Name:  Chris Jacobson

AKA:  CJ

What do you do at Sports Garage?

Since 2004, I’ve owned Sports Garage. My chief responsibility is to connect people to the joy of cycling by any means possible.

What is your favorite bike that you’ve ever had?

It’s a 2 way tie: The red huffy road bike I got on Christmas morning, 1980, which sparked my love of bikes, and my custom Serotta MeiVici SE with Dura Ace electronic shifting, which enhances my love affair with cycling every day. 

What's your background in cycling?

Since my childhood, I’ve been enthralled with the beauty and elegance of the bicycle in all its forms. I began pulling my own bikes apart before I could write in cursive, and have yet to stop. When I was a new to the neighborhood seven year old, I packed a piece of fried chicken into the leather seat bag my Dad affixed to my handlebars, and went off on an expedition to meet people.  Within two blocks, I was sharing chicken with my newfound friends. Short ride; great outcome. During the subsequent years, I traveled the neighborhood on my bike, “racing” my cohorts, fixing punctures, and working to conquer the steep hill to the south that pulled my cadence to zero time after time. In my early teenage years, I saw the Coors Classic and decided I wanted to race bicycles. So I did. We were in San Antonio, TX at the time, and I vividly recall my team’s coach teaching us the basics of drafting, paceline etiquette, as well as my exhaustion from my first 25 mile ride, and my excitement the day our team uniforms arrived. Though I raced, I did so poorly. No matter though, as I’ve discovered that cycling means different things to each individual. For me, it’s escape, fitness, and contact with Mother Nature as well as my fellow humans. During my career, I’ve shared the joy of cycling with a broad spectrum of cyclists. Since my first job in a bike shop in 1984, I’ve worked with first timers to world champions. Whether out on a ride, advising an athlete about a new bike purchase, or teaching students how to properly fit a bike, it’s all joyous, and all good.

What’s the best thing about SG?

At any one time, Sports Garage employs between eight to twelve healthy, happy, fit, bright people who bring their knowledge and enthusiasm for cycling to like minded folks in the good old U.S. of A.

Why do you work at Sports Garage?

Fantastic people and amazing products inspire me to get up every morning and invite more people to experience the fun at Sports Garage.

Why do you ride?

For the same reasons you do. Fitness. Mental Health. Escape. Inclusion. Competition. Joy. To think. To be closer to everything.

What else should we know about you? 

I devoutly believe there is no limit to how many times I can say Thank you, I’m sorry, and/or I love you.

Chris has been working in the cycling industry for his entire adult life.  He’s passionate about all things cycling and it’s obvious to those that know him.  Like all of us at SG, he’s got a bit of frozen custard problem in the summer but he doesn’t let the brain freeze stop him from riding his bike.