SPOTLIGHT ON BRIAN McCULLOCH
By Rachael M. Gustuson
Yucaipa resident Brian McCulloch is entering his 10th year as a Redlands Bicycle Classic participant. McCulloch started as a volunteer many years ago. In 2010, he competed in his first Redlands Bicycle Classic.
“It was so hard,” said 42-year-old McCulloch of his first race. “I have missed a few years here and there. This year, I am competing more in a mentorship role with the iSpeed-DNA Cycling Team. Although I still have competitive targets of my own, my main focus is to use my experience to help the younger riders on our team be in the right position at the right time so they can get a big result.”
McCulloch aspired to be a professional motocross racer as a teenager.
“It was all I thought about. I eventually achieved that goal and earned an AMA Pro License in the early 2000s. Eventually, I phased out of motorcycle racing, and after a brief time of no sport in my life, I rediscovered cycling when a friend told me I should come out for a Redlands area group ride. I had so much fun, and from that point on, I have been hooked! Bicycles are a way of life now, so much so that my son and I ride bicycles to school (he is in kindergarten and will be competing in the Redlands Classic Kids Races) every day.”
McCulloch said there were many coaches who inspired him along the way.
“The the most notable was Neil Shirley, who is still a great friend to this day,” he said. “He helped me so much and was a very well-respected pro himself. I must also mention Coach Joe Wiley who really helped develop a depth of fitness that got me ready for international competition as well as Coach Joy and Coach Wayland who have been team-coaching me for the past few years.”
Prep for this race involves more than just hours and training to McCulloch.
“With Coach Wayland, we have a strong focus on strength-training, which has been transformative. I have really come to enjoy that aspect of training! We also do specific interval-work that emphasizes my VO2 capacity, since that is my weakest link.”
He said in 2010, his wife started her own business, Big Wheel Coaching.
“As a competitive racer herself, she wanted to find a way to help adults be active within the confines of their family and work commitments. Basically, she wanted to create P.E. for adults ... her goal was to keep things focused on fun, fitness and accountability. By 2016, the business was doing well enough that she wanted to expand it, and through a series of life-changes, it was clear that it was the next logical step for me to become a part of the family business. In 2025, we are celebrating 15 years in business and things are going strong.”
The couple works with athletes from ages 10 to 70.
Along with others on his team, including Thomas Fuller, he uses FELT bicycles with ENVE composites equipment.
“Bike riding is a full-time job, since it takes so long to build the fitness necessary to compete at an elite level. Especially here in SoCal, since there is year-round riding and events. Our off-season is only about two weeks or so in the late fall.”
“My goal is to win a national championship in each of the disciplines I coach, so those events are a major focus of my season,” said McCulloch. “Last year I won two of the four national’s championships I competed in, and I would like to have similar, or better success this year, if possible.”
He said cycling is important to him.
“The people I have met along the way are nothing short of special. My original Team PossAbilities teammates, Mark Love, Scott Welsh, Charlie MaCleod and Evan Trubee, were simultaneously teammates and mentors. Cycling is full of wonderful people, so yes, I love riding. I love hard work and I love to compete, but the truth is that I love to be around driven, hard-working, and successful people. And in cycling I found all of that, and even people who want to help me be successful, too.
He is most proud of winning the 2012 CA State Road Race Championships, the 2018 Belgian Waffle Ride, completing multiple Tours de Utah as well as Tours de Taiwan, and four National Championships in MTB and road. He is the current National Champion in the 40-44 age-category for XC Mountain Biking as well as the Road Race, a feat that is unique. “I don’t think that makes me special, but I am proud of it because I have always wanted to be the most well-rounded rider possible so winning on different bikes and in different disciplines is pretty cool.”
McCulloch doesn’t have a particular favorite place to bike ride.
“I see beauty everywhere I ride, but I would say my favorite rides are the ones I get to go on with my wife, she is my favorite riding partner.”
He said he is married to an incredible woman.
“Joy is a mother, wife, coach, business owner and athlete,” he said. “I am lucky to have her in my corner and would not be where I am in my life without her support. My son, Séamus, is also very supportive, I hope to set an example for him that fitness is a lifelong commitment, and that competition is a fun part of life at any age.”
McCulloch cannot wait for the race. “I love this event and am proud to be a part of it. The Redlands area has a strong heritage of cycling, and it is very special that the community is so supportive of the Redlands Classic.”