2025 Squad Members
We are The Philly Bike Expo Squad. We are NOT just another racing team. We are a community of cyclists who are passionate about riding bikes, spreading our passion for cycling, and engaging with everyone and their mother to spread the PBE love far and wide. The Squad has done road, gravel, mountain bike, and triathlon races and events - so whatever you do, you'll fit right in. Randonneur? Mhmm. Cross junkie? Saddle up. Unicyclist? We want you. We really (really) want you. Born in 2018, we are looking for more riders who value community, just can't wait to get out on two wheels whenever possible, and want to be an ambassador for inclusivity in cycling. It doesn’t matter how fast you are, what you ride, how far you ride, even where you ride - the mission is the love of the ride and to spread that love to others.
Bina Bilenky
Bina is the Owner and Director of Operations for the Philly Bike Expo. Bina was always surrounded by bikes growing up, but started cycling after her father, Stephen Bilenky made her an S&S coupled touring bike. Bina took a leap into bike touring as the assistant tour director of the 4 month Tour d’Afrique. She lives in Lewisburg PA and has a deep love for Central PA gravel roads.
Mark Yanagisawa
Mark Yanagisawa rides out of Philly. At a young age, Mark could be found in his backyard, launching his bike off of anything that resembled a jump. After nearly two decades of swimming, Mark started cycling and racing triathlons to feed his competitiveness. Today, Mark can be found in his PBE kit, pink helmet and Goodr sunnies leading group rides, shredding trails, or racing gravel events.
Mark came on board in 2017 and is our fearless and inclusive Squad leader. Mark is a phenomenal athlete, hype man and go to guy for anything from graphics to marketing to logistics.
Ben Meyer
“I’m 36 years old from Sarasota, Florida. Most of my time I spend riding for fun while occasionally slipping a race in to keep things fresh. Whether on or off a bike, I love helping people. One of my friends dubbed me the “Ride Dad” since I’m often the most prepared. I spent the first 20 years of riding on a BMX bike at skateparks & dirt jumps. As I transitioned into riding big kids bikes, I quickly realized endurance cycling was my passion. I didn’t start by riding for hundreds of miles for days on end. It started with a 8 mile ride that left me feeling like I was king of the world. Since then I’ve wanted to share that feeling with others. In 2021 I helped a non-profit organization train an athlete with autism to ride at Gravel Worlds in Nebraska. When I’m not riding I enjoy are meeting new people, spearfishing and spending time with my wife and dog.”
Trong Nguyen
“Greetings! I am a supply chain/logistics professional by day and full time cycling enthusiast by night. As someone who was not introduced to the bicycle world at a young age, I’m very grateful to have found the Philly local cycling community in 2020. It was not until last year when the Philly Bike Expo Squad welcomed me with opened arms. I am extremely happy to be part of such a wonderful group of people. The incredible positivity just flows so naturally amongst everyone especially my squad members. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to be apart of it once again this year. There is much more joy and good vibes to be shared while I’m outside riding my bikes. I look forward to spreading those feelings with you all on the road as well as the gravel trails this incoming season. Be sure to wave if you catch me out there in my amazing PBE kit! Ride on!!”
Dave Kerwood
“When I moved to the greater Philadelphia area, I bought a bicycle at the old Human Zoom bike shop in Ardmore, PA. I started riding around the area and quickly realized how much cycling culture there is in this area, and I felt the burning desire to get involved. I started to join local events and some distant ones, and fell in love with the many facets of cycling culture and industry. After joining the Philly Bike Expo squad last year I learned that there is so much more cultivation of the sport left to do in this area, and the squad is my means of doing so.”
Dan Powers
“Ahoy! I am excited to join the PBE Squad this year and ride with old friends and new friends on adventures big and small. I use bikes for transportation, recreation, fitness, travel, and to get my mind right. My mission is to help make cycling a safe, convenient, and fun activity for all people.
I’m a navy veteran and a grad student advocating for sustainable transportation. Aside from bikes, my daily joys are my wife, a good cup of coffee, some groovy percussion, and cuddling with my cats.
Let’s shred!”
Katelyn Repash
“I joined the local cycling community in 2018 after participating in the Philly Road Devo program and have really enjoyed exploring routes and making bike pals over the years! I’m looking forward to another year of cyclocross and gravel and connecting with more riders through PBE! When I’m not exploring off-road, I am also a volunteer mentor the Philly Road Devo program for new riders.
Outside of bikes, I work in local/sustainable procurement and like to hang out with my two cats in South Philly. (my pronouns are they and she).”
