Q: What is it inside that drives you to keep
going faster and faster? A:
What keeps me so driven is that it always takes more and
more speed to keep getting that “fix.” Only when I get
it can I sleep well at night.
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Q: Why do you think humans have a "need
for speed?"
A: I think defying nature
makes us feel special. Prehistorically speaking, our bodies weren't
designed to go more than about 20 mph, even during a full sprint.
Now, by striving for top speeds, we're surpassing even evolution,
which is amazing.
Q: What is your favorite part of going fast?
A: I feel like I’m
conquering fate. I'm rebelling against my instincts to be safe,
and I'm truly "in the moment,” because any small slip-up
could mean a limb, or my life.
Q: How does it feel when you've
reached your own top speed?
A: Giddy elation; simple and childlike.
Q: In TOP
SPEED, the principles of speed are
divided between body, mind and heart. Is there one that is most
important to you?
A: To me what is most critical in
reaching top speed is creating a synthesis from what are usually
disparate principles of body, mind and heart. It’s about pulling
it all together.
Q: How do you conquer fear while going fast on
a mountain bike?
A: Fear should never
be an issue while racing a mountain bike because it only slows you
down. If I'm ever afraid of a section on the race course, I approach
that part thinking scientifically about the pure physics of the
event, with no emotion.
Q: What role does your training as a scientist
play in how you approach racing?
A: I use my science
background to structure my training and organize my approach to
racing. Sometimes, science also helps me to twist legitimate theories
around in order to rationalize some crazy jump or risk, like knowing
that the gyroscopic motion of my turning wheels will stabilize me,
but only with increasing speed, or that spacetime is relative the
faster that you travel!
Q: How would you rate Tim Allen as a mountain
biker?
A: He's very enthusiastic
and a quick study. He also scares away all the animals.
Q: If you gave one piece of advice to somebody
who wants to go faster on their bike (without breaking bones!) what
would it be?
A: Relax! Relax! Relax!
And don't listen to what your mom taught you!
Q: Do you think there is a limit to how fast humans
can go on a bike?
A: No, There are no
absolutes. Someone will always find a way to go faster...
Q: What do you think the future holds for mountain
bike racing?
A: In the near future
a critical mass of kids who are just beginning to ride their bikes
now – going to school, in the woods, just messing around --
will make sure mountain bikes go much faster than the world champions
could ever dream of today. |