I’m a lifelong rider, skier, snowboarder, and climber—in short, I’ve spent much of my life in sports that require a helmet.

Biking is a huge part of my life, spanning collegiate road racing, road and dirt criteriums, triathlons, and duathlons. My bike collection reflects that range, from the fixed gear I rode in New York City during graduate school to the downhill bike I rode in Oregon while working at Dakine, where I designed bike packs and other action-sports products.

Most recently, I spent six months developing a hard-shell knee pad designed to fit under jeans. The idea came from firsthand experience hitting the pavement at New York City skate parks on my BMX.