Meet our Racers

We had a moment to catch up with Ryan Reminga of Al Dente and the winner of the 4/5 Category at Race #1. 

1. Tell us how you got into cycling/racing and how long you’ve been competitively competing on the road?

Ryan: Bikes first got on my radar back in summer of 2023, I started just riding around campus and Cincinnati. Since then I’ve experienced a whole bunch of different sides of the bike. Including bikepacking, car free living, ultra endurance, and now racing. 

At some point I realized how fun it was to smash up the hills in Cincinnati, so I bought a road bike. I come from a soccer background, so once I started doing TNW rides last summer it filled the competitive spirit from soccer. I was instantly hooked on racing! This spring is my first real season of racing. 

2. You race for Al Dente, how long have you been on the team and does this help with training and team tactics at events?

Ryan: I’ve just recently joined Al Dente this spring. In addition to having the best kits in the game (seriously check them out), everyone on the team has been really supportive and always willing to give advice for any training/races. It’s great to be around people who love bikes and going fast just as much as I do. I’m really thankful for Al Dente as they were stoked to have me on the team even before I had any race experience.

3. What are your big goals for 2025? Any big A races you want to tell us about?

Ryan: My biggest goal right now is to gain the race experience and points in order to qualify for collegiate nationals in Spring 2026. 

Last year KORRS 3 was my first “unofficial race”, and I had a blast! I would say all KORRS, Derby City, and Hyde Park Blast are my A races this year. 

4. Off the bike, what do you enjoy? What are your favorite things to do?

Ryan: I’m in my 4th (of 5) year of studying mechanical engineering at UC, so that takes the bulk of my time. In the fall, I am playing for the UC club soccer team. I enjoy anything outdoors, especially with my friends and girlfriend Addie - camping, lakes, adventuring

5. We love food and beer, what are your favs?

Ryan: My favorite food has gotta be the classics, pizza and chipotle! For beer I’m not too picky, but nothing really hits the spot quite like a post race beer from Turtleback Ridge!

Meet Ryan Jenkins of Licking Valley Velo- Nexigen Racing. He placed 5th in our P/1/2/3 race on April 5th and was kind enough to answer some questions and share some of his power data from the race. 

1. How did you get into cycling/racing as an adult? 

Ryan: I started cycling when I moved to Cincinnati after college. I was looking for a way to stay active after rowing in college. I bought a bike to ride with some friends from the local rowing club and I got introduced to racing through the community I met at TNW (Tuesday Night Worlds).

That was in 2023. I did my first CX race that fall. 

2.  How long have you been racing with LVV- Nexigen?

Ryan: I’ve been on LVV Nexigen since late 2023 when the team first formed.

3.  What are your goals for 2025? Any A races you’d want to tell us about?

Ryan: My goal for this season is to earn my Cat 1 upgrade. And the big race I’m focusing on is the Hyde Park Blast. I really want to have a good showing in the P/1/2/3 field this year.

4. What are your favorite fuels for race day and post ride?

Ryan: Best training ride fuel is Infinit Fructose fuel, it’s nice to get all the carbs I need without needing additional gels. But that doesn’t stop me from have a mid ride cookie or pastry. 

The best post ride recovery is a giant burrito.

5. Any hobbies or activities you enjoy outside of cycling?

Ryan: I like playing video games with my friends when I’m not training. 

6.  Any tips of advice for someone coming into the series for the first time?

Ryan: Train hard, prepare as best you can, and on race day just relax. Race day is a lot of fun, getting on the podium is just a bonus

1.  Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get into cycling and racing?

Mike: I didn't get into cycling until I was 31.  I was a rower in college, but after school I didn't do anything and became unhealthy and overweight.  Some of the guys I was coaching in rowing were really into it, and convinced me to try cycling.  I trained super hard and went from Cat 5 to Cat 2 in a year.  But, I was overtraining and was burnt out by my second year of riding.  I made it half way through that year and quit.  That was 2012.   I rode on and off recreationally and eventually fell into some unhealthy habits again.  I really missed having a competitive outlet so I started riding again last year, did a few races,  and decided to try to race this year.  Now I have a coach and am trying to do it in a more sustainable manner.

2.  You race for Ghisallo, tell us a little about the team and how long you’ve been with them. 

Mike: Ghisallo is just a really nice group of friendly people that I enjoy being around.  A lot of the guys do our local worlds ride so that is how I got in with them.  Just a good group who are supportive and friendly.  I have technically been with them a long time but I'd say as an active member last year and this year.

3.  What is more important to you, marginal gains or just riding the bike and having fun?

Mike: Definately riding and having fun.  I mean, I want to be fast, but having burnt out before I am really focused on a balance and trying to stick in the sport this time.

4.  What draws you to the KORRS events?

Mike: I first found out about it from Turtleback Ridge's Instagram, I kept seeing the stories and thought it looked cool .  I finally made it out last year for a race.  I really liked the friendly laid back atmosphere.  Everyone is having fun and super nice.  You have a good thing going here.

5.  Would you prefer a 50 mile road race or a 160 mile challenging route?

Mike: I think the 50 mile road race.  160 miles is a long time on the bike.  I'd do a 160 mile ride with friends, but I don't think I'd want to race that long

1.   How did you get into cycling as an adult and how long have you been racing? 

Colin: For me, cycling came from a resurgence of healthy habits in my late teenage years. The bike was truly my first love as a child - so naturally I found myself back on two wheels. Initially it was innocently meandering about with no goals in mind, although this wouldn’t last long. I transitioned onto the road bike during COVID times, and it really become a serious training tool when I began running ultra marathons. After a long winter battling knee issues I have put up my running shoes - for now - in hopes of fueling the competitive fire on two wheels.

