Aria didn't start cycling competitively until he was 22 after transitioning from a running background. Local to Santa Rosa, Aria is a bit of a dark horse--soft-spoken, humble and clearly in love with the sport of cycling. He credit's Levi's GranFondo as one of his best days on the bike in 2016 when he shared drafts with elite competitors Laurens ten Dam, Andrew Talansky, and Ted King.

In 2022, Aria was the first competitor to cross the line of then shortened Growler route. He is the current record holder, and will return this year to show his hand at America's most difficult road race.