The O’Malley File: Rashad Guerra Interview, March 14th 2007

O’M: What prompted to open a bike shop?

Rashad Guerra: It was more selfish than anything. Like having a tree house as a kid, my hideaway. Like being a kid again. Plus I get Zipps for cheap. [laughs out loud]. My flooring company [Stellar Hardwood Floors] is solely to make money. This [bike shop] is a labor of love.

O’M: And start a competitive team, Affinity?

RG: I think there’s no better ad for a bike shop than a team that’s dialed into the local race scene. It’s an opportunity to hand pick a group of guys that really jive and gel. Everyone gets along. There’s a good rhythm to it. I feel fortunate to have these guys.

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Affinity Team

O’M: You recently had a baby girl, Esme, how has this impacted your life and training?

RG:It’s impacted my life in every which way positively. I literally will be at work and be thinking of her giggling. It melts me! My training has been indoors, 2-3 hours a day.

O’M: Last season you had a fantastic set of results. What are your goals for ’07?

RG: I want to do well at stage races too, not any one in particular.

O’M: What teams do you reckon will shine in ’07?

RG:Affinity Cycles! [grinning] Princeton Review will do well in 1-2-3 and Champion Systems seem strong. In 3-4 Adler have a strong squad with a skill set that’s deep.

O’M: What about Bandits?

RG:Yeah! Monster sprinters, guys with a great sense of humor.

O’M: Anything in particular that irritates you about other cyclists?

RG: I don’t like the elitist factor. When I’m training and some guy who rides 20 minutes a week sticks his nose up at me. There’s camaraderie and respect one racer has for the other. We’re cut throat for the two hours of racing, but after [the race] we’re all friends.

O’M: Who is your pro hero?

RG:Vino [Alexander Vinokourov]. He attacks relentlessly, makes every race as his own. And either fails tragically or wins gloriously.

O’M: From the 70’s and 80’s?

RG: To be honest, I’m fairly new to cycling. Maybe, Kelly! Seán Kelly.

O’M: Tell me more about the shop. It’s on 616 Grand Street, in Williamsburg. What kind of clients to you hope to attract?

RG: Everybody from commuters to racers. I want it to be an inviting place. I want people to feel welcome, sit on a couch and watch a projection of the 1989 Tour. Maybe we’ll give you a coffee….. for a buck! [laughing loudly]

O’M: > : What brands will you sell?

RG: Mainly Affinity frames apart from the usual accessories. We’ll sell components from Shimano to Campy, SRAM and Zipp. The selection will grow as we grow. We know what’s quality.

O’M: Why 616 Grand?

RG:The neighborhood is booming. It’s in Williamsburg and we’re bringing a different element to the neighborhood.

O’M: Who’s going to win Paris Roubaix ’07?

RG:I don’t think Boonen has it anymore. A guy you least expect will win like Big Maggie [Magnus Backstedt, the Swede].

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Guerra Fitchburg

O’M: The Tour?

RG:Valverde or Basso.

O’M: You were in a band right?

RG: Yeah, I came to New York for a Rock and Roll band. I was in a lot of bands, none successful, all of them bad. No joke! I knew that I wouldn’t be a rock star, but played lead guitar for fun.

O’M: Tell me about Bear ’06?

RG: I did better than I thought I would. I’m not a great climber, but able to hang with them if not too vicious [pace]. I thought it was great, a podium at cat 3 level surprised me.

O’M: Back to the shop. When do you hope to open?

RG: No later than April 15th. Opened on tax return day! [laughing]

O’M: Planning an opening party?

RG: Absolutely, keep you posted.

O’M: Where did you grow up?

RG: Santa Cruz, California. Came to New York to be in a rock band.

O’M: You have no regrets?

RG: Oh God no. It’s funny how it all worked out.

O’M: What got you into racing?

RG: I went to a race in Prospect, second last race in 2005 season. I was wearing cut off Dickies [work wear], a whit t-shirt and a skate boarding helmet. Had an old down tube shifter beater bike, ten speed. Anyway, I got dropped like a boat anchor in the cat 5s! [laughing loudly]

O’M: Did you finish the race?

RG: No, I did not, I left in shame. I didn’t like leaving a race like that. The second race, a week later, got dropped again but made it into the last lap. The third race, which was the first of the 2006 season, I won! Central Park Spring Series, cat 5.

O’M: What was your best win?

RG:. Mengoni 2006, cat 3.

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Mengoni Podium

O’M: Why such a sweet victory?

RG: On the start line, I felt I was racing against guys who were in a different class. I was out classed, they were above me. I would never have won if it wasn’t for Scott Willingham. He protected me in the breaks. In the last km he revved up the pace, put his face to the wind. My whole season in ’06, I owe to that guy. He taught me how to ride.

O’M: What about diet and nutrition?

RG: Organic only no processed foods. I weigh about 160 to 165, a lot for 5 foot 8. Favorite foods, cheese burgers! I love peanut butter, 2 jars of organic peanut butter a week! Pre-race I might eat 3 eggs, 2 toasts, 2 cliff bars. I drink Accelerade. Post-race, yogurt and granola. First thing I put the bike on the wall and eat a bowl of granola and yogurt.

O’M: Good luck with the season and the shop.

RG: Thanks. See you on the road.