Interview with M & M in "Bike Freak Magazine"

Stoked to see our 5 page spread in the Sept 2013 issue!

Mike and I were happy to get an email this past June from, Jim Van Overbeek, the editor of "Bike Freak Magazine" with a request to do an in depth interview for the largest Dutch MTB Publication.

We were in the throws of racing and traveling, but stoked for the opportunity to share our story through answering his thoughtful questions...  Thanks Jim!

So for some history of how Mike and I met and have come to operate as a 2 person professional mountain bike race team... Get your yerba mate and check out this nice little 5 page spread!

And for those of you who don't read Dutch... we included the original interview in English below.







So even if you DO read Dutch - you'll probably need a magnifying glass to read this version or perhaps you can pick up a copy of this great mag in any book store in the Netherlands.

Here are Jim's Interview Questions in English:

1) I know you are traveling a lot during the MTB-season, but where is your hometown exactly?

Mike and I are actively traveling or the road something like 8 months of the year so we have become adept at making our version of "home" just about anywhere we happen to be at the given time.  Typically that means in a recreational vehicle (RV), staying with friends we have made along the way or even if it is just a hotel room, we tend to feel pretty much at home any time or place we can be together.    

Mike was born and raised on the island of  Martha's Vineyard, just off the east coast of Massachusetts and for now, this is the place we consider our home base and where we return to when the opportunity arises.  

My home town is Fairfax in Marin County, California.  Mike and I tend to migrate to this area of Northern California when it's time to get in some big miles,  typically in the base training period/winter months to prepare ourselves for the race season.   The majority of my family is out there and so are a lot of our great friends.  Although we do not have our own place (yet) it always feels like "home" when we return to Northern Caifornia. 

2) Can you tell us in which year and how you two started with MTB? Did you do other sports first?  Mary, I understand that you started racing MTB in your late twenties. Is that why you are still strong?  (some riders over here start at a very young age, but at a certain point they fade away).

Mike and I both began our relationship with the mountain bikes in somewhat of an organic fashion, far before we met and on opposite sides of the country.  We were both initially drawn to the sport by the simple pleasures of getting out in nature, exploring and seeing the world in the unique way that can only happen on a bike.   The competitive side of the sport really just snuck up on us both as we began to open our eyes and see that racing was something that was happening all around us. It was a great way to meet like-minded people and sample the trails in many areas. 

Mike - I have always had a burning desire to get out and do something physical or just plain fun. This got me heavily into a variety of sports from American football to surfing to snow boding and there still seems to be so many more that I still need to get into!  I spent a lot of time as a kid on two wheels being really involved in riding dirt bikes (motorcycles) around the woods near my house. I have always been involved some sort of cycling and this was galvanized by a week long cycle tour camp trip in the summer of 1987 that got me super stoked to see that the bike was really something capable of taking me far and wide. Getting into mountain bikes just seemed to be a part of my natural progression, I bought my first "real" mountain bike in 1991 and was immediately hooked!   By 1992 I had found my way to the first of many XC mountain bike races. 

Mary - I was always an active child and loved most any outdoor sport or activity.  Commuting by bike to school was normal and expected of me beginning at age 6.  I played soccer and volleyball throughout my school years, and have always loved to run and hike "just for fun".   I experienced my first mtb ride when I was 13 (in 1984) but did not buy my own bike until I was in my early 20s, riding the forest roads and trails around Marin County quickly got me hooked.  After University I moved to

the Pacific North West and continued to enjoy riding mtb for leisure.  

It was not until I was 27 years old (1997)  that I tried my first mtb race…  The Mudslinger Classic in Corvalis, Oregon.   I was immediately enthralled with what I considered the ultimate challenge… I was ready for something new and exciting to focus on in my life.. the whole experience was captivating - the travel to remote venues in the woods, the community of people, the camping experience, the epic riding/race - all drew me in.   I immediately wanted to learn all I could and since have pretty much dedicated my life to figuring  out how to reach my potential on the mtb. 

I think that discovering the sport at a time when I was ready to embrace the challenge is why I have continued on into my 40s.  I believe that age is a non issue and the fact that I am still passionate about my profession is due to my attitude.  Enjoying the experience and taking the time and effort to do things in a way that resonates with my core is key.  Of course in choosing to race my bike at a professional level I have had to make many sacrifices but I have found long term success and happiness because I follow my instincts for what makes me happy.  It is never easy but Mike and I always make an effort to focus on the positive and laugh a lot - even if it is at ourselves.

