The OutSPOKEn Cyclist
By Diane Jenks
Most of you know from previous blog posts that I am in the bicycle business and that I host and produce a weekly podcast about many aspects of cycling.
What you probably don’t know is that three of my four grandparents were born in Ukraine — at the time, Russia – and came to the U.S. at the turn of the last century to escape the pogroms that were forcing Jews out of the country. My fourth grandparent was born in the U.S.; his parents came from Russia.
So, this war is personal — it sees history repeating itself— which of course we all say but rarely believe.
Back in 2016, I was invited to moderate a panel of builders who fabricate custom bicycles at an international show in Sacramento. One of the members of that panel was a young man from Sochi, Russia, whose company, Triton Bikes, manufactures beautiful titanium bikes.
On Tuesday, March 1, Triton’s owner and founder, Dmitry Nechaev posted a heartbreaking
14-minute video to Facebook, trying to explain that not all the people of Russia are bad and that he hoped his explanation of what was going on for him and thousands of other Russians might be heard in the manner in which it was intended – namely, that he isn’t for the war, that what is happening is crazy, and that he and many others are in grave danger.
In turn, I reached out to him to see if he wanted to expand on what was happening to him, his family, his work, and those who depend upon him for their livelihoods.
Dmitry isn’t IN Russia right now – his family insisted that he leave. He flew out of Moscow over last weekend, without his wife, children, mother, mother-in-law, and the dog. All of them have documentation and tickets and are supposed to fly out on this Sunday (today).
Before the conflict began and much to his credit, Dmitry decided to get his paperwork in order to take advantage of his birthright of citizenship in Israel. Little did he know, at the time, how fortuitous that decision would be.
This week, Dmitryi is safe in Tel Aviv, Israel, staying with friends who are helping him try to put his life back together.
I spoke with him on Wednesday and recorded a short podcast so that he could get his message out to the bicycle industry – a message that conveyed his sadness and fear as well as his hope that he could find a way to get his business running again so that he can continue to work, support his employees, and produce his Triton titanium bicycles.
On Thursday, March 3, Dmitry sent me a series of short voice clips as he was driving
towards Jerusalem to fulfil his mother’s request — to leave a note in the Western (Wailing) Wall in the Old City — a time honored Jewish tradition.
He reported that the Russian government had hastily instituted a series of new laws including a 30% tax on rubles when you try to buy dollars or other currencies.
He bought an inexpensive car so that he can go to the airport each day to pick up friends who are arriving from Moscow.
He doesn’t know how long that will be happening and he is terrified for his family, hoping they will be allowed to leave the country today.
As the war in Ukraine continues to escalate and Vladimir Putin continues on his rampage, many of the citizens of Russia are being backed into a corner, having their lives upended and cringing in panic and fear.
I will continue to stay in touch with him and will offer further updates on the Outspoken Cyclist FaceBook Page as they are available.
-Diane
Photos provided by Dmitry Nechaev
