My entry into cycling was on the knobby wheels of a mountain bike. A 2005 Gary Fisher Tassajara that was purchased when my wife and I decided it was time to remind ourselves how much fun we had on a bicycle when we were kids. The fact that we were going to have a new, fun form of exercise was just the icing on the cake.

My introduction to road cycling falls squarely on the shoulders of Marco and Joel. The two had just recently purchased road bikes when they invited me to join them on the 26-mile Helotes Loop. In an exercise of futility and pain, I attempted to keep up with them on my mountain bike and made it about 18 miles before collapsing 1/2 way up a very steep hill we’ve learned to call “The Wall”

As I waited for Joel and Marco to get back to their vehicles and come pick me up, I made my decision that it was time to choose the right instrument for the road. A lightweight road bicycle with tall, slick tires. A few weeks later, my Felt F75 joined my mountain bikes in the garage.

I owe these gentlemen a debt of gratitude. Since March I’ve put 906 miles on my road bike resulting in a level of fitness I have not experienced in years.

It made perfect sense then to interview these two for my “Why we ride” series.

Joel – (in his 30′s – road biker)