10 Questions from an almost 10 year old

A few days ago we told you how Diesel took home his first solo win of his career.  (Remember, you heard it hear first!)  Upon hearing this news, one of our street team reporters made arrangements to sit down with The Diesel for an interview.  The Diesel, who usually doesn't talk to the media, had a soft spot for this interviewer because it was A-Train's son Chicken Bone, aka Asthon.  He thought it would be fun and after all, they have ridden together a few times and thinks he rides better than his dad.  Asked why he didn't want to interview his own father instead, Chicken Bone replied, "Well the street team just did an interview with him not to long ago.  Plus, he didn't win his race."  Ouch, that's cold.

CB - When did you start riding mountain bikes?

Diesel -  Great question to start off with Mr. Ashton.  I bought my first mountain bike in 1994 at the age of 24.  Being on a college campus at the time, it seemed everyone was getting into buying these adult sized dirt bikes.  It was great to scoot around campus and to get to class.  Your father knows WMU(Western Michigan University) campus quite well as I have come to understand. 

CB - Where you inspired by anyone to start riding?   If so, who?

Diesel - Well, thats in interesting question.  One of my roommates at the time, his name is Pat, bought a Mountain Bike for simply getting around campus.  The bike looked really cool!  Wide-body aluminum tubes, big tires, and a sweet paint job.  But he had no intentions of trail riding, and to my knowledge has never done so.  Never the less, it was Pat's purchase of that bike that inspired me to look into this sport.  Let it be on the record that I on the other hand, did have intentions beyond simply campus scooting.

CB - Why do you like mountain biking?

Diesel - Boy Mr. Ashton, you have some good questions.   Simply, mountain biking is a way to enjoy nature's outside world, get some good exercise, and to be like a kid again and get dirty.   Throw in some good old fashioned competitive bike races and it's a wonderful mixture of pure fun.

 

CB - How did you get your current bike?

Diesel - My current bike, affectionately referred to as "The Tank" since it's heavier that everyone else's bike, was bought at a bike store in Ann Arbor called Tree Fort Bikes.   It's a Santa Cruz "Blur".  (Blur is a fitting name since it is such a fast bike that it goes by you in a blur).   I have made several adjustments over the years, and it remains the #1 bike in my stable.  Your father has helped me to tune it over the years to be a very solid machine. 

CB - Which do you like best, riding with a friend or riding alone?  Why?

Diesel - Both: I enjoy riding in groups of friends because you can share experiences, build off of each others performances, and generally have a good time hanging out during the ride, and after the ride.  And then on some days, when no one else can make it out to the trails, i enjoy a good ride by myself.   It's interesting to note that when you ride by yourself, you've got to learn how to "drive" yourself with your own motivation since there is no one else there to push you.  It's a good skill to develop since often in a race you are by yourself for long stretches of time.

CB - Who is your favorite person to ride with?  Why?

Diesel - I have a good answer for this one Mr. Ashton, and this is the truth:  I enjoy riding with your father the most since he pushes me to be a better rider, and waits for me when i'm feeling slow.  We also have some nice conversations about all sorts of subjects.  As I recall, we talk about you quite often Mr. Ashton.   I hope that I can get to ride together with you and you dad sometime soon!

CB - Have you ever gotten injured while riding?

Diesel - Next question.     No, just kidding.   Yes.   But both your father and I do our best to be careful riders.   Injuries hurt, and can slow down a training season.   But, at the end of the day it is very difficult to avoid getting hurt in a sport where there are plenty of trees and rocks to get in the way.   The worst injury I suffered was a collision with another rider.   My head was down and I simply was not looking where I was going.   Don't do that Mr. Ashton, keep your head UP!

CB - Have you ever seen any animals while riding?

Diesel - Oh Yes.   Nature has always given us a chance to glimpse various critters...  Always the occasional deer.  Raccoons.  Turtles.  Mice.  Snakes.  Squirrels.  Hawks.  Skunks.   On one occasion, your father and myself helped a turtle cross the trail.   And we nearly avoided a frustrated raccoon hang in out near a tree.

CB - What was the most awkward ride you have ever been on?

Diesel - Hmmm.  You've got a string of good questions here Mr. Ashton.   Well there are two rides that come to mind.   One in particular was the first ride I did after my collision, the collision that I mentioned in Question #7.  My head was hurting from that collision, and I was simply not having a good time.  To be honest I probably should not have been on the trail, but I just did not want to miss some good trail riding.   Now the other ride that was awkward was when you dad's bike kept breaking!   I think we had to pull over 12 times to keep resetting the pivot bolt!!  (don't let him read that part - in fact maybe we better keep that between ourselves).

CB - Out of all the races you have done, which was your favorite and why?

Diesel - Mr. Ashton, this is a great question to wrap up with.  Although there are several races that are high on the list, and I enjoy almost all of them, The Tree Farm Relay tops the list.  It's the event with the best balance of fun atmosphere and good natured competition.   Many riders dress up in very funny costumes and complete the entire race!   Thank you for this opportunity to sit down together and talk bikes.  I can't wait to see you out at one of our events.  But I know that you have to help out at home and take care of  the home business, so do a good job of that!
Lets do this again sometime.