Colin "Big Bird" Connolly, 2007-2008 Poobah
Harvard Cycling was the first table I sought out at the activities fair when I arrived as a grad student. I had never been much of a cyclist, but I had heard something about discounted bikes... Now in my fourth year I'm up to three bikes and I'm still in love with the club! When I'm not riding my day job is earning a Ph.D. in cold atomic physics, which takes long enough to have a few seasons in the ECCC. I'm a Seattle kid, so I'll be doing a lot of west coast riding someday when I'm done toughening up in these New England winters.

We have a strong year planned with a lot of enthusiastic veterans and newcomers. I welcome your comments, inquiries, and suggestions!

Claire Twark, President and Finance Director
I began as a runner at eight. My dad started signing me up for triathlons soon afterwards. After we learned that mountain bikes just aren't as fast, he bought me my first road bike (the Terry Symmetry that many of you saw me riding last year). I began racing juniors in hill climbs and crits, and I continued to compete in triathlons. In high school and for the first two years of college, I converted back to running. One day, during my sophomore year at Harvard, I realized that I was having more fun riding my bike to track practice than I was having at track practice. I rectified that situation by quitting Harvard Track and joining HUCA! I have enjoyed every minute that I've shared with the team. The HUCA community and coaches have made me realize that I made the right decision. I am happiest when I am riding with my teammates in the woods while eating either a banana or some vanilla bean GU!

Brodi Kemp, Sponsorship Director
I joined HUCA last year completely by accident. A friend convinced me to try one of the fall skills weeks rides. At long last I told her I would try one, but only one... after all cycling on a collegiate team has to be a serious endeavor, no? Yes and no. I joined an afternoon HUCA ride instead with three of our Men's B racers, each of whom was really fast. I made it to Belmont and was dropped. The same thing happened the next day. The third day I joined one of the morning skills rides, wasn't dropped, and have loved cycling and HUCA ever since. I trained with HUCA through the fall and winter and by the time spring came around, though I am not a racer by nature, I couldn't say no -- I headed down to Rutgers for the season opener and next thing I knew we were at Vassar for the ECCC Championships in May. As a graduate student - I am a G4 in the Government Department - I can tell you that nothing could add more balance to your life than getting up early in the morning and getting on a bike before most of your friends have woken up. Besides the pride involved in the early mornings, Harvard Cycling is a great group of people and they make riding your bike through salt-covered roads a lot of fun. I'd urge anyone interested to give it a shot -- we welcome new riders and would love to see you out on the roads.

Shane Buker, Beanpot Director
I began getting really into bikes more from a utility/commuting angle- I particularly enjoy working on the various mechanical problems that arise from riding the pothole-ridden, over-salted streets of Boston. I once saw another cyclist on a nice fixed gear similar to my own, but knew he didn't have the proper eyelets to mount the nice fenders he was nevertheless rocking. After a long red-light discussion of certain types of facets and screws you can only find at the bottom of the spare parts bin of your local home depot, we discovered that we actually did know each other. He turned me on to HUCA and that was that! I've been racing for a year now and know that I'll be hooked for a lifetime on the sport.

While not in spandex, I'm earning a Ph.D in biochemistry at the med school. Another good thing about the increased fitness I've enjoyed from cycling with HUCA is that it has allowed further pursuit of my other hobbies, namely French cooking and Belgian beer (a requirement for doing any quality maintenance work on the bike).

Nathaniel "Jaws" Brahms , 2005/2006 Mens team Co-Captain
Nathaniel Brahms, a.k.a “Jaws”, is a HUCA captain for his second year, in his third year with the team.  In his first year with HUCA he placed 9th in the ECCC men’s D division, and last year he placed 14th in the C division.  Goals for the 2006 season include increasing teamwork in the men’s squads and bringing progressive training to HUCA members.  Jaws is a physics Ph.D. candidate in his fifth year and holds a Sc.B. in physics from Brown University.  When not exploring Eastern Massachusetts on two wheels or studying physics, he spends time brewing beer or cooking (and eating!) his favorite Mediterranean foods.

Despite all of this, one of the highlights of my proverbial cycling career has been joining HUCA.  It is a great group of people who are committed to the essence of cycling - having a good time.  I truly look forward to the upcoming season and the opportunities to compete for the Ivy league championship. 

See you on the road.