RIDERS

CHICAGO AREA GRAVEL CYCLING TEAM

GEORGE AVRAMIDES

While living in NYC for a decade, George found the love for cycling while exploring Hudson Valley and escaping the city. A few years ago, he decided to escape NYC for good and moved to Chicago with his fiancé, where he found what he was searching for… a supportive group of riding friends and some tasty gravel! When not on two wheels, he’s eyeing opportunities to redevelop real estate and rejuvenate the built environment.

CHRIS BLAYDON

Chris has always loved cycling and grew up hanging out at his local bike shop in New Hampshire. But in his early 20s, he took a twenty year detour from biking and started running marathons (note: twenty years is very generous. There might have only been ten real years of running. The rest was beer, fried food, the couch, and watching other people being athletic on the TV). However, two events brought him back to cycling, a busted achilles tendon and moving to Winnetka. While rehabbing his Achilles he started to bike again and rode with the Cortado club. While he didn't realize it at the time, the fast Cortado group rides were a gateway drug that led to signing up for a coaching program, shaving his legs, gravel racing, and bringing his bike on family vacations (something no one in his family has forgiven him for).  He's psyched to continue this obsession riding for Mud City. 

BRIAN CHADWICK

Brian’s over-the-top positive attitude has propelled his endurance athletic career to great heights!   A former competitive long distance triathlete, he has the itch to tow the line again in Kona. If you are looking for an easy recovery ride don’t invite Brian.  He is sure to screw that up.  Easy is not his thing.  Brian lives all aspects of his life to the fullest.  His mantra, a quote from the infamous Ricky Bobby.  “If you ain’t first you're  last!"  Or, as Brian would say, "Let’s Fricken Go!!!"

CHARLES CUNNICK

Charlie rides metal bikes, willingly chooses intervals on a Monday morning, and hopes his role on the team is that of a “glue guy.” He’s turning his college swimmer past into a dad/gravel racer career with Mud City.  He has 2 sons and is married to a very supportive wife who will be cheering loudly on the sidelines of Mud City events! You’ll know him out on the road, he’s the one who can’t stop talking during even the hardest of efforts!

PETER EATHERTON

Peter loves bikes and gravel, but hates altitude, which is like kryptonite to his flatlander body.  He has been described as a “volume responder,” who thrives when able to do long rides and 300+ mile weeks. He has three sons, two dogs, one wife, and more wheelsets than he can count.  

DRU HENKE

Dru is excited to bring a dimension of age without dignity to Mud City.  He started racing gravel when he realized that he needed a new competitive outlet (after getting tired of the sport that must not be named) and has been having a blast with it for the last couple of years.  Dru has pledged at least 10% of his VO2max to challenging Charlie for the prized Chatter Cup.

PETER MONE

Peter grew up an avid runner, competing locally, until he was sidelined by injury.  He came to cycling by chance and just may have found his calling.  He is looking forward to getting "down and dirty" with Mud City.  We call him the Mike Woods of Mud City.

RODRIGO OLIVARES

Rodrigo got addicted to cycling to burn off his addiction to doughnuts, which led to racing crits, stage races and Gran Fondos, mostly in the Land Down Under.  Upon returning to Chicago he’s found a new addiction in gravel riding and was invited to join Mud City.  His varied background makes him a well-balanced member of the team.  His love for custom-made bikes also keeps his bank account near a net zero balance.

ANTHONY SCILLIA

Anthony got into group cycling a couple years ago, and went down a rabbit hole of racing shortly after. Now, you can also find Anthony scrolling the inter-webs looking for the next new thing for cycling, races, podcasts, etc., all fueling his drive to improve his passion. He has two daughters, a very supportive wife, and a house full of animals (comes with the job). Most races are sandwiched with some sort of “family vacation.”  If he isn’t working or spending time with his family, you can find him on his bike putting in the miles.

SEAN SCOTT

Sean grew up idolizing the Jordan-era Bulls and still doesn’t realize that the SNL “quarters against the wall” skit was a parody. He hates being half-wheeled and has a Pavlovian habit of chasing down riders when passed. When he’s not prepping for long gravel events, he likes to kick back and enjoy a hoppy IPA or three.  

NOAM SIEGEL

Noam is father of 2 and seeks to strike the balance between family life and his passion for the bike. When not shredding the Lake Shore path or local Rapha Chicago rides, he’s a gravel racer! Noam is the teammate who always has the snacks, no matter how short or long of a ride. Noam has an adventurous side of him where you’ll find him out on the roads, no matter the weather getting the miles and training in.  

ANDREW VAN TIL

Andrew started cycling a few years ago after hanging up his soccer cleats, and quickly fell in love with the art and science of the sport. Ok, mostly the science. He enjoys competing in gravel and time trials events. Embracing that every race is an experiment, and celebrating that there is more to learn from failure than success.

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