Welcome to CCC Introduces, our series of interviews spotlighting our diverse roster of contributors.
Today we sit down with Gil, Creative Director, rider and founder of Rubber N' Road, a boutique atelier in the centre of New York City.
Bio in brief
From: New York City
Lives: New York City
Club/team: RUBBER N’ ROAD
Social: @gillavi
Tell us about yourself.
I’m Gil Lavi, based in New York City, where I co-founded RUBBER N’ ROAD—an atelier and boutique dedicated to researching, developing, and producing the next generation of cycling apparel. We take a hands-on approach to performance innovation, creativity, and inspiring resilience among athletes. Cycling has been a cornerstone of my life—not just as a sport or a connection to my family history, but as a way to test limits and gain new perspectives. My work as a designer is about pushing boundaries, and it’s my personal way of expressing love for the sport and embracing my competitive nature.
What do you love about cycling?
I love that cycling demands effort and rewards consistency. It’s a sport where progress is earned, teaching you resilience and how to handle setbacks. For me, cycling is a space to learn how to manage pain, focus, and find meaning in achievements that are often fleeting.
What barriers have you faced in cycling?
As a gay man who grew up in a challenging environment, I’ve often experienced beautiful emotions like love, pride, and joy, clouded by shame, fear, or baggage. Within cycling, I didn’t always feel welcomed or ready to explore the sport more competitively. My journey in the cycling industry was also marked by encounters with discriminatory language and practices. There were moments when I had to choose between staying true to my identity, beliefs, and integrity or compromising for the sake of work.
Those experiences fueled my motivation to build RUBBER N’ ROAD. I wanted to create a space where the world’s greatest cycling gear could be made hate-free—where every rider, regardless of their background, could feel supported and inspired.
On a personal level, returning to fitness after time away from the bike has been another challenge. This year, I lost 55 pounds and doubled my power-to-weight ratio (W/KG). Rebuilding strength has been humbling but deeply rewarding.
Why were you interested in contributing?
Cycling has given me more than fitness—it’s shaped the way I face challenges in all aspects of my life. I want to share those lessons and demonstrate that no matter who you are or where you start, cycling has the power to transform how you see yourself and what you’re capable of achieving.
Your fondest memory on the bike.
Earlier this year, riding up Mallorca’s Military Climb, I reflected on how much stronger I’d become since struggling on the same route a year prior. Shaving over an hour off my time wasn’t just about fitness—it represented the physical and mental work I’d done to rebuild myself. That sense of progress is something I’ll always cherish.
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