Staff
Chainwheel's secret formula? It has to be our amazing staff.
We have employed some great people over our 40 year history, but it is clear that we routinely out kick our coverage when it comes to attracting and retaining a very professional staff. Our current staff members all exemplify the main 2 positive traits we expect here at The Wheel - a commitment to excellent service and a broad sense of humor.
Bill Yager
Service Writer
Who is your favorite rider? Past: Gary “The Lumberjack” Ellis. 4 time National #1 Pro, 4 time World Champion, and from my home state of Washington. Present: Sifiso Nhlapo from from South Africa. Very positive and works hard to be a good role model. Crashed hard in 2009 breaking his neck. Returned just as fast in 2010 and has his sites on Olympic gold in 2012.
What inspires you? My child like wonder for our world and the story of Ferdinand Cheval.
Hobbies off the bike? Collect National Geographic magazines, building bikes and honing my computer hacking skills.
Music that motivates you? Green Day and Stravinsky.
Best $100 you ever spent? A last minute trip to Dover, England.
Pets? One cat, and sometimes numerous fleas.
Worst ride ever? Have not had one yet.
"Bucket list" of rides or events? Pilgrimage ride to family homestead and RAMROD if I ever get a slot and in shape enough.
Greatest personal achievement? Holding down 2 to 3 jobs at a time while going to college, managing a 3.85 GPA, and Graduating debt free.
Describe yourself in six words: “Its winter... is he wearing shorts?
Something people don't know about you? I handmade platform style pedals in the 80's to pay for my BMX racing.
Why do you ride? Feel like I'm 10 years old.
Bruce Thalheimer
Co-Owner
Who is your favorite rider? My favorite rider is me. Not because I am good but I get more pleasure from me riding than anyone else.
What inspires you? Seeing a new rider thrive is what inspires me. When you see someone come in who "hasn't ridden since I was ten" and take on riding not just an activity but in many ways as a change in lifestyle. It's great.
Best ride ever? Touring is what brings it all home. Doing something you truly enjoy for days with little else to worry about except where you're headed. It's not that you shouldn't worry; it's just not much you can do about it. Riding around Crater Lake in Oregon has to be one of the most spectacular rides, whether touring or not. Staying at the lodge is icing on the cake.
Worst ride ever? There are so few of them, but it has to be my first group ride. It was a lake Sylvia Forest Service road ride. I showed up in sweat pants (it was cold out) for a rain, snow and hail soaked ride. I brought an apple and sandwich with me which merged quite well into a single serving in my pack.
Something people don't know about you? There's not much you don't know about me because I repeat things so much.
Describe yourself in six words? Don't feel old during the day!!!!!!!
Worst ride ever? Have not had one yet.
Why do you ride? I ride because I love it. It's not hammering or touring or cruising. It's just being out there.
Eric Grimmet
Assembly Manager / Service Technician
What inspires you? All the evil in the world inspires me to be a better person.
Hobbies off the bike? Climbing/bouldering, Lifting Weights
Music that motivates you? Electronica such as Tiesto, Booka Shade, Villain Accelerate and Flying Lotus Disc Brakes.
Best $100 you ever spent? The best Benjamin I've ever spent? Probably my first pair of Red Chili climbing shoes.
Best ride ever? Was riding in Park City, UT. We got a lift to the top and had nearly a 20mi downhill ride along the ridge of this 10,000 ft. mountain.
Worst ride ever? Probably when I was age 14. Me and my best friend were out on a session in Arcade Square trying to "go big". We were at this loading dock and we had been looking at it for a while. It was about 4.5' tall. Going straight off was too easy, we wanted to side drop this thing. This is where you track stand along the drop, unweight the rear, kick it off the edge and simultaneously pull the front wheel off with a slight hop to match the rear wheel and just land soft and smooth. (ask me how sometime) Long story short the rear wheel went as planed, however the front wheel stayed up top. There was no attempt to bail, just a swinging head from waaay up to the concrete floor. He was jacked for a few weeks afterward.Ugh.
"Bucket list" of rides or events? Seeing as many awesome natural features of the world however the pyramids are on that list too!
Greatest personal achievement? Learning to be a descent trials rider and committing to a mortgage.
Describe yourself in six words? Live To Ride Ride To Live.
Something people don't know about you? People don't know I'm obsessed with Bike Trials, its a way of life that’s saturated in my blood.
Erik Blaty
Logistics Manager
Who is your favorite rider? Paul Martin.
