Watch how Kiel Reijnen is redefining what racing means to him in the Pacific Northwest
“Home” means everything to Kiel Reijnen. Returning to his native town of Bainbridge Island, Wash., after his road racing career with Trek-Segafredo kept him grounded as he redefined what cycling meant to him. The familiar trails and seasonal rhythms helped him establish a new life after years of living at the mercy of a chaotic racing calendar.
“I like being reminded of the space I’m in,” Reijnen says in his new video. “Seeing those small shifts day to day in that same space makes me feel grounded.”
Below, watch Reijnen in his element as he shows off what island life is all about. “When I come back to the island, I’m not anonymous, but everyone knows me because I grew up here, because I’m Kiel, not because I’m a bike racer,” he explains. “And that’s really refreshing.”
You can catch Reijnen at Unbound Gravel, arguably the premiere gravel race in the world, this weekend. If you’re in Emporia, you can join Kiel on a ride this Thursday at Noon CT, and again at 10 a.m. CT on Friday! Keep an eye on his Instagram page and the Trek Race Shop for more details and scenes from the race.
And if you’d like to learn more about Reijnen, read his revealing interview with the Race Shop following his last race with Trek-Segafredo.
