Los Angeles has long been part of MAAP’s story—a city where the rides roll early, the weather rarely quits, and a tight bunch has been flying the flag for years. The opening of MAAP’s first US LaB in August wasn’t about arriving, but expanding what already existed: a riding community as diverse and creative as the city itself.
At the heart of the scene is Diego Johnson, LaB manager, CAT 3 Crit State Champion, and one of LA’s most dialed-in locals. Being active outdoors is in his DNA—when he’s not stacking laps or racing with the Away Message crew, you’ll likely find him skating local spots or hanging off a boulder wall. Between repping MAAP, building base miles through Malibu’s switchbacks, and chasing that next challenge, Diego embodies the city’s special blend of grit, good energy, and extra go.
We caught up with Diego to talk shop—from his week-on-the-bike rituals to his go-to climbs and TSS self-inflicted setbacks. A lifelong student of cycling’s many layers—the physical, the mechanical, and the emotional—Diego brings that curiosity into every corner of his world. Whether he’s helping riders find their perfect fit at the LaB or going animalistic off the front at Tulsa Tough, his approach stays the same: respect the ride, respect the crew, and always make time for the post-ride burrito.
What do you love most about riding in LA?
The seemingly endless riding weather and a fantastic community.
How was it opening the doors to MAAP’s first US LaB?
It was an awesome experience. We hosted a grand opening party and friends from all corners of LA came out to celebrate. Everyone was very stoked!
Talk us through a typical week for you. At the LaB, on and off bike…
On the bike it's the off season for me currently so the volume has gone up and intensity has taken the back seat. A typical week is pretty much all zone 2 with one hard group ride day, one long ride, and one day completely off the saddle. Some of the zone 2 days will incorporate low cadence intervals and I'm also lifting weights a few times a week during the evenings.
Off the bike I’ll be working at the LaB five days a week making sure the lights stay on haha. When I'm free from work and bikes I love to spend time with my exceptionally awesome girlfriend Ankha. We like to go for day trips out in nature in the wider LA area.
What is it about bikes you love so much?
I chose to ride bikes because I appreciate how much you can get out of it. There are enough parts in the sport to mimic how complex and beautiful real life is. The physiological benefits are obvious but then there is also the joys and heartbreaks of racing bikes depending on how you do.
The technical and mechanical aspects you could fully nerd out on is a whole world in it of itself. Not to mention the simple joy of getting lost and connecting with the environment you're in. It's also a cheat code for making new friends in different places. It's literally the best invention ever, the bike!
What are you riding currently?
My road bike is a Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro with Shimano Ultegra. I love it. It does everything pretty well. I put some Away Message decals on the non drive side but besides that its completely stock. I am currently building up an Enve Mog for some dirt adventures. That's built up with Enve 4.5s, Fizik 3D saddle, and Sram Force XPLR. I think I'm going to throw some 2.1 tires on it but I'm not sure which ones yet. I'm super excited!
And what’s the grail bike?
A Basso SV with full campy.
Talk to us about the AM crew. You’re a tight bunch?
Away Message is a team from up north in The Bay. My friend Jeff [Johnson] started it a while back and I gravitated towards it because it reminded me more of a skate team rather than a traditional cycling team. Just like a crew of dudes that were actually friends and not paired up together because their VO2s were a certain number. AM’s also special because it's not a “no fun super serious bike racing team”.
Who else do you roll with?
My good friend/room-mate Max Lane deserves a shout out. We've been roomies for some time and we kind of both came up in the bike scene together. He's one of the strongest dudes I know on the bike here in LA. You wouldn't guess it by how he acts though; humble guy. He works over at the local bike shop Luft not too far from the LaB.
Talk to us about your racing…
This past season has been very good to me. Got a couple of wins and traveled a bit to some stage races. Tulsa Tough was for surely the highlight for me. The energy at that race is like nothing I've experienced. Came away with a few podiums too. Goals for next season are to keep crit racing. I'm a Cat 2 now after Tulsa so it's going to be tough. I also want to throw in one crazy destination gravel race in the calendar. I'm excited for next season.
Other than the LaB, what other spots are you heading for a quick caffeine-fix?
I frequent this coffee shop Good Boy Bob. They have a really good breakfast burrito.
Where’s your happy place?
By bike it’s Malibu. Specifically in the Santa Monica mountians and Mulholland Hwy.
And your fave LA routes?
I think the three main places to ride in LA are Malibu, Hollywood Hills, and Angeles National Forest. In Malibu a classic loop is Topanga -> Old Topanga -> Stunt (TOTS); I fell in love with that route the first time I did it just because you feel like you are so out there in such a short amount of time. Ended up moving to the west side because of it and how much you could add on to it if you have the time.
In Hollywood you got Griffith, Elysian, Mount Washington, and all of Mulholland Drive. You can string all these climbs in a bunch of different ways to get some seriously solid city riding in. Then there is Angeles National Forest. Most people climb up the No.2 Hwy to get some epic days in the saddle. It's a properly humongous mountain range that gives you a sense of scale you can't find anywhere else in LA.
A must do climb in Angeles National Forest with 4,831 ft of elevation.
Take in Griffith park, Elysian Park, Mt. Washington.
From MAAP LaB to the Hollywood Hills and back.
PCH and back.
Topanga, Old Topanga, Stunt
Lastly, for someone visiting LA for the first time, give ‘em your elevator pitch…
The LA scene feels special to me because of all the different group rides we have. You don't really need to race out here to get a nice stimulus, there are a bunch of weekly rides that are super hard and will make you fast. We also have a few chiller community rides that do a great job at catering for the full spectrum of cyclists in their fitness journey. Not to mention the miles of trails we are blessed with not far. Really though, it’s the crew that make up the group rides special here in LA. We're lucky to have people from so many different parts of the US and the world to share these rides and experiences with.
Diego Johnson was photographed on location in Los Angeles, by Alex Papke. Visit maap.cc for our latest Training men’s and women’s collections available October 30. Follow @maap.lab.losangeles for all the latest rides, special events and exclusive drops from LaB LA.