3) Can you tell us where and how you two did meet?

Mike and I met in 1999 at a bike race in California but we parted ways without trading personal information.  This was in the days before Facebook or cell phones, so I suppose we were pretty lucky to randomly reacquaint a few days later in my home town, when Mike was passing through looking for some good trails to ride.  Our first date turned into a pretty epic 70 mile road ride as

neither of us wanted the day to end… 2 weeks later we travelled to a national race together in southern california (Big Bear) where we had our first glimpse of how much better off we both were, racing wise, having met and pooled our resources.  For both of us it was an amazing turning point in our careers and of course in our lives.  

4) You are riding as a pro together with Mike and you formed the team

yourself.   When did you start to race with such a 2-man/woman team?  Is it maybe your intention to become part of a bigger team, or DO you prefer a 2-man/woman team?

Mary - When I met Mike I was living back at my family's home in Fairfax California and was focused on training and racing my bike for my first year in the professional ranks.  I actually had very little outside support and was working nearly full time to make ends meet.  I was planning to race as many 

US National series events that I could attend that season on my own, and see where it lead me.  I did not have a great plan, but I had a lot of passion, a bike to ride and was ready to figure it out, one race at a time.   Little did I know how much I needed another person to travel with and share the experience.  I think the fact that we can do this together and share the joys and challenges that come with racing, traveling and running our team is perhaps why we are still both happily involved in the sport 15 years later.

It seems Mike and I have been a team from day one. it was immediately obvious that even with our limited resources, together we had the skill set in place to create something greater.   Mike was a solid mechanic and somehow even able to properly race tune our considerably beat down bikes. I was ready to do my part as well and could happily manage some good and healthy camp stove cooking.  We really complimented each other well and this "team player" attitude enabled us to  dramatically improve both our games.  We adopted a car camping approach and travelled the country together racing and living almost full time on the road.  This allowed us to train with the dedication of professionals and be at all the races that mattered with a very small budget. 

   

We got a few offers from "big teams"  over the years, but they all came with big compromises most unacceptably that we would not be free to choose our own path.  We decided to continue building our own support network, one great company at a time.  Today we represent  20 awesome companies that support us with product and/or the financial resources to help us continue to race at the top level.  We are so grateful to be manifesting this incredible lifestyle and representing the companies we believe in.  I do not think we will change our ways.

5) You are racing & travelling through Europe during the summer MTB season.  Are the World Cup XC races your main goal?  Do you feel that during the years, the World Cup circuits have changed a lot?

Our personal goals over the past decade have been to compete at the highest level of the sport and represent our sponsors on a global level.  More than a primary goal, the World Cup races have provided a structure for this effort.  Our focus for the past mountain bike seasons has been UCI sanctioned races which include Continental and World Championships, National races as well as the World Cup XC circuit.   There are a far greater number of UCI ranked races in Europe, held relatively close in proximity and this is why we have made the effort to spend the majority of our MTB season there. 

Alongside of our sporting aspirations we have made a concerted effort to combine the pure racing side of the competitions with getting to know the countries we visit.   We always try to include as much time as we have in our schedule to make sure to see more than just the race course.  We love to explore the places we visit, meet locals, ride new trails, try new foods, and in the best cases, try to come back having learned a little bit about the culture and lands we have seen, as this greatly enriches the overall racing experience.   We consider ourselves truly lucky to have this opportunity to see the world via the bike and we hope to continue on traveling further off the beaten path alongside our upcoming competitions.  

We have seen more major changes in the World Cup competitions over the past decade than we can easily put into writing here.  In general there seems to have been a steady progression away from the grass roots of Cross Country racing  and towards what major sponsors and the industry needs to market the sport.  What used to be a more pure individual challenge, self supported point A to point B racing experience, has become a more controlled and spectator friendly affair.  There is no denying that today's format of shorter tracks, multi laps, featured technical elements and the like better showcase the elite level competition and the exposure is good for us all in some ways.  But on the downside for up and coming/less supported athletes, it rewards those with more resources.    

