In The Crosshairs

9. Is CX your main focus?

GUNNAR SHOGREN: No, racing bikes is my main focus.

LINDSAY BAYER: Not a chance. Cross is an interesting variation of cycling, but I don’t think I could truly love a sport where I regularly get dizzy and crash into tape. Mountain biking is my main focus – the races are longer and less intense and there are trees and deer and squirrels.

STEVE FIFE: I’ve been racing on the road since March, and have had a full season right up until the end of July. I’d love to focus primarily on Cross, but there is so much more fun to be had throughout the year. It is however, one of my favorite things to do all year. It’s over way too soon.

JAY MORALI: It is now!

JULIE KULIECZA: Starting this season it is. It will be my main focus next year as well.

KENNETH MORRIS: No. It is my off-season training tool.

CJ CONGROVE: No, but it is fun.

10. Got a training/racing/life/stock tip you would like to share?

KENNETH MORRIS: I have several injuries from a car accident in 1999.  I was told I would never run again.  After dozens of 5K’s, 10K’s, and marathons I say you are only held back by your desire or lack thereof.

LINDSAY BAYER: Ride each race so that at the end, you don’t look back and have any regrets about not putting in 110% effort. Learn to enjoy suffering.

JULIE KULIECZA: Eat cake and drink booze when you feel like it (not recommended while on the job, but I won’t judge you).  Unless it is your job to race week in and week out you should not deny yourself such delicious things.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: Hopefully, you really enjoy riding and racing your bike. If you don’t, then why? Some folks “retire” and walk away from it all. I just don’t like to travel as much that’s all.

STEVE FIFE: Train harder than you race, and the racing will seem easier. Most importantly, have fun.

JAY MORALI: Be safe out there on the road.

NOAH BELL: not really.

JAKE THOMPSON: I’m all for random training sessions, though they don’t happen often for me.

11. Other than race, what do you do?

JULIE KULIECZA: huh?

STEVE FIFE: Hang out with friends and family.

LINDSAY BAYER: Well, I train, I buy bicycle parts, I read about biking, I plan my racing career, I look at bikes…you get the point. I do have a job that is not bike related, but I like to pretend that doesn’t exist.

JAY MORALI: Sales Manager and father.

JAKE THOMPSON: I do homework, eat and mow the lawn.

KENNETH MORRIS: I work for a local telephone company and ride with my friends from my bike club, Winchester Wheelmen.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: Train. Ride bikes. Computer Plumber. Work on our bikes.

CJ CONGROVE: Race motorcycles, ride mountain bikes, shoot videos, surf, work.

NOAH BELL: PLAY BASKETBALL!

12. Anything else you would like to add?

JULIE KULIECZA: Make sure you always thank your sponsors and the promoters/ volunteers at races they are the ones who make your racing possible.  AND DON’T BITCH ABOUT COURSES BEING TOO TECHNICAL OR TOO “MOUNTAIN BIKEY” when you are racing. Have some class, you really are just embarrassing yourself….It’s cross not road racing…

STEVE FIFE: Cross is one of the hardest disciplines in cycling, and it takes a lot of skills and fitness, not to mention luck, to be good at it. I’ve been trying for years to master all of these things, and haven’t even come close yet. I guess that’s what keeps me coming back every time.

LINDSAY BAYER: I can ride a bike with no handlebars. No handlebars.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: Beer is good. Hanging out and cheering for everyone is good.

13. Give a shout out to somebody.

NOAH BELL: Caleb Merriam who I’m looking out for in the MABRA championship.

STEVE FIFE: Shout out to all of the promoters who put on these events. Without them, these questions are pointless.

JAY MORALI: Thanks to the Promoter and refs and anyone else who contributed to a great day!

JULIE KULIECZA: Shout outs to the entire ALAN North America Cycling team, for being super supportive and a tight group of people to race with, especially Stu (xoxo).

LINDSAY BAYER: Hi Mom.

KENNETH MORRIS: Shout out to the Winchester Wheelmen Race Team!!!

CJ CONGROVE: All race organizers.

JAKE THOMPSON: My teammate, Nick Battan. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN: Hi Betsy.  Hi MoG & FoG.  (Mother of Gunnar…)