What inspires you? What inspires you? Teachers. People that don't complain about what they don't have or can't do. Attempting to be a good example for my son on living an active and healthy life. Stories of people pushing themselves beyond what they thought was possible. The 3,000 mile migration of the Monarch butterfly.
Favorite food? Italian....the wine, the pasta, the wine.
Best ever bicycle product? The wheel.
Best $100 you ever spent? Cheese of the month club.
Best ride ever? 2008 Ultracentric 48 Hour MTB Race, TX. 1st place Single Speed.
Worst ride ever? 2007 Big Dam Bridge breaking in a new Brooks saddle.....needed more saddle cream.
"Bucket list" of rides or events? Continental Divide, Warrior Dash Greatest personal achievement? A tie between surviving 14 months in Iraq as a Combat Engineer & putting myself through college and graduating.
Describe yourself in six words? Loyal...Husband...Honest...Father...Honorable...Son
Something people don't know about you? I have a slight order disorder = without thinking will place things in order, in line, organized, etc. Not enough to need an intervention yet but possibly in my future. I also secretly desire to be the lead singer in a hair metal band...the spandex...long hair....groupies....T-top Firebirds.
Why do you ride? So I can eat whatever I want and drink more than I should and still fit thru the door. It's also a great stress reliever and takes me back to the lazy summer afternoons cruising the block with my friends and not a care in the world.
Ernie Lechuga
Sales Staff
Who is your favorite rider? Eddy Merckx because his world records weren't broken until technology advance way beyond his time.
What inspires you? Helping people, making them better at what they do.
Favorite food? Seafood, fish tacos and ceviche.
Favorite restaurant? Sushi Cafe.
Hobbies off the bike? I honestly don't have time for hobbies!
Music that motivates you? Euro Trance and Eminem.
Best ever bicycle product? Electronic shifting.
Best $100 you ever spent? Having a really nice dinner.
Best ride ever? Philadelphia, US Pro Championships, I don't remember what year. I don't know why it stands out in my mind as my best ride, but it was that perfect day you wait for when everything comes together.
Worst ride ever? I was sitting top 10 at the San Francisco Grand Prix. I was feeling great and was riding next to some of the top ranked national pro's ready to be a contender for the sprint to the finish line. I got a paper towel stuck in my derailleur hanger and my bike seized up. The support car was too far back to help me in time.
Greatest personal achievement? Having four kids with one nut intact.
Your "never leave home without it" item? Hair gel.
Describe yourself in six words? Passionate, determined, patient, stubborn, motivating and friendly.
Something people don't know about you: I survived a commercial plane crash.
Why do you ride? Because my dad made me like it.
Ian Hope
SALES STAFF
Who is your favorite rider?Jens Voight. This guy has hit the pavement hard and is still racing at 40 years old. He is my kind of rider; he really rides by instinct and sacrafices for the team. Plus he has 6 kids, maybe that is why he still races.....
What inspires you?At the risk of sounding corny, I am inspired more by my wife and daughter than anything else. My wife for not letting cancer stop her and my daughter for being her own person everyday
Music that motivates you? Hair metal, screamin' at 100 Db's
Best ride ever? 103 miles in the flat lands East of LIttle Rock. We had a small group that really defined working together and we rolled through the pace line without talking or thinking. The weather and traffic were perfect, no wind! First time ever in that area. Every time I do a long ride I strive for the same zen feeling we acheived that day.
Worst ride ever? Some will say they never had one but I can remember one particular Steel Bridge ride when I hit the wall hard and managed to recover only to find out that it is possible to hit the wall twice in one outing. I came home so slow that I am not sure to this day how I kept the bike upright. But in typical cyclist fashion, I remember saying later that day that is was a pretty good ride once it was done.
"Bucket list" of rides or events? I think Bucket Lists are for those that see an end
Greatest personal achievement?My daughter, no comparison to anything else I have ever done.
Something people don't know about you: I am ambidexdrous, I run with both feet.
Why do you ride? Because pushing the bike just does not make sense... Oh yeah, freedom, feeling like a kid, exercise etc...
Best $100 you ever spent? Vox practice guitar amp
Favorite book? It is a tie- "One Hundred Years of Solitude", Gabriel Garcia Marquez; "The Metamorphosis", Franz Kafka
Jeremiah Johnson
Service Technician
What inspires you? When I can be part of, or be in the presence of anyone pursuing, transcending, or becoming an ideal they've fought for beyond their normal threshold, I'm moved.
