Why I Ride: Meet Seth Von Gretlein, Lovejoy Service Manager
Why do you love bikes?
What's not to love?
What's your favorite bike memory?
Riding the first half of the Northern Tier with my dad when I was 12.
What's the coolest bike you've seen come through the service department?
I used to repair Blazer alumni Bill Walton's bike while I lived in San Diego. I had to wrap rags around the top tube and sit on them to test ride it. We've also done quite a bit of work on Olympic cyclist Will Greaux's hand cycle.
If you could own any bike in the world, which one would you choose?
I don't think I could choose any one bike...but if I could own all of the bicycles that I want, I would need a much larger house.
Tell us a story:
In 2008 I rode my bicycle from Tijuana, Mexico to Vancouver, B.C. instead of going to grad school. Having sold all my belongings other than what was on the bicycle, I was as carefree as possible. Upon reaching my destination (the totem pole most people start that ride at), I realized I hadn't planned anything beyond that moment. As I sat there, staring out at the bay, an older couple asked me what I was planning on doing next. "I haven't a clue," I answered, so on my way back south I stopped here in Portland...and I'm still here.