How did you first get involved in Cycling?

My dad started racing when he was 18 and has been doing it ever since.  He started out on the road then took up mountain biking in the early 90's when it started to take off.  He took me to the races when I was little.  I did my first kids race when I was 3 or 4.  So I guess I have been racing for 19 years!


You've been racing pretty seriously from a young age. Looking back, was that the right way to go? Would you recommend others start early?

Well, I wouldnt call it seriously at a young age.  The biggest thing my dad did for me was to just make sure I was having fun.  It wasnt all about winning and training super hard at a young age. I don't think I really started training until I was 15 or 16 with the help of Jonathan Vaughters.  Before that I would just go out on my bike, ride however long I wanted and had fun.  I would say if your going to start early, make having a good time the biggest priority.


You were a member of those early TIAA-CREFF/ 5280 teams. How did that help your development, being part of such a well supported group.

Yeah, having support is a huge benefit.  Learning some of the finer points of racing was really helpful.  They really add up.  Wearing the right clothing, eating right, those kind of things.  Having mentors such as Vaughters as well as Colby Pearce really helped with that.  Not having to worry about equipment and travel was a real benefit as well.

We've seen you have great success in Road, 'Cross, and MTB. Which best suits your strengths and which is your focus for the future?

Good question.  I think in 'cross and MTB I can make up time with my technical skills.  I dont have a huge motor so a second or two in corners can really make a difference.  At the top level all the guys have those skills though so it makes it really tough. I'd say that right now, 'cross and MTB suit me more but I can't really pick between the two. They are a lot less steady state than road racing and I think that is an advantage to me.  I can usually recover from hard efforts pretty quickly so that gives me an edge in 'cross and MTB. I'm still young at 22 so I have some time to decide.


You've watched the 'Cross scene grow over the last few years, while Mountain Biking has been at a bit of a stand still. Do you see anything Cyclocross is doing that you think could be adopted in MTB to better the sport?

Well this year with the US Cup, things seem to be changing.  They have been trying to reach out to the fans more.  This is where 'cross really has the upper hand.  There is a good following behind it and the races are exciting to watch.  As a racer, I'd much rather do a 5 lap cross-country race than some huge 30 mile loop where fans can only see the start and finish.  At the first US Cup in Fontana things were really good. 


As a Student at the Colorado School of Mines, what are your thoughts on Collegiate Mountain Biking? Collegiate Cyclocross?

Collegiate racing as a whole is really cool.  It's low key and easy to get into.  There is a good camaraderie between the riders and the teams.  We all have respect for each other because we know that we work hard in the classrooms and train hard.  The mountain biking scene is a lot bigger than cross.  The gravity and endurance aspects of mountain biking draw in two different crowds which is really fun.  Collegiate cyclocross has some work to do.  Given it's the fastest growing discipline in cycling, I think there should be some more attention given to it.  There are some collegiate races on the east coast, but for most of us, the only time we get to do a collegiate race is at nationals, that needs to change.

We saw you and Troy Wells at Fontana flying the Clif Bar colors on the Mountain Bike. Is that just last Fall's Cyclocross Kit or is there a new Mountain Bike team in town?

Yeah, this is the first year Clif Bar has put together a mountain bike team.  They are starting off small (only Troy and myself) but it's really cool to work with the same people all year.  Clif Bar is super stoked about the team and are supporting us really well.  We are riding Salsa bikes this year and they are supporting us a lot too.


What's on the schedule for Spring/Summer 2009? Any goals for this season?
 

This weekend is Sea Otter, then I graduate a couple weeks later.  A few local races in May then I head to Europe on May 27th.  I'll be headed over there with some other US guys under the direction of Marc Gullickson. We will be staying in Germany, doing a race in Switzerland and 2 in Germany.  I've raced 'cross over there, but never mountain bikes.  It will be a fun new experience for sure.

After that, I'll be looking forward to the marathon national championships in Breckenridge, CO followed by the Breck Epic Stage Race. My dad and I are going to do the 5 day stage race as a 2 man team.  The next weekend is nationals in Granby, CO and I hope to do well there.  I'll finish out the season with the rest of the US Cups.  This fall it will be time for more 'cross and more school actually, I'm going to graduate school at the University of Colorado.

What does a typical training week look like for you this time of year?

This time of year is super hectic for me actually.  This last month of school has just been killing me with a bunch of projects and presentations.  I have just been trying to get out as much as possible.  I'd say that I end up putting in only 10 hours a week, but I try to get in some high end to keep it tuned for the races.  The 38 mile XC at Sea Otter might hurt me though....