Timmy Duggan on the ride that sparked his retirement

After nine years as a professional, 2012 US pro road champion and Olympian Timmy Duggan's final decision to call it quits last week hinged on a three-hour "soul ride" in the mountains near his home in Colorado.

Growing up in Missoula, Montana, Pat competed in his first bike race in 1985 at Flathead Lake. He studied English and journalism at the University of Oregon and has covered North American cycling extensively since 2009, as well as racing and teams in Europe and South America. Pat currently lives in the US outside of Portland, Oregon, with his imaginary dog Rusty.