Shop Friends: Eddie Johnson
"Since my youth, cycling has always provided me with a sense of self-propelled freedom. On the bike I get the time to clear my head, find possible solutions to challenges as well as enjoy the sights."
Eddie Johnson is a Bay Area based Behavioral Health professional, avid cyclist, and one of our longstanding supporters going back nearly a decade. We recently caught up with Eddie at one of his go-to "espresso" rides in the East Bay to talk shop and check out his latest UVX40 bike bag setup. Read on below:
Eddie, tell us a bit about yourself, what you do for a living, and your interests outside of work.
Since my childhood in New Orleans, I've always been interested in the questions in life. The whys, whats, hows, etc. This fascination landed me in a career in Behavioral Health. I am the Harm Reduction Team Coordinator at John George Psychiatric Hospital in San Leandro.
While I find my job personally enriching, I can't ignore the risk and stress that's also associated with a career in health care. One crucial area of my job is facilitating a crisis intervention for my peers that enhances their ability to recognize and manage crisis situations. Additionally, I spend a good amount of time engaging with our patients and helping them learn skills to navigate through difficult moments.
That's a brief glimpse into my day but it also illustrates the importance of my own self care. Sharing moments, travels and adventures with my family and especially my daughter is my main interest.
What does cycling represent for you?
In New Orleans, music is everywhere; the city pulsates with rhythm. My best cycling moments are when I find that rhythm. I have drawn upon my passion for cycling and love for the outdoors to help me maintain both my physical and mental fitness.
Since my youth, cycling has always provided me with a sense of self-propelled freedom. On the bike I get the time to clear my head, find possible solutions to challenges as well as enjoy the sights. While I'm no longer driven by the need to be competitive in cycling, I now find enjoyment any time I get to ride––whether it's IG epic or a quick out and in.
What ILE pieces are you carrying? How do they complement your daily life?
I have been familiar with ILE since its infancy. I still have and occasionally use an ILE x Cedar Cycling wallet [c. 2014]. My most recent purchases have been the UVX40 Pilot Bar Bag and Seat Bag ALL MOUNTAIN. I pair them with my custom ILE frame wedge bag and don't have to worry about being short-handed when I'm out on my bike.
My favorite and most used ILE bag is the Race Day Bag. At various times it has been my go-to travel bag, diaper bag, grocery shopping bag as well as my daily carry bag. For the past two school years, the Radius bag has served as my daughter's backpack. I can go on for a while about the number of ILE bags I currently own…
You can see the passion that goes into each ILE bag and accessory with a close examination of the craftsmanship, attention to detail and thoughtfulness. Each piece is very versatile and will satisfy you for years to come. There's also an additional bonus to owning an ILE product: you can always go into the studio to have alterations or repairs done.
Photography by Vicken Donikian
