To celebrate the stories behind the names, we’re launching a new Hall of Fame Q&A series. We’ve asked a few of our inductees to reflect on their earliest bike memories, biggest career moments, and what riding means to them now. It’s a chance to hear directly from the people who’ve helped shape cycling into what it is today—on the trails, in the industry, and in the community. First up is our own Otis Guy!
How did you first get into bikes?
I received my first bicycle on my fifth birthday; it was a 20″ Schwinn, red, and my parents had training wheels mounted on it. Before I would get on it, I asked that the training wheels be removed, and my dad and I worked on riding the bike on the backyard lawn. When my dad came home from Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato, he would follow me in his 1957 VW Beetle, and I would ride the single-speed bike from Broadview Drive in San Rafael to Coleman Elementary School. Once he thought I had riding down, I was allowed to ride anywhere in San Rafael. My Uncle Maury had a grocery store in downtown San Rafael so that I would go there. For me, cycling was a passport to freedom.
What do you think has been your biggest contribution to the sport?
My goal has always been to be an answer to a trivia question.
I have tried throughout my life to project that cycling in all forms is the best. In a way, it doesn’t matter. That is for others to think about, I am very fortunate to be part of the early Norcal road scene, be at the beginning of the modern MTB, have a racing team, coach high school MTB for seven years, instruct hundreds of MTB coaches first aid, be a founding board member of the MMB, Director of the MBHOF since 2014, build bicycle frames since 1982 and get to still race (kind of) in Grasshoppers and other events.
What does riding a bike mean to you?
Fun and freedom
What’s your favorite ride right now?
There are so many favorite rides that it is hard to choose.
If you could go for a ride with anyone—past or present—who would it be and why?
Alfredo Binda
What advice would you give to the next generation of riders?
Have fun and learn how to ride properly.
