Rider Profile: Robert Pacheco

The Lil' homie. The dude that kicks my ass on our track bike ride every Saturday morning. I watched this young man grow into a cyclist over the last two years and he has impressed the shit out of me. He's getting ready to throw his first race next Sunday, (1st LA halloween alleycat in quite some time), and he hosts his own ride - Tuesday night hustle ride. Robert is holding it down on the LA streets and you all should keep an eye on him. This kid is a pleasure to ride with and it's going to be real exciting to see over the next few years what this young man has hidden up his sleeve.


Robert Pacheco

What do you ride?
48cm Continuum/ Chris King Headset/ Wound Up Fork
Thomson stem/ Nitto b125 Drop Bar
Thomson seatpost/ Specialized Toupe Expert
Mavic Open Pro laced to Low Flange Phil Wood hubs. 17t EAI Goldmedal Cog
Campagnolo Record Cranks/ 47t Sugino Zen Chainring/ Campagnolo Veloce Btm Brckt


How long have you been riding/ what started you?
Started February 2009, my car was stolen right after I bought my first conversion. The car was later found stripped and burned. My conversion became my everyday ride. Havent looked back since.


Do you wear a helmet y or y not?
HELL YEAH. Was hit by a car in September NOT wearing one, all bad. Our drivers are too stupid for cyclists not to wear one.



Favorite shop?
Echo Park Cycles. even though its not around anymore when it was here it was the shit. First bike shop I ever went to, Ozzie, Doug, Melissa (Rest in Paradise Mouse), the first DTLA messengers who taught me how to ride these streets.


clips or clipless?
Both, but since I've discovered clipless, I prefer it. Time Atac pedals, inverse cleats (no float). Specialized Mtn Sport Shoes


Ride with headphones/ music?
Only 1, the right/ outside one. I like my tunes, but love to hear the traffic and insanity around me as I ride.


Sponsors or teams or clubs you are a part of?
The Juice. Nothing official yet, but im trying to get the Juice on its feet again.
Chicken Hawk Racing. My club. Still unofficial but you'll begin to see it more and more.


Favorite race/s?
Lord of Griffith 3. Griffith park, greatest place for a race. 15th out of about 70?
The Takeover 2. Part 1. 5th.
What can I say I like climbing, descending and sprinting.


Favorite place to ride or route in la?
Sunset blvd. at 6pm. Griffith at any time. The rest of the city and everywhere in between. Theres nothing better than just riding the city streets, explore and you will find anything you can ask for.


Fav. person(s) to ride with?
Jose “HuevsMartin” Henriquez, my lil nephew thats more like my lil bro. i bring out the best in him and he does the same for me.
Ace “Boogie” Carretero
Sean “TOLA” Martin
Sean and Ace, both have taught me so fucken much, street knowledge, race knowledge, everything you would need to know to survive on a brakeless track bike in LA. Ace taught me the streets after graduating from the University of Tracko, and Sean taught me a lot about rides, and races.




Dope chill spot?
Don’t really chill to often. As long as im with friends doesnt really matter really.


Why la?
Cuz I was born here! Ha! No better place to be, its big, but compact. You can go a mile in any direction you want and you will run into something completely different. There are no limits to this city.


What do you do for work?
Orange 20 Bikes. Cyclist at a bike shop, cant complain, love the look of new faces on new bikes.


What other hobbies/ projects do you do?
Just got into Mountain Biking.
Trying to do more but don't know where to start, any suggestion?

Dream bike?
Not too sure actually. Dont really have a “Dream” bike, like too many to just pick one. BUT the road bike I want and will be saving up to buy within the next few months is, Jamis Xenith Pro w/ Ultegra Di2


Best/worst thing about riding in LA
Best thing. Traffic, hills, and the fact that you can ride in any direction and run into crazy shit.
Worst. LA Drivers. Drivers dont care about the cyclist here, they dont know how to drive with cyclists near.


Any secret tips/ secrets you wanna give?
Be Aggressive, there's no other way to ride in LA. You must be aggressive or you will not survive. People wont give you the lane, you must take it. DO NOT HESITATE!

Shout out?
Mom and pops! wouldnt be here or anywhere near this athletic if it wasnt for you 2.
Nena! Sister that doubles as a 2nd mom
PACHECO’S!
HuevsMartin
Ace Boogie
Sean Martin
ShaqAttack
J-Man
Tracko
GSC
Kike!
Orange20 Bikes!
Ozzie- Echo Park Cycles. Taught me the right way!
Melissa! Mouse! Rest in Paradise! one of the greatest people I ever had a chance to meet. First female messenger I met.
TOLA!


Last word?
A fixed gear is a bicycle at its purest form. no gears and no brakes. Considered the ultimate marriage between man and machine, a sub 20 pound piece of machinery is the only thing separating your body from the hard concrete.
Be aggressive, dont hesitate, dont be scared.
Search for the hills and you will find you dont need to go to San Francisco to bomb some hills!