With a national title under his belt and a couple of runner-up finishes, sophomore cycling phenom Jacob Rathe is one of the most talented of Oregon cyclists.

Rathe, who learned to ride a bike at age five, owns virtually every possible state title that has to do with biking, including road, cross-country, mountain, track, velodrome, cyclocross, and criterion.

“The only ones I don’t have are the time trial, and downhill titles,” Rathe said.

Spending 10-15 hours on his bike per week is a way of life for Rathe, and it’s one he has gotten used to. Attributing his success to his work ethic and love for the sport, Rathe says, “I just have fun doing it.”

And winning has helped. Rathe also says he can see himself biking when he gets older, possibly for money.

“Races vary in length,” he said. “Track races are less than a minute, while mountain and road races take up to three hours.”

Despite being his favorite sport, biking has a downside. “Whenever I crash bad,” said Rathe, ‘that’s the worst part.”

But, he says, by far the best feeling in the world was winning his national title in Pennsylvania.