KORRS #1 was the first time I’ve ever raced a bike of any kind. 

2.   You recently joined N+1 Bikes shop team, they’re the title sponsor of the series. How did you get involved with them?

Colin: N+1 Bikes is a pillar of our cycling community here in Louisville. Shaun and his team have been supporting local riders I know as long as I can remember - including my brother Garrett. They built up my first real bike a few years back, and have played a key part of many others’ cycling journeys. The shop is unparalleled. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support them and wouldn’t rather fly anyone else’s colors.

3.   You had an excellent 7th place finish at the first race of our series, what kind of goals do you have for 2025? Are you shooting to win the points series this year?

Colin: I am happy with 7th for my first time out, but truly I’m coming to win. That being said, my priorities this year are to learn more, do better, and have fun in the process. Hopefully these goals materialize with an overall win in the points series, and some podium spots along the way! 

4.   Got any tips or tricks for new cyclists or someone who may be coming to one of our races for the first time?

Colin: Get out there and give it a shot! Gary and his team have put together an accessible, friendly, and safe event that will not disappoint you - no matter the level of skill or experience. I am thankful to have you all doing this for the community, it’s truly amazing.

5.   Thank you for your time and thank you for supporting our grass roots series. Give us some fun facts about yourself or tell us your favorite post ride drinks/eats

Colin: All thanks goes to you all! Fun facts about me: I am an avid sourdough baker & coffee fiend, my best friend is my beagle: cricket. My favorite post ride snack is a chocolate covered cream filled donut and a chocolate milk. Then a burger or pizza and a cold beer.

Derek Rice is a great person and if you know him, he has a hell of a story about overcoming a slew of injuries and getting into cycling. I’m super stoked about his participation in our series!

1. Thank you for taking the time to do this. It’s greatly appreciated. Let’s get straight to it. You’ve already gotten on the 4/5 podium at the first race of the series, what are your big plans for 2025? Any A events?

Derek: My plans for the 2025 road season are to just keep chipping away at getting points to upgrade to Category 3. My “A” events this year are the KORRS events as I really enjoy traditional road racing. In addition to those, I would like to have a good showing at the Hyde Park Blast and Whiskey City Crits later in the summer. I crashed at the blast last year and would like to get that one back.

2. Following you on social media you have had a miraculous life change over the last few years and seems to be what has gotten you into cycling, would you be interested or want to share a little about how you got into cycling/racing?

Derek: I have definitely gone through quite the transformation over these last few years. As you’ve seen on social media I was involved in a pretty horrific motorcycle accident years ago where I broke every limb and had quite a bit of surgeries, 13 to be exact, and years of recovery. Getting in to cycling definitely wasn’t immediate as I had this wild idea to try a sprint triathlon with my old high school track coach and two of my friends just to see if I could complete the event. After that, my brother Justin who rides for 11eleven cycling out of Cincinnati told me about trying to do the Whiskey City Crit during the summer. I started primarily riding the bike last January, and then that timeline moved up to Kings Crit last April. I got dropped in the 4/5 race around four laps in, but I was instantly hooked on racing and haven’t stopped since. He’s really been a huge part of getting me in to road cycling as well as cyclocross and has been super supportive and encouraging along the way. 

3. I finally got a chance to actually hang out a little and talk to you at King’s Crit, which was great, I normally don’t get to talk to the racers much on event day. What keeps bringing you back to our series? What would you tell new riders or people on the fence about participating in our events?

Derek: There are multiple reasons I keep coming back for more in the KORRS races. I love traditional road races, which have been harder to find than crits. The roads down in Kentucky are absolutely beautiful, challenging, and a joy to ride. It’s clear that you, the volunteers, and all of the sponsors putting on these races care and really promote an event that brings people together to not only compete, but also display great sportsmanship across all the fields. The atmosphere after the races at Turtleback Ridge Brewery is really a community feel that I personally feel a lot of road events could be better at. I would highly encourage anyone new or even experienced cyclists to checkout some of the best and challenging rural roads that can be found in this region. 

4. You currently aren’t on a team and haven’t mentioned any sponsors. You obviously have the fitness and talent. Are you just very picky, what could a team or sponsors do to entice you into partnering together? Any specific brands or gear you’d love to work with?

Derek:  I’m not extremely picky on a team, but would definitely like to get on a team that will continue to encourage my growth as a cyclist, and one where I can contribute to a teams success. I think part of the delay is that a majority of the cyclists and teams I know members of are not local to me so I do not see them on the big social rides and Tuesday night rides. I do not have necessarily any specific team I want to reach out, but hopefully one will see the work I am putting in and think I can be a contributor  to their image and success.

5. Time is important and I appreciate all you’ve share with us. So we will wrap it up on this one. Tell us your tips on building so much fitness so fast and how you balance the training with every day life.

Derek:  I think just spending the time to put the work in each week has helped accelerate my fitness dramatically. My legs aren’t what they used to be, but consistency is paying off. Most of my family used to be runners so I am sure that has attributed in some sort of fashion. It has definitely been a process, and I think it’s important to understand things do not happen overnight. At the end of the day it’s me versus me out there, just enjoying cycling and seeing my fitness improvement each month drives me forward.

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