On April 1 1980, 25 year old Ned Overend was on the move from sunny San Diego to Durango in his 1965 Datsun pickup. Middle of the night and pulling a homemade trailer that he says was "just like the Clampetts" he was forced to turn back because of a blizzard. After an overnight in Aztec New Mexico, he forged on through the mountains to discover his Taj Mahal: a rented 8X35 foot single-wide in Junction Creek Trailer Park. To pay rent, Ned wrenched on VW dashers, Squarebacks, and beetles. To adjust his Chi he did epic road and trail runs on the old Elmore Elmore Store Loop. Within a few years he started road racing, going from a nobody to racing the Coors Classic on the best team in America in just over a year. In the days just after the 1983 Coors, a trio of Durango locals including "Bicycle" Bob Gregorio introduced Ned to their five-speed clunkers. He was hooked. "It was like being a kid in the Sandlot," he says.

"I knew right away there was something to this."

Within a handful of years Ned had the best resume in the fat-tire world: four NORBA National Championships, the NORBA World Championships, the European World Championships and the first-ever UCI World Championships.

Simply put, Ned is the man. His contributions to Specialized and the sport of cycling span three decades. Ned "retired" from full-time mtn bike racing in the mid-90's, only to go on to win two triathlon world championships. "Deadly Nedly" is now a vital member of our R&D team, captains the XC squad, and personifies what Specialized aspires to be.

Favorite food? Pasta with a simple tomato, basil sauce

Any Hobbies? Hanging out with my wife and kids, yard work, pulling weeds etc.

If you weren't a pro mountain biker what would you be? Motorcycle mechanic.

Favorite Place to Ride? Moab

Best Racing Experience? Lago de Garda, Italy Bike race. 4000 people on the start line!

Worst Racing Experience? Flats in the days before tubless tires.

Favorite music/pre-race tunes? I listen to everything from Motown to Nine Inch Nails (not much rap)

Strengths on a bike? Climbing , endurance.

Weakness on a bike? Slow starter in races

If you were a part on a bike what would it be and why? Oh wow, the person who thought of this question did alot of LSD in high school.

What is in your refrigerator? Yogurt, pasta sauce, eggs, bacon, veggies, everything!

How about your garage? Ford Expedition, Volvo wagon and a lot of bikes.

Why ride for Specialized? The people who work there are passionate about cycling and creating great products.