Ross joined the SVBE Board in February and brings with him a wealth of experience in operations and all aspects of running successful companies. One of the first things Ross has been tackling was improving our shop operations and making wrenching on bikes a more efficient process. Thanks for helping to keep SVBE rolling smoothly!
Read on to find out a little more about Ross!
Ross joined the SVBE Board in February and brings with him a wealth of experience in operations and all aspects of running successful companies. One of the first things Ross has been tackling was improving our shop operations and making wrenching on bikes a more efficient process. Thanks for helping to keep SVBE rolling smoothly!
How did you get involved with SVBE?
I got involved with SVBE through Dave Fork who I've known as a business acquaintance for probably 25 years. Dave contacted me for some advice on SVBE operational systems and processes last year and through our discussions, I thought I could help put the kind of business systems in place that would allow SVBE to continue to grow. I've always liked bicycling and SVBE's mission and thought it would be fun and rewarding to help out.
What keeps you coming back?
The challenge of helping SVBE improve its systems and processes as well as the thought that we're providing a great community service.
You’ve most likely worked on a number of different bikes. Which bike stands out as the most memorable, or your favorite?
I've worked on road bikes, mountain bikes, and track bikes. I used to race bicycles when I was in college and my favorite bike was a Schwinn Paramount with Reynolds 531 tubing that I used to train on. It probably got 50,000 miles or more put on it. It just became an old friend. My racing bike was a Geoffrey Butler from England which I also loved.
What’s your favorite bike tool?
A bike stand that holds your bike while working on it. I can still remember the first one I owned and how much easier it was to work on a bike with one.
What is your background in cycling? And on wrenching on bikes?
I started riding bicycles when I was in high school and in fact didn't own a car until my second year of college. I started racing bicycles in Southern California at that time. There was virtually no professional bike racing in the States at that time so all the racing clubs rode as amateurs. My club was headquartered in Orange County and named Velo Orange. I progressed through the various levels ending up riding as a Category 1 rider. I liked road races but hated flat fast criteriums. There always seemed to be a crash in them - road rash is the worst.
My favorite road race was when a teammate of mine and myself drove up to the Bay Area and raced the Mount Hamilton road race. Being a poor college student I couldn't afford to take my bikes into a shop for repairs, so I pretty much did all my own maintenance and repair. Back then everyone raced on tubular tires (sew-ups). Again, being poor, when I got a flat I couldn't afford to just buy new ones all the time. They were quite expensive. I got very adept at un-sewing my flat tires, patching the tube and then re-sewing them, gluing the protective strip over the stitches and then gluing them back on the rim of my wheels - I probably had 4 or 5 sets of wheels. I trained on the repaired tires and saved my new one for the races.
What can you share about your personal or family bike collection?
I still have my old Schwinn Paramount. I don't think I could bear to part with my old friend. I also have a full suspension Specialized FSR mountain bike and a single speed fixie.
What has been the most interesting problem you’ve worked on at SVBE?
The most interesting problem is the stage where SVBE is in its growth. Most organizations reach a point where they outgrow their communication and business systems. SVBE has reached that point and could really take advantage of upgrading its business software and processes - which happens to be my area of expertise.
What’s your favorite bike ride (local or not)?
My favorite local road ride would have to be the roads in the Santa Cruz mountains. The best bike ride I've ever taken was a two month ride around New Zealand when I was in college.