Date: September 17, 2000
Event: Fair Hill Classic XC 2000
Class: Senior
Category: Expert / Pro
Length:
Time:
Conditions: Sunny - 70 degrees
Bike: TREK STP
Tires: Bontrager (the biggest Jones made) to ease the pressure on my back.

Did you do anything special (apart from the whole training lifestyle) to prepare for this race?

I started riding again... about a month ago (laughs) so not really anything special.

Were you strong from start to finish?

It took me a while to get warmed up. My lenses on my sunglasses were too dark at first and I let a guy lead for several miles. I couldn't see very well because the morning sun was casting long shadows. After we crossed 273 I had someone give me some glasses so I was able to put on lighter lenses.... and he was also giving me water feed.... I started pushing a little before that in the open fields where the sun was out but I definitely started pushing after crossing 273 and pushed almost to the finish. The last few miles I started to feel like I was losing a little bit of strength but still felt good.... I wasn't dying.... I wasn't bonking.

So I guess that answers the question of when did you put the hammer down?

Yeah, I put the hammer down for probably the second hour.... maybe a little more. About 45 minutes in I concentrated on really pushing the big gear and keeping my back relaxed. I could stand up a lot. It was a friendly course for my back. It was great.

Did you have any unusual problems?

No... thank God. (chuckles) I have enough.

Didn't you have minor back surgery lately?

It's called an epidural phloroctomy? Don't ask me how to spell it. It's outpatient surgery. You go in for three injections two weeks apart. It was about a month ago I did the last one. Your not supposed to do anything for 24 hours afterwards. You're supposed to remain pretty much inactive. They don't even want you going up and down stairs but I never felt any strength loss. It's very minor outpatient surgery.

Fairmount 2000

Fairmount 2000

How would you rate the course today?

Awesome.... perfect for me. It was fast, not a whole lot of hills.... beautiful weather.... it was awesome.... and there's no other courses like it and when I ride a course that is different it's a big plus. Some people would say... oh, it's not technical enough.... well we've got Michaux going on today... that's technical. It's nice to give rider's a choice. This course is FUN and it's for anyone!

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yes. Absolutely. They did a great job.

If you could do the race again, would you do anything differently?

I'd remind people at the start to keep a head's up for the markers. The course was marked well.... but people were going off course because they weren't looking ahead for the arrows. There were a couple of times I had doubts but when I really looked I could see something. It was only because I wasn't paying attention. The course is very good. I like how they have use of the Equestrian Center and they had a lot of water stations.... at least three and that's important. Some courses you're lucky if you have one on a big loop like this.... but to have three of them was great.

Well, Mr. DuVall it's good to have you back.....

I don't know how back I really am but.... I'm trying.....

Anything you'd like to add?

Not really.....I love your web site.... keep it up!

Thanks for the compliments and the interview David!