Eric Johnson, Co-Owner
Eric Johnson began riding bikes at the age of five and became a commuter at the tender age of seven. At twelve, he began racing BMX during its heyday in Florida during the 1970s and 1980s, whenever he could find a ride to the races. Greg Lemond shifted his attention to road racing. Saving up his allowance and lawn mowing money, Eric bought his first road bike, a 1983 Fuji Gran Tourer SE, and found freedom on the open road.
After three years at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Eric discovered the next new thing in mountain biking, a sport literally invented by a handful of diehards in hilly California. Like any good student, Eric spent his next financial aid check on a new Specialized Stumpjumper, then and now the industry standard in hard tail off road bikes. He found his niche in off-roading.
After moving to Pensacola to work on another degree, Eric began working at Escambia Schwinn, tuning his mechanic's skills as an apprentice under Victor Bagley. Eric also began racing on the road at a highly competitive level while in Pensacola, progressing through the ranks on his Specialized carbon fiber/aluminum lugged Epic.
Graduate school in Gainesville reduced the mileage and speed, but Eric maintains a solid love for all things cycling. You can ask him about the latest suspension, disc brake, or component technology. Eric's forte is repair. He is also a highly competent and professionally certified bike fitter. A master wheel builder, Eric is your go-to guy for consultations on wheel needs. A fan of the classics, he is your expert on Campagnolo components and Italian frames.
Thomy Bolduc, Co-Owner
Thomy began riding at the age of 24. An accomplished triathlete, he has completed three half-Ironman races, and numerous road and foot races. His fastest marathon time is 3:18:00.
An Air Force veteran, Thomy has lived and worked all over Europe. His professional career spans a long stint at AvMed in the health care industry, and memorable years at the University of Florida Athletic Association, where he worked in NCAA code compliance. Thomy is a native of Gainesville. He is trying to ride his bike to work more often.
Thomy's forte is professional bike fitting. He studied under fit guru Andy Pruitt at Specialized Bicycle University and prides himself on providing access to advanced fit technology for the everyday rider. He currently coaches the boys' and girls' cross-country and track teams at St. Frances Catholic High School. Thomy's wife Jenese handles real estate law at a local firm. They have one daughter, Ele, who currently attends St. Frances. Thomy rides a Specialized Transition, a Giant Anthem XC, a Giant Transend commuter, and a Specialized Globe Vienna commuter. Genese rides a Specialized Ruby, and Ele rides a Giant Transend commuter.
Duncan Niederlitz, Manager
Nickname: Doinkin Nerdalertz
Catchphrase: "Did anyone make coffee yet?"
Bikes: Old Schwinn Tandem, Free Spirit two-speed automatic folder, Raleigh Town, Fly freecoaster BMX, Surly Karate Monkey
Favorite local ride: Commuting to and from work
Riding tips: Go slow and relax
Repair tips: Ditto
Cycling Experience: Been riding since I was a toddler and working in shops for nearly a decade
How I'd like to see Gainesville progress as a cycling community: Check out bikegainesville.org!
Favorite snack: Customer baked cookies...hint, hint.
Worst injury: Recently herniated muscle in shin. Unlike the bones I've broken, it's permanent.
Ian Knabe
Nickname: Cadaver Legs
Catchphrase: "Yahtzee!"
Bikes: Santa Cruz Chameleon Singlespeed, Gunnar Ruffian, On-One Il Pompino 'Cross, Specialized S-Works Enduro, Sunday Ian Schwartz BMX. Or the short answer, if you ask my mom, too many...
Favorite Local Ride: Dirt jumping at Santos, in-town trail rides or San Felasco.
Riding tips: Pedal faster, you'll win. Or do a backflip.
Repair tips: "If it ain't broke, fix it til it is"
Cycling Experience: I started riding mountain bikes in high school, and raced at UF for five years.
How I'd like to see Gainesville progress as a bicycle community: Pump track lanes.
Favorite snack: Breakfast from Fritanga, or a tempeh burger.
Worst injury: Getting run over by a 15 passenger van, hands down.
James Thompson
Nickname: “Safety Nazi”
Catchphrase: Teach a man to fish . . .
Bikes owned: 2001 University of Florida Team Issue Planet X Road Bike, with 1996 Dura-Ace. Steel Giant ATB converted for commuting, w/Armadillo Tires.
Favorite Local Ride: The Olustee Battle course, 120 miles of beautiful North Florida countryside, hidden inside a bandit race long on tradition and heavy with good company.
Riding Tips: Cock the pelvis forward/down, keep your hips from pivoting, and relax your gut and upper body. This puts you in the “sports-ready” position on the bicycle. This straightens the spine and prevents nearly all of your upper body discomfort, and it makes it easier to sit in an aerodynamic position (road) or lower center of gravity (off-road).
Racing Tips: Cycling is a team sport with individual tactics. Selections, tactics, and distribution of talent dictate that very few cyclists will actually ever win a road race. Therefore, a captain should be thankful, and a domestique should be proud.
Repair Tips: Keep your tires inflated properly. Keep your tires inflated properly. Keep your tires inflated properly.
Cycling Experience: Started road racing in 1982 (under Peter Aubin), track racing in 1999 (under UF superstar Dan Larson and world champ Lucy Tyler), mountain biking in 1989. Former Cat 3 Road, Cat 2 Track. Former ultra-endurance runner (believe it or not). Member of several SEC Championship Gator Teams. I raced in many triathlons as a teenager, but don't tell anyone.
How I'd like to see Gainesville progress as a cycling community: I'd like to see the city and county commit even more strongly to restoring the urban core, so it is easier and cheaper to live downtown and midtown. I'd also like to see Gainesville become the winter destination for pro road teams and world-class riders, like it was back in the 1980s and 1990s. This, and Gator cycling, drew me back into road racing after a long hiatus.
Favorite Snack: Mean People
Worst Injury: Ice cream coma, Coca-Cola tummy, etc . . .
Chain Reaction Staff Alumni
