IN A WORLD OF FAST BOATS and big water , fast bikes and big air keep California pro ’ s mind and body in shape for the rigors of the road .
By Joel Shangle
MLF pro Brent Ehrler catches some serious air on one of two Specialized trail bikes he rides near his home in Southern
California and on the Bass Pro Tour . Photo by Morgan Sandler rent Ehrler was bored .
Three months into COVID-19 lockdown in the spring of 2020 , the 2006 Forrest Wood Cup champion had run out of tackle to tinker with and odd jobs to do around his home in Redlands , California . So when Ehrler ’ s older brother Todd invited him to tag along with him and cousins Norm and Cody on a mountain bike ride in the canyons behind Ehrler ’ s home , the lanky pro agreed .
That despite his previous ( and admittedly strong ) disinterest in riding things with two wheels and pedals .
“ I really disliked cycling in the past ,” Ehrler admits . “ My brother Todd and my cousin Norm used to race road bikes on the Olympic National team – they were full gas into cycling , and I really , really didn ’ t care for it . I grew up riding a BMX dirt bike , but that ended around junior high and I hadn ’ t been on a bike since . I guess it was perfect timing . Everyone was going stir crazy because of COVID , so when ( Todd ) asked me to ride with them , I thought ‘ Sure , why not ?’ – I needed something to do .”
Ehrler hopped onto a loaner mountain bike from Todd and away the group went to San Timoteo Canyon . And the rest , as they say , is history .
“ That ’ s all it took , that one ride with my brother and cousins . I was obsessed ,” Ehrler admits .
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