Meet Mike

Mike Garcia

He may be a newcomer to the Ultra Cycling racing community, but make no mistake, Mike is no stranger to the world of cycling.

Mike’s fascination with cycling began at age 12, after he landed his first job in a bike shop. This job grew into a lifelong hobby, and within twelve months he completed his first century.

His motivation to ride was simple – for pleasure, as well as to enjoy the camaraderie of his fellow cyclists. Since childhood, his passion for cycling has never waned, firmly taking hold during his high school and college years, when he cross-trained for ski racing.

From 2012 to 2016, he competed in and completed the Gran Fondo New York. Additionally, he has competed in several charity rides in the New York metropolitan area, with an average cycling distance of 3,000 to 5,000 miles a year.

In 2019, the serious cycling began with over 8,000 miles on the books. It was also in 2019 when he reconected with his childhood ski racing friend Tracie May and her Husband Phillipe. Mike took a trip to visit them both in Verbier Switzerland and did some epic rides. It was after that trip that they asked Mike to Join their team Twisted Cycling to The Race Across America in 2020.

In 2019 the serious cycling began, and Mike logged over 10,000 miles. In the summer of that year he connected again with his childhood ski-racing friend, Tracie May, and her husband Phillipe, in Verbier, Switzerland, Later that year, Mike was invited to join Tracie and Phillipe’s team, Twisted Cycling, in The Race Across America, for which he began training for in September, 2019. February 2020 marked Mike’s first 12-hour race, covering a distance of 218 miles, where he finished in third place in his age group. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of 2020’s racing season was canceled (including Race Across America). However, the season picked up again in November, with a race from Nashville, TN to Natchez, Mississippi. Mike covered 444 miles in a TT-formatted, 4-day stage race, along the Natchez Trace. Mike was awarded 6th  place, achieving several personal bests. In 2020 alone, Mike logged over 17,000 miles and 790,000 feet of elevation.

Mike competed in The Florida 500 A 4 day 530 mile stage race from Jacksonville to Key West, In late February 2021. Although due to Covid turn out was low. Only 4 people finished. Mike came in a solid 3rd .

Mike remains enthusiastic about Race Across America – though given the ongoing COVID 19 crisis, this event is likely to stay postponed until 2022.