Todd Wells
Off Road Cyclist
"My favorite cycling sound is accelerating out of a corner in cyclocross and the sounds the gears make on a carbon wheel as the chain drops down the cassette under power."
BIOGRAPHY
My love for cycling has been a lifelong journey. The seeds of this passion were sown when I began racing BMX at the age of seven in my hometown of Kingston, NY. As I progressed through high school, the allure of mountain biking captured my heart, ultimately guiding me to Durango, CO, where I pursued both higher education and my aspiration to become a top professional cyclist.
In 1996, I embarked on my journey as a professional cyclist, a voyage that would span numerous decades. Throughout my career, I secured fifteen national championships, garnered various continental championships, stood atop multiple world cup podiums, and represented my country in three appearances at the Olympic Games.
Palmarès
3x Olympian MTB
15x National Champion MTB & CX
3x Leadville 100 Champion
Q&A
Goal(s) for 2023:
Be a great Dad and participate at the front of some bigger US races for at least a little while.
Who is your favorite author and what is their best work?
Ed Abbey- ‘Monkey Wrench Gang’
How did you get started in your sport?
I started racing BMX when I was 7 years old and transitioned to mountain bikes in the 90s. I’ve been riding/racing ever since.
If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs—such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
My family and my bike.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a professional BMXer. I didn’t achieve that- my dreams morphed when I found mountain bike racing. I was able to live my dream for over 20 years.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would stop being a mortgage broker and just ride my bike and play golf all day.
Describe your first bike.
It was a little 20 inch Huffy. I broke the frame doing a rock jump in my yard. I saved up for my first “real” bike, a Mongoose, when I was about 9 years old.
What’s your favorite sound?
My favorite cycling sound is accelerating out of a corner in cyclocross and the sounds the gears make on a carbon wheel as the chain drops down the cassette under power.
What are your favorite pre-race/event rituals and/or meals?
Rice and Nutella.
When I’m not riding/running or otherwise crushing it in my sport, you’ll find me:
On the golf course.