"Don't buy upgrades, Ride up grades." -Eddie Merckx, supposedly
cyclists who care
Aliya Tyus-Barnwell
President
@kitaddiction, Columnist at VeloNews
Writer first, cyclist second. This is what she tells herself when she wonders why her FTP is low.
She got her start doing cycling work as an Instructor at Bike New York. Of course, as a road cyclist she wanted to pass the freedom she found there on to riders in neighborhoods that lacked any bike programs; the closest Bike New York program to her Crown Heights neighborhood was too far for any youth to walk. Getting to a bike program for someone in her neighborhood required taking trains and/or buses. Further, there were no *free* public road bike programs for youth in her city - they either cost money are limited to specific schools.
Tracy Norton-Fisher
Vice-President
Female-focused Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Owner of TonedByTracy Personal Training, Triathlete/Ironman, and Mom, Tracy was the friend who got Aliya back on the bike as an adult. She's serious about functional and endurance training, and fantastic at setting SMART goals. She has made her career of seeing women excel in their sports of choice and brings that same passion and commitment to excellence to Ride Up Grades. She has been looking to find a way to share her skillset with young people for some time now and no matter what she does, she loves to go"fast-fast".
Alex Ostroy
Networking and Design
Michael Fisher
Treasurer
Michael Fisher is a Senior Vice President at Arch Capital Group, Ltd., a Bermuda-based specialty P&C insurer with over $8B in annual revenue.
Mike joined Arch in 2003 and currently serves as the National Manager of Executive Assurance’s Financial Services (FS) group, an underwriting department dedicated to addressing the needs of banks, insurance companies and banks. Having solely focused on the financial sector for his entire career, Mike has successfully underwritten insurance programs for hundreds of clients across the industry spectrum. Mike holds an undergraduate degree in economics and international studies from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. with Honors and Distinction from Columbia University. Mike is an avid cyclist and enjoys hiking, skiing and exploring the outdoors. He resides in New Jersey with his wife Tracy, their 2 year old son William and family dog Taxi.
ethel tyus, ESQ.
legal counsel
An experienced lawyer, former PI settlement counsel for the NYC Comptroller's Office, and Sterling Place Civic Association President, current Community Board 8 Chair. She was fundamental in securing listings on the National and State Registers of Historic Places for the Crown Heights North area in Brooklyn Community Board 8, which meant the ability for long-time residents to receive tax credits to maintain their buildings instead of being forced to sell in a wave of gentrification.
TEXFORD BARNWELL
advisor
Long time member of the Red Caps, he developed a love for bicycles when he began commuting to his basketball games. He's done and does long hard rides, collects unique bikes and gear, and wants to see other people like himself brought into the sport.
JosH HaRTMAN
advisor
Josh Hartman grew up in East New York, Brooklyn, and is an aspiring Olympian with Team USA. He credits cycling with helping him find his way in life, "Most of my friends have been to jail, two are still locked up. That could be me". Look for Josh to do great things in the coming years.
NELSON VAILS
advisor
Nelson Vails started cycling as a kid growing up in Harlem, NYC. Ge went on to represent the USA at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where he won the silver. Vails was the first African-American cyclist to win an Olympic medal and he was inducted to the US Bicycle Hall of Fame in 2009.