Bobby Graham
“What’s up, everyone? I’m Bobby, and this is my second year on the Philly Bike Expo Squad. I’m stoked for a great season. I am super lucky to be a part of the squad and love the culture it fosters. I spend most of my off-bike time as an educator and take that love of learning and sharing knowledge wherever I go. When not at school, I’m usually hanging out with my dog or spending time with family/friends up in the mountains of PA. I’m based out of the New Castle/Wilmington, Delaware, area, but I’m always ready for the next new route.
I can’t remember a time when bikes were not in my life, and I fully intend to keep it that way. I got into road biking while in college, exploring Kutztown and the surrounding area. Pedaling through new places is a 10/10, and what I love most about bikes. You’ll see me on the road mainly, with a healthy serving of gravel mixed in.
Let’s ride somewhere new!”
Ryan Singer
“Hi, I’m Ryan! I live in the woods of Northcentral PA and I’m an environmental engineer, but bikes are my passion. I grew up riding, spending all my free time on a BMX, building trails and riding through the night. In college, I purchased an 80’s Peugeot to commute to classes, which I eventually rode across Pennsylvania (Ohio to New Jersey) camping along the way. I was HOOKED! I’ve spent the last 8 years racing MTB, CX and gravel throughout the Northeast. I enjoy road riding with my local clubs but my favorite days are spent on singletrack or long hauls with friends. A bike can take you anywhere and I want everyone to have the opportunity to experience the freedom a bike can give! If I’m not on my bike, I’m on an adventure with my crew (wife, toddler & dog) hiking, creek-hanging, or at a show!”
Joey Wendel
Hey everyone! My name is Joey and I’ve been a lifelong cyclist and outdoors enthusiast. I love cycling because it’s an awesome way to get around, get outside, feel good, and make new friends. You can find me on gravel and road group rides out of center city throughout the week, and on long rides on the weekend. I’m also a career educator and an active supporter of the Bicycle Coalition’s youth cycling program (BCYC), spreading joy and a love of cycling to youth in our city. I’m stoked to be a part of the PBE squad this year, to continue spending time out on the bike making friends, and to push myself with some new races and long-distance rides during the warmer months. See you out there!
Gabe Markowitz
Hi, I’m Gabe Markowitz. I’ve been living in Philly for 10yrs and have been an avid bike enthusiast for about 4yrs now.
I started out on an Amazon purchased single speed to facilitate my commutes around town. A year or two later, I saw some folks racing fixed gear track bikes through the city streets. The adrenaline junkie in me needed to get in on this action. I saved up enough dough for a proper track bike and was hooked. Fast forward a few years and I’m bike commuting to work and riding centuries on the weekends.
Cycling and the cycling community have lead me to meet so many great people and it has had such a lasting impact on me. There are always new people to meet and new routes to ride and that keeps me coming back for more.
When I’m not on my bike, I’m eating my way though phillys vast food scene. You can always find me at my favorite burger spot (shh gotta keep this one a secret – IFYKYK), putting back burgers, beers, Mac n cheese, and fried Oreos after a long ride.
Ted Redmer
Hello! I’m Ted Redmer, new to the Philly Bike Expo Squad for 2024. I’ve been lucky enough to get to know some Squad members over the years and I’m stoked to join this inspiring team. I started riding bikes back in the ‘80s around the rural roads of northern central Maryland, rode mountain bikes extensively through the ‘90s and ‘00s, did a few triathlons in the ‘10s, and when gravel exploded I really felt “home” for the first time. For me, bikes are a way to reconnect with nature, my youth, deepen bonds with my friends, and spend time with my family. As a father of two amazing young ladies and husband to the best wife ever, cycling is the way I stay strong and healthy to be the best parent and partner I can be. In addition to cycling I spend a lot of time riding motorcycles, hiking, camping, and graphic design.
Kiyoshi Howard
Hi, my name is Kiyoshi Howard born and raised in West Philadelphia of course. I am still in the bike community, culture, some local rides, and much more. I have been given numerous experiences and opportunities throughout philly from time to time. Cycling has been a huge impact in my life and hadn’t stopped there at all. I enjoyed road riding, so I can pedal to the destination by my own pace. In the link below is a cornerstone on how I help others and more enjoy.
https://youtu.be/houvJqnpHHc?si=yVaatZ5dapdCDHBW
Shane Sellers
“Howdy, as a mechanic in training, turned racer, turned commuter, turned parts bin builder and bike advocate, I believe that cycling changes lives. In day to day life, cycling provides fitness, transportation, and importantly connects people of all backgrounds. My day to day life involves teaching community pottery classes where I have the good fortune of interacting with students from around the world. While sport comes second to work, I love all things cycling from mountain bikes to touring to gravel grinding. I believe the contemporary world of cycling is rich with opportunity that should involve anyone inspired to participate in the sport. I hope to be that person that helps others stay inspired to be involved with cycling, whether it be fixing a neighborhood kids bike, mellow riding, sport, transportation or a passionate collector. My recent interest involves the intersection of my love for pottery intertwined with my love for cycling. See you out there!”