Music that motivates you? I'm a cyclist sure, but I'm also a power-lifter with a dramatic flare for heavy epic melody, Metallica delivers what I need to feel like a titan under a bar or churning a heavy 85rmp. Now, at all other times I'm pretty lazy and easily impressed, and the Gorillaz represent the very ideal of "being awesome" so those are my two votes... Metallica and the Gorillaz... and I'm Jeremiah Johnson, so I get two votes. We can arm wrestle about it if you disagree.
Favorite book? Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand opened my mind to the possibilities in this world, and what they're ultimately worth.
Best ride ever? There was no particular day that pleased me more than others, but a route in Bedford PA known as the Rainsburgh Loop was always a great pleasure for me. I remember the trees along the smooth roads and cover from the sun and the sound of springs trickling from the cliff walls... and the burn in my legs and lungs up the 18% grade and the cold relief of a thousand foot, winding decent through treetops into the valley farmlands... I'll always love that pain
Greatest personal achievement? I suppose being part of Cannondale's Q-lab would be it... I set a goal and achieved it five years later. There have been a lot of miles between then and now, and a lot of time with a 5mm.
Your "never leave home without it" item? Pants.
Something people don't know about you? Despite my stature, I'm really a quiet kind of nerd. I have a Star Trek Collection, play RPGs, and love, LOVE chocolate.
Why do you ride? I ride to be part of something greater than my solitary self, to be able to share experiences with those who feel the same... and because I like dressing like a super-hero.
Justin Slarks
Special Ops
Who is your favorite rider? Joop Zoetmelk, he was the second greatest rider ever and yet no one can name him. Merckx was great, but Zoetmelk continued the fight while in his shadow.
What inspires you? People that struggle against the odds.
Favorite food? Tacos al pastor.
Music that motivates you? Anything that can override my tinnitus . Oh wait, that’s what caused it in the first place!
Best ever bicycle product? Clipless pedals.
Favorite book? The Road, a really dark downer, but I could not put it down and made me want to hug my son.
Best ride ever? Nine hours solo over Rollin’s Pass in the Rocky Mountains.
Greatest personal achievement? Check with me on my death bed, I won’t know until then.
Describe yourself in six words? Cancer surviving punk father of three.
Why do you ride? Riding for me is a positive, meditative escape mixed with adventure and clarity - geez, I sound like a self help book.
Lance McPherson
Service Technician
Who is your favorite rider? Stradford Helms or Justin Morris. Because they have Type One Diabetes like me and they are pros which I dream of being.
What inspires you? Overcoming great odds that are against you
Hobbies off the bike? Drumming and pro monkey training
Music that motivates you? When I ride I listen to speed and death metal like Pungent Stench and Overkill mostly because there's a fast beat and it talks about how you fail and I succeed. It's motivating on hard training days
Best ever bicycle product? BUTT CREAM!!! and clipless pedals
Worst ride ever? When I got dropped on a group ride and then got lost in the Ouachita National Forest
"Bucket list" of rides or events? I think Bucket Lists are for those that see an end
Greatest personal achievement? Making 2nd in state in XC MTB in 2010
Something people don't know about you: I have Type One Diabetes
Your "never leave home without it" item? My iPod, my jams keep me sane
Favorite book? Roadie, because it talks about how funny the truth is about roadies and what they do.
Marianne Park
SALES STAFF
Who is your favorite rider? My cycling girlfriends here in central Arkansas! (mt, road or tri) because they have supported and encouraged me the last 6 years that I have been riding. They themselves are talented professionals/dedicated moms/wives and have a determination and a "no quit" attitude that inspires me. Plus the fact that we have had so many hilarious good times!
Hobbies off the bike? Gardening, scrap-booking, photography Best ever Bicycle Product: My Element! it holds my bike & gear inside.
Best Ride Ever: so many to choose from! I love riding and seeing the sun rise or set while on my bike.
Best $100 I ever spent? This one is hard. I need more than that for a new pair of running shoes!!
Worst ride ever? I will be honest, racing in 2009 Arkanthaw triathlon in a thunder and lightning storm with rain and freezing cold while on my bike was not actually fun! I shivered, my teeth chattered and I desperately hung on to my wet handlebars while descending too scared to wreck! However, because of that race, I am not so scared to ride in storms if race day presents itself that way.
"Bucket list" of rides or events?My first goal is to finish all eight US Ironman events (#6 & #7 slated for 2011) but actually, I still haven't made it to all of the local and state wide races/rides or tours!
Your "never leave home without it" item? Lip gloss and sunglasses of course!!
