Andrew McDermott Race Interview - Fell Mtn Challenge '01

I ate too much and didn't recover adequately from the race last week. I managed to overcome those errors by doing a pre-ride of the course on Saturday afternoon in the company of a beautiful woman.

Did you find the rock gardens challenging?

"Rock gardens?" Plural? You mean there was more than one? I thought the whole course was laid out in a rock garden. Loved it.

Were the other riders courteous when passed or passing?

In every instance the other riders were great. When the pros and experts provided some good motivation as they blasted past!

What was your favorite part of the course?

Miles two and three; the fast paced twisty rocky single track.

Were you strong from start to finish?

"Strong" wasn't in my bag of tricks. I was lucky, didn't flat like Don Morrison who finished second. I managed to avoid crashing, though I saw God on more than one occassion. I went hard once we hit the single track but just could not hang with Karl Faruzel the first place rider in Master I. Karl was awesome! Halfway into the first lap I realized I just had to settle into a rhythym I could maintain or I would crash and/or blow up. I actually rode the technical stuff on the back half of the course better on the second lap.

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

Not during the race.............But on the way home I stopped for gasoline at a crowded Pilot gas station, with gas priced at $1.44 you know it was busy. I hopped out of the truck, took two steps and my right hamstring went into full cramp mode. I collapsed in the middle of the parking lot howling and clutching myself. More than one person gave me an interested look but nobody offered help. I thought I was in real trouble until a Goddess approached and offered her assistance. It's good to take your wife to the races!

When did you put the hammer down?

I never do well on the flat grass prologue sections. I was 12 of 14 about 100 yards from the single track.........I sprinted and entered the woods in fourth. Karl was steadily opening up a gap but dropped a chain just as we got into the rocky stuff. I moved up to the front of our group and traded places with Don a couple of times. At some point I think Don spun a tire on a rock and I moved ahead. A few seconds later Karl came past and blasted off into the future. I pushed hard until the middle of the lap and then settled into just riding the course and not concerning myself with the competition.

Did you have any unusual problems?

I seem to have been lucky on this one. My rear derailleur has a nasty gash in it that it didn't have prior to the race......I was blessed to get through this event.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Excellent race course, excellent staging and starting. Good quick accurate results and good weather. Couldn't ask for much more.

Is there anything you would like to add?