Event: Hibernia Spring Bash

Name: Kristine Oesterling

City: Bellefonte

State/Province: PA

Country: USA

Age: 27

CLASS +/or Age group: expert women under 34

Category: Pro

Team: Trek/VW East Coast Factory

XC Race Bike: Trek Fuel 100

Tires: Bontrager

Conditions: fast & furious

Email: ko_22@yahoo.com

How was your fitness level going into this race?

Mediocre. I'm not planning on riding my best until a little later this summer. It's been a very busy spring, so I've been stuck on the trainer doing shorter rides and not as many long endurance rides as last year.

Did you have any problems getting into the singletrack?

Not at all actually. I think I was sitting in about 6th place. I didn't do much of a warm up because I wasn't feeling well so the start hurt and the first 2 laps were my warm up. It was pretty painful.

Were you strong from start to finish?

My last 2 laps were the best. My legs had opened up and once I knew the course I could push the speed more.

When did you put the hammer down?

I wasn't really able to so I just tried to ride steady.

Did you have any unusual problems?

I had the flu the whole week before so I hadn't ridden my bike the week before the race. That was a problem.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yes, great job. Everything seemed to go smoothly--they even kept the course dry for us this year!

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

Mike Kuhn and Chris Eatough came flying past me at one point and I was very excited to see Mike hanging with super-fast Chris! I wasn't sure if I should cheer for my boyfriend or my teammate!

Anything you would like to add?

Thanks to Jon & Sean for their help and to the Trek team for picking me up this year! I'm very grateful! And can't forget the awesome sponsors: Trek, Volkswagen, JBL Stereo, RockShox Forks, SRAM 9.0 Shifting System, Uniden Radios, Nike Cycling, Platypus Hydration, Bontrager Components, Time Pedals, Zeal Optics, Hayes Disc Brakes, Demarchi Clothing, Powerbar, Chris King Headsets, Wrench Force, and Sock Guy.