The Domestique Board

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

I didn’t grow up racing bikes or chasing podiums. I came into cycling later in life, curious, a little intimidated, and instantly hooked. What kept me riding wasn’t the gear or the Strava stats. It was the community I found along the way: riders who waited at the top of climbs, who cheered you on, reminded you to eat a snack and drink water. Riders who made it feel like you belonged.

But I also noticed the gaps. How hard it could be for new riders, especially women, BIPOC riders, and those outside the typical mold, to find their place. How group rides sometimes felt more like performance tests than shared efforts. Too many people discouraged, dropped, or made to feel like cycling wasn’t for them.

Domestique started with a small group of women’s rides. No ego. No gatekeeping. Just care, consistency, and a commitment to one another. What we built together in those early mornings became the blueprint for the club: welcoming, well-led rides that prioritize people over pace, and community over competition.

Six months in, Domestique has grown into a 90+ member, multi-pace, mixed-experience community led by riders who believe leadership means service. We believe great riding culture is built, not assumed, and that care, clarity, and accountability are what make a group ride truly inclusive.

This club was born from a deep belief that cycling is better when it’s rooted in care. That rides should be challenging but never exclusive. That you can be fast and kind. That there’s room here for every type of rider, whether you’re chasing PRs or just learning to clip in.

As founder and board member, my focus is on protecting the values we started with while helping the club grow responsibly. I founded Domestique to help more people feel what I felt when I found my way into cycling: connection, confidence, joy, and strength. I hope you find that here too.

DIRECTOR

I loved riding my bike as a kid, and I rekindled that love in my 20s. I started mountain biking in the Santa Monica Mountains, then signed up for my first triathlon, which I completed on a mountain bike. I was immediately hooked. The group training, the camaraderie, the support on race day, and the feeling of crossing the finish line were pure joy. It gave me confidence and showed me I could take on challenges I once thought were out of reach.

As it turned out, I was pretty good at this triathlon thing. I bought a road bike, then a tri bike, and went on to compete in several national championships and a couple of world championships.

While I still enjoy triathlons, my true love is being on the bike. I love group rides, seeing Los Angeles from a different perspective, and discovering new places you would never experience from a car. Being able to share that love with other adventurous riders truly fills my cup.

I joined Domestique because I believe deeply in its mission, and I am dedicated to supporting our riders and the community we are building together.

DIRECTOR

I’m Maxi. I like to ride bikes, have fun, feel the wind in my face, see beautiful places, and connect with others. I’m a forever learner with a curious mind, and I love the idea that there is always something new waiting just around the corner.

My background is in sports. If it’s a sport, I’ve probably played it, usually in a very mediocre way. What brings me the most joy is being outside, moving my body, and saying yes to an activity. I started riding bikes after working with the team at Specialized in the wind tunnel while designing and testing uniforms for Team USA Speedskating and Bobsledding for the 2018 Olympics. They were appalled that I didn’t own a bike and promptly peer pressured me into what has become one of my favorite pursuits.

After moving from Baltimore to Toronto and now Los Angeles, my trusty Allez has helped me expand my boundaries, both on the map and in what I believe my physical capabilities to be. Thanks, Specialized.

I found Domestique after bumping into Tara on the Marina bike path and spontaneously joining a Palos Verdes ride. The community is what has kept me coming back week after week. I’m deeply grateful to each and every member and proud to be part of what we are building together.

DIRECTOR

My love for bikes started when I was a kid. We didn’t have much money, so my dad built a BMX bike out of spare parts for me and my brothers. I spent my childhood riding around the neighborhood, hitting jumps we built out of wood, and feeling that first spark of freedom that only a bike can give. One Christmas, I received a beach cruiser, which quickly became one of my most cherished gifts.

In my 20s, I drifted away from biking for a while. But in my mid-30s, I found my way back. I started again on a beach cruiser, which eventually led me to meet the owners of the then Giant shop in Santa Monica, Elon, Carleigh, and Jim. They helped guide me into the next chapter by fitting me with my first bike with gears, a hybrid. Not long after, Elon encouraged me to test-ride a road bike straight off the shop floor for a few weeks, and that experience completely changed my world. I bought my first road bike and began pushing myself to ride farther and farther.

What started as rediscovery turned into passion. I grew into long-distance rides, cycling races, and triathlon, constantly testing my limits and finding joy in the challenge. Along the way, I was also running, training for ultra trail races, pacing the Los Angeles Marathon and ultras, and coaching.

From a homemade BMX to endurance cycling, triathlon, and ultrarunning, my journey has been about resilience, growth, and reconnecting with the things that make me feel most alive.

DIRECTOR

Growing up, I was always on my bike. Some of my earliest bike memories include flying down the street I grew up on after finally ditching my training wheels, getting a little too excited, and promptly forgetting how to stop. My younger brother and I would ride short laps on the sidewalk around our house, and after one sharp turn around the gate, I earned a scar on my elbow that I still carry proudly.

Aside from the spills and tumbles, having a bike as a kid was a symbol of freedom. I could ride to a friend’s house, head to the park, or cruise out for ice cream. It was a way to roam, explore, and enjoy the outdoors on my own terms.

After high school and getting a driver’s license, cycling unfortunately fell by the wayside for many years. In my 30s, I bought a cruiser, eager to get back outside. I took it out a few times, but it mostly sat around and eventually rusted. A fairly accurate metaphor for my cycling career at the time.

In my 40s, I finally decided enough was enough. I wanted to take advantage of the incredible riding Los Angeles has to offer and began shopping for my first real road bike. Riding mostly solo or with one friend, I pushed myself more than ever, huffing and puffing up every climb and grinning like a kid again on every descent. I was hooked.

I wanted to ride more and take on some of those iconic LA routes, but I didn’t yet have the confidence to do it alone. Domestique gave me that confidence, along with a welcoming group of people who made those bigger rides feel accessible, supportive, and fun.