Kyler's Shadow-in-the-Night Orbea Orca
Kyler is a man of taste and style, so it follows that his bikes are equally refined - like this muted Orbea Orca, devastating in dark hues.
December 11, 2024
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INTERVIEW
Rider Profile: Megan Newton
Dedicated Scottsdale triathlete and never-ending source of inspiration, Megan Newton chronicles her course through cycling.
WORDS
Regroup staff
PHOTOS
Regroup
FIRST PUBLISHED
Regroup Review Vol. 1
Aug. 2024
Cycling and its many nuanced forms have produced an equally nuanced array of cyclists. From free-spirited gravel grinders to ultra-fit and determined triathletes, there are endless rider tribes with their own unique stories and journeys.
We recently explored one of the more dynamic paths into cycling when we caught up with Megan Newton, a dedicated triathlete from Scottsdale, AZ, and a never-ending source of inspiration for us at Regroup. With a fresh latte in hand, Megan sat down with us to chronicle her course through cycling.
Hello, Megan! First things first, how long have you been cycling?
Well, hello! I’ve been cycling for six years.
Where did your cycling journey begin?
I initially got into cycling through triathlon. I was a runner for a long time and needed some new inspiration for training, so I decided to sign up for a sprint triathlon, which I did on a cyclocross bike with mountain bike shoes and gloves. I was a real newbie triathlete at the race, and I had only ridden my bike a handful of times, but I got excited about doing more triathlon events as a result. We moved to Arizona four years ago, and that was when my cycling experience really began, and I got a lot more excited about riding and not just competing in triathlon events.
How has cycling impacted your life?
Through the lens of triathlon, cycling is a mode of training, and I’ve seen significant improvements in my performance there. Then, of course, there’s the bike’s unique ability to get you out into the world and at the perfect speed to experience nature. That’s a pretty awesome thing to have available to you. I’ve also made a lot of friends – not just triathlon friends, but cycling friends and that’s created a community in my life that gives me joy and makes me happy.
"Having partnerships in the sport makes it more enjoyable. Of course, your individual gains are yours alone, but they’re made better if you can ride with other people"
MEGAN NEWTON
What’s been your favorite aspect of cycling?
My favorite aspect of cycling is the community. There are purist cyclists, and then there are the triathletes, and often, they can be on one side or the other, but I like to associate with both and consider myself both. So I’ve been able to make some really great friends and have also been able to see a lot of cool things on two wheels, so it’s just been a wonderful thing to have in my life.
Any advice for new riders?
Find a group or a friend that you can ride with. Having partnerships in the sport makes it more enjoyable. Of course, your individual gains are yours alone, but they’re made better if you can ride with other people. When you’re new, putting yourself out into a group is nerve-wracking. You don’t know hand signaling or how to draft, or you might be worried you’ll not clip out quickly enough if you have to stop, etc. But if you push yourself outside of that comfort zone and are willing to try, you’ll get a lot faster and better at cycling, much quicker than if you go at it alone. Plus, it’s always great to have someone block the wind for you!
Finally, what’s your favorite thing about Regroup?
My favorite thing about Regroup, besides the fact that they have great coffee and a bike shop combined, is the people here. Every time I walk in, I feel welcome, and I always know I’m going to be well taken care of. When you’re buying a bike or bringing it in to have it serviced or have a question about anything cycling-related, you want to feel confident in the people who are helping you and the knowledgeable staff and the team here provide a seamless experience, especially with a big purchase like a bike. That makes me want to come back here, not just for the coffee but for the people. And isn’t that just cycling?
FEATURED PRODUCT
ORBEA ORCA AERO
Experience radical efficiency in the wind with the Orbea Orca Aero, a hyper-tuned time trial specialist that leaves fast in its wake.
