Randy Young was recently elected by the VVCC Board to fill the unexpired term of Don Mathieu who resigned recently. We caught up with Randy via email to find out more about him.

Randy, in your profile on the VVCC Director's webpage, you stated that cycling played an important role in your youth. Would you care to expand upon that?

Cycling played a huge role in my life while growing up and continues to do so. Bikes were a way to get places, explore and represented freedom. Fair play that the cutest neighbour a fella could have growing up just so happened to be a very talented MTB rider. In youth, one can't find greater inspiration to ride than trying to keep up with a ponytail belonging to a classmate they have a crush on. As I got a little older I discovered road cycling and was hooked. My wife and I met cycling, so it is easy to say cycling has had a huge impact on my life. Without it I may have missed out on knowing the best person in the whole world. 

How long have you lived in the Verde Valley?

I have lived in the Verde Valley most of my life besides some brief moments of exploration and adventure. 

Besides bicycling, what do you like to do for fun?

Whisping a fly-line over head and gently landing a hand tied insect on a waterways shimmering surface has a special place in my heart. Besides fly-fishing and tying flies, more a hobby of my youth, I also enjoy music. My wife Emma and I really enjoy traveling, though that almost always involves cycling in one form or another. Having a beer after a ride with fellow riders is a fairly good time. Basically most of all,I like bikes. 

Favorite Food?

 am quite a food fan, my favourite food being any creamy pasta dish unless sweets count and then it is cheesecake for the win. 

Beer?

Any quality Flanders Red, a beer slightly less sour than Gose. They are fairly hard to find as they are aged and don't bottle or sustain well. Wonderlust out of Flag makes a great one. I also like Belgium's, Porters, Ambers, Sours and IPA. 

Bike?

My favourite bike is definitely whichever one I am riding at the moment. For most occasions of trail riding the Trek Fuel Ex performs spot on. Fastest road bike I have ever ridden is my Trek Emonda and for me a road being fast is a huge factor. All that said single speed is really my thing and the only bike out of my stable that I wouldn't sell is a Canfield Nimble 9 setup XT with a 30:17 gear. 

Color?

Favourite colour is green. 

Where was your last trip to? Where's your next trip going?

Emma and I last adventured to Wales in the UK. We combined bike parks with a road trip along the Welsh coast. A beautiful country with amazing hospitality and splendid places to cycle, we would definitely go back! 

In late May of this year we plan to fly to Ireland, hop on bikes and tour. Keeping it laid back we don't have a solid plan. Just ride and explore for a couple weeks. If we like a town or attraction stay a spell. 

What type of impact would you like to make on the VVCC Board?

The Verde Valley Cyclist Coalition has a lot of great things going on at the moment. Be it trail projects or Verde Valley Bikes for Kids there is a lot to be excited and passionate about. As for impact, my goal as a board member is to help wherever needed. Being a bike commuter, MTB rider and roadie I hope to represent all types of cycling well and assist the VVCC in all advocacy. As a member of the Bicycle Advisory Committee to the City of Cottonwood, safe cycling on the roadways for commuters and and recreational riders alike is very important to me. I am very excited to be accepted to the VVCC Board and am looking forward to seeing where I can help out the most.