Modern Cyclist Magazine Issue 3, November 2014 | Page 8

How to find an Alien

Finding cycling’s most famous
alien proved to be harder than
anticipated. Should you ever be
inclined to do your own “alien
hunting”, here are a few tips:

“This bike is super responsive
and, for its large frame size,
super light,” said Jean Spies of
the BMC Team Elite TE01.

Step 1: Get hold of the biggest media
buying agency in South Africa – chances
are they would have been involved in
buying advertising space for a global
enterprise such as Audi. Now you have
the name of the advertising agency
that produced the advertisement. (Very
friendly experience.)
Step 2: Since they are based in South
Africa’s creative hub, Cape Town,
phone around until you get hold of the
right Account Executive. Find out that
the advertisement was shot on location
in Hollywood, but walk away with the
name of the production company. (Very
friendly experience.)

MC: Have you tried out cycling and, if
so, what discipline?
Toby Johnson: In the commercial,
I probably knew more than anyone
there about cycling, which is almost
nothing, so by the time they brought
me the helmet I was too tired to say
what was wrong with it! What I have
ridden recently which was scary fun,
was a fixed gear...scared the crap out

of me, but it was a blast!

MC: From a non-cyclist’s perspective,
how did it feel wearing the kit that we
cyclists take for granted?
Toby Johnson: I enjoyed it....even
trimmed up the old leg hairs before the
shoot so I could be “in character”!
These days Toby has changed
participating from wresting to golf and
he tries to get a game in every week.
His training regimen is now much lighter
than it used to be with lifting five to

six days a week and a little cardio in
between. He does some class based
stuff from time to time, but as the gym
owner he usually makes the instructors
too nervous!
The gym in Hollywood has been in
the same location for 75 years and is
supported by loyal local community.
The location of the gym complements
being active in the general area –

8

one can, in the same day, surf and
then drive up to the mountains to
snow ski or anything in between. With
Southern California being the self-titled
capital of healthy living in the US, it is
understandable that cycling is hugely
popular. Toby says it is not uncommon
to see groups of 15 to 20 cyclists every
morning on his way to work. Then
there is also a huge indoor cycling
community, which he explained,
became so popular in his gym in
Hollywood, he expanded and gave
the indoor cycling class its own room
instead of sharing a space with the
other group exercise classes.
Although he has never been to South
Africa, it is on his ‘top five’ list of places

to visit before his daughter graduates
from high school. And speaking to
a South African publication about
being an alien does count as one of
the oddest things he has ever done.
Well, that and two stepping with an
unbelievably beautiful girl in a barn in
the middle of nowhere for a fast food
commercial….
Modern Cyclist’s burning question
however has finally been answered