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Name Joseph Mullan
Nickname Joey
Age 21
Current Town Bellingham, Wa.
Home Town Tacoma, Wa.
Favorite Trail? Devil’s Gulch. Wenatchee, Wa.
Sponsors/Supporters? Traitor Cycles, Powercordz.
Favorite place to ride? Lake Padden, Bellingham, Wa.
Favorite place to compete? South SeaTac, Wa. Exit 151 off I-5.
What sparked your interest in biking? It was what I did every day after school with my best friend growing up. He got me into dirt jumping and free riding around the college campus of UPS in Tacoma. I loved it, so naturally I just kept with it.
When did you really get into biking, and what form of biking was it? What really struck my interest was when I got my first mountain bike. It was a 2001, Specialized Hardrock Pro. I wasn’t racing, still riding around town causing mischief. This is also when I started buying magazines and visiting all the local shops just to surround myself with bikes.
Do you ride anything else but Cyclo? If so, which is your favorite, and why? I ride XC mountain bikes because it’s another excuse to wear lycra and ride fast. Realistically, it’s just awesome going for long rides. I do a lot of street too on my dirt jumper. I really like it because I go out late at night for a few hours at a time and session at my favorite spots around town. This definitely dials in my handling skills and again, it’s just fun. I like being able to transfer those skills to cross. Like pogo sticking on my cross bike. It freaks the competitors out.
Have you had any serious injuries while riding or competing? How long did it take you to get back on the saddle? Crashes and injuries are few and far between with me for some reason. When I do crash though, it’s usually catastrophic. As fun as dirt jumping is, that’s where the biggest crashes come from. The last two big ones from d.j.ing ended up with losing consciousness, concussions and some sort of injured hand problem.
Who are your favorite Riders? Tim Johnson from Cannondale, and Jeff Lenosky of Giant. I really admire their riding styles.
What events do you plan on attending or competing in this coming season? All of them! Seattle Cyclcross, MFG, Bellingham’s local cross series, SSCXWC and Nationals in Bend, Or.
What are the greatest Podiums you have won thus far in your “career”? The best podium thus far was a second place in the Sedro Wooley cross race last season. It was the best worst mud race ever, at least 3 inches deep everywhere in the course.
Is cyclocross racing more mental or physical for you? Why? It’s definitely more mental. If you start feeling slightly tipsy from fatigue, or hear a repetitive noise from your bike, you lose that concentration and your mind wanders. You lose track of how and when to attack, lose your spin, and start over-thinking during a race. Crowd support helps too. You ALWAYS go faster when someone is watching and cheering.
Do any other sports influence your biking or style? I can only afford cycling. Even then, I can’t really afford it. So no. Wait, I like playing Starcraft. Strategize!
What is you big goal for this season? No promises, but a top 20 placing in the SSCXWC and a overall podium win in 2/3 race series.
What do you do to occupy your time when you’re not on the bike? I like to frequent classy establishments such as coffee and ale houses. That or I work on my bikes, always tinkering with them or making sure they are running perfectly.
Do you have a day job, aside from riding your bike? If so, what? I work at Fairhaven Bike and Ski.
If you were to give one piece of advice to up-coming riders, what would it be? Just remember this. You are going to suck at first and someone is always going to be faster than you. Don’t let this get you down. Always makes connections, it never hurts knowing too many people, whether its for riding riding buddies, spare parts, carpool, etc…
Everybody has a dream, what is yours? A Bridgett Bardeau-bot. With laser boobs.
What is your best or funniest memory from your cycling career? One of my buddies payed my fee for a race xc a few years back in Sea-Tac just to watch me race my old dirt jumper. Each lap I decided to take off an article of clothing. Eighth lap I was in my boxers and high top vans rooster tailing each turn and manual-ing the downhills. I ended up beating a bunch of guys regardless, they weren’t too happy being beaten by a naked dude.
If you could take a ride with any person from the past, present or future, who would it be and why? Any one of those smoking and drinking cyclists back 60 some years ago. They are bad ass and presumably fast.
Photo by Tim Chandonnet