6)  Mary, congrats with the PanAm Championships title! (This is something different as the PanAm Games?) You and Mike were the US Team?  How did the race go?

Bringing home my 4th Pan American Continental Championship title form Argentina at the start of this season was a huge honor and team effort that we are very proud of.   Pan Ams are typically more of an epic mission than just another international race since it is often held in remote regions of South or Central America where the travel to and conditions surrounding the event are often grueling.  Competitions of this sort really suit our style and we cherish the experiences of travel to and riding our mtb's in exotic (to us) locations.  

The race this year was not without its challenges but unfolded perfectly for me.   We traveled to Tucuman, Argentina from California 10 days early to give our bodies time to acclimate to the elevation (2200m) and recover from the arduous 42 hours of travel, 5 flights and multiple times zones to get there.   We rented a tiny bungalow with kitchen so we could stay on top of our specific nutritional needs and to be rested and ready for race day.   I got a front row call up, took the hole shot, and stayed out front throughout the race to take the win!  I was really happy and relieved to pull this off as it was my first XC competition of the 2013 season and as any racer knows it often takes a few competitions to harden up fully for the season. 

The difference between Pan AM Championships and the Pan AM Games:  Pan Am Champs is our annual event that selects the Continental XC mountain bike champion.  Pan AM Games is held every 4 years, and includes not only cycling, but various Olympic sporting disciplines for the same Pan American countries (North, Central and South America and all the islands). Only one or two riders are selected and it is sort of like a mini Olympics.  I have 2 silver medals from the Pan American Games (Dominican Republic 2003 and Brazil 2007).

7)  Mary, you participated in 2 Olympics.  Respect!  What are you feelings about these events? I know about the crazy problems (US Federation / qualif.) you had in 2004.  Was 2008 a better event for you? (I know Beijing was extremely hot - no problems with that?)

To represent at the Olympic Games was a fantastic Nationalistic honor for me,   It was an incredible journey, on both occasions.  Mike and I really came together as a team and dug deeper than we knew was possible just to make the selection.  The selection process was incredibly stressful and  it forced me to come to a new level of being calm in the face of chaos.  It became about doing my work to the best of my ability each day and separating myself from any looming negativity by focusing on the goodness that surrounded me.  There were no guarantees that I would reach this goal but the honest journey of trying and believing in myself became what mattered most.      

In 2004 there were some complications with the Olympic selection due to poor communication by our federation and some serious misunderstandings of points and rankings.  It took a lot away from what could have been a far better Olympic experience, yet I was grateful to eventually be rewarded the spot.  Lining up in Athens 2004 as the number 2 ranked rider in the world was an unforgettable feeling…  Too bad I slipped my pedal, blew a turn and had a little crash to start off the day but I still raced strong enough to secure a top 10 eventually finishing 9th on that sweltering hot day in Greece. 

My experience leading up to Beijing was not quite as stressful, but we worked just as hard to make it happen.  I smile to remember all the funny little things, cool people we met and crazy experiences we had leading up to and during my past Olympic experiences.   Like when Mike was chased by the Chinese military when he took his bike on some "sweet single track"  in the hills outside Beijing.  He found out quickly that he was actually trespassing on military grounds when he came upon a large troop of uniformed and armed men who quickly jumped up and ran towards him screaming.   If ever his training came down to a crucial moment - it was here.  Mike went on instinct to take flight and managed to slip away thanks to the help of some down hill single track back to the safety of the crowded streets of Beijing. He was badly shaken up but found later he had made the right move to make a quick get away as some locals told us that people who are caught trespassing in this military zone are often detained for hours, if not days. This all took place the day before my Olympic race and Mike was charged with meeting me that afternoon for a critical and final training session with my tuned up bike at the entrance of the Olympic race track… When we met up and he passed me my bike, I couldn't believe his story!  Just another example of the lengths that Mike will go to in order to support our team efforts, often sacrificing his own best interests.  I know I could not have met any of these goals without his care and support.  

Yes, Beijing was incredibly hot and humid, but we had spent time acclimating to these conditions and I seem to be able to race OK in the heat, I've found.   

There is no doubt that the Olympic Games are a big media show, with big money and politics on the line.  And there was always some sense of this throughout the experience.  However, from the sporting side the Olympic Games is the height of incredible effort, made by many, each with their own amazing story.   For me, to represent my sport, my country, my friends, family and sponsors, remains a huge honor I will never forget.

