NCCX Ambassador: Marcos

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Tim Hopkin

NCCX founder/organizer

NCCX Ambassador: Marcos

Timothy Hopkin • October 18, 2024

NC Cyclist Goes Above and Beyond in Response to Tropical Storm Helene

two young men are hold drop bar bikes while running over small barriers in a grassy area. There are plastic stakes with event tape to mark a course.

Editor’s note: The idea of creating a more formalized NCCX Ambassador program has been in the back of our minds for a while. We see the enthusiasm and support from racers across the NCCX community regardless of status and value the big and small ways every one of each of you share your love for cyclocross. Obviously when we started planning for the Fall 2024 season, we had no idea how Tropical Storm Helene would derail a lot of the preparation for the season. While some of our plans for the season are now a little delayed, we still want to feature our first class of NCCX Ambassadors (and more of you, stay tuned!).

A male and female cyclist in kits that say

Marcos joined us in 2023 and quickly dived into all things CX! We knew that he was a great fit because of his enthusiasm, involvement, and leadership in the cycling community.

We’ll let Marcos share more about why he races CX:

“As a nature addicted constant mover who is all about anything on two wheels, I've been riding for a couple of decades as a way to stay fit, mentally well, and in tune with my local community. A 2023 injury that cut my road season short was the catalyst for my first season of cross. I started that season out of physical shape and cycling form and ended it in a completely opposite way. I was hooked on how varied and fun the racing was while still being about as hard as I've ever gone on a bike. CX resurrected me as a racer in '23 and this year is all about giving back and going even harder! Can't wait to see everyone at barriers and lining the sand pits!”

two bike racers ride their bikes through the woods

a view of a pick up truck bed filled with staples like bottled water, diapers, and food for hurricane victims

While Marcos was initially ready to jump into the 2024 season, a pre-season accident, ironically while practicing cyclocross skills, took him out with a few broken bones. Then Helene hit WNC, but nothing was going to stop Marcos. Despite still recuperating, Marcos jumped into rescue and recovery immediately, with cycling friends and others, to reach the most vulnerable in our area.

However, his service isn’t done. Marcos and his wife Amanda need some support to continue to meet their own housing and utility expenses, while not backing down from continuing to source and deliver needed supplies and resources (like heat/power via generators and small heaters, fuel, adequate clothing, and food) into areas of WNC that are predicted to be without power until spring 2025!