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Hibernia Spring
Bash 2001 Race Interview
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| Date: 4-13-01
Event: Mid Atlantic Super Series - Hibernia Name: Ken Fretz City: Wilmington State/Province: DE Country: USA Age: 52 CLASS +/or Age group: Mens Master II 50+ Category: Beginner XC Race Bike: Gary Fisher Sugar 2 - 2000 model Tires: Wilderness Trail Bikes Conditions: Very Muddy Email: Ken.Fretz@Astrazeneca.com |
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Did you do anything special (apart from the whole training lifestyle) to prepare for this race?
Just running Road Races 5K to Marathons during last 5 years. Added mountain biking in fall of last year on a very hard Trek 830.
Did you achieve your goals for this race?
Yes. But I would like times and not just place posted on web site so I could see if I would be competitive in a sport class.
Were you strong from start to finish?
Yes, but when I came out of the path onto the field with the finish in site, I was surprised to see that I had to do the starting loop again, back down the hill and up to the finish when I thought I was sprinting the last 200 yds to the finish line
Don Morrison and Wissahickon Cyclery did a great job putting together this race and we thank them for their efforts. Was there anything that you observed that could be done better as the series progresses?
They did a great job! The only change I would like is to post the times and not just the place results on the web site.
When did you put the hammer down?
As I learned in distance road races, I started off easy, injected a few fast intervals where I new I wouldn't crash and used up what I had left in the finish.
If you ran into these exact trail conditions again, would you do anything differently?
Maybe get off the bike and run more. I didn't think until I watched the sport and expert class that at times it makes more sense to dismount and run for it.
Did you have any unusual problems?
Mud jammed everywhere to the point that I had to stop and dig it out around the back wheel. But it seems after talking to others in this race it wasn't so unusual.
How would you rate the course?
Good, but I like more single track, rocks and logs and less paved road.
Were you happy with the way the race was run?
Yes! I thought it was well run but that was my first race so...what do I know?
If you could do the race again - would you do anything differently?
Yes I would pre-ride the course early on race day so I knew the course.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Just thanks for having these races. They are great fun and add a whole new perspective to mountain biking for me.