravel anyone?)
Having finished up 2 races so far this season, I'm loving it even more! Really looking forward to meeting more Kissena folk and riding/racing with you all this season! With the ginger flow and the "fancy" painted bike, I'm pretty easy to spot out riding too.
-Greg
Jun 25, 2021 at 03:51 AM
Hi folks. Brian here, I'm officially back in the fold after a couple years away, so I'm re-introducing myself.
Looking forward to hopefully seeing new and old Kissena's out on the road and catching up over some drinks. The last time I was on this forum was summer 2019, shortly before ramming myself into a car (oops!) on a mountain road in Spain, ruining what was a lovely vacation.
Here's some pics, before (with a very wonderful group of some former Kissena's) and after (at a truly lovely hospital in Spain). I've still been riding a bit over the past couple years, but keeping it limited, due to the wreck at first, then followed by a very busy career period, which then merged into a pandemic, of course.
See you all out there
Jun 25, 2021 at 01:15 PM
Brian - I hope you got to keep those slippers! Glad to see you back and look forward to riding with you.
Jun 25, 2021 at 01:21 PM
I assumed you had moved to Hollywood 