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OFF SEASON INTERVIEW
FEBRUARY 2001 |
City: Kansas City
State/Province: Missouri
Country: USA
Team: Midwest Cyclery
Email: mikecleveland@planetkc.com
What do you do for cross training? (not cyclocross, but off the bike exercise)?
This year, not much of anything. My weight training would have to be my work. I'm a FedEx courier and my route is predominantly industrial so I pick up a lot of heavy things all day. Along with that I'm moving quickly in and out of businesses and that truck. Sounds like an ad for FedEx doesn't it? Sorry. I'm planning to start running some in the next few days. Gotta get the blood flowing some more.
Do you take time off the bike in the winter?
Too much usually. A lot of the good riding in our area is in the winter. This year though we've been fraught with a nasty wet winter. As the Missouri IMBA rep. I can't be advocating riding on muddy trails can I?
How do you avoid weight gain in the winter?
I wish I could say that I did.
What month do you plan on coming into fitness for the 2001 season?
If I can haul my butt out of this chair soon, I'd like to think it'll be about March 1. Especially if I start running and commuting to work. It's 12.5 miles each way. Not bad getting 25 or more miles in most every day.
What month do you start your pre-season training?
Actually that would probably be this month. February.
How do you deal with riding in the winter conditions (cold, snow, ice, lack of daylight)?
I ride when I can this year. Bundling up and having good clothes for winter is a great help. As far a lack of daylight. NiteRider light sets Baby!!
What are your goals for the 2001 season?
Mostly, I'd like to get in a couple solo 24 hour races and do well enough to go to the solo world's. Other than that, when I get to race local stuff I'll be doing either Expert class on a single-speed or just racing the SS class itself.
Is the "pro mountain bike racer" lifestyle as much fun as you thought it would be?
I've never been really competitive except with myself, so that combined with my age will probably knock me out of 'pro' contention. I just like endurance racing.