March 23, 2024

March 23, 2024

In this week’s newsletter:

• Meet two cycling enthusiasts who aren’t your average weekend riders.

PROFILES

1. Cycling inspiration

Dan Swenson and Mike Garcia like to bike. But not your average twenty-mile or century ride. They specialize in ultra-distances, meaning 100 miles or more. Last month they completed- and won- the Florida 500 ultra endurance two person relay, in 26 hours, 56 minutes. And yes, “500” is the number of miles they biked. (Actually, it was 553 miles.)

The 55 year-olds rode from Jacksonville to Key West in alternating 40 minute shifts. A support crew, Mike’s girlfriend and the race director, followed behind in a Suburban.

How it came to be

Both men have connections to fitness-obsessed Edwards, Colorado where they met in a weekly group ride, but their paths getting to the mountain town differ.

Dan began his professional life as an investment banker and gradually transitioned to elite athlete 24 years ago after seeing a picture of “a fat guy” jogging and realizing it was him. Dan now owns Dogma Athletica, coaches and participates in triathlons and cycling events around the country.

A former alpine ski racer, Mike began cycling longer distances when his kids grew up. In 2019, he prepared for the Race Across America which was cancelled. Since the pandemic, he has participated in multiple 12 and 24 hour two-person relays.

Training and strategy

Winter cycling isn’t possible on the snow-filled roads of the Vail Valley, so Dan resorts to indoor training. His most intense preparation for the Florida 500 was a 12 hour indoor session, alternating an hour on with an hour off, while watching “a lot of Marvel movies.”

Mike has a full racing schedule in the upcoming months, including ultra events in Spain, Poland and the U.S. time trials.

For more details on the duo’s race strategy and ascent to the Florida 500 championship, visit The Vail Daily.

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