English Cycles Race Team

This all happened by accident, I wanted to have some kit to go along with my bikes, maybe have a few bits to offer on the side as well but I never intended to have my own racing squad. Now there are seven of us it’s probably best to introduce you to my friends and cohorts that make up the English Cycles Race Team. These past few years we’ve become much more than a group of folks who wear the matching kit and show up to races, we’ve become close friends and developed a strong bond through the bad and the good. At our core we recognize this is a hobby (maybe…dependency) and we’re all doing this sport because it’s our passion and not our profession; bikes are amazing, fun and always put you in a good mood. We try to keep it that way. Now, I’d like to introduce you to my friends.

[Quick note: this page was commandeered and written by Rob’s teammate Andrew, who’s unparalleled sock game and bike fanaticism compelled him to put together the team bios; any edits, issues, questions, comments, concerns, gratuity, etc. can be directed toward him, er…me.]

Lee Ordonez (“O.G.”)

@leeamerica5

Lee was the first rider to fly the EC colors, despite moving  further North than we would prefer, he still stays in contact and does a bit of racing. This guy is always up for an adventure, mountain bike, gravel bike, road bike it doesn’t matter. Clara, Adam and Lee could fill a room with stories from their bike adventures (usually involving running out of something). Mr Ordonez has a flare for fashion and when he’s not winning races or making you regret that bus stop burrito before tackling that next ridgeline climb, you may find him striking a pose for the paparazzi.

-Lately he’s been a bit to busy to track down for an interview, we spoke with his agent and are waiting to hear back, stay tuned.-

Clara Terrell (Powerhouse)

@claraterrell

She is a force to be reckoned with, when she’s not racing (mostly winning) she’s running (and mostly winning) or promoting bike racing here in the Willamette Valley (again, winning). Clara spends her time playing music, with her cats, relaxing on her back deck, building fires, cleaning her bike or going out for a leisurely bike ride to some remote place in Oregon. In her off season she likes to run 50k trail races, enough said.

• Favorite beverage?  Chocolate Perpetuem in warmish water
• What was your best ride? Most of the top ten are in the Willamette
  National Forest. Especially that one when Lee and Adam ran out of water, or that other one when Lee and Adam ran out of water
• If you were a bike part what would you be/ why? Front derailleur. Because I like parallelograms and I’m arguably obsolete
• How long have you been racing bicycles? 7 years
• What is the best dessert? I could use a mango about now
• Favorite race? Cascade Cream Puff
• Anything else? Happy to be a member of this fine team

Palmares:

• 1st- Oregon Coast Gravel Epic 2017, 2014
• 1st- Cascade Cream Puff 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
• 1st- Oregon State Championship Road Race, Cat3 2016
• 1st- Oregon State Championship Time Trial, Cat3 2016
• 1st- Oregon Triple Crown, 2016

Colby Wait-Molyneux (Ringer / Cujo)

There are many things to be said about this young man, he’s fast, polite, young, fast and well…fast. Colby has raced both in the states and in Europe and has finally found his spot with EC. It’s a pleasure to race and ride with him, if only he wasn’t based in Vancouver we’d see a bit more of his boyish good looks and fast legs. On top of all that, he’s wrapping up his college career and looking forward to his next big life adventure. Here’s what he’s got to say for himself:

• What is your favorite phrase? “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bicycle.” -JFK
• Favorite beverage? Lemonade
• What was your best ride? Le Tour de L’Abitibi Time Trial (2011)
• If you were a bike part what would you be/ why? Crankset, because I feel that it is a, fairly, vital component
• How long have you been racing? 11 years
• What is the best dessert? Anything and everything
• Favorite race? OBRA TTT
• Favorite Ride? Bull Run/Larch Mountain (Corbett, Oregon)

Palmares: 

Adam Kennedy (Optimist Prime)

Stephen Rockwood (The Canadian)

Rob English (The Captain)

• What is your favorite phrase? ‘Something a good friend of mine said to me many years ago when I was complaining about not being able to time trial fast enough. He told me I needed to use a bigger gear. I replied I liked to spin. He said, “Exactly, use a bigger gear AND spin!” I think of that every time I race a TT.’ 
• What is your favorite beverage? Erm….soy latte chai tea
• What was your best ride? Ah, too many to choose from! Touring across the US in 2003 was probably the most life altering. Otherwise I’d just say my last ride…
• If you were a bike part what would you be/ why? Hmm, the eccentric?
• How long have you been racing? Showing my age now…25 years…
• What is the best dessert? Anything chocolate and vegan
• Favorite race? TTT
• Anything else? I never set out to have an EC team, just wanted a bit of kit to ride in myself but this awesome group of people gradually came together and it has been a lot of fun. Thanks everybody!

Palmares? Blah blah blah… race results… blah. I’ve been doing this too long, here’s the ones that have meant the most to me:

• 2nd- British student road race championship
• 4th- British national hill climb championship
• 1st – in our division in the Duo Normand 2-up TT (closed road, follow car, podium girls and a Credit Lyonnais lion!)
• 1st- Eugene Celebration stage race by 0.4 second from Giant Pro Carl Decker!
• 1st-All 7 wins in the OBRA TTT

@eugneill

 

• 1st OBRA TTT, 2017
• 1st Revenge of the Disc 40K TT, 2017
• 1st Twilight Time Trial series, 2017
• 1st Deschutes River Valley TT Stage Race, 2016