Ross Perfetti
Ross Perfetti (he/him) is a new member of the PBE squad. Originally from Pittsburgh, Ross is celebrating his 9th year living and cycling in Philadelphia. Ross became more involved in the local cycling world after participating in the Road Devo program with Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia in 2023. A couple of highlight experiences included completing the GAP-C&O trail, first Brevet (Free Bridge 200k), and first criterium race. This year, Ross is looking forward to more gravel and endurance rides.
Outside of cycling, Ross is a PhD student in Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is involved in political and labor organizing with Resource Generation Philly & the UPenn Graduate Union, respectively. He enjoys cooking and is working on learning sign language with his family. He lives in West Philly with his partner, Annie, and their three cats: Ollie, Stranger, and Ellsworth.
Alexander Molander
Hey I’m Alex! This is my first year riding for the Philly Bike Expo squad – but not my first year riding bikes in Philly!
You can find me at various roadie group rides, at all the usual gravel functions, and commuting around the city on my fixie.
My goal is to infect other Philadelphians with the love of cycling that Philly has infected me with – promoting safe, fun and inclusive riding for all.
Off my bike, I work in digital marketing and share my life with a lovely girlfriend and two phenomenal cats.
Schwalbe Pro One
Product Review by PBE Squad member, Gabe Markowitz
Tires are the only contact point between your bike and the ground you’re rolling on. Why settle for anything less than great? Schwalbe continued to keep the Philly Bike Expo Squad rolling smooth for the 2025 season. I’ve been running the Pro One Tubeless (700x28c) on my road bike for the past 3,000 miles – yes…3,000 miles – and only have positive things to say about them. I’ve used top of the line tires from Vittoria, Continental, Panaracer, and Specialized. None have outlasted or outperformed the Schwalbe Pro Ones. There is no surprised that so many bike manufacturers, big box brand and boutique frame builders alike, spec the pro ones on their high end builds.
Durability: 3k miles!!! What?! I’ve never had a tire last that long before it’s squared off or riddled with tubeless plugs. This set of Pro Ones have not had one single puncture. All of my rides start and end in downtown Philly. If you’ve ridden through a bustling city, you know that the roads can be relentless with potholes, cracks, shards of broken glass, nails, and countless other hazards. I am just getting ready to replace these tires with new Pro Ones and cannot believe I am able to say that I’ve used the tire thru its full life without having any issues whatsoever.
Setup and Install: These tires were an absolute breeze install. No air compressor needed. No need to waste a Co2 cartridge to achieve high enough pressure to seat the bead. These popped on effortlessly with my floor pump. First try, smooth as butter. No messy sealant explosions. Just the crisp pop of seating the bead.
Performance and Field Use: The grip and rolling resistance are noteworthy. The traction is immediate when power is put thru the pedals. It feels like you’re pushing the pavement away from you as you accelerate. Even after hundreds of miles over dozens of rides, they continue to inspire confidence when leaning into a corner at high speeds.
As I’m getting ready to mount up a fresh set, I feel comfortable and confident that I have such a quality set of tires beneath me.
Thank you Schwalbe for the continued support!
Redshift Sports Arclight Pro Flat Pedals
Product Review by PBE Squad member, Katelyn Repash
It can be tough to feel visible enough on the road or on the trails, which is why I really wanted to try out Redshift’s Arclight flat pedals this year. I’ve been testing out the Pro Flat pedals on road and gravel, in dark and lowlight conditions and they’re great for visibility and comfort.
The pedals feature two magnetically locked LED rechargeable lights on each pedal for 360 degrees of visibility. The lights stay secure in all kinds of terrain and even while transporting my bike to the trails, but they are easy to pop out and mount on the four pronged USB charger that comes with the pedals. The lights automatically switch to maintain a white light in the front and a red light in the rear, even when flipping the pedals over. There are three light modes and you can individually program each light between steady (3+ hours battery), flashing (11+ hours battery), and “eco-flash” (36+ hours battery) to conserve battery life on longer rides.