Patrick Barron
Co-Owner
Who is your favorite rider? Past - Djamolidine Abdoujaborav ( or as my friend Chris used to say in his Phil Ligget voice Shamalamadingdong Takeyourshirtoff) - because he rode his drug-riddled, vascular body through people, places and things to get to the podium. Present - Gentleman George Hincapie - smooth, strong and consistent; my goals in life and on the bike. Local - Todd Henne for giving me hope as a dad trying to make the time and Ed Hawkins because he would throttle Chuck Norris like one of his chickens. Much respect.
What inspires you? People who have the courage to say and do what they want without being unlikeable.
Best ever bicycle product? Clipless pedals have to be the one thing that I would really miss if I had to give up something that has made me better on the bike.
Favorite book? No idea. But at this stage in my life, I have very much enjoyed Wild at Heart and Mindset - and would recommend.
Worst ride ever? I am just going to say that I was late to my wedding that day, but I suffered like I never have in getting there 4 hours late and have been humbled and sometimes humored by it for the last 16 yrs.
Greatest personal achievement? Following the worst ride ever, somehow still marrying my wife and having two incredible kids.
Your "never leave home without it" item? I have a love-hate relationship with my iPhone, still.....it has to be the one thing that keeps me somewhat in the game at times.
Describe yourself in six words? Here are three positive traits - patient, forgiving, persistent - and three traits I'm working on daily - sarcasm, procrastination and listening.
Something people don't know about you: I am trained to teach English and have an MA from the University of AR. I have been working on a 20 year MBA since then here at the shop.
Why do you ride? Riding bikes pulled me away from a lot of negativity initially and has given me hope ever since.
Scott Penrod
SALES STAFF
Who is your favorite rider? Professional? Jens Voigt! He's rather well known for his ability to punish himself mercilessly for the sake of a team-mate. Unfortunately, he's also know for constantly instigating failed breakaway attempts. He's tough.
What inspires you? People I see everyday who decide to make a life change and cycling is one very significant part of it.
Favorite movie? BladeRunner. The movie and book it was based on bring up some serious ethical and moral questions. I've probably watched it at least 50 times.
Napoleon Dynamite or Gladiator? I would have to give the nod to Gladiator only because Napoleon and me are too much alike.
Best Ride Ever: Probably Leadville 2010. I'm still not sure how I did it and neither is anyone else!
Worst ride ever? Ouachita Challenge about 2002 I think. The weather was horrible; Rainy and 40 degree high temp. Several racers succumbed to hypothermia. My left crank arm extracted itself about mile 20 and I decided to continue anyway. My right leg was really tired by the finish. I finished 13th out of 32.
"Bucket list" of rides or events? I'm open to suggestions.
Your "never leave home without it" item? On the bike? 5 dollar bill in my seat bag.
Why do you ride? I'm not good at stick and ball sports. Seriously though, like so many people, it gives me a sense of freedom, structure, pain, and pleasure that no other activity could ever combine.
Vernon Walker
ASSEMBLER
Favorite food? Real Mexican food, not Tex-Mex, and any Asian food.
What inspires you? Seeing American Indians make it from poverty to success through education and hard work.
Best $100 you ever spent? My family and I spent a weekend at my family's powwow in Dallas.
Hobbies off the bike? Raising my son, playing wheelchair sports.
Music that motivates you? MOTOWN!!! Indian music.
"Bucket list" of rides or events? I want to see the Paralympics as a spectator. Check out Europe with my family.
Something people don't know about you? You'll never know.
Greatest personal achievement? Many awards in wheelchair basketball. My favorites are Defensive Player of the Year, and all my National All Tournament Teams awards in wheelchair basketball.
Your "never leave home without it" item? My leg.
Describe yourself in six words. Rough, tough, honest, blunt, fair, forgiving.
Winter Bisbee
LOGISTICS
Favorite food? Chocolate
What inspires you? My children
Best $100 you ever spent? Prenatal massage
Hobbies off the bike? Doing things with my family Music that motivates you? Depends on the mood, I like it all
Pets? I have a dog and a goat
"Bucket list" of rides or events?Tour De Ferndale
Something people don't know about you? I used to play a cello
Greatest personal achievement? My children
Napoleon Dynamite or Gladiator? Napoleon Dynamite
Describe yourself in six words. Mommy, wife, aunt, daughter, friend, happy
Favorite book? 1001 IT MEANS TO BE A MOMMY
Favorite movie? Coal Miner's Daughter
