I grew up in Creighton Court, a public housing community in Richmond’s East End, where each day brought challenges, many never see. School was difficult, and I often felt overlooked. I experienced neighborhood violence, including being jumped on my walks home from middle school—simply because of where I lived. Yet even in the hardest moments, I found purpose in sports. On the courts and fields with friends, I felt alive learning how to work hard, adapt, and believe in myself.
Coach Lamont Davis, my freshman English teacher and baseball coach at Armstrong High School, became a pivotal figure in my life. Under his mentorship, I gained discipline and a deeper respect for myself and others. That foundation carried me to semi-pro baseball, where I pursued my dream with everything I had.
As a youth, I excelled in multiple sports, especially baseball—competing at travel, college, and semi-pro levels. But in 2014, a devastating injury changed everything: a barbell weight struck my face, requiring reconstructive surgery. That moment didn’t just take me off the field—it took a part of my identity. I found myself in a dark place, uncertain of what was next.
That’s when a coworker, Jeff Haas, noticed the slump I was in and offered me his mountain bike during lunch break. I took him up on it. For 35 minutes, pedaling behind our office, I felt a spark I hadn’t felt in a long time. That simple ride led to a trip to Powhite Park that Friday—and it changed my life.
Mountain biking became more than a sport; it became a lifeline. It reawakened the competitive spirit I’d had on the baseball diamond, but it also taught me to slow down, appreciate nature, and embrace challenges with a new perspective. By 2016, I was racing downhill pushing my limits and rediscovering what I was capable of.
Over the years, I’ve grown through the sport—earning podiums, racing at the national level, and partnering with brands I once admired from afar. But what matters most is that mountain biking gave me a new purpose: helping others find themselves through
the bike, just as I did.
That’s why I founded Line Drive Mountain Bike Academy.
At Line Drive, we do more than teach people to ride. We teach confidence, resilience, and discipline—creating a safe and supportive space for youth and adults to learn, progress, and discover the joy of pushing their limits while respecting the trails and community around them.
Beyond private lessons and group clinics, I also run a Youth Development Gravity Race Team, giving young riders structured, high-level opportunities to grow as athletes while learning responsibility, sportsmanship, and the value of hard work. Through this
program, riders receive hands-on coaching, mechanical support, and mentorship throughout the race season—allowing them to test themselves, thrive in a team environment, and build confidence that extends beyond the bike.
At Line Drive, we:
- Empower riders of all backgrounds to build confidence on and off the bike.
- Prioritize safety, so riders can explore their potential with skill and awareness.
- Create mentorship opportunities to ensure riders feel seen, valued, and
supported. - Offer a clear pathway for progression—whether you’re aiming for your first race, your next podium, or simply the freedom of flowing down a trail with confidence.
For parents, this means your child is learning in an environment rooted in respect, structure, and encouragement—growing not just as a rider, but as a person. For sponsors, supporting Line Drive means investing in a program dedicated to developing
the next generation of riders and community leaders—rooted in diversity, equity, and a genuine love for the sport.
From the diamond to the dirt, from hardship to purpose—I’ve found my mission: to help others discover what they’re capable of, one lap at a time.
This is who I am. This is Line Drive Mountain Bike Academy.
In-case you missed it, make sure to give it a watch: ANGELO WASHINGTON STORY // TRAILBLAZER