Justin Eichenlaub

Pronouns: he/him

Age: 43

Town: Easthampton

NCC Member Since: 2018

Justin: The History

Where are you from?

Erie, PA

How did you first get into cycling?

Riding bikes from an early age in the City of Erie where I grew up thanks to my parents getting me started and teaching me how to ride. My house was on a gravel alleyway, which I loved, and the alley ran for several blocks. We ran alley races when I was young, stationing kids at each street crossing, so the racer wouldn’t have to stop and look for cars.

Why did you join NCC?

To be a part of the recreational and competitive cycling community here in the Valley. And to work with NCC on a new cyclocross event, NCC Hydra Cross, which we first launched in 2019.

What type of riding do you do?

All kinds–from around town utility cycling, to community, to training and racing bikes.

You’ve been putting on NCC’s Hydra Cross race in Holyoke for six years now. How did you get started with that?

There’s so much cyclocross in Western Mass now (check out @rivervalleycx) but six or seven years ago there wasn’t so much–there was demand for more local races. Hydra Cross started with the desire to create a new race closer to home for our friends and community. Mike Marques (my co-promoter) and I had got into racing cross together in Hartford years before and decided to put our own event together in Holyoke.

What do you want people to know about the event?

Hydra Cross is such a special, grassroots event. The vibe is positive and supportive and welcoming. People really love our race and are always surprised by how fun (and hilly!) the course is. The City of Holyoke and its Parks and Rec Department have always been so welcoming and supportive of this event. If you haven’t been before, come on out and see for yourself this year!

What cycling accomplishments mean the most to you?

Helping others get into the sport has meant the most to me. I’ve had the opportunity to do that through our race and intro clinic, by helping organize skills clinics through the club, and in coaching others at humanisticcoaching.com. I really love using what I’ve learned to help others pursue their goals on the bike.

Justin’s Favorites

What’s your favorite place to ride?

Easthampton’s mountain bike trails are in my backyard and are often hard to beat. I’ve grown to love Sawmill as well, and my favorite road loop is up to Conway and back.

Favorite ride snack?

1:1 glucose:fructose drink mix lol….no hmmm twizzlers

Favorite piece of cycling gear?

USWE hydration pack

What is your favorite NCC group ride or event?

Wednesday Night Ride

What do you want people to know about the event?

Mr. Inbetween

Who is your favorite professional cyclist?

Evie Richards