August 1, 2004 - INTERVIEW
Name: Peter Bruinsma
City: Norwood
State/Province: Pa
Country: USA
Age: 31
Place: 1st
Category: Sport
Class or Age Group: Sport Senior II
Team: Cycle Fit Racing Team
Race Bike: Surly 1x1 SingleSpeed
Tires: Michelin Comp S Lite Tubeless
Conditions: Mud Bath with torrential downpours sprinkled on top
How was your fitness level going into this race?
With a three week break between races due to the postponement of the Fair
Hill race, I was fit and well rested. I spent most of the winter on my
singlespeed at Fair Hill and felt it only fitting to race it there. I
didn't let the change in venue deter me and was able to get a decent amount
of pre-riding in at Iron Hill. Come race day I was feeling very comfortable
with the terrain.
Were you happy with your position going into the singletrack?
The starting fire road climb was about the only part of the course that
allowed me to get out of the saddle and peddle with full force. It allowed
me to get clear of others' rooster tails, but did not allow me to escape
the mud flinging off of my own front tire. My covetousness of the front
fenders I had seen was well merited. I'll be off to Cycle Fit to remedy
that this week.
Were you strong from start to finish?
The last lap was by far the worst. The trails had become deeply rutted
and the mud thick. By that time my back had also begun to suffer the
affects of not being able to stand and peddle. I wished on more than one occasion
for my Trek Fuel, just as others I spoke with had wished for their singlespeeds.
After seeing the affects of the mud on so many derailleurs and noting
also the shortness of depth the Fuel offers between the rear wheel and triangle,
I guess I shouldn't second guess the fate that put me on my Surly for
this race.
When did you put the hammer down?
I definitely put the hammer down from the word go. I knew that fire road
offered the best conditions I was going to see all race and I wanted
to take full advantage of it.
Were you happy with the way the race was
run?
This race was very well put together for weeks before and the day of the
race; from the trail marking and maintenance to the bridge building.
I was particularly happy with the redesign of the course for this year. It
had a great flow to it and would have been very fast and fun course if
ridden in fair weather. As nature would have it, I think the race directors
made very sound decisions regarding start times and course modifications.
Anything
you would like to add?
Thanks for everyone's hard work.