Late last year, Phil Gaimon made a decision. "I couldn't be the best at cycling, so I decided to be the worst at retirement."

The "Worst Retirement Ever" has Phil chasing Strava KOMs around the U.S. and the world as he provides a real-world answer to "what if an actual cycling pro tried this segment and didn't hold back?"

What started as an effort to displace a known doper from the top spot on the leaderboard for some iconic Los Angeles-area climbs became a popular YouTube series following Phil as he puts his recently-pro-level skills up against the reigning KOM champs. 

He's quick to point out that there's nothing particularly special about him, and that a lot of other pros could totally annihilate his records--they just have better things to do. The subtle message of the series to stop taking Strava way too seriously is conveyed by Phil taking KOM attempts to a patently ridiculous level (including wearing a speed suit, riding a custom Cannondale bicycle, and sometimes removing items like brakes to save a few grams). 

No discussion with Phil would be complete without a lengthy discussion of cookies. The moniker "Cookie Monster" was given to him during his pro career, and he makes finding a good cookie (worth spending calories on) a mission worthy of a ranked list on his website. 

The cookie craze has ballooned into Cookie Corners as races such as the Tour of California to promote his Cookie Fondo. 

Check out Phil's books:

Draft Animals: Living the Pro Cycling Dream (Once in a While) Releasing October 207. 

Ask a Pro

Pro Cycling on $10 a Day

 

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