Eric Magaña has been biking since he was little. He was given a bike by his grandmother, that’s when he developed a love for it. Eric stated that he felt the need for speed, the rush of wind pushing against him. Eric knew he was going to keep biking and he has not stopped at all. For the next many years Eric never stopped biking, to this day Magaña’s main style of transportation is by bike rather than car, “It was something new to me and it excited me to think of the places I could possibly go!”
“When highschool came around I would bike during the weekdays and go for spontaneous bike trips to the beach. Haha, lots of which resulted in flats, hunger, and wrong turns.” Last year Magaña participated at Kaiser’s Permanente’s Get fit Festival, where he and hundreds of other bikers traveled 30 miles all over Orange County. He recalled seeing all types of people during the event. He saw professionals, older people, kids all partake in the event, this “That is what I loved! Seeing everyone come together no matter who you are!”
To someone like Magaña he believes that biking is indeed for everyone. “I encourage everyone to take a chance at biking.” Magaña states that everyone is going somewhere, the store, job, school, everyday we will need to go somewhere. “It may seem overwhelming with the many options and brands but a visit to your local bike shop can help get your bearings. Not to mention, its adaptable to meet many people’s needs.”
Magaña also believes that biking really does help with mental health.”It’s the freedom to go where one wants without worry of being stuck in traffic or worried about gas.” Being the oldest in a working family Magaña always tries to help with his family and biking is the time where can stop stressing and just as he says, “just to vibe.”
“I encourage everyone to take a chance at biking.” Magaña really does believe that everyone should start biking more. “It may seem overwhelming with the many options and brands but a visit to your local bike shop can help get your bearings!”
As of today, Eric Magaña continues to travel all over California with just his bike. He likes to give advice to new beginners. “Expensive doesn’t mean fun. Skills can be built. A helmet is a MUST. Once you get into longer rides, prep accordingly. You don’t want to carry an excessive amount for a short ride, with that additional weight ruining your fun and vice versa.”
