Member Spotlight: Travis Lopez
Travis Lopez is one of PBC’s newest and most enthusiastic members. His energy and curiosity were evident from the moment I first emailed him about the possibility of connecting and became more infectious when we met for coffee a couple of weeks ago.
When he moved to Portland from Philadelphia about 15 months ago, Travis began cycling on an indoor trainer. His previous exercise of choice had been running. Travis described himself as an “obsessed” runner who sometimes logged 50 miles a day as a way to lose weight and cope with PTSD stemming from a bout with spinal stenosis which had him confined to a wheelchair. To make a long story short, Travis ran so much, so often, and so hard that he developed “exertional compartment syndrome”, an exercise-induced muscle and nerve condition causing pain, swelling, and tightness, that eventually put an end to his running career. Enter cycling. ✎
One of the first things Travis did when he arrived in Portland was to get an indoor trainer. He rode steadily for a year. He didn’t tell me how he realized that he needed to get outside (perhaps he was bored with the indoor “scenery”), but on December 31, 2025, Travis saddled up for Ann Morrow’s Absolutely Last Ride of the Year and immediately joined PBC. He proudly told me that his membership number is 26001, the first one to join in 2026.
Travis is eager (to say the least) to meet people, talk bikes, learn about his new hometown, assimilate into the community, and learn to become a more experienced cyclist. As of the time we met for coffee a couple of weeks ago, Travis had already logged more than 400 miles for this year (login required).
I asked Travis about which routes he’s liked so far. As he started rattling off the names of his favorite routes – Kelley Point, Frenchman’s Bar, and the two-bridge loop into Vancouver, I realized that he could have just said, “all of them.” He did add that rural routes allow him to go fast (he says his cruising speed is about 20 MPH) and practice his recently acquired skills. He’s greatly looking forward to the Monster Cookie ride, which will be his first organized event. So far, his longest ride has been about 40 miles; the challenge has him jazzed.
Travis’s learning curve has been steep. He referred to Joel Loh, Mark Barnes, and Khaliyah Williams-Rodriguez as his cycling mentors, encouraging him and teaching him about gear (toe covers are must-have items) and techniques.
Finally, I asked Travis what would surprise people about him if they met him on the road. He replied, “That in 2019 I weighed 348 pounds. It was then that I realized I had to lose weight and get fit in order to save my life.”
Welcome Travis if you see him on the road. He may not have the fanciest bike or the most finesse, but he has a really interesting personal story, a ton of power, and even more enthusiasm!!
Julia Surtshin, Club Member