Ben and Bikes

An interview with Sina Solouksaran, International mountain biking legend, who in 2011, was on his way to representing Iran at the Asian Mountain Bike Continental Championships in China, when he was kicked off the team for nothing more than admission to belonging to a non-Muslim Faith. 

“I wanted to race for my country, for the sport of Mountain Bike Racing, not for a religion”

Leaving his family behind, and assuming refugee status, Sina found himself in Turkey, able to race, but prohibited from racing for his country. He has not seen them for 3 years and he recently missed his Sister’s wedding. With no American Embassy in Iran, this situation shows little chance of changing in the future.

Still a refugee, Sina’s path has led him from Turkey, to Seattle and now to Denver.

Officially supported by Giant Bicycles in the US, and ironically by Giant Turkey, he has managed to podium in many of Colorado’s premium Mountain Bike Pro Races, but all of those victories come without the all-important UCI points (Cycling’s World Governing body). Lack of points mean that Sina starts races at the back of the starting grid and sponsors are not attracted without results. Without sponsor support, specifically equipment and travel support, he is stuck in a vicious circle.

If his tenacity, courage and determination don’t prove that he has the mettle to be the World Champion Sina knows he can be, the world of Mountain Bike Racing is the loser.

Please contact me if you can help Sina to meet his goals.

Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the photos

Listen on Stitcher

Listen on iTunes

Listen on Google

Sina wearing his Team Giant Jersey

Sina in Iran (middle in orange & white), just after he was kicked off the team. The team was on their way to China.

Sina racing in Turkey, Erciyes Peak in the background. Copyright Seb Rogers - https://www.cranked.cc/

On the podium in Turkey.

Racing in Colorado

Another day at the office

On the podium in Colorado

If you are considering supporting Sina please contact me here

Middle Earth Travel (MTB Adventures in Turkey)

Cappadocia

Rocky Mountain Racing

Winter Park Epic Single Track Race Series

Learn more about the Bahai Faith

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An interview with Sina Solouksaran, International mountain biking legend, who in 2011, was on his way to representing Iran at the Asian Mountain Bike Continental Championships in China, when he was kicked off the team for nothing more than admission to belonging to a non-Muslim Faith.  

“I wanted to race for my country, for the sport of Mountain Bike Racing, not for a religion”

Leaving his family behind, and assuming refugee status, Sina found himself in Turkey, able to race, but prohibited from racing for his country.  He has not seen them for 3 years and he recently missed his Sister’s wedding.  With no American Embassy in Iran, this situation shows little chance of changing in the future.

Still a refugee, Sina’s path has led him from Turkey, to Seattle and now to Denver.

Officially supported by Giant Bicycles in the US, and ironically by Giant Turkey, he has managed to podium in many of Colorado’s premium Mountain Bike Pro Races, but all of those victories come without the all-important UCI points (Cycling’s World Governing body).  Lack of points mean that Sina starts races at the back of the starting grid and sponsors are not attracted without results.  Without sponsor support, specifically equipment and travel support, he is stuck in a vicious circle.

If his tenacity, courage and determination don’t prove that he has the mettle to be the World Champion Sina knows he can be, the world of Mountain Bike Racing is the loser.

Please contact me if you can help Sina to meet his goals.

Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the photos

Listen on Stitcher

Listen on iTunes

Listen on Google

Sina wearing his Team Giant Jersey

Sina in Iran (middle in orange & white), just after he was kicked off the team.  The team was on their way to China.

Sina racing in Turkey, Erciyes Peak in the background. Copyright Seb Rogers - https://www.cranked.cc/

On the podium in Turkey.

Racing in Colorado

Another day at the office

On the podium in Colorado

If you are considering supporting Sina please contact me here

Middle Earth Travel (MTB Adventures in Turkey)

Cappadocia

Rocky Mountain Racing

Winter Park Epic Single Track Race Series

Learn more about the Bahai Faith

Ever wanted to start cycling a little later in life but weren't sure if it was for you? 

The cycling podcast, bikesand..., interviews a man who started riding bikes when running became too much of a strain on this knees. Introduced by his neighbour and encouraged by his doctor, Peter is an ardent road bike rider in his early 70's and still going strong. 

Listen as I chat with Peter at www.yakima.com headquarters in gorgeous Portland, Oregon as he talks about his passion for opera, his Wilier Bike he calls Francesca and his joy of riding in Oregon's gorgeous countryside.

Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the photos

Listen on Stitcher

Listen on iTunes

Listen on Google

Peter Riding Francesca

Hawaii International Music Festival - February 2nd. Hosted by KQAC All Classical Portland.

Riding Bikes in Portland

The Old Church

Reach the Beach

The Bike Gallery Bike Shop

Strava

Yakima Bike Racks

Portland World Naked Bike Ride (NSFW)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wanted to start cycling a little later in life but weren't sure if it was for you?  

The cycling podcast, bikesand..., interviews a man who started riding bikes when running became too much of a strain on this knees.  Introduced by his neighbour and encouraged by his doctor, Peter is an ardent road bike rider in his early 70's and still going strong.  

Listen as I chat with Peter at www.yakima.com headquarters in gorgeous Portland, Oregon as he talks about his passion for opera, his Wilier Bike he calls Francesca and his joy of riding in Oregon's gorgeous countryside.

Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the photos

Listen on Stitcher

Listen on iTunes

Listen on Google

Peter Riding Francesca

Hawaii International Music Festival - February 2nd.  Hosted by KQAC All Classical Portland.

Riding Bikes in Portland

The Old Church

Reach the Beach

The Bike Gallery Bike Shop

Strava

Yakima Bike Racks

Portland World Naked Bike Ride (NSFW)

A Colorado mountain biking veteran's prized Yeti is stolen from his car. Social Media, some good people and the Denver Police all come together to help him recover it, and he gets some nice new parts too.

Listen on Stitcher

Listen on Google

Listen on iTunes

Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the photos

Rich's Yeti before it was stolen

Rich's Yeti after recovery, note plush seat and bar ends (attached in the wrong direction)

The Blue Spruce

Yeti Bikes

303 Trail Monitor's Facebook Page

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Colorado mountain biking veteran's prized Yeti is stolen from his car.  Social Media, some good people and the Denver Police all come together to help him recover it, and he gets some nice new parts too.

Listen on Stitcher

Listen on Google

Listen on iTunes

Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the photos

Rich's Yeti before it was stolen

Rich's Yeti after recovery, note plush seat and bar ends (attached in the wrong direction)

The Blue Spruce

Yeti Bikes

303 Trail Monitor's Facebook Page

A interview with 5 High School Student Athletes who race mountain bikes in the Colorado High School Cycling League. Why they ride, where else they take their bikes and other great stories

Listen on Stitcher

Listen on Google

Listen on iTunes

Links to organizations mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the video.

Links

Colorado High School Cycling League

NICA

International Mountain Biking Association

The Bailey Hundo

Monarch Crest Trail

Crested Butte

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A interview with 5 High School Student Athletes who race mountain bikes in the Colorado High School Cycling League.  Why they ride, where else they take their bikes and other great stories

Listen on Stitcher

Listen on Google

Listen on iTunes

Links to organizations mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the video.

Links

Colorado High School Cycling League

NICA

International Mountain Biking Association

The Bailey Hundo

Monarch Crest Trail

Crested Butte

A 30 minute podcast published every 2 weeks once a including interviews, and public interest stories and I also want to include as much content from you, the bike riding listener, as possible.  I’ve got a bunch of ideas about what this might include in the future but if you want to share any of the following, I’d love to hear from you.

Listen on Stitcher

Listen on iTunes

Listen on Google

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.