Why do you like this sport?
I guess I can't specifically describe what it is about Mountain Biking that I love, but when I got my real first taste for it, I have never looked back.
I was pretty out of shape from not exercising for several years, so on my first MTB trip I was about to quit on the climb, but once I made it to the top and got my first taste of a quick, fun descent on a mountain bike, I knew that was something I wanted to continute to do. A year and a half later, I decided to start competing and now I have had some decent accomplishments.
I have had more fun in the last three years mountain biking than I have had for a very long time. I love the people around mountain bike racing. In my experience, I have met some of the best people. The category I raced this year, 30-39 Expert, was always one of the largest and most competitive, but everyone was so great! I loved the fact that I truly felt that I was competing against all of my friends.
For example, at the Keystone Climax this year, one of our top competitors (Chris) broke his bike in the semi-final round of the Dual Slalom. One of the other top competitors and myself had already been eliminated (another story entirely) and we got together to get Chris on my bike. We scrambled to get his pedals mounted and the bike somewhat set-up for him. This is just something you don't see in many competitive categories.
What inspires you to compete?
I have always been fueled by competition being an athelete my entire life. Once I went through college and started working, I stopped competing and never realized until I started MTB racing that I really missed the active competition in my life.
How's Life Treating You?
I have been truly blessed in life. I actually had a very stable and supportive family as I grew up. I was blessed with enjoying my work and the fact that my work can allow me the freedom to take time off as I need it for racing and training. I own a software company in Denver, CO.