Local Dad Gearing Up For Tour de Cul-de-Sac

By Chris Wernikowski

DURHAM, N.C. — There’s often a whir of light clicking on Malvern Street where you’ll find local dad Brian Matthews fiddling with his road bike in his garage.

“Right now I’m indexing my gears. I saw it on a pro’s TikTok,” says Brian. “I started cycling about the same time all the pros started prepping for this year’s Tour de France.” 

Judging by his equipment, you’d think Brian’s been riding for three decades. 

He shows off his training bike, “race day” bike, Wahoo Kickr V6 indoor trainer, Hyperice massage roller, cycling tights, Shimano S-Phyre clip-ins, aerodynamic Giro Helmet, Assos Donzi Sunglasses, Garmin power meter, and blood and transfusion kit.

“I figure if you love something, why not dive $23,000 of credit card debt into it?”

We asked if Brian was training for Le Tour. 

“It’s only my first year, but maybe next year. Right now I’m riding my neighborhood loop. It’s an open course so it’s pretty raw,” Matthews said. “Sprinklers, leaves, grass clippings, a few stretches without tree cover…there’s even a hill. That’s why I’ve got this Aerofit thing to optimize my Vo2 max for those climbs.”

Brian’s new cycling addiction isn’t appreciated by his wife.

“At first I thought it was a healthy activity and our son was into it, too. Then Brian told him he’s too small to be a draft partner,” Leslie Matthews said when reached for comment. “He thinks he’s going to ride in the Tour de France? He doesn’t even push the lawn mower for 30 minutes and it’s self-propelled. He also ruined all our seats by gluing sandpaper to them to ‘toughen up’ his buns for his bike seat.”

Brian’s nutrition also factors into her frustration.

“He only eats this stuff called SiS Beta Fuel for breakfast to build his glycogen stores, energy gels, post-ride shakes,” Leslie added. “He takes bathroom breaks every 10 minutes from the constant hydration.”

Brian insists her frustrations build his mental fortitude, which he uses on grueling rides. 

He’s also quick to voice his own frustrations. 

“You know, nobody is ringing cowbells on the course or willing to massage me after a ride and it’s sad,” Matthews said. “I’m just out here doing what I love - cycling. Always have for three months. Always will.”

At the time of publication, End of the Bench has learned Brian moved his cycling gear to the shed and was researching top-of-the-line kayak fishing gear in his massage chair.

End of the Bench will have more on this story after we get really into marathons and join a running group.

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