This Cyclist Wants to Inspire People of All Sizes to Get Into the Sport
Name: Brian Benavente
Age: 32
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Occupation: Barista
Time Cycling: Ever since I was a child, with a little break before the pandemic started.
Reason for Cycling: I cycle to explore and find more appreciation for the area that I am in.
My father was in the military, so exploring the bases on my bike felt like the best hobby for any military kid. But I really got into cycling around 2010 because I watched the Tour De France for the first time and gained a big interest in road cycling. It was attractive to me due to the balance of beautiful scenery along with insane endurance efforts. Not too long after that, I got my first road bike. Then, fast forward to March 2020, and my love for gravel cycling became a thing.
The second part of my cycling journey started with gravel cycling. I didn’t know much of the area in Portland, but just explored it on my bike. No plans or apps, I just wanted to explore the city. Because Portland isn’t the biggest city, it is truly a delight to explore via bike.
One way I’ve become more involved in the cycling community was through All Bodies on Bikes. My introduction to All Bodies on Bikes started with the Shimano’s video, which featured founders Kailey Kornhauser and Marley Blonsky.
Besides living in the same region as both Marley (at the time) and Kailey, I took the purpose of the group to heart. It was nice to see people who looked like me put it out there for the world to see and prove that anybody can explore. It doesn’t matter how you get there, just have fun, and do what makes you happy.
Before seeing that video, I always felt like a sore thumb in the world of cycling. The group and purpose has given me the confidence to be myself and tear down any preconceived notions of what it looks like I should be able to do.
The way I think I could make the most impact in the community is to be a face for people who look like me and or feel like me when I’m not the best to myself. I aim to show joy and tear down the walls of any idea of what I should be and how I should look doing it. I want to be a part of the influence that gets somebody into cycling and showing them that it can arguably be the most rewarding activity you can do.
My current cycling schedule is that of a commuter most of the time. I don’t own a car, so either riding my gravel or commuter bike is the move for me. I ride with a local team as much as I can weekly, to keep me humble and honest. Also, I am a member of a group called BikePOC PDX, and we ride together casually or shred as much as we can.
It has been a brutal summer in Portland, so while I have been riding, it’s not as much as I would like—but I’ve made sure to make the best of my time. Last year, I overtrained, so I am being a bit more careful this time around for SBTGRVL, a gravel race in Colorado this month.
My proudest accomplishment so far in cycling was doing a tough century last September. I used my gravel bike for the road 100 miles. It was a lot of soul searching throughout the ride, but I also caught up with my best friends with about ten minutes to go because they saw I wasn’t too far behind. To finish with that crew of people, especially with how tough it was, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Cycling has been one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. Obviously, there are health benefits to it, and I am all for that. But the social nature and newly gained appreciation I have for the places I’ve ridden around in Oregon has been incredible. It feels like being a child again, going into the wilderness for however long. Like every riding group, it’s beautiful to see people make time and want to ride with you. The social nature of it all has been great, because we all love riding but it goes further than that once we are all out there together.
This might sound too deep, but cycling has really felt like it has given me a purpose. The act of it and the community that comes with it, especially in Portland, is one of the greatest things I’ve gained in life. Plus, there’s no better way to explore a city than on a bike. It’s more convenient than a car, and it’s faster than walking! Did I mention how much fun bikes are?!
These three tips have made my cycling journey a success:
1. Don’t take yourself too seriously
I understand that we all, as cyclists, need to make our time worth it, but don’t forget why you started riding bikes in the first place. No matter where you’re riding, remember we are all in this together, and we all started riding bikes the same way.
2. Use your postride plan as a driver
We all need motivation in some way, and what better way than being the one who creates a plan to do something fun as soon as you finish your ride.
3. Take a break
A café break at any time is a good time. A beverage and a baked good—there’s not many better combos than that, whether you have it before, during, or after a ride.
Brian’s Must-Have Gear
→Shokz OpenRun Pro Headphones: There’s no better way to stay interested in the ride via music or podcast, while also being able to hear your surroundings. I will never go back to wearing earbuds again!
→Outershell Drawcord Handlebar Bag: This is the perfect size for most rides, it is certainly gravel-shredding approved by keeping everything inside, and absolutely incredible color choices!
→Bummerland Socks: This brand has amazing quality socks, incredible collaborations, beautiful colors, and an amazing team behind it. With all of that, you can’t go wrong!
We want to hear how cycling changed you! Send your story and submit your photos to us via this web form. We’ll pick one each week to highlight on the site.
You Might Also Like
