June 27, 2004 - INTERVIEW
Name: Paul Stahman
City: Sewell
State/Province: NJ
Country: USA
Age: 44
Place: 1st
Category: Expert
Class or Age Group: Master
Race Bike: Ventanna El Fuego
Tires: IRC Mythos
Conditions: Dry
How was your fitness level going into this race?
My fitness level is good, but have been a little tired this week.
Were
you happy with your position going into the singletrack?
What happened to the first turn? I got a very good start off the line as
I was already clipped in. I was first to the top of the little hill. On
top I remember spotting the trail and heading for it, but as it turned
out, too soon. I found my way blocked by yellow tape. This was embarrassing.
People were yelling the obvious; "you're going the wrong way".
Were
you strong from start to finish?
After the first turn fiasco, what more could happen? Several turns later,
riders in front of me stalled on a short uphill. I tried to squeeze by,
but somehow managed to contact something sharp enough to puncture the
front tire. I hadn't realized at the time that there was a slice in the sidewall
large enough to allow the tube to protrude about 1 cm by the end of the
race! How extremely lucky to have made to the end without another flat!
When
did you put the hammer down?
The first two laps were kind of a warm up. I was pretty far back at this
point and didn't really have any designs on placing, but just to enjoy
the incredible course before me.
Did you have any unusual problems?
As I've already mentioned, I tried making a new first turn, and rode most
of the race with a bulging tube.
Were you happy with the way the race
was run?
This was a fantastic event. I've been racing mt. bikes since 1983 and can't
believe I've never raced here before. It's really world class single
track.
My only question concerns the forced dismount. It seems more dangerous
running across this bridge under race conditions than to just ride. I
think what would work better is to force riders to go single file BEFORE
THEY GET TO THE BRIDGE.
Anything you would like to add?
I savored every moment of that ride. The course has a wonderful flow to
it. I especially liked this one section of new single track which had
nice fresh loamy soil that worked up into nice little berms going into an off
camber right. Then there was that uphill turn to the left you could bank
into. Then there was... I could go on and on. Good job guys.