Balancing Bikes, Life, and Duty

Tim Sick has been active for as long as he can remember. From swinging a bat in youth baseball to ripping around on Walmart bikes with friends, sports have always been part of his life. But what started with team sports evolved into a deep enjoyment for endurance sports, first through running and Nordic skiing, and later, mountain biking. Tim’s story isn’t about chasing podiums, it’s about chasing progress, staying curious, and learning how to balance it all: military life, cycling, running, and family.

Now living in California’s Mojave Desert, Tim has found his stride (and pedal stroke) on dusty trails, steep climbs, and long rides that test both body and mind. 

How Did You First Get Into Sports?

My dad got me into baseball and skiing when I was in grade school. Growing up in central Pennsylvania, there were plenty of opportunities to play sports. It was never forced and my parents allowed me to try activities that interested me.

I entered the endurance sports world at age 12, I broke my wrist while skiing, so I joined the track team to stay in shape for the baseball season. I enjoyed track so I continued it. I also noticed my friends riding bikes and my parents purchased me a Walmart bike. I kept that until my last year of high school when I upgraded to a nicer one. Funny enough, I finally just got rid of that bike last year after having it over 20 years. Eventually I stopped playing baseball but I continued to run through high school and college. 

I didn’t choose my college for sports but I was lucky enough they had a D3 cross country team that I could walk onto. I enjoyed my time competing at the D3 level, but I also appreciated it allowed me to explore other hobbies and activities.

No Track Team. No Problem.

My college didn’t have a track team, but many of my teammates were into Nordic skiing, so I took that up too. I would say about 80% of my cross country teammates also Nordic skied so I decided I wanted to and I could because it was D3. Having a ski background from growing up on the mountain, it came naturally to me. I even became a D3 National Champion in the classic sprint race. I also rode single speed mountain bikes during the warmer months and eventually was commissioned into the military after graduating.

I don’t want you to think I work out hard all of the time, because I took breaks during the year and during life. In fact, the first few years post college were rough to balance athletics and working and there were periods where I went months without running or working out. I actually did a mountain bike race in West Texas some time during the first few years post college and it was rough. I wasn’t trained and it wasn’t fun because of that. 

In 2017, I ran my first marathon, the Mercedes Marathon and broke 3 hours. I later got sponsored to run the Air Force Marathon, but it was hot, and I didn’t hit my goal time. Then during COVID, I moved to Northern California and started getting back into shape.

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How Did You Get Into Mountain Biking?

In 2021, I moved to the Mojave Desert and got into trail running and mountain biking. It’s easy when there are 40 miles of desert trails right outside your front door. I did shorter mountain bike races during the summer throughout 2021, 2022, and 2024 (missed 2023 due to deployment). 

In 2024, I had a groin injury from running, so I leaned more into biking. I joined a group ride and trained for a 50-mile race in San Diego.  I was still riding on my 10+ year old single speed and let me tell you, mountain bikes had gotten significantly lighter and more advanced since then. That pushed me to get a modern mountain bike after riding older gear for years. I’ve been focusing on cycling more ever since. Most recently, I raced the Whiskey 50 in Prescott, Arizona. 

How Do You Balance Cycling, Work and Family Life?

Not very well…honestly. But I’m lucky to live close to work and near trails. I actually get a lot of my daily mountain biking in by commuting to work. My work commute is three miles, but I can take the long way and get in a 1-2 hour ride if time allows. Military life has a lot of long days, so I try to knock out longer rides in the morning. Sometimes it’s just not a possibility. 

My wife runs, so it used to be easier to coordinate running. But since she doesn’t ride, balancing training and family can be tough. I just try to make it work however I can but we both support each other.

What Does A Typical Training Week Look Like For You?

It varies. I try to bike commute most days, sometimes it’s just three miles, other times I stretch it into a longer ride. I usually shoot for 1–2 hours of riding. Sometimes I focus on my skills so I’m not riding more than a few miles, other times I just take the long way to work. On a good week, I can get around 5 hours of riding during the week. On a busy week, I’m lucky to get anything. It really just depends on the workload. 

On Saturdays, I do a group ride. Sundays are for longer rides, up to 40 miles, especially if I head into the mountains. On a good week with the weekend miles, I get just over 100 miles of biking in. I’ll also throw in a run or two depending on how my body’s feeling. Right now, I don’t do any hard bike efforts or workouts like I did with running, but I have been thinking about adding those too. 

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What Does Cycling Give You That Other Sports Don’t?

Range and flow. I’m not an ultrarunner, but with mountain biking, I can do a 15-mile out-and-back ride without too much trouble. I get to explore areas I never would have. Sometimes during cycling you hit a flow state, where everything clicks: the bike, the trail, your body. That’s the best feeling. I felt that way at my last bike race. 

What Is Your Proudest Cycling Moment?

I have two, finishing strong at the Filthy 50 on my trusty single speed from college. The last climb had a lot of people walking, but I managed to ride the whole thing and keep my balance…even on a fully rigid single speed. That was satisfying.

I’m also proud of my Whiskey 50 finish. I was disappointed at first that I was put into the second wave of riders. I started near the back and worked my way up to finish in the top 10%. My goal was 4:30, and I finished in 4:15…even with cramping. I think my positive mindset really helped me push through.

What Advice Would You Give Someone Looking To Get Into Mountain Biking?

Don’t be afraid to start with a used bike. You don’t need the latest and most advanced technology. Have fun and keep it simple, easy trails are a great place to start. Wear protection, knee pads, a good helmet, because crashes will happen. I’ve cracked three helmets. Seriously.

Also, consider signing up for a skills clinic. I found that to be a pivotal part of my recent enjoyment of mountain biking. Learning the right technique early on makes a big difference. Once you know you’re into it, get a bike that fits your style. Whether it’s a cross-country or trail bike, there’s something out there for everyone. I prefer a cross-country bike, though it can get sketchy on steep descents.

Conclusion

Tim’s not out here trying to go pro or collect medals, he’s a guy who loves to ride, push himself, and occasionally suffer on a single speed for fun. His story is proof that you don’t need the fanciest gear or a perfect schedule to be an athlete. You just need to show up, put in the work, and be willing to learn.

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