After using the pedals to commute in Philadelphia, I put the Arclight PRO Flat pedals through the ultimate test and mounted them to my gravel bike for UnPAved this year. Conditions were very cloudy and soggy for much of the day, and the pedals were a perfect addition to my setup. While much of the course is within state park roads, riders take a heavily used rail trail to start and finish the ride, and there’s some traffic on the roads getting to and from Bald Eagle State Forest so the extra light brought peace of mind in the lowlight conditions. I switched between steady and flashing light and had plenty of battery life for the day. The lights also automatically turn off when you park your bike to save battery. Despite the wet and gritty conditions, I had plenty of grip on the pedals for climbing, descending, and taking corners throughout the day thanks to the weatherproof performance of the pedals. The pedals also felt comfortable for a long ride with great support throughout. Redshift’s Arclight pedals are a great addition for any setup in various conditions to keep riders visible.
Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink Gravel Handlebar System
Product Review by PBE Squad member, Ross Perfetti
I was new to the wide drop-bar trend for gravel bikes before I came across the kitchen sink gravel bars. While narrower bars for road bikes purport greater efficiency and speed, wider, flared drop bars can enhance handling on rougher terrain, from gravel to trail and single-track for those wanting to take their road bikes, well, off the road (a good summary available here).
I had almost exclusively stuck to pavement over the past few years, but more recently had been enticed by the trails accessible from the Philadelphia area. After my first bikepacking adventure last year from Pittsburgh to DC on the Great Allegheny Passage and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, I became interested in investing in some equipment that could optimize my experience offroad.
The kitchen sink handlebars come in 5 sizes, which range from 41 to 53 cm, and two styles, one with a “loop” and another without. The looped design is made to work with their handlebar bag. I chose a size 50cm with a loop. I’m 5’8” and have relatively narrow shoulders, and was initially concerned that the bars would be too wide (I run 40cm on my road bike). But I found the 50cm was easily comfortable. I felt that I had a more stable base from the cockpit and more relaxed posture. While the 50cm may be too wide for those also wanting to take their bikes on speedier, paved rides, the benefits were reaped offroad. Not only did I enjoy the enhanced handling, but I was also able to load gear underneath the handlebars for longer rides; the wider bars made it possible to strap a Nalgene or stuff sack with extra layers up front, where it was easily accessible.
The thing that I enjoyed the most surprised me: the loop. I underestimated how much of a difference the loop would make for the stability and accessibility of the bag. The loop structure keeps the bag from moving at all, no matter how rough the terrain. The shallower design with two entrance pockets keeps things easily accessible. I usually keep my keys, a cafe lock, and a few snacks in there (unfortunately, it’s not quite big enough for my phone). The garmin mount on top is also very secure and keeps the device in view and out of the way. I also discovered that the front of the loop is a great spot for mounting a headlight. I also paired my handlebars with the redshift suspension stem, adding even more comfort to long rides. The extra-long bar tape came in handy as well. I’d recommend this system to anyone looking for more comfort for longer days on rougher surfaces and for hauling gear.
Varlo Gravel Bib
Product Review by PBE Squad member, Dave Kerwood
Cycling is great because you can explore the sport how you wish – simply hopping on your bicycle and riding, or by utilizing the latest and greatest gear and tools to make your adventure-by-bike more comfortable, or even faster.
I am a believer that technical clothing will only give you marginal gains in performance, and that it can give you exponential gains in comfort and protection. In my experience, this has always been the truest with the cycling bib short.
The bib short is an important piece of kit, conversely making it one of the hardest to find the “right” one. For me – it’s the Gravel Bib Shorts by Varlo Sports
A couple things are non-negotiable for me when it comes to cycling bibs:
- The fit
- The utility (pockets!)
The fit:
These bibs have a tight fit, like very tight. Not the kind of tight that you feel when you’re trying to squeeze into a pair of jeans that might be a tad small, but rather a full body hug.
For my anatomy, I found the length of the leg to be just right, not
too long or too short. I generally like shorter, but I’m okay with
these. For the chamois/ pad, I would describe it as firm and thick. If
you ride bibs with a pad on the thinner side, you may find this takes
some getting used to. I did find this chamois to provide plenty of all-day support while gravel grinding in Bald Eagle State forest.
The utility:
Pockets, pockets, pockets!
As seen on the website here, these bibs feature multiple pockets for just about anything you can imagine. The pockets on the side of the bibs are spacious and cut so that your belongings will not fall out when pedaling.
Overall I am extremely happy with these bibs. We will see if they last a couple more thousand miles, I hope they do!
