Inspiration for TARMACANDIRT

Greetings, I'm Paul Lew. Thank you for checking-in to learn a bit about the person behind the words. Before getting too far into my background or the aim of my blog I want to let you know that my opinions are completely independent, and I take no compensation for any products or services that appear in my blog articles.  

In 1986 I purchased my first racing bicycle with the intention of competing in a triathlon. Triathlon led me to cycling and cycling became my true passion. Having competed competitively in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and cycling nearly every day of my life since 1986 means that I’ve ridden more than 10,000 days. 

The magic happens every ride- the bicycle provides a special experience every time. My passion for cycling has become a lifelong career as a designer, engineer, manufacturer, business owner, industry consultant, advocate for standards and safety, and expert witness. My determination to shape the future of cycling has manifest itself in my obsession with technology- aerodynamic performance of the Black Hole Wheel, the design and patent of the first carbon-fiber clincher, the introduction of unidirectional, inert-gas molded carbon-fiber construction to the cycling industry, and the lightest production wheels in the world, the Lew Racing PRO VT-1, and many more (future articles).

Lew Composites, from which former employees spun off the Enve and Easton brands was my first Las Vegas based manufacturing company.  Lew Composites was acquired and transformed into Reynolds Cycling, and for a decade I was Director of Technology and Innovation for Reynolds Cycling. 

Over my 20-year long relationship with Shimano, I designed their first WH-7700 wheel line, molding technology, and set-up their carbon wheel factory. As an OEM supplier/ carbon-fiber manufacturer/ design consultant to Trek, ASI (Fuji Kestrel USA, Oval Concepts), DT Swiss, Storck, Canyon, Campagnolo, Corima, Specialized, Ritchey, Mercury, and more than 20 other cycling brands, I’ve been fortunate to work with the best cycling professionals in the industry, and I was one of the founding stakeholders and Vice-Chairman of the WFSGI/ UCI Wheel Committee which established guidelines for carbon-fiber wheel safety and testing.

The experience of personally designing and manufacturing cycling products for, and supporting Tour De France Champions and stage winners, World Championships, Olympic Champions, Hour Record Holders, Ironman Champions, and Ironman bike course record holders has provided insight and experiences I look forward to sharing in future articles.

The excitement and friendships created from having traveled with multiple teams in the Tour De France, and Giro D’Italia, Vuelta a España, as well as countless other UCI and Pro-Continental teams and competitions have created opportunities to share stories from the world of competitive cycling from a personal perspective.

In addition to my cycling career, I provide design and manufacturing services for Unmanned Aircraft/ Drones to the US Government, State Law Enforcement, and served as an advisor to the NASA UTM program. For a list of my design, engineering, and manufacturing cycling projects as well as a full clients list which includes GE Aircraft Engines, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, please visit Paul Lew Design.