My name is Derek Henderson

A normal day

It’s a mindset. It takes all the worries away when you’re on a bicycle. The stresses of life are put on hold until later.

I ride, probably, five out of seven days of the week. Bike to Work Day would be a normal day for me. I enjoy the energy I get for the day, and it’s a good wind-down, a stress reliever, at the end of the day.

Social riding

My wife, Heather, loves the escape, too. It allows us to be free and out in nature.

We ride together quite a bit, but we also like riding separately with our friends.

The recreation is my favorite part of Golden. I like to mountain bike and hike –; and the social aspect of having a beer with friends afterward. There’s good people here in Golden.

A team of like-minded people

Heather and I manage a 35-person mountain bike race team based out of Golden. The race team gives us an opportunity to be around like-minded people that share the same passion.

I used to be semi-professional –; more than an expert, less than a pro. In Colorado, it means the fastest class you are able to race with. Being pro is not about income.

Hooked on biking

I ride a full suspension bike for a playful ride. For the more aggressive, racing-type atmosphere, I ride a hardtail.

If you’ve never been on a bike, go demo one at the Golden Bike Shop. You’ll be hooked for life.

Derek Henderson, 41, has lived in Golden for 20 years, and has been biking for 36. He is co-owner of a structural engineering firm based in Boulder.

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