Brian Curran wants you to get on the bike.

“You gotta practice what you preach, to pull a cliché out of my quiver” says Brian, owner of Outspokin’ bicycle shop on Devine Street.

South Carolina’s new Road Champion among men 35+, he’s been a cycling enthusiast since he bought his first bike in college—from Outspokin’. Then, after college, he quit his banking job to work at the shop for $6 an hour.

“I’ll never forget the tone of my father’s voice when I told him that.” Ten years ago, Brian created a business plan and bought the store.

He’s upbeat about the city’s efforts to become more bike friendly. “If people rode bicycles, it would solve so many problems.”

Getting more women involved in cycling is part of Brian’s mission too.  Outspokin’ is leading a women’s ride Tuesdays at 6:30pm, one he’s touting as testosterone-free. “If you go out with these ladies, they’re not going to leave you somewhere.” Learn more at outspokinbicycles.com.

What does he like about reading skirt!?  “I like knowing what’s going on in women’s minds in Columbia.”

And wearing a skirt?  “It’s very liberating!”