Jim Holeva Race Interview - Subaru Fall Classic '01

Well, I've been training hard, eating right, and recovering well. I lost about 7 pounds since the last series race. But I was a little tired from my race yesterday, I raced the Endless Encounter in New Milford, PA.

Did you have any problems getting into the singletrack?

Well usually I lead into the singletrack, today I felt my fatigue from yesterday immediately so I was way back into the singletrack, like maybe 8th or 9th. I didn't have any legs off the start, and I couldn't get clipped in.

How did you like the manhole downhill?

I'm not sure which one that was but all the downhills were a lot of fun. Until of course I had no rear brakes. Then I was just barely surviving the downhill, but for the first lap and a half I had a great time descending.

Were you strong from start to finish?

No, I had trouble getting my legs moving early, and then, I made my way to the front. Half way through my 2nd lap, when I had a comfortable lead my rear brake cable stretched, and I didn't have any rear brakes for the rest of the race, so that cost me a lot of time because I couldn't go full bore on the downhills. I was attacking like a madman on the flats and climbs, and I felt good for a while but that didn't last me till the end. I ended up not having much left when I got passed toward the end. But I had to attack to make up for the slow descents.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yes, loved it, no problems passing, results were up fast, awards were done early. It truly was an awesome race.

When did you put the hammer down?

I guess on the technical climbs during the first lap, I put the hammer down there, and I kept it up throughout. When my rear brake wasn't working I had to slow down on the descents, and turny sections so I could live to race again, and I was pushing extra hard on the flats, and climbs.

Did you have any unusual problems?

My brake cable stretched, and I had no rear breaks!

Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?

Nothing out of the ordinary, just had a lot of ladies checking me out as always.

Did you climb the steep uphill on any laps?

The first 2 laps I made it almost all the way, until I ran into guys in other classes, and on my third lap I ran into someone early in the climb.

Anything you'd like to add?

I'd like to thank Bobby at the Bike Hub for keeping my bike in working order, Cedar Bikes for helping me out with my bike after yesterdays race, my dad for getting me into the sport and going with me to races all over the place, Guys Bicycles for putting on an awesome race, my mother and sister for all there great support, and the guys from Wissahickon for screaming for me! Also Don and Bill great job with the series!