My Bike. My Heart. My Life.

Written By Mara Kennan

The Journey of One Man, His DEAN, and His Second Chance At Life.

There has been talk at DEAN for some time about creating a blog space where our team could share customer stories, employee highlights, tech updates, and so much more. But finding a good starting point was easier said than done. That all changed when Carlos, a 48-year-old from a small village outside of Madrid, Spain, shared his story.

Nestled in the countryside, away from the pollution and noise of a crowded city, Carlos lives close to nature where he can enjoy all the outdoors provides.  A true adventure enthusiast, he’s thrived on any sport—whether it’s swimming, triathlons, rock or ice climbing, canyoning, or trail running, he’s done it all. But after a life-altering event, cycling has become more than just another sport for Carlos. It is, in his words, “my medicine, my psychologist, my way of life.” 

In 2007, while running a marathon alongside his brother, he suffered a devastating heart attack—one that not only threatened his life but also changed his ability to pursue sports forever.  

“It is a day that marks your life. My brother and I used to do everything together, so we know each other very well. That day, I told my brother at the beginning of the race that I wasn’t feeling well. I felt something strange that I had never felt before. Around km 27 I got cold, my legs stopped suddenly and I fell down to the ground like a stone.
I was suffering a heart attack with arrhythmias of 310 bpm and finally my heart stopped; almost broken in two pieces. I was literally dead for several minutes, but my brother was close to me during the entire race and brought me an ambulance.”

Thankfully, the paramedics were able to revive Carlos and give him a new lease on life.

“This was not my day, and I was given a new opportunity to live and to thank whoever.”

Following the event, Carlos has had to adapt to his new life and overcome the difficulties brought on by such a serious health crisis. 

“At the beginning it was very difficult. Doctors told me that I had to forget about endurance sports and change my life. I now have an implanted defibrillator and take medicine for my disease, but I have shown to my doctors and to everybody that I can keep on doing all the things I like and all my life is based on. No more races of course, but now I enjoy sports in a different way.”

Given a second chance at life, Carlos turned to cycling—not just as a way to rebuild his health, but as a gateway back to the freedom of the outdoors.

“Before [the heart attack], any sport was a competition; go faster, look right, be better …. You did not see what was beautiful around you. Now cycling is my therapy and my medicine, my way to discover new places, go out with friends and enjoy nature in a different way. Cycling has been my favorite sport ever, and after the incident I thought it was the perfect way to start again."

For Carlos, this provided the perfect opportunity to get the DEAN he had always dreamed of.

“Since the 90’s when I read paper magazines, I dreamed of a titanium bike, and DEAN was my preferred; the geometry, the quality, the beautiful welds, a classic-neo-retro style, handmade in Colorado, USA… and the 4-color decals! On the other hand, it was easy to order from Spain and the support was amazing when there was any question or doubt.”

In 2008, Carlos connected with the team at DEAN to craft the frame that he still rides today, a 26-inch Colonel MTB. Though he owns three bikes—a road and a gravel rig in addition to his MTB—his DEAN remains his ultimate favorite. When the frame was being crafted, he had asked that they etch a heart on the seat tube to remind him of his recovery journey and second chance at life. 

“Apart from the laser print heart, the geometry and the feeling of the titanium tubes, I do not know how to explain it, there is a chemical reaction when I touch it (call me crazy). DEAN was my crutch. This bike helped me start doing sports again. It was my confidant, who listened to me cry when I felt bad and who made me smile when I felt good. I have got road and gravel bikes, and could have a more modern MTB (perhaps I will ask you) but I will always keep riding my DEAN.”

Now, close to 20 years after the incident, Carlos continues to write the story of his love affair with his DEAN. 

“My DEAN travels with me everywhere, around Spain and Europe (France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy ….) even a backyard ride is memorable for me.”
“This is my bike! As you know, I asked [DEAN] to laser print in the seat tube a small heart to remember… imagine, my bike, my heart, my life.”

Although many years have passed since the incident, Carlos never forgets that day. He reminds others that recovery is possible and that they, too, can find new ways to embrace the sports they love. To those who’ve faced similar challenges, he offers hard-earned wisdom and encouragement.

“First of all, pay attention to what the doctor says, it is your health. But on the other hand, if you have done sports since [you were young], you know your body. Listen to you, explore your new limits and enjoy different sports in other ways.”

Carlos never wavers in staying true to himself and being grateful for every moment he’s been given. When asked about his aspirations moving forward, he said simply, “Always be myself, do what I think, take care of my relatives and enjoy life, only have one….. Sometimes two!” 

  • Frame: DEAN Colonel Ti XS size 26inch

    Fork: Rock Shox SID race

    Stem: Ritchey WCS

    Hubs: White Industries MI5 black 28h

    Spokes: PILLAR PBSTR black

    Rims: Sun UFO rim brake

    Groupset: Shimano XTR 970 full (except brake levers) front derailleur XTR 952 series

    Brake levers: Extralite Ultralevers

    Bar: On-off Marga Fullana Edition Carbon

    Seat: Tune Speedneedle blue

    Brakes: Avid Single Digit Ti with Kool stop pads

    Headset: Chris King

    Bottom bracket: Chris King 

    Grips: Ritchey WCS

    Skewers: Tune

    Bolts: Full "tropical" color titanium anodized in all bike and components

Mara Kennan