Age: 31
Education:
2 years community college for printing & graphic arts
Hometown: Grand Haven, Michigan
Employment/Work/Career:
Production manager, Revolution Inc.
Family/Pets:
Wife Lara and I have one child so far, son Caden.
Racing category:
Competitive ultra distance racing
Years racing: 3
What bikes are you currently riding?:
Race bikes: Cervelo RS, Cervelo R2.5, Titanflex.
Commuter bike: Litespeed singlespeed
Rain bike: Bianchi Axis
Year started cycling?: 2002
How did you get into cycling?:
My intro to cycling was an unsupported coast bicycle trip from Laguna Beach to St. Augustine, FL during the Spring of 2002. I knew nothing about cycling. But fell in love with the sport by the time I hit the Atlantic.
Chris at the 2008 National 24hr Challenge.
What were your athletic experiences before cycling?:
I ran the 400 & 800 meter in high school. I also played football. Did a bit of backpacking in my early twenties and then did some basic Mountaineering (Rainier, Baker, Adams, Etc.)
What does your yearly cycling schedule look like? Miles per week/year?:
I have been doing 3 or 4 races each of the last few years. Usually spaced out by at least 2 months. With the general plan of doing longer rides early in the training which get shorter and faster before events. With plenty of time off before and after each big race.
Tell us about some of your cycling career highlights:
3 time winner (2006,2007,& 2008) of the National 24hr challenge and current record holder (2007) at 502.6 miles.
Sebring 24hr race 2008, winner and record holder 502.9 miles
Ultra midwest 12hr race 2008 winner and record holder 258 miles
Race Across Oregon 2 man div. 2007 with Urs Koenig Winner and record 27:13 hr
Furnace Creek 508 2005 9th place 31:12
Chris blazing the Bike Sebring 24 Hour race.
As the 2008 road season winds down, what’s on your radar for 2009?
Great question!!! I’m thinking of mixing it up a little maybe some smaller races or a MTB race. Certainly some more ultra stuff.
Tell us about your most memorable race or ride:
20+ hours into Race Across Oregon. Going through eastern Oregon as the sun was rising with bright pink skies, and having wild horses come running up along side me for a while was pretty memorable.
What are some of your favorite Seattle-area rides?
Sorta in the Seattle area:
-Old Blewitt pass
-Palisade canyon
–Moses Coulee
But if I had to limit it to the city of Seattle, my favorite is Discovery Park.
Do you do any other sports or cross-training?
Yoga and hiking
Do you have any advice for folks getting into cycling or for cyclists thinking about ultra cycling events?:
Choose a race that inspires you. Take small steps toward it. Enjoy the journey. Don’t over-train. Ultra racers don’t have to train ultra miles, you just go a bit further on race day.
What keeps you excited about cycling?
Continuing to challenge myself and find out what I’m capable of. I love the anticipation going into a big race as well as the preparation and planning.
What obstacles get in the way of cycling?
Well, I don’t believe that there are obstacles in the way at all. But the other things I balance my time with are work, family, and working on our home. Our son Caden is 15 months now and spending a day with him is an incredible way to spend a day not cycling.
Anything else to add?
There is a time and a place or testing and torturing ones self. I try and remind myself sometimes just to have fun and enjoy the ride.
The Velocity Blog’s “Rider Profiles” highlight the accomplishments of some of our amazing local cycling athletes, and provides insight into their lives that may inspire us all.