8) You two did race together also (for exampl. Trans Andes mixed) and won over there!  Do you like the long distance?  Wouldn’t it be an idea to race more long distances in the future?  These marathon-events are BIG here in Europe and you can get a lot of publicity if you do well here.

Mike and I love the stage race format and find it especially inspiring to compete as a mixed duo team.  Multi-day MTB events are incredibly demanding and along with the effort comes great rewards of success when things go your way.  Mixed Duo Pro format stage racing is something we consider a specialty and we will be looking to get more involved in these competitions throughout the coming seasons in Europe and wherever the premier events are staged around the world.  

9) You both raced the World Championships Marathon 2013.  Can you tell us a little bit about the race?

The World Championship marathon in Kirchberg, Austria was an eye opening experience.  Marathon MTB racing has evolved to be more of a distinct discipline than we had expected since our past Worlds marathon experience in 2004.    Our training, that coincided with the event, was almost completely aimed at the olympic distance cross country and we found that we came up short on the  endurance preparation and even more so the necessary level of support and planning that it takes to properly handle the critical logistics of the (7) tech and feed zones.   

Though it was a demanding event  (the pro women competing on an 84 km circuit with 3700m of climbing and the men a 94km with 4300m) the track was 95% gravel or paved roads which left a lot to be desired with our expectations of what defines a true mountain bike competition.  It's not that this made it easy but we found it to be more biking in the mountains rather than true mountain biking.  We both found that the fitness we brought was not the type that would allow us to perform to our potential.  However, it was a day we will remember for a long time as well as the many lessons that came with it.  We'll be back!

10)  What is the difference between riding MTB in Europe and in the USA, do you think?

As far as the people you see out on the trails there are more similarities, than differences.  The style of trails are of course quite varied but more due to the local terrain than to continental affiliation.   Traveling with typically just our mountain bikes and with the need to get in lots of miles has given Mary and I a solid insight into the differences of riding and trails around the world. Really there are few generalizations that stand the test of time since mountain biking and the terrain we ride on continues to evolve at an incredibly fast rate.  Places that once featured nothing but washed out logging roads have been transformed to epic riding areas with the hard work of bike communities around the world.  While many once great places to ride have been reduced to slag by timber interests, paved over for construction projects or shut down for one reason or another.  

Luckily mountain biking worldwide has increasingly proven to be something that is capable of helping the economic situation of areas that become known as worthy destinations for riders so there is more interest in developing and keeping trails open and the future is looking bright.   

There seems to be a greater number of tucked away old school single trail in the USA while in Europe, there are far more signed/ designated cycling routes, giving a structure to the riding and helping people more easily find their way around.   Regardless of the continent or how much hype a given area has surrounding it, often the best trails are the ones that are built by local riders/clubs and can be found springing up out of most every little town.   

11) Not stressful, to live in a camper-car for such a long time?

You would probably not hear us say anything like that but Mike and I have learned to manage the stressors and truly embrace the way we live and run our program.  It is surely a test of our character to live out of such a tight space, under the intense circumstances especially when the weather outside is not nice and even more so when we are cranky from racing.  Despite the negatives we find, the RV seems to be our best option for comfort and ease of pace when it comes to traveling to and being at the races week in and week out.  To be able to cook our own food and sleep in the same bed every night goes a long way to keep us balanced.  It is a big perk to be able to change locations based on the terrain you want to roll out on from your doorstep. 

Living in an RV for extended periods of time really brings perspective on how sweet it is to have the simple luxuries that come along with living in a real house. Things like running water, real flushable toilets, laundry, reliable internet and living/ sleeping on a level surface do seem to make life more comfortable.  

12) You are riding the bikebrand Seven? How did the relationship start with that bikebrand? Happy with the new bikes? (27,5”). Is it a big difference with 29” for you?

Mike and I have been lucky to carefully select and develop meaningful relationships with the majority of our sponsors.    We have stood by these companies for reasons of quality and performance and the fact that we truly believe in their products.  This amazing group includes Kenda premium Tires, Stan's NoTubes high performance products, Seven Cycles custom hand crafted bike frames, SRAM components, as well as several other fantastic companies that can be seen in full on our race and travel blog (http://www.maryandmikeride.blogspot.com).  

