Welcome to 1×10, where we ask 1 inspiring human 10 questions about how they are using cycling as a force for good. Read on to learn more about Sukho Viboolsittiseri, Chief Happy Coffee Rider, and creator of PDX Tour de Espresso (PDXTDE) (that’s him on the left).

In Sukho’s words: “What’s the PDXTDE? It’s nothing, really. Or maybe it’s a reminder that you can find adventure in the mundane; or breathe new life into your routine; or discover something awesome that’s right in front of your nose. The PDXTDE is a dumb name for my coffeeneuring adventures. It has three simple rules:

1. Weekends only. I don’t drink coffee at all during the week. Makes that first sip on Saturday morning extra special.
2. EARLY. Goal is to get there when the shop opens. Dawn patrol. Guilt-Free Daddy Time. I love the early morning quiet; rolling around with no cars; it’s dark and mysterious.
3. Connect with people I meet on the way, or enjoy the company of folks who join me.

It helps to live in a city teeming with coffee shops, micro-roasteries, and bakeries in almost every neighborhood. Portland is a well designed, eminently bikeable city; easy to get from one end to the other. Sometimes people join me, but most enjoy their weekend sleep. The List currently stands at 205, all local Portland businesses.  By the time this posts, I should be at #135.

Learn about his favorite bike, how he’s just a regular dude using PDXTDE to connect with folks in his fine city, what coffee shop is next, and more in his 1×10 interview.

1. How / why did you fall in love with cycling?

I’m the same as anyone, cruising around the neighborhood as a kid, trying to figure out what was around the next block, getting chased by dogs. First taste of freedom, right? I’m sure the seeds for the urban rambling I do on the PDXTDE were planted on these rides. I’m lucky to be able to bike commute year round on a car-free multi-use path through beautiful forested areas, straight into downtown. I can also step out of my door and ride into all kinds of amazing places, like Forest Park or the Columbia River Gorge. Portland is kind of this bikey Shangri-la; I still appreciate it after living here 25 years. So..living here has kept me in love with bikes/cycling through the years.

2. Favorite Bike (that you own or covet)?

Luckily for me the bike I covet is the bike I own. I’ve had many bikes, but only one has survived, and she’s a special steed, indeed. She’s a vintage Erickson touring frame with beautiful lugwork, with a fork built by master frame builder Jeff Lyon. She’s a fully integrated do-all bike with chubby tires, fenders, rack, and dynamo powered lighting. Besides being drop-dead gorgeous, it rides like a dream.

3. What’s the most memorable ride you’ve done, and what happened?

Being a dad of two boys, I don’t always have the time for many “epic” rides, that’s why the PDXTDE exists in my life. Some memorable ones were the Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage, Eroica California, the Bicycle Quarterly UnMeeting, and rides curated by Our Mother The Mountain. I’m doing the Oregon Outback this May, so that should be kinda epic 🙂 But for me it isn’t always the riding, but the people I get to “ride bikes” with. There’s something about bikey folks, right? We’re all grinning from ear to ear, turning our cranks,  just out there having fun. That’s what bikes are about for me.

“Being a dad of two boys, I don’t always have the time for many “epic” rides, that’s why the PDXTDE exists in my life.”

4. Who do you admire in the cycling world?

We are in a sweet era for bikes right now! I admire Grant Petersen and Jan Heine. If you look at what’s going on with bikes, what they can do and where they are ridden, you’d have to give those guys some credit, IMO. I’m all about sexy steel bikes cruising on fast marshmallows in all manner of terrain, weather, and situation, and I owe some of that inspiration to them. I also admire Ryan Francesconi and the guys that show up for OMTM rides. What they’re doing and the spirit of how they’re doing it is just rad.

5. Top tip for a new rider, or a cyclist about to take on a new challenge?

It’s easy to get obsessive about your bike(s) and gear. After you have that sorted out, remember what it felt like to jump on your crappy bike in your t-shirt and shorts as a kid. Don’t forget to go wheeee!! once in awhile.

“…remember what it felt like to jump on your crappy bike in your t-shirt and shorts as a kid. Don’t forget to go wheeee!! once in awhile.”

6. Favorite trend or innovation in cycling?

#steelisreal #supplelife #justride #gravel #ridefattires #bikesandcoffee

7. What are you doing to use cycling as a force for good?

I’ve always been a people person, and get a lot of enjoyment from just connecting with people, especially while I’m out riding. The PDXTDE gives me the chance to do this, to try and have a positive exchange, one person at a time. I’m just using my bike as a tool to have some fun, and get a break from the pressures of trying to be a good father, husband, and breadwinner. Hopefully your readers will get a little bit of joy from my goofy story.

“The PDXTDE gives me the chance to do this, to try and have a positive exchange, one person at a time.”

8. Thinking about the work you’re doing, what do you see as the potential change for people or the planet? If you are successful, what impact will you have?

I’m just a guy out cruising on my bike, exploring my city, connecting with strangers on a human level. It makes me feel good, and I try and pass that good feeling to folks I interact with. Imagine if people started their own little personal “Tour de whatevers” and just got out and tried to have positive interactions with people. (It’s funner on bike though).

9. What’s your biggest challenge/obstacle to success?

Keep it light and fun and there are no obstacles. Or if one comes up, bunny hop it.

“Keep it light and fun and there are no obstacles.”

10. How can people help? Where can they learn more about your work?

Be more empathetic/compassionate/kind to our fellow human beings out there as you’re cruising around on your bike! Help someone get into bikes, or build one up for a friend. Or buy someone a coffee. Start your own Tour de Espresso!

“Be more empathetic/compassionate/kind to our fellow human beings out there as you’re cruising around on your bike!”

Sukho Viboolsittiseri, (on the left) is just a Thai guy on a bike, cruising around at the crack of dawn on weekends, exploring cool coffee shops in a world-class coffee (and bike) city. Trying to spread the joy that doing this has given him over the past 16 months and counting. He’s admittedly late to the magical bike+coffee=happiness thing, but here he is and he’s even given it a name – the PDX Tour de Espresso (PDXTDE).

Edited by John Kim. When he’s not out for a ride, John uses his expertise in Corporate Social Responsibility to help companies do well by doing good. Find him at virtcyc@gmail.com or VirtCyc on twitter or instagram.