Member Spotlight: Sean Lee
Hey y’all, meet the new guy on the block, Sean Lee, who joined less than six months ago but is already, as he says, “loving it.”
Although Sean’s lived in Portland for about five years, his road cycling was on hiatus until this last spring. He joined PBC because, like many of us, he wanted to find a cycling community. He told me, “For me, it’s about more than the miles.” (Though don’t misunderstand, the miles matter to Sean.) “I was looking for people to ride with, new routes to discover, and a way to feel more connected to the city. Honestly, it’s all about community. I want to get to know other riders, swap stories, and learn the best local routes.”
Sean’s favorite rides start early. He likes sneaking out before traffic builds up. It’s a mental thing with him. “The calm and quiet let me lock in and focus, which sets the tone for the rest of my day.” His “sweet spot” is a brisk 30-mile ride moving at 15-18 MPH. But if he has the time (Sean is a very busy guy), he likes to stretch it to 50 or more. Labor Day, he rode 68 miles. He’s done several Gran Fondos and a few bike tours of 500+ miles. Being a guy with diverse interests, Sean enjoys mountain biking as well as road cycling. Gravel riding is still on his “to-try” list. ✎
Sean is a data geek. He’s all about the numbers. When I asked him about what advice he’d offer other riders, his first response was, “Keep a high cadence in the correct gear to save your legs.” When asked about his favorite piece of gear (other than his Garmin Edge, of course), without skipping a beat, Sean extolled the benefits of an electric mini-pump. As someone who got a flat while riding with Sean, I can attest to their worth! He prefers thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) tubes over tubeless for their simplicity and reliability.
One of the highlights of Sean’s adult cycling career was the unsupported tour with friends from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Santa Monica Pier. He recounts, “We carried everything on our bikes, camped along the coast, and pushed ourselves through the long, winding climbs of Big Sur. The ride was tough, but the kind of tough that rewards you with jaw-dropping views, laughter around a campfire, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing you earned every single mile.”
“But what made it truly powerful was the reason behind it. We weren’t just riding for ourselves; we were riding for a friend who was battling a rare muscle-wasting disease called Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy (HIBM). The ride became a way to channel all that effort, sweat and determination into something bigger than ourselves. Every hill, every headwind, every sore muscle felt like a tribute to her. That experience changed the way I see cycling. It reminded me that the bike is more than just a tool for fitness or adventure; it can be a way to connect, to give back, and to carry someone else’s fight forward.”
As I mentioned earlier, Sean is a busy guy. First and foremost, he’s a dad of three, so much of his endurance training comes from chasing kids around. (He can braid hair!) He’s the CEO of a tech company and serves on the city council of Durham. He’s also a stellar cook; think fall-off-the-bone ribs.
Given all the demands, Sean craves the Outdoors. Skiing is his true passion. For him, there’s nothing better than carving down a mountain with the mix of speed, control, and freedom. (His four- and five-year-old daughters are speed demons as well.) When the snow is not flying, you’ll find him mountain biking, hiking, or camping. Being outside resets Sean, keeps him grounded, and reminds him to slow down and enjoy the ride. In many ways, it is the same thing he loves about cycling; moving through the world under your own power, soaking in the scenery, and finding that balance of challenge and joy.
Julia Surtshin, Club Member