Event: Hibernia Spring Bash

Name: Mike Kuhn

City: Marysville

State/Province: PA

Country: USA

Age: 28

CLASS +/or Age group: Sr. Men 19-29

Category: Expert

Team: PA Pension Planners

XC Race Bike: Shimano Equipped somethingorother

Tires: rubber ones

Conditions: Clear, cool, fast

How was your fitness level going into this race?

I really had no idea. I got a "real job" over the winter and for the first time in several years did not spend February in Tucson, AZ. Our team just finished promoting the Really Good Training Series at the Oesterling Farm. Zack, John, and I all rode well there, but we didn't have huge turnouts so it was tough to know where we stood vs. the usual cast of characters.

Did you have any problems getting into the singletrack?

I was happy with everything at Hibernia. Chris had the advantage in the singletrack and would lead almost every time we hit a section to push me a little. When we tangled with some lapped traffic at the mud hole at the beginning of lap 4 he got by 'em and I didn't and that was pretty much the race. Then I took a header over the big log in the mud pit on lap 5 and that ended any chance of staying close.

Were you strong from start to finish?

With the half-hour delay I chomped down another half an Oatbar to make sure my fuel stores stayed topped off. I felt good and just didn't make the right move when we hit the lapped traffic. I never felt out of the race. So yea, strong start to finish.

When did you put the hammer down?

I attacked once on lap one, on the climb after the pavement, with the hope none of the rest of the Trek boys would come up to us. I didn't want to be isolated vs. those guys. I knew Zack was back there keeping an eye on the chasers so Chris and I just rode steady/hard. I'd take a few pulls, but he was doing most of the work. (Honestly, I didn't know if he was just messing with me or not!)

Did you have any unusual problems?

Just a little lapped traffic.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Oh yea, but then how could I not be? I asked Don to extend the race to 5 laps and they did...talk about service! It was a fun race, really fast, the right length, well-organized, the whole package.

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

It was great listening to and seeing peoples expressions - a combination of cheering and a little bit of "No way, he's still with Chris!"

Anything you would like to add?

Big thanks to my folks who've put up with this stuff for an awfully long time and haven't complained at all - and for feeding me and the rest of the team!
Also to our new team's sponsors -- PA Pension Planners, The Phillips Group, CFA, Bushey's Cycling, and Oatbar. Put it on the calendar now -- Saturday, September 7, 2002, the Oesterling Farm, Marysville, PA -- The 2002 PA State Mountain Bike Championships!! You're gonna love it!