About Us
Syd Smoot
Owner & Ride Director
Syd has managed, led and developed highly rated high value cycling trips in France (Provence), Italy (Tuscany & Sicily) and Holland (Amsterdam) since 2008 as a volunteer Ride Director for Bicycle Adventure Club. After leading 26 highly successful trips to these countries, Syd has decided to launch this venture to continue leading his current and new friends on Affordable International Cycling Vacations throughout the world.
A retired information systems professional with USAA in San Antonio, Texas, Syd is very excited about the launch and prospect of Cycling Friends, LLC. In addition to rides already developed, he is looking forward to expanding his repertoire of trips to other countries in Europe and elsewhere. Please stay tuned for future offerings.
Ken Keeler
Ride Co-Director
Ken has been a Ride Co-Director with Syd on the France and Italy trips for the past 7 years. Along with his Ride Co-Director role, Ken also is responsible for coordinating bike rentals for our guests and also serves as our weatherman at our nightly meetings in addition to other duties as assigned.
Ken is a retired federal law enforcement professional living in the Washington, D.C. area. He is a past President of the Annapolis Bicycle Club where he remains active. Ken also is heavily involved in bicycle advocacy groups in the D.C. area. He has proven to be highly valued by our guests and is looking forward to the new venture on futures trips wherever the road may lead us.
Kathy Koos
Ride Co-Director
Kathy joins Syd and Ken at Cycling Friends, LLC as a Ride Co-Director after having participated in 3 of our trips, Tuscany on the Med, Sicilian Baroque Villages and Provence: Land of Color & Light as a guest. Kathy’s first assignment with us will be on our inaugural Northern Italy’s Cycling Paradise trip in August/September 2022. Kathy will also be with us on our next planned Tuscany on the Med trip in September 2022. We are very excited to have Kathy on our Team assisting our guests.
Kathy has extensive experience leading group rides all over Northern California. She is the Lead Cycle Coach for Bay Club in Pleasanton and is a USA Certified Cycle Coach. In her capacity as a USAC Coach, she has trained and led groups of athletes to complete various endurance events throughout the state of California. Her primary focus is safety – both on the bike, and in group riding situations. She has served on the Board of Directors of Valley Spokesmen Bicycle Club in Northern California and remains active volunteering and leading group endurance rides as well as weekly pub rides.
In her past, Kathy worked as a Lead Analyst for Law and Economics Consulting Group where she assisted experts in their testimony before congressional committees and/or courts of law. She is also the mother of three children and grandmother of three grandchildren, which is, by far, her most valued accomplishment.