Name: Eric ‘Hungry Lad’ Bryan
Year: Second-Year
Hometown: Kentfield, Marin County, California
Major: Bioengineering and Economics
Racing since…
Mountain bikes since 2012, road bikes since 2015
What brought/brings you into cycling?
When I was 15, I needed a way to get to class on time, so I borrowed my mom’s road bike. I never knew you could go so fast on a bike! After three minutes, I was hooked, and a month later I was asking for my own road bike. A month after that, I was recruited to join my high school’s mountain bike team, and I’ve been riding ever since.
Favorite race?
On the mountain side of things, it doesn’t get any better than Bogg’s Mountain in NorCal. In terms of endurance riding, the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo was super awesome. For road bikes, anything that’s not a crit is fine by me, but in particular, Sherman Pass Road Race was particularly entertaining. You start at 2500’ and end at 9200’. Plenty of climbing.
Biggest mistake before a race?
Not examining my rear tire. One race, the pressure was too low, and I got a flat during the team time trial. Another race, the tire was partially unseated from the rim, and while nothing bad happened, I consider my survival in that crit a miracle.
What is your pre-ride/race ritual, if any?
I always say that I like to warm-up, but experience shows that in the end, sleep is prioritized over warm-up. So really, my pre-race ritual is stuffing some form of bagel or bar in my mouth while pinning a number to my jersey while shivering in the morning air. And no pre-race would be complete without a winning smile; no frowning on race day!
What are you looking forward to this upcoming season?
I am a simple man; I just like to go fast on my bicycle. For me, this means I’m super stoked to get to race in the mountain season more than last year, and as a full-fledged Category A racer! On the road, I’m pumped to be on what is shaping up to be the best A’s squad ever assembled.
Describe your favorite training ride (preferably a la SNL’s skit "The Californians”)
Like, I totally just head out on San Vicente to PCH, and then I like turn right and just ride out that way. But, like, I totally don’t want to just go straight you know what I mean? So like, I just ride up Topanga, but then I see Fernwood and I’m like, Fernie? What’re you doing here? So I like, ride, all fast and all, up to the top. At saddle peak, I’m all like, there’re so many options, dude!
Best burrito place?
Haters gonna hate, but the best burrito this side of the border lives in NorCal, at Puentez Taqueria. If you limit me to SoCal options, Benito’s is a good bet.
Best coffee place?
Seeing as I’m not a caffeine addict like most cyclists (I know, I’m not even a real biker am I?), I probably have to say Demitasse in Santa Monica, because you can’t get better than a $5 cup of sipping chocolate with a flambé marshmallow. Seriously, it’ll change your life.
Other interests?
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Other interests? Besides riding my bike? Let’s see: looking at my bike, talking about my bikes, watching TV featuring people riding bikes, reading websites about bikes, thinking about which new bikes I want.
Ok, ok. I also love the outdoors, so backpacking, hiking, and exploring all make the list as well.
Any final ruminations, musings, or meditations?
I’m so excited to be the VP of this amazing cycling team! We’re going to do great things!
