“The biggest enemy is convenience. Every time something is done for you, it could cause all sorts of problems. You forget how to do things.” He has no mantra, he tells time by the shade of dark and his level of keeping it real leaves you with a feeling of a lesson learned. And what keeps this biking super force fueled all day? Lots and lots of Mountain Dew and cookie dough. That’s the ‘go-to’ for Keith for immediate energy. And somehow it works. His dream bike is the one he rides. He wouldn’t trade it for anything. There is no fancy racer that is appealing to him as he prefers the one gear approach because, “You are always in the right gear that way.”
Since 2010, Keith has been pedaling around the peninsula day and night, putting over 150,000 miles in the last seven years alone, going through three to five sets of tires a year. He found his dream life and he is living it, using his body to take him around the most beautiful city around, stopping whenever and wherever he wants. Never underestimate the powerful combination of state-of-mind, mountain dew, cookie dough, a good soul and sunscreen.
THE PEOPLE
WE SEE
WHY THEY DO WHAT THEY DO
MEET SHIRTLESS KEITH
Written and Photographed by Erik Jay
It seems any time of day and any location, someone is spotting ‘Shirtless Keith’ riding his bike up and down the streets of PV. For the last decade, he has been spotted on his $1500 ‘old school’ 30 pound BMX bike, passing athletic powerhouses optimizing their speed records on $12,000 racers. Five days a week on the road and weekends with the warriors on their bikes. From Marymount to Malaga Cove, Shirtless Keith leads the pack. He is the one to pass. He starts his days prepping his bike, using WD-40 to polish the chrome and protect the moving parts. Finishing up with a large bowl of Grape Nuts and as much whole milk as one can tolerate, he sets off to begin his day. No watch, no internet, no drama; his days are spent outside feeding every sense.
He is a kind person who has made several friends; many stopping to wave and say hello. Kids, professionals on their lunch breaks and senior groups all know him. His tactful approach to simplicity has left him ahead of the pack in many ways.
It’s nice to have Keith’s name. I’ve shouted praises at him for years. He’s amazing & strong.
Yesterday I was able to tell him “Congrats on your article”…& “you’re famous”!
He thanked me & pedaled on.
Met Keith at a red light years ago. One of the friendliest people I’ve come into contact with. Now everytime I see him flying up or down the hill we exchange shouts. The man is an absolute legend!
I love Keith! I only know him as the shirtless biker but his dedication to biking around PV, even on the steepest hills such as Hawthorne and the switch backs, is in humane. Everytime I drive by him, I honk and cheer and he loves the support. Hopefully I will officially meet him one day.