June 27, 2004 - INTERVIEW
Name: Jim Thistle
City: Mullica Hill
State/Province: New Jersey
Country: U.S.A.
Age: 36
Place: 1st
Category: Expert
Class or Age Group: Vet 1 35-39
Team: Action Wheels
Race Bike: Cannondale Scalpel 4000
Tires: Continental Explorers
Conditions: Dry and Fast
Email: jrt@snip.net
- How was your fitness level going into this race?
Finally, I feel that my level of fitness is where it should be. Over the past month I have been able to put more hours into my training and log in more miles.
- Were you happy with your position going into the singletrack?
Absolutely. I wanted to be in the top three and I was in the second position.
- Were you strong from start to finish?
I felt that I was. I was starting to feel it at the beginning of the fourth lap but I just tried to stay focused and concentrate on areas I knew I could attack and areas where I could rest a little.
- When did you put the hammer down?
Pretty much right from the start. A course like Gloucester County College is soooooooooo fast that you just got to go and hope you don't run out of gas. I felt consistent from beginning to end.
- Did you have any unusual problems?
None. Bike rode beautifully as it always does. Kudos to Cannondale for making such a fine steed.
- Were you happy with the way the race was run?
Yes
- Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges
with competitors/spectators)?
No real interesting experiences. GCC is close to home so I had a great cheering section throughout the race including my family. My kids kept telling me "just keep it up dad" which made me push on.
- Anything you would like to add?
Thanks to my family for the support and thanks to Action Wheels bike shop for keeping my Scalpel running on all cylinders. I wish the engine always ran that way but I'm working on that.