Who we are. Our Story.
Where does one even begin to tell their story? I guess at the point it started getting interesting.
I started as a professional cyclist. Leaving where I grew up in rural NewBrunswick, Canada, I left for Europe and decided to throw everything I had towards riding in the professional circuit. After securing a few stagier spots and showing some grit, I was signed to my first World Tour Cycling team in 2008.
My dream had become a reality. I was lucky enough to travel the world and be a part of some of the best teams in the sport. I spent the better part of two decades on two wheels. If anyone knows a professional athlete they can attest to the fact that it consumes the athletes entire life however I enjoyed the consumption. I was obsessed with all aspects of being on the bike, from the training to the nutrition, the goals and execution at a race and of course the feeling of helping be a part in a team win.
After completing all three Grand Tours, France, Italy and then The Tour de France, I knew I had fulfilled the dream.
In the background of my cycling career my wife and I had started branching out in our ventures and we had opened a small cafe and brunch spot called La Fabrica.
A year later, another roastery and cafe called Espresso Mafia.
We then decided to go for the third project and opened a bike shop called The Service Course.
I could sense with these three projects, there was a bit too much to juggle. I realised I had gotten everything possible out of my cycling career and that there was adventure to be found around the corner.
I retired from professional cycling and started building the other businesses.
Wow. Being an athlete was a walk in the park compared to being a small business owner. Long hours, sleepless night, mental exhaustion. Pedaling a bike for hundreds of kilometers was was easier.
Passion and dedication paired with my wifes fire and my german upbringing, we were able create our dream coffee shops. With La Fabrica having reached over 10 years and Espresso Mafia just a year behind, at 9.
Covid hit in the middle of this journey however and residents of Girona, our adopted hometown, were not permitted to leave a 20km radius from their address. In the midst of all these projects I continued riding, still loving being in nature and staying active. With this restriction of distance, the bike was not an option, so for the first time in my life, I put on a pair of running shoes. I could say the rest is history but you are here for the story.
I started slow, 5k, 10 k. I had the goal to run 50km by the end of the year. I did it. I then signed up for my first ultra. 100km. I did it. I started racing and finding friends in Girona that wanted to go for little adventures in the mountains. As they do with me, one thing led to another and I realized Girona was missing a boutique running store. We found a little antique space in the old town with exposed brick and original tile flooring and decided we were going to venture down the road of yet another dream.
Overland Running Provisions was founded.
Time flew by and my passion for running continued to grow. I started racing competitively and started winning a few races, something that I didn't have a chance to do too much of in cycling, haha! I fell back in love with training, discovering new things about my body, the sport of running and what felt like a whole new world to explore.
I started to run professionally for Soloman. To be a part of a team again, I missed it a lot.
I´ve been running for them for a few years now, I was even able to win a very cool race called TDS. A 145 kilometer race through the French/Italian alps. To this day it is one of the highlights of my life.
So there you have it, you are all caught up. Any more questions? I am always up for a chat.