Brian Maxwell

What attracted you to Eliel?

Met Ryan and Derek several years ago and they were really cool dudes. I was introduced to the brand years back WAY before EFT was invented at the Velo Swap meet at Balboa Park. Was looking for a race cut, longer-sleeved, form-fitting jersey like the pros wear. Once I tried on yawl’s jerseys, I knew at that point my searching was over. Plus, got a complete kit for $50, can’t pass that up.

Over the next months, I saw Derek and Ryan at events and we hit it off. Not only a bad ass brand, but cool peeps. You get an opportunity to see and speak with who is producing the gear you love so dearly. Plus you are are local and orders arrive quickly.

Okay, now for the gear. I love the color selections, the fit (love my kit as comfortably tight as possible) - that’s what Eliel gives me. Love the longer sleeves. The band around the legs (doesn't start to stretch). The comfort of the chamois. The different selection of styles based on your liking (Solana, Rincon, Diablo, etc). Love how the fabric feels and wicks away moisture. Love the placement of bear logo patches. I tell everyone how long the kits last. Don’t buy cheap to replace every couple of months. Buy good quality that will last a while. “You get what you pay for.” I am at the point where I only wear Eliel. Nothing feels normal on the bike unless I am outfitted with Eliel gear. I went as far as to selling all the other kits I owned.

I know everything you all produce will be top quality. When you all decided to make masks, no doubt they were going to be comfortable and top notch. Some many companies making masks, it’s confusing what quality you’re getting, so when you all did the masks, my worries were over!

Keep up the good brand, we need you...

What about bikes brings you joy?

The freedom to explore and exercise at the same time. The freedom to go fast or slow. You see the planet like you’ve never seen before on a bike. You meet like-minded people with the same passion. Brings me joy to have conversations with others on the bike. Catching up with friends. Brings everyone to an equal starting line during group rides. Almost like meeting up to have a party. Riding has changed my life. You get to escape it all...

How does riding make you a better person?

It has allowed me to share my experiences with new riders. To become a teacher, a mentor. It has taught me to be more giving. More patient with others. A feeling of belonging to something and a cause. And, to know that we are gathering for an awesome cause, exercise, and appreciating one another. We come together as a community to do good for charity events with fundraisers. Save the planet. “Let’s go by bike.” There are so many positives that come out of riding a bike.

Which rider inspires you the most?

Myself. Peter Sagan. Charon Smith (local dude). Jens Voigt.

What are your goals for the future? On and off the bike...

I want to purchase a gravel bike. I just want to keep riding until I can’t. My goal for life is to find peace and simplicity. Go back to the simple things in life. Find happiness in everything. Use the natural talents that were given to you and there will never be a bad day. Seeking whatever the Lord has planned for my life.

What is important to you?

Family. Happiness. Peace. Serenity. Love. Joy. Doing what you like and liking what you do. Caring for others. Peace on earth.

Brian's Story

Playing in the streets of Chicago (The Windy City) is where I discovered there was some type of athleticism in my bones. That’s when I began to ride a bike to fill my “need for speed,” not knowing many, many years later this would become one of my true passions along with skateboarding, scootering, running, and snowboarding. And spending my high school and college years in Denver, my love of the outdoors only amplified my quest to become a true bike rider.

After finishing college, where I played football and ran track, mountain biking became my two-wheel indulgence and I did my first bike race in the mountains of Vail, CO, participating in the Coors Light Mountain Man Duathlon. It was one of the toughest challenges I’ve put my body through.

After moving to Atlanta, my curiosity for road biking started with spin classes. I got good at spinning and I thought since I was killing it in the spin class, maybe I should take my talent to the roads, so I bought my first road bike! (No one ever told me that being a cyclist would be so expensive.)

My first bike was a Trek 1500, which was a great starter bike. Within a year I upgraded to an all-carbon Scott frame. Soon I joined my first cycling group, the Little Five Points Flyers, which still exists in Atlanta, and I got my first team kit! Time to put the “big boys” pants on. This is when I went from a beginner to an intermediate rider. Every day, month, and year my riding abilities improved. My first bike was a Trek 1500, which was a great starter bike. Within a year I upgraded to an all-carbon Scott frame. Soon I joined my first cycling group, the Little Five Points Flyers, which still exists in Atlanta, and I got my first team kit! Time to put the “big boys” pants on. This is when I went from a beginner to an intermediate rider. Every day, month, and year my riding abilities improved.

This is when my love of cycling really began to take its shape. My favorite part of cycling is meeting new people with the same passion, but it also improves my overall health, helps save the planet, and lets me see the world through a different lens.

My least favorite part of cycling was climbing…didn’t matter what type. My dislike came to an end when I moved to sunny San Diego. You cannot leave home without experiencing some type of elevation. In fact, I cannot reach my front door after a ride without climbing…all roads lead to a climb to get back my home in Chula Vista.

Chula Vista has been home for 12 years. It’s the only place I have lived since moving to California from Atlanta and I’ve ridden every road in this city. Today I represent what I feel is the #1 cycling brand in America, Eliel Cycling! I was introduced to the brand seven years ago at the Velo Swap Meet in Balboa Park. I had this image in my mind of what the perfect kit was, and lo and behold, I found it—that pro look with the aero fit and long sleeves. So I bought my first Eliel kit and quickly got used to all the compliments. I also got used to the questions:

“What is Eliel?” Eliel means Best of the Best.

What is that all about? It’s about changing the world through the power of cycling.

How do you correctly pronounce the name? L - E - L.

Two years into wearing the brand, the EFT was established. At that time, this was a small group, but today the ambassadorship program is comprised of a lively 1400 members. Man, how the team has grown! I am proud to be an original gangster (OG), or old school member.

Right now, everywhere I turn, I see Eliel gear. That really excites me because I believe in the mission. Like I said, Eliel is the #1 brand in America and beyond! This is not just about wearing cycling clothing, it’s about building community and celebrating the joy of cycling through stories and adventures. I get this comment whenever I ride in a group: “Brian, you are always looking sharp!” My response is: “It’s not me who is looking sharp, it’s the Eliel brand that makes me look sharp!”

I am proud and honored to be selected as a Star of all Stripes. Eliel Cycling, please continue to impact the community with your cycling stories, adventures in cycling, and stellar line of gear. Let’s live out this journey together!

Carry on my fellow cyclists!