August 1, 2004 - INTERVIEW
Name: Stewart Crouch
City: Felton
State/Province: Delaware
Country: USA
Age: 46
Place: 1st
Category: Expert
Class or Age Group: Master
Team: No team, just me.
Race Bike: Independent Fabrication
Tires: Hutchinson Mosquitos (good choice)
Conditions: I guess you could call it real muddy
Email: scrouch528@aol.com
How was your fitness level going into this race?
I really did not know since this was the first time I sprint raced this
year but it must have been fairly good. Because of the conditions this
was not a race where pure fitness ruled, you had to have good line selection
and a little luck.
Were you happy with your position going into the
singletrack?
Right off the line I was 3rd behind Tim and Carl but was getting too much
spray and mud since I did not wear glasses. About half way up the 2 track
I went into the lead but Tim came by me as we went into the single track.
Knowing he was strong and leading the series (from checking out this
site) I was happy to be behind him.
Were you strong from start to finish?
I felt good, the climbs were spaced out so I had time to recover. The down
hill was a blast although the first time through the root section caught
me off guard.
If it would have been dry this would have been a scary fast, fun course.
Maybe next year.
When did you put the hammer down?
I was able to take the lead about half way through the first lap but, in
those conditions, I don't think anyone could really "put the hammer down".
It was more about being smooth on the greasy hills, trying to keep your
momentum in the mud and getting off the bike when you needed to.
Did
you have any unusual problems?
Just after starting the second lap I jammed a stick into my front derailleur
and bent it pretty bad. I was able to twist it around so the chain would
move but it was rubbing the rest of the race. I thought for sure it would
eventually lock up but the Shimano gods must have smiled on me.
I also had to get towed out of my parking spot, thanks again Bill! I
parked perpendicular off the road down a little slope not knowing the
ground was that soft. I thought it might have been bad Karma to be stuck
before the race.
Were you happy with the way the race was run?
Yes overall, but it would have been nice to start earlier. In their defense
they did have issues to deal with on the course which was as good as
it could have been in those conditions.
Did you have any interesting experiences
during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?
No but I sure appreciated the water after the finish area.
Anything you
would like to add?
I think this is a great series. In the beginning of the year I wanted to
race all the events but "life" kept getting in the way.