Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us a little about your organization.
Tim Healion: The Tour de Nez Outreach is the evolution of the Tour de Nez race. The race itself is the crazy celebration of cycling that includes all aspects of fun related to cycling, from the Kids races to the Clunker Classic to the Ally Cat race to the Handcycles to the Pros and women including all the organized mayhem associate with it. We realized that there was this great opportunity to use that as a platform to clean up the planet, one bike at a time. It's healthy, fun, and a great alternative to the energy crisis.
NNBW: What role do you play?
Healion: Founder, idea guy, driver, producer, glue, participant, mouth.
NNBW: How did you get into this?
Healion: It was a passion stemming from participating in the industry in many forms: rider, mechanic, messenger, commuter, race announcer, amateur racer, race marshall, race moto guy, collector and instigator. A lot of it stemmed from the Deux Gros Nez coffee house I had for 21 years. The annual anniversary party formed a great venue to include a race and bike event into.
NNBW: What do you need to succeed in this job?
Healion: Enthusiasm and an ability to surround yourself with super able bodies that take all the aspects of the business to a higher level. The staff and volunteers of the Tour de Nez projects really make the show. I feel as much of a facilitator for people to show off their capabilities as anything.
NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?
Healion: Can't say this was my first, or last choice. There are a lot of years in our short lives and great opportunities to explore different businesses and directions. I sort of anticipate other business ventures that aren't related to cycling or restaurants in my future. Who knows, barely into my second half of a century and I'm planning on making it to 100 so I've got some time to work with.
NNBW: What are some of the important trends you see in your industry?
Healion: The greatest trend is that more and more people are rediscovering cycling every day. You see people riding bikes everywhere. Bike lanes are now mainstream. It's a simple fix to many of the world's issues. The Bike Share programs in many big cities around the world is on fire, and we are absolutely working hard to jump on that platform. On the race end, the inclusion of a festival to a race is happening everywhere. We just did it backwards by adding a race to a festival.
NNBW: What do you like to do when you're not working?
Healion: Are you kidding? Ride my bike! And sail, camp with my family, play with the dogs, play outside.
NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?
Healion: Have some passion and personal interest in any business venture you have. Not so keen on people going into a business they don't really care about just to make money.
NNBW: Would you rather be younger, thinner, richer or smarter? Why?
Healion: Nope, I'd be someone else. Could have a few more shekels in the bank when it comes time for my daughter to go to college and for traveling.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Healion: My Dad said be kind and considerate to other people.
NNBW: What are five things you can't live without?
Healion: Come on, the goofy side; list five of my bicycles.
The tough guy side of me; nothin'... I'm an Eagle Scout!
My family is probably all I really need.
NNBW: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why would you want it?
Healion: Probably be pretty cool to fly like Superman no attached wings or propulsion.
NNBW: What does the content of your refrigerator say about you?
Healion: There's a little chaos in me.
The basics:
Name: Tim Healion, Tour de Nez Outreach chief of everything officer
How long have you been in this job? In various incarnations; 19 years.
How long in the profession? As a certified bike geek, about 30 years.
Education: Legitimate, attended 3 different colleges/universities: UMass Amherst, UNR, and TMCC. No degree. "Schooled" bike messenger in Boston.
Best book you've read? "Shopcraft as Soulcraft" by Matthew Crawford.
What's on your iPod? The gamut. Currently make everyone listen to Duke Ellington's rendition of "In the Hall of the Mountain King."
The best movie ever? "Repo Man" ... Next?
Spouse, kids or pets? Wife, the beautiful Rose Stremel Healion, lucky freakin' guy I am; daughter, the gifted and talented Annie Rose Healion, entering high school this fall. Two dogs: Fenway and Omar Little. Two cats: Django and Sugar.
