Skip to main content

How a crash helped pro cyclist Taylor Phinney get to the Olympics

Olympic cyclist and lululemon Elite Ambassador Taylor Phinney was born in Boulder, CO on June 27, 1990 to former pro cyclists and Olympic medalists Davis Phinney and Connie Carpentre-Phinny. He began racing bikes at 15, racking up 20 victories in his first season and finishing 7th in the individual pursuit at the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the age of 18. He went on to claim the 2009 and 2010 World Champion titles in the individual pursuit, and narrowly missed out on medaling at the London Olympics with 4th place finish in both the road race and time trial events.

In February 2014, Taylor crashed on a descent in the US National road race, fracturing his lower leg. After undergoing surgery, Taylor was given a long rehabilitation period- a time he took to investigate interests that had long been sidelined in his cycling career – flying lessons, reading and painting. When he returned to racing in August 2015, he brought with him a renewed love for the sport combined with a unique perspective and earned him a podium finish in the first stage of the Tour of Utah. He went on to play a key role in cinching BMC’s World Championship team time trial victory and helped the USA earn a TT spot for Rio.  

Bike
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As for his personal style:

Recommended Videos

Jeans: Skinny Black Saint Laurent, preferably worn over the years (and never washed)

Shirts: Denim or Hawaiian/Tiki OR if I must, white T—a nice white T, like lululemon’s 5 Year Basic Tee

Pants: Optional

Suits: Alexander McQueen

Related: This man ran away from Wall Street to build bikes

Shoes: Black Converse High Tops with white sole or black Saint Laurent Chelsea boots

Accessories: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, steel

Outerwear: Raf Simons, Rick Owens for leather

Favorite Cologne: Tom Ford Black Orchid

Your favorite App: Google Maps

Favorite piece of technology: Paint. Yes, PAINT. Titanium white paint was invented less than 100 years ago…

Next tech purchase: Whatever Apple wants me to buy next…

Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
Reebok and OBEY unite for the ultimate streetwear design
Reebok and OBEY announce new collection
three sneakers in the street

Inspired by classic and modern sports silhouettes, Reebok has turned to streetwear brand OBEY to cocreate the ultimate streetwear collection. In recent years, Reebok has brought retro sneakers and designs back into the mainstream, making them some of the latest “it” pieces. In this new collection, Reebok adds some edge to the design of their typically classic footwear. Both brands have utilized this collection to hone in on their self-expression and empowerment beliefs to create pieces every rebel will want to own. In this new partnership, both brands have announced three new sneakers that are as distinct and unique as their intended wearers. 
OBEY x Reebok FW24

As part of their Fall/Winter 2024 campaign, the two brands have announced three new footwear options for the ideal streetwear touch. The first pair in the collection, the OBEY x Reebok BB450, is a burgundy premium leather that takes after some of Reebok’s classic basketball sneakers. In the BB450, both brands opted for suede accents, speed hook eyelets, premium leather lining, and a branded sock liner and hangtag. Sticking to the trending seasonal colors, the second option comes in the dark green OBEY x Reebok Club C 85. The Club C 85 features premium leather, metal lace eyelets, black laces, and OBEY’s window box logo. This sneaker finds its inspiration from the brand’s iconic tennis sneaker. 

Read more
You will love these two new NORQAIN watches
Check out the new NORQAIN Wild One Skeleton watches in gold and grey
NORQAIN Wild One Skeleton Gold

Norqain has just rolled out two timepieces: the Wild ONE Skeleton Gold and the Wild ONE Skeleton Grey.

Developed by the brand’s CEO Ben Kuffer and Jean Claude Biver, the Wild ONE Skeleton Gold features a ruthenium-coated black skeletonized movement (COSC) and an 18ct red gold brushed and polished case, which reflects sunlight elegantly. Apart from that, the dial also has some gold hour markers that blend smoothly with the casing to accentuate the monochromatic and goldish hue.

Read more
Best of REI’s Winter Sale: Up to 62% off clothes and gear
Man winter camping with a green tent

If the cold of winter won't stop you from enjoying the great outdoors, you better be prepared. Fortunately, now's an excellent time to buy winter outfits and winter gear, as you can enjoy huge savings from REI Co-op's REI Outlet Winter Sale, which runs until November 21. You can take advantage of discounts of as much as 62% off, and REI Co-op members can get 20% off on a full-priced item and an extra 20% off on a REI Outlet item using the coupon code WINTER24. We've got some recommendations for excellent bargains, but feel free to look at all the deals through the button below. You're going to want to complete your purchases as soon as possible though, as stocks may run out sooner than you expect.

Bogs Casual Lace Boots -- $54 $135 60% off

Read more