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OFF SEASON INTERVIEW
FEBRUARY 2001 |
City: Wrightsville
State/Province: PA
Country: United States
Team: FCV
Email: DRAD1@msn.com
What do you do for cross training? (not cyclocross, but off the bike exercise)?
X-C skiing
Do you take time off the bike in the winter?
Yes. I've been forced to take some time off this winter. I crashed off my rollers and broke a bone in my wrist.
How do you avoid weight gain in the winter?
I try not to eat as much and I drink more coffee.
What month do you plan on coming into fitness for the 2001 season?
May or June
What month do you start your pre-season training?
March
How do you deal with riding in the winter conditions (cold, snow, ice, lack of daylight)?
I really hate riding in the winter. I just ride enough to keep some fitness for spring, and once the weather warms and the days get longer, I start putting more time on the bike.
What are your goals for the 2001 season?
I really don't have any major plans for '01. I guess my biggest plans have little to do with cycling, but will most certainly impact my cycling. As you know, I've been racing the past 3 years while working full time. I have plans to join into a new business in addition to my regular job and graduate studies. While these plans will consume most of my time, I still plan to show up at some select races this year.
Is the "pro mountain bike racer" lifestyle as much fun as you thought it would be?
I really don't know if there is a "pro mountain bike racer" lifestyle that is universal. I succeeded professionally while managing a career. Others revolve their lifestyles around training, following the warm weather, scraping together enough money from the couch to buy some Ramon noodles to eat. And still, there are some who actually can make a wage that allows for them to live outside the realm of poverty. I really don't know what one considers to be the "mountain bike racer lifestyle", but it has to do with what one is willing to tolerate, sacrifice and endure. I didn't consider it to be much fun living race to race, attempting to keep myself out of debt. I also had the sense to know that bike racing is not a means of survival to the majority as some dillusional people may believe. The "big bucks" don't exist in this sport, except for less than 5% of the pro ranks. I enjoyed my time traveling from race to race and! all the fine people I have met along the way, but being a pro racer is not a career, nor a stable means of existence. I offer all support to those who wish to pursue their dreams in this sport, but offer these words of advice "Don't quit your day job!"