Hello From South of France - Lucky Me...Even My Play Is Work

Good morning from the South of France…more specifically this current blogging and breakfast view at the Maybourne Riviera hotel (which is fantastic).

I am spending the week with my cycling friends on a spring riding trip organized by Biko Adventures, the fourth that I have had the good fortune of joining (empty nest perk). I was invited by my good friend Mike Dean into this group. On this trip it is Mike Dean, Michael Morell, Ali Benham, Sam Wholley and Roy Rubin. My other trips with the guys were to the Dolomites, Lake Como and Mallorca.

Way back in July 2016, my passion for cycling was reignited when I was invited to climb in the Alps by my friend Michael Kinsbergen. I was over 50, out of shape and unprepared for the climb and the elements. I climbed the last few miles in a snowstorm…in JULY!

Outside of my family and work I have just a few passions and hobbies which are cycling, golf, media and fashion. Luckily for me it is 2023 and they are all intersecting so even my play is work.

For instance, our fund Social Leverage led a pre-seed investment in DSTNC.com (see hat above) and the other angel investors are the cycling pals mentioned above. We all believe in the incredible growth of cycling as ‘fashology’ (fashion intersecting with technology) extends to cycling as growth explodes from technology advancements in the equipment - disc brakes, gravel bikes and e-bikes.

Tomorrow we hit the mountains and roads surrounding Nice and Monaco for six days of incredible cycling. It will be tough, but at least no snow is in the forecast.

Have a great day.