Lieswyn, retiring after more than a decade in professional racing, says that competing in cities and towns all over the world has given him a perspective that many people lack. “It really comes from cycling…I grew up as a suburban kid. Cycling opened my eyes to different ways of living. I could appreciate the health benefits of living a car-free life.” A desire to bring those benefits to others has led Lieswyn to pursue urban redevelopment as the next phase of his professional life – one that he’ll pursue in New Zealand.

The Pennsylvania native may have already relocated by the time this issue of MaxxDaddy hits your inbox. One key reason for the move is the career of his wife Dawn, who, coincidentally, is also in a transitional period. Having finished her residency in veterinary internal medicine this year, she was offered a job in New Zealand, where the Lieswyns spent much of the last off-season hiking, driving and riding.

New Zealand is also at a developmental juncture which dovetails nicely with John’s ambitions: current debate centers on the question of whether the country should build interstates, an issue on which Lieswyn has definite opinions. “Freeways cut neighborhoods into ribbons and gut the inner core of cities,” he notes, adding that he supports alternatives to car-based lifestyles.

His zeal for his new career doesn’t mean that he’s abandoned his sport. “My [professional] cycling career might be over, but I’ll always be a bicycle racer. Probably now I’ll focus on track racing…Mentally, I’m still riding my bike,” he told MaxxDaddy.

Given his success, it’s no wonder. His overall victory at the 2005 Nature Valley Grand Prix was a triumph. And for team player Lieswyn, another race this year held even more personal satisfaction: “I was happy to win there, but I’d say the highlight for me was helping the team win at Lancaster.” His second place finish after a fine performance in his last race, at Barclay’s Grand Prix in San Francisco, earned praise but was a disappointment for Lieswyn.

While sharing his unhappiness at the outcome, those who’ve worked with Lieswyn on Health Net/Maxxis expressed their appreciation. Commenting in an email after the race, team communications director Jeff Sobul noted: “…of 161 riders who started, only 76 finished. And with at least 45 miles left, it was apparent that only a handful would be in contention. Predictably, one of them was Lieswyn, who has raced for 16 years with the same intensity, professionalism – and grimace on his face – that have become hallmarks of his style on the bike. And though he didn’t win, his last big race on U.S. soil will still go down as legendary, and a fitting way for him to end his exceptional career.”

A three-time member of the US World Championship team, Lieswyn was also the third-ranked rider in the USPRO/NRC in 2000, 2002 and 2003. Health Net/Maxxis is currently at the top of NRC team rankings.