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Interview with
#1 Sport Master 45+
Steve Kane Brightwaters, NY |
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Event: BICYCLE HUB ATB RACE, Allaire, NJ Name: Steve Kane (842) City: Brightwaters State/Province: NY Country: USA Age: 46 CLASS +/or Age group: 45-49 Category: Sport XC Race Bike: Specialized S-Works Hardtail Tires: Maxxis Minator 380/Wormdrive 430 Time: about an hour Length of race: a little more than 15 miles Conditions: Cold, sandy, fast! Email: kanesf@erols.com |
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Did you do anything special (apart from the whole training lifestyle) to prepare for this race?: Just pre-rode the course. I had some traveling to do during the week before, and I had just raced Ringwood the weekend before, so I guess even my training lifestyle wasn't normal. Gee, maybe that's what worked!
Were you strong from start to finish?: Absolutely. At the middle of the third lap, I started to stand for some of the rises and flats to keep up my speed, and I felt a little quad cramping coming on, so I just sat down and went for more spin. I did go maybe one gear lower for some of the challenging stuff, but I think that is to be expected as the race goes on.
When did you put the hammer down?: I put the hammer down at the start. I raced here last year, and underestimated the importance of the start. This year I lined up on the fast side of the start (yes, there is a fast side!) and ran all the way up to the road where it is hard enough to get on the bike and ride. I was third at that point. The two guys in front kept slowing down in the singletrack, so I asked them if I could get by when they got the chance. They obliged, and I was gone. I started catching up to the next group at about mile 3. That helped me gap my group. I did the big ring most of the race, including the hills, with the one exception of the switchback hill, and anytime I got stuck behind some slower riders.
Did you have any unusual problems?: In sport, as there is in beginner, there are always some guys that just don't get it. I'm nice and calm talking to folks, I tell them I'm not in their class or age group, but I really need to get by them, and there is always a couple of guys that think they are gonna fight me for the lead. They don't move. It's annoying, because I'm gonna pass them anyway, but they might go down in the process. I would rather have someone let me choose when I'm gonna be passed, so I don't crash, but these guys don't get it. So I crashed one or two guys in the process.
How would you rate the course?: The course is really fast. I rode knobbys last year because I didn't want to hex the bike by touching anything. This year I knew it was fast, but didn't know if the slicks were going to float enough over the sand. I didn't have any problems on the pre-ride, so I stuck with them. My skills were much better this year, so those stepped climbs weren't a problem this time. That switchback climb is really pretty strategically placed, and it kills a lot of people that are already redlining when they get there. I had a lot of fun jammin' down the hills to maintain my momentum to get up the next hill.
Were you happy with the way the race was run?: The starts are okay, and they keep that part moving pretty well. I don't remember the scoring taking as long last year. Then again, it was in the 60s last year, and I was a beginner, so I got out earlier.
If you could do the race again - would you do anything differently?: The race went fine for me this year. Next year I'll probably go Expert.
Is there anything you would like to add?: See you next year!