Mike and I truly consider each of our individual sponsor's offerings to be amongst the best in their respective areas and this makes it easy as athlete representatives to recommend and spread the word about those we are affiliated with. Our sponsors have allowed us to take advantage of incredible technologies, utilize the best products and put together some amazing machines all of which go a long way to help us attain our goals. 

Mike and I feel that the 27.5 wheel size has a legitimate place in mountain biking.   Several styles of riding and racing where these wheels really shine include all mountain riding and enduro style racing as well as in pure xc especially with short circuit race style courses. We liken our 27.5" bikes to an update on the 26" and feel that this new size offers a similar but slightly more user friendly version of what we formerly knew as THE mountain bike wheel size.  Mike and I are still really into the feel of the larger wheels though and we can't see ourselves passing up the trail smoothing characteristics/ flow of our 29er's anytime soon.

13) I understand (via your Blog) that the SRAM HQ in Germany is a place where you can come for some technical-help? Mike, you are the mechanic I understand?

When I was a kid, I built my first "real" bikes out of scrap frames and components that I scavenged from the metal recycling area at the local land fill.  Later on in my racing years, and well before I was sponsored, I maintained my bikes on a strict budget by always fixing, working with and or reusing what was available.   It was often very frustrating to work with old and compromised gear, such as rerouting frayed cables, re spoking and truing worn out wheels, etc.  Having now had the privilege to work on the other end of the spectrum with the best equipment  from all our sponsors, including SRAM has been amazing.   Because of my history I truly appreciate having access to and working with the finest components and I take a lot of pride and care in building and maintaining our bikes.  Our friends/ sponsors at SRAM have embraced top level racing and have proven this time and again by attending a great number of competitions to support the racers in person.  Mary and I feel lucky to have a great working relationship with the SRAM race support team.  I knew from first hand experience of working with the talented mechanics and engineers at SRAM that their race  HQ would be the best place for me to get any bike related job done.   

14) Can you tell us a little bit about your training?  Do you both work with a trainer? / special schedules?  Lots of hills? / technical trails?  You also do Yoga-training I understand?

Mary - I have been self coached from the start.  It was easy to begin - at first just riding as much as I could in between my full time jobs.  I read a lot, talk to friends, consider what is going on around me… always keeping track of my workouts and how I feel.  Of course I listen to Mike especially when it comes to technical skill advice.   I have learned to carefully listen to my body and really train mostly by feel.  I set goals, plan my training, and stick to measured and regular workouts.  With dedication and hard work, improvement will come.  I do intervals, I train at my thresholds, sometimes with the use of a power meter and/or heart rate monitor and sometimes not.  I love to feel super fit and I enjoy feeling a steady progression throughout the race season towards my high priority goals.  I have also learned to be flexible with my "plan" so that it fits in with the busy travel schedule or other life details which can throw the training off a bit.  I spend the majority of my time on the mountain bike to train specifically for the technique and power that the sport requires and also because we are typically traveling with only one bike each.  

I practice yoga almost daily to relax and help maintain overall health.  I am also focused on making sure we get the best nutrition possible and spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  I imagine these aspects of my training are part of why I can continue to feel good.  What we do with our bodies racing our bikes can be very demanding and even damaging so I try to take matters into my own hands to respect and nurture my body the best I can.

I believe that my 15 years of study as a classically trained musician (singer) prior to finding xc racing have greatly contributed to my success on the bike.  Before I started racing I was well versed in the art of performance & improvisation, had studied several languages and surely understood the importance of practice.    

MIke - I prefer to train by feel more than anything while taking into consideration overall fitness in my training regimen.  With our consistent yearly race schedule including Cross country, Cyclocross, stage racing and other commitments we are pretty much on the bike training and racing year round.   To balance things out and keep from succumbing to the pitfalls of too much time spent riding,  I make an effort to practice other sports including surfing, trail running, paddle boarding as well as a wide variety of other activities that do not involve the bike in an effort to keep an overall balance.  Yoga and strength training are the key for me to remain healthy and fit when I am not able to get in much more than lots of hours on the bike.  The mountain bike is my primary training tool for sure even if I am riding the road it is usually with knobbies as it really how I like to roll.   Keeping strong and flexible as possible allows me to be better prepared for anything and is especially important when I am near the ocean when the surf comes up. 

