I met Roger Bartels in 1992. I had just graduated from Humboldt State University with my BA in Spanish and was supposedly touching down for a bit in Sebastopol before heading on for untold adventures. Then mountain biking happened. Gianni Bike Shop and Cycling Team happened. I had come home finally to come home; into a community and family of passionate folks both on and off the bike. I was 22 and Roger was 32. We began racing in Sport Category together and soon found ourselves toe to toe at Wiskeytown, LaGrange and The Lemurian. I thought he was fast for his age; I still think he’s fast for his age and maybe if he takes up golf or sailing I’ll be faster than him someday. In the last 18 years I think Roger has only missed one or two Grasshoppers and has at least a fist full of Spikes as the fastest overall during the Hopper season. The plan has always been to push riders to the limits on roads that seem to defy logic; in their patchwork of backyard connectors, steep climbs, horrific pavement, gravel, creek crossings and often crazy weather. (at least when we had tough Winters). I think Roger has loved the challenge, mostly he’s just too stubborn, and too much of a fun-hog to stay away. Everyone who has ridden with Roger knows the hard man he is. Either intervals in the dark on the way back from a Giants game, weekend rides in West County, hill repeats or post novacaine sessions from Healdsburg; tongue hanging, lips flapping after the World Fastest Dentist has just worked you over. The stories are too many to tell and we’ll save these for over a cold one after Old Caz this year.
I recently shot Rog a few questions that he was able to answer on his layover en route to Vietnam. He’s off for a couple of weeks with his family to tour Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand by bike. Not so bad eh?
1. How long have you been riding and competing?
Since last century….1991 was my first Mtb. Bike race,Napa Valley Dirt Classic. I tacco’d a wheel on the backside and had to be moto’d out
2. What is your background in competitive sports?
Swimming AAU from 6-14 then football,wrestling, track,sailboat racing, 10k’s, triathlon’s(all American short course), open water swimming (all American long course). I was preparing for a 10k swim across the Golden Gate when I discovered Lake Ilsango was a go to place to train and a Mountain bike was the best way to get up there. Dave Halstead from the “Pink Palace” was our landlord in 1990 and he got me my first Mtb, a Bridgestone MB1. ( still have it)
3. You have the nickname, “White Lightning and WFD”. What are the origins and meanings of the names? Yuri started calling me “white lightning” years ago in reference to dental “Caine” and anesthetics. He gave us all nicknames back in the 90’s.
Pete Sweeney of The “Fighten Boba’s” started “wfd” when he was mc’ing the 4th of July Kenwood foot race in 1998. I was coming into the finish and he called me out on my 3rd place finish at the Veteran world Mtb championships in Caines Australia the previous fall.
4. I believe you have a day job. How do you fit in so much fun, adventure, travel and racing while managing a business and working?
It’s always been a lifestyle choice for me. 4 day work week with at least an hour of recess on workdays and 6 weeks off a year. No brainier!
5. Many legendary pros such as Geoff Kabushch, Max Plaxton, Barry Wicks and Kris Sneddon call you the godfather. Why is that?
They come down from Canada when the weather gets foul, to train. Sneddy in particular, has always checked into the “Casa Bartels” and I first met him at a Grasshopper in Pt Reyes years ago maybe 2004?…..remember that one Mig when I took the out of towners( Broderick, Sned,Rudy) off course down to the beach off of Mt Vision?
6. Tell us about one or two of your greatest successes as a cyclist.
1996 Veteran National Champion, Norba Series National Champion, 1996 Masters World Championships Bronze Medalist, 1997 6th in Worlds,
7. You have been riding the Grasshoppers since they began 18 years ago. What is it about these rides that keep you coming back?
Peer pressure
8. Do you have a favorite Hopper memory
That’s like asking me who my favorite child is! They are all great memories!
My first Hopper Victory was at Point Reyes. Seeing Kim’s expression when I came into the finish off of Bolinas Ridge was pretty cool.
I always love it when you get double legs cramps too!
9. What bike is the perfect set up for Old Caz? It depends on the weather and conditions but probably
X bike with tubeless, file tread 38s and a seat dropper.
10. What animal is your totem spirit and why?
Monkey….See photo
11. What’s next on your list of goals and plans for adventures?
Family bike ride from Saigon to Bangcok. Trans BC Enduro in July with Barry and Sneddy. To keep living Phat!
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I met Roger Bartels in 1992. I had just graduated from Humboldt State University with my BA in Spanish and was supposedly touching down for a bit in Sebastopol before heading on for untold adventures. Then mountain biking happened. Gianni Bike Shop and Cycling Team happened. I had come home finally to come home; into a community and family of passionate folks both on and off the bike. I was 22 and Roger was 32. We began racing in Sport Category together and soon found ourselves toe to toe at Wiskeytown, LaGrange and The Lemurian. I thought he was fast for his age; I still think he’s fast for his age and maybe if he takes up golf or sailing I’ll be faster than him someday. In the last 18 years I think Roger has only missed one or two Grasshoppers and has at least a fist full of Spikes as the fastest overall during the Hopper season. The plan has always been to push riders to the limits on roads that seem to defy logic; in their patchwork of backyard connectors, steep climbs, horrific pavement, gravel, creek crossings and often crazy weather. (at least when we had tough Winters). I think Roger has loved the challenge, mostly he’s just too stubborn, and too much of a fun-hog to stay away. Everyone who has ridden with Roger knows the hard man he is. Either intervals in the dark on the way back from a Giants game, weekend rides in West County, hill repeats or post novacaine sessions from Healdsburg; tongue hanging, lips flapping after the World Fastest Dentist has just worked you over. The stories are too many to tell and we’ll save these for over a cold one after Old Caz this year.