Philly Expo Squad Built ATRB (All Terrain “Road” Bike)
Product Review by PBE Squad member, Shane Sellers
As a new member of the Philly Bike Expo Squad, I wanted to build a bike that was a new direction for me. A bike that can do it all is never the answer and always the answer. My 2023 objective was to use specific parts on a bike I would most frequently ride. Funds are usually a concern and while not a full-on budget ride, it was not out-of-this-world expensive. First, my specific ambition was to build my version of a do-it-all drop bar bike – for varied uses with certain limitations. Many machines are purpose-built bikes for very specific uses or, in recent years, catch all bikes that are made for anything. Realistically both of those have their challenges. Aiming for a “limited” quiver of bikes as a passionate cyclist (aka bike hoarder) seems like a venerable approach to the age-old equation N+1. This bike would fulfill most of my “right out the door” rides but would not be an “every situation” machine. Afterall, I still like to mountain bike Canaan Valley, WV and the Frederick County Watershed without destroying my already injured body.
Building this bike required some patience. If available, and within budget, I purchased made and/or designed in the USA parts, with many of the companies being based here in the Eastern USA.
My platform is a Velo Orange Pass Hunter frame, Velo Orange being Maryland based, my home state. Of all the frame options the company has to offer, I went with the more road-ish platform, The Pass Hunter. It is a nice combination of classic steel frame aesthetics with contemporary build standards. Highlights include thru-axles, tapered steerer, flat mount for disc brakes, numerous accessory mounting points, internal brake routing along with mounts for down-tube shifters. I also opted for a Rodeo Labs Spork carbon fork. Now that is a great place to begin!
Next up, the wheelset. I went with a pair of Industry Nine Ready to Ride 1/1 GRCX wheels that are fantastic. The company describes these wheels as “bringing off-road readiness to drop bar bikes… unassuming, but advanced.” No disagreements here. The Ready to Ride line provides a high quality made in North Carolina wheelset at an amazing price point. These wheels were set-up tubeless with Schwalbe G-One tires and Schwalbe sealant. Mounting and getting these set up was honestly the fastest and most successful in my personal experience. They hold air better than any of my other tubeless wheels and have been amazingly smooth and strong. I have under-biked this rig in the mountains of central PA where the Philly Bike Expo Squad stomped miles through some chunky terrain better suited for hardtail mtb’s and had a blast!
Beside the awesomeness of the frame and wheels, the cockpit was next on the agenda for all-purpose comfort. Enter the Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink handlebars and Redshift ShockStop suspension stem. As a potter with over-used hands, elbows and shoulders, my cockpit comfort is extremely important. I am running 50 cm bars with the Cruise Control Top Grips and their Really Long Bar Tape. The Pennsylvania based company has a true winner with this combination. While it took a minute to get accustomed to my stem, the handlebars and grips were instantly comfortable and game changing. A few rides later, I could not imagine mixed terrain without the extra cushion of my suspension stem. As an aside, I am using the Redshift Arclight pedals on another bike, and they should not be missed by anyone that rides at night.
The brakes and drivetrain of my bike are all very straight forward components. I am running cable actuated disc brakes powered by drilled out TRP brake levers. My shifting is happening through a Microshift bar end shifter pulling a Sram rear mechanism. The most exciting thing to me about my drivetrain is the Wolf Tooth ovalized Drop-Stop 38t chainring. Not too big and not too small, the ring seems to hit the sweet spot for my legs and does what it advertises – spins smooth and provides the right combination of oval chainring benefits without uneven pedal strokes.
Finishing off the bike, I had to add a few more bits of functional comfort and a little color flair. Once again getting some goods from Minnesota based Wolf Tooth components. I chose one of their Morse cages mounted with some colorful water bottle cage bolts. I also grabbed a few brake rotor lockrings and headset spacers from their color shop to add a few more MUSA customizations to my build. Rounding out the creature comforts came in the form of a Fastpack Lite frame bag from Nittany Mountain Works. This made in Pennsylvania bag is one of many awesome products I have been using and it works flawlessly. Strong, colorful, and tucked into the triangle of my medium sized frame this bag holds many of the items that I bring for a full day ride. Other quick to reach items are on my handlebars inside the Mag Enclosure Pierogi bag also made by Nittany. As I do not ride with pocketed jersey’s, extra gear (think bigger days, wild weather days, MTB rides), goes into my Nittany Half Sack Hip Pack.
Having ridden everything from a Dura-Ace equipped Waterford to a full squish Salsa mountain bike, I have found my sweet spot in this Velo Orange Pass Hunter with Industry Nine wheels and a RedShift Sports cockpit. It has been an awesome six months riding this multi-purpose bike using many Made In USA parts. So many possibilities with so much fun. The frame, the wheels and all the added components have helped create one of the most comfortable bikes I have had the pleasure of riding.