15) Do you both race in cyclocross-events? It’s very popular here in Europe in the winter (especially in Belgium).

We have both been racing cyclocross almost as long as we have been racing mtb's.  We have spent the  majority of our cross seasons racing in the New England area where there is a vibrant cross scene and we are able to attend the races more easily from home.    We have found Cyclocross is a great way to extend our stoke and stay involved in the racing after what are typically long MTB seasons.  It is also a good way to mix up the style of racing and training which helps to keep things fresh.  Fall in New England it also an absolutely fantastic time and there is just no better way to enjoy it than by traveling and racing on the weekends. Even as the Mountain bike calendar continues to expand and tempt us with stage races and exotic events throughout the world we still have a place in our hearts and schedules for cross.  We have been recently been considering hitting up a World Cup Cross race or two in Europe at some point soon. 

16)  Mary, what was your most favorite race ever?  Houffalize 2005 for Mary?  I read the story and the piece of meat you did win... (I know - they do that all the time in that region... J)

Ooh, yeah Houffalize 2005 was a good one and the smoked meat prize tasty!!  Houffalize is a town steeped in cycling history, to have the enormous rowdy crowds cheering is always a rush and to finish on the podium was of course incredible! 

I have many amazing memories of racing and standing podiums around the world and each one is special.  I've won the US National Championship Title 4 times, which I am proud of but winning Nationals in 2007 and 2008 at Mount Snow, Vermont were perhaps my favorites.  A technical rooty track, short steep climbs and lots of family, friends and sponsors in attendance - it came down to a sprint at the line in 2008, and I got it by a few inches - having a hometown crew cheering makes a huge difference - winning under these circumstances, for the national title.. yup, it doesn't get better than that! :-)

More generally my favorite races are ones I really plan my training goals around and when I can have a good day, pulling everything together for the win or a great result is sweet.  To have good legs & good luck when you are hoping and planning for it is surely something special.  

Favorite race for Mike?

Mike - My favorite races are typically those with extreme technical mountain bike elements and or those with adverse conditions.  I really thrive on  the struggle against the environment or terrain much more than tactical battles and prefer races that reward bike handling skill over power to weight ratio.  A good example of a favorite style of XC race track would be the course at the World Cup in Mont Saint Anne in Quebec, Canada where I have ended up with a couple of  top 20 performances in past years.   I also enjoy extended point to point or multi day events as there is something special about covering large areas on the bike while soaking in the miles of terrain that makes a deep impression and stands out in my mind for a long time.   

More than any specific favorite race I would have to say that Mary and I both cherish the fact that we have been able to attend such a great number of races throughout our careers.  We really look forward to continuing to anticipate, plan and compete at the events we feel passionate about attending.  The variety of races we are competing in these days really puts our team to the test in so many ways more than just the physical. For us it is a challenge starting with the planning, logistics and every little detail that needs to be addressed to be at the races and ready to go with our two person team effort.   It is a tremendous amount of work but we live to rise to the challenge and remain super grateful to have found success at making our passion our profession.

17) Did you two ever race in The Netherlands?

Mike and I have raced in the Netherlands on several occasions - our first race visit was to attend the Dutch MTB Tour a MTB stage race put on in the north of the country in 2004. More recently we have contested the Hondsrug Classic, as well as a few other lesser known XC events.  We always enjoy visiting Holland in part because the bike plays such an important role in daily life there.  We were shocked at first to see the incredible number of people in all age groups riding everywhere everyday!   Holland stands out in our minds as a THE cycling country!  It is just awesome to see how well cycling has integrated into the everyday lives of so many, we absolutely love it!  Racing in Holland is always exciting, always with good attendance and with a unique flavor due to the often ultra flat terrain in which tactics become much more a part of the racing than is usual when more hilly terrain separates things.

18) What are your plans for the future?

Our plans for the future include continuing on with our carefully crafted program and staying fully involved with the racing scene as we are inspired to do so.  Mountain biking seems to be in full bloom with new and interesting events with a wide variety of styles popping up in every corner of the globe.  We are interested in trying out and perfecting our game in a number of these disciplines.    There is no doubt that we are life time cyclists!  We hope to be involved in the industry and in close contact with the Tribe of Bike no matter where the next steps lead us.

:-)

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