Introducing: Nash Umarella

Welcome to CCC Introduces, our series spotlighting the incredible contributors who give their time and energy to Cycling Culture Club.

Today we head to the Netherlands, meeting Nash Umarella. Third-generation Moluccan diaspora, financial background turned community catalyst, and founder of Social Ride Maluku. Nash lives in Hendrik Ido Ambon near Rotterdam with his wife Dana and two cats, Sammy Johnny Bravo and Selina Kyle.

Follow Nash: @nashpleasurella | @social_ride_maluku

Words: Nash Umarella

Photos: Vincent Engel and Marco Kolanus

Tell us about yourself

I am Nash Umarella. 3rd generation Moluccan diaspora. Living in a small village, Hendrik Ido Ambon, near Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with my wife Dana and my two cats Sammy, Johnny Bravo and Selina Kyle. I have a financial background, but throughout the years, I learned to be a catalyst.

What do you love about cycling?

I started competitive cycling 20 years ago. The first ten years were just all about racing. From 24-hour team races to individual races on the MTB, gravel and road bike. The love for cycling was just too addictive, which resulted in an unhealthy balance with life. Nowadays I still cycle six hours a week, and I am the founder and chairman of Social Ride Maluku. SRM has been a foundation since 2025 and has organised rides from 2019 throughout the whole Netherlands. We combine rides with culture, bearing our pillars: Passion, Respect and Family. At the end of the ride, most of us go to a local Moluccan or Indonesian restaurant, which is naturally reserved for us to eat a delicious rice table. My love for cycling now is the give to give principal. Sharing my cycling and life experience with everybody. Our rides feel like a family day out.

What barriers have you faced in cycling?

Being a big rider, at some point on my annual rides in Provence, I could not keep up with the group uphill. This led to a discussion. They said Next year you have to lose weight; otherwise you cannot ride with us again. I decided to think about this thoroughly during the ride, and after some advice from my close ones, the same day at dinner, I confronted them all at the table: they were not cycling friends worthy enough for me. Only one of them apologised. You can say that it was a life-changing moment.

Why were you interested in contributing?

CCC has similar interests to SRM. Answering these questions is something I recently did with the members within SRM. We have Nestors as well as young guns who experience the rides as a special gathering. My friend Nathaniel Roberts also connected me with CCC and after speaking with Miles, I was keen to contribute.

If you're comfortable, tell us about your personal experience of diversity in cycling

In the Netherlands, the Moluccan community has lived here for 75 years and is known for the "bad things" we did. If you say you are Moluccan, you are a Hijacker. Yes, but you have to know the history of the Moluccan diaspora in the Netherlands. With Social Ride Maluku we are telling how our grandparents came to the Netherlands. It is Dutch history, which is not visible in the history books. Our purpose is to create a connection with and within the Moluccan community, using road cycling as a tool. Our passion for cycling creates easy conversations, and good authentic food helps too.

Your fondest memory on the bike

Recently, a 300km ride from Rotterdam to Appingedam, crossing the Netherlands. This was a ride simulating the arrival of our grandparents, the first generation. Arriving in Amersfoort, we were received with the traditional Tifa. Emotions all over. At the finish, it was a big party with a special song made for us and a dance. Personally, it was the best SRM ride ever.

Where are you from: Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Where do you live: Hendrik Ido Ambon, near Rotterdam

Are you part of a club/team: Founder of Social Ride Maluku, radical member of INFMS CC, and Ambassador for Rapha.