My Top Ten with Alex Obriecht

My business is and has been much of the last 40 years of my life. I finished college and opened a bike shop—the first two rooms of a row house. It has been steady growth since then.

Every year or so, I travel somewhere with my bicycle, and it serves as both my hotel and my ride along restaurant. This Moots bicycle was made for these rides—I can go several weeks, anywhere in the world, with all the necessary possessions in the panniers.

In 1968, my mom opened up a business to support artists producing American crafts. My home is filled with gorgeous art acquired over the years. Mom is retiring next month after 50 years of operating the Calico Cat. Yes, she is past retirement age.

When I was 7, I moved to Baltimore and learned to love baseball. One day, I’ll throw out the first pitch at an Orioles game, maybe.

Last fall, for several weeks, I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I’m a stone stacker and my wife gave me this necklace prior to our leaving.

I believe strongly that the more one travels, the more one appreciates others in the world, their culture, their situation, and how alike we all are.

Seven years ago, my daughter handed me a little box announcing grandbaby number one. Now, there are four grandsons! It is so wonderful and amazing.

I love to garden—vegetables, berry bushes, fruit trees, perennials, annuals, it makes no difference. My ideal morning is up with the sun, one to two hours in the garden, breakfast, and a bicycle ride.

For the last 10 years, I have worked with wonderful friends in the Dominican Republic to build a primary school. It is now completed, but my relationship with the country and my Dominican friends remain important parts of my life.

Well before the smartphone this leather portfolio was my contact list. It still is. Friends tell me that all the information could be on my phone, but really, I doubt it. Where do you fit the history?

Sports

The owner of Race Pace Bicycles shares his favorite things.