Mark,
you just placed in the top 20 at this years
2004 Sea Otter classic. What was it like to
be racing against top world class atheletes
including past and current national &
world champions?
It was just like ridding with your bro's but
they go way faster up hill and way slower
down hill...
You have been
racing downhill for a number of years, but
only in the last couple of years have you
put a lot of focus on cross country events.
Do you think the competition takes you as
a serious cross country competitor now?
I don't know for sure but I think this will
help. I think I am a hard person to take serious
because being serious takes to much energy
and I don't have any to spare...
While it's pretty
much been agreed upon that for the tough courses
dual suspension cross country bikes are superior
to hard tails, you road a dual suspension
bike not just at the Sea Otter cross country
race, but fairly smooth, spring oriented short
track event as well. Why?
I think it sucks that the courses are so smooth
that you can use a 18lb hard tail. These type
of course are only slowing the evolution of
the light weight race XC full suspension bike.
What true Mountain biker looks at a Super
Pro's 18lb hard tail with 1.5 tires and
say's God I would love to ride that... Buy
a road bike and keep the mountain in mountain
biking... Maybe one day the Sea Otter will
be 50% lungs and 50% skill instead of 90%
lungs 10% skill. We do race mountain bikes
not road bikes, not cross bikes or mountain
bikes with cross wheels. It seems to me race
promoters or who ever is making the calls
have lost touch with the real reason we ride
mountain bikes; to be challenged by the terrain
not just our V02 max..
Any predictions
as to how long it will take for you to crack
the top ten at a National?
I would like to say at the Sonoma National,
but from what I know about the course, it
will be another road race. So, I better brush
up on my pack skills... Oboy!
Let's just say I am looking
forward to rain when the Nationals go East...
How
about the fans out there? What kind of support
were you getting out on the course?
I was super fired up to feel my friends in
the short track. I would of quit if they weren't
screaming their heads off...
I call them friends not fans...
Short track is the meanest thing I have ever
done to myself in that short of time.. .
What races are you planning on competeting
in this year?
Lot's of local races and East Coast Nationals,
but none of those Colorado races it's to hard
to breath...
The Mt. Tam hill climb. I would like to break
the record that was set in 1986. It's a road
race but it's a good time...
How has your
training changed over the last couple years?
I got a road bike a little over a year ago
and that change everything. I got all the
power from riding my trail bike and all the
leg speed from ridding the road. For the whole
winter I ride my trail bike with a single
ring and a low seat and climb about 20 to
30,000 feet a week. When spring and summer
comes I put about 300 miles a week on the
road.
How much time
do you think you average on your bike a week?
20 hours or so or about 300 miles split 60/40
road and dirt.
Will you continue
to ride technical trails or will you be more
conservitive to save your body for cross country
racing?
Heck yea I live in Norcal. It calls me everyday,
but it does slow down during race season,
so maybe only 3 times a week...Sacrifices
have to be made...
Do you have
any suggestions or tips for guys who have
been racing downhill but would like to race
some cross country events?
Pay up wimp... Get out to a race and really
let your self have it and see where you stand.Put
yourself in the red make yourself see gray
and when you do you won't want to race xc
anymore because this shit will make you look
at life differently junk food will not taste
as good, and beer loses it's frosty refreshing
taste. Everything you use to love will mean
nothing and that fat ring around you belly
will keep you up at night. You will fall asleep
& think how you can loose weight on your
bike and body. I have to admit DH is not easy
but XC will change your life. Not much can
be said when your in the red...
How many pull ups can you do right
now?
More then Lopes...
