Date: April 22, 2001

Event: Michaux Lives 2001

Name: Chris Eatough

City: Baldwin

State/Province: Maryland

Country: USA

Age: 26

CLASS +/or Age group: Senior Men 19-29

Category: Pro / Expert

Team: TREK/VW East Coast Factory Team

XC Race Bike: FUEL

Tires: Bontrager

Conditions: Hot and heavy

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

I thought that it might be a little wetter today..... because earlier in the week I came up here up here to ride and it was pretty wet...... with a lot of puddles. I actually had a lube system on my bike so where I could lube my chain as I rode...... I had a syringe and tube set up so that on the fly without even slowing down I could lube my chain. It was actually very dry so it didn't really matter in the end. That was one thing that I was prepared for.

Due to the difficulty of the course this year..... did you change your strategy at all?

Yes. I think you have to race this race a little bit differently because it is a big deal to try and get around with no mechanicals. That is always a big priority here and I did try on certain sections to be conservative where there was a good chance of flat tires. I backed of in different sections where there was a possibility of a flat......... but I was 20 seconds behind when I flatted. When you are behind and chasing you do have to pull out the stops a little bit. So that's what led to my flat. I was trying to close the gap and push in a difficult section (Rattlesnake Ridge)...... and I flatted. That's the risk that you take.

Were you strong from start to finish?

Yeah. I felt really good today. We rode in a really good rhythm for the first hour or so. The course definitely wears on you and gets tougher as you go along. The pain level gradually increased by I was able to keep going pretty good.

When did you put the hammer down?

I wouldn't say it was at any one point. It was kind of a gradual, steady flow in this race you try and get into. I was trying to respond to some of Jeremiah's attacks as well on Dead Women's Hollow......... he was attacking hard up there and I had to go hard to keep up on that section. We were really going up the hill. (a 1200ft climb on a soft (and hard pedaling) 2 mile long fire road) right before one of THEE toughest, fastest and most furious trials of Michaux - the infamous "Three Mile Trial"- the thing about Dead Woman's Hollow is that you always think it is ending and you reach what you think is the crest..... and it just goes on and on).

Did you have any unusual problems?

I caught that flat tire..... but other than that I got around pretty clean.

How would you rate the course today?

I think it's one of the best courses around if not thee best course. Every year there is a great race here but this was the toughest they've done.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Definitely. They had enough motorcycles out on the course...... there were course markers everywhere...... water stations..... that's difficult to do on a 26 mile loop (or whatever it is)....... it's a lot of work and these guys do a great job.

Did you achieve your goals for this race?

Well, my goal was to win this race so...... but another goal was to have a strong race and give my best performance and I did do that. I gave it everything I had. This race still eludes me. I've been here several times and never won. One of the few local races that's eluded me so...... it will still be on my list of goals to win this race in the future.

What was your favorite part of the course?

My favorite part of the course is Grave Ridge (see photo main Michaux Lives page) it's about half way through the race. It's very technical but it's also quite a high speed section. It's one of my favorite trails anywhere.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Thanks to the sponsors........ Trek Bikes, JBL Stereo Equipment, Uniden Radios, Volkswagen, Rock Shox Forks, Hayes Disc Brakes, Sram Components, Bontrager, Rolf, Time, Zeal Optics, Platypus Hydration Systems, Northwave Shoes, Powerbar, Demarchi Clothing

Ernie Martin with the TREK East Coast Factory Team - the whole team was here with the trailer. It's great to have that kind of support at the races.