Race Cyclocross!

Greg Reain is the 2006 Canadian national cyclocross champion, riding for the German Stevens Racing Team. The video below gives Greg a better intro than I ever could. Watch him easily ride away from Kabush and friends at the 2006 CA nats. Rad.

1. How old are you?
29, but my licence says 30 (ouch)

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
Ottawa, Ontario – born & raised. I split my time between Ottawa, Hamburg and Belgium in January… I’m riding for a Montreal team next summer so I’ll probably be spending some time there. I’m a pro bike racer, I have no home!

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
XC ski racing from 8yrs old, bikes from 13. I’ve been an elite for 8 years now.

4. What was your first bicycle?
Hmmm, first real MTB would’ve been a Giant Butte. Cromo frame, Shimano 200GS, plastic pedals. Yeah, it was fully pimp.

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
MTB 1993 to 2000 as an amateur/elite, MTB 2001-2004 as a pro with Gears Racing, Road and CX 2005-2006 as a pro with Stevens Racing Team in Germany, 2007 pro with Calyon Professional Team in Montreal.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
OBC Cyclocross series c.1991, put on my Bob Woods and Ian Austen. I was a junior and using a 30lb. mountain bike, but nonetheless it was enough to get me attached to racing bikes.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
Now, yes.

8. Do you race full time? If not, what other job(s) do you have?
Yeah I do this full time, but when I’m back in Ottawa I can’t seem to tear myself away from Cyclelogik, so I can often be found there doing a lot of not much and sometimes a bit of something.

9. Did you go to college? If so, what was your major?
University of Waterloo, B.A.Sc. Mechanical Engineering. Little known fact- the podium at Canadian CX Nats 2004 was populated entirely by engineering graduates – Kabush, Wedge, Reain.

10. Describe the first time you shaved your legs.
I was like 15/16 and was just about to go for a training ride with a friend that had started shaving his, so I had to step up. I cut myself and it hurt. Incidentally, could someone in the NorthWest convince Tonkin to shave his? I have to look at them all the time.

11. Do you have any tattoos, and/or piercings?
Ears are done, but I don’t have the $$ for a tattoo. I will sell advertising space on my body though, so that’s a possibility.

12. Pre race rituals?
I dunno, someone else could probably tell you better than me… I’m just really anal about knowing where the race is and getting there with more than enough time to spare. Bikes have to be in A1 mechanical condition, clothes gotta be clean and coordinated.

13. Post race meal?
Whatever is in my race bag. Usually a nice meat/cheese/pesto sandwich and a cereal bar or two. Then some coffee.

14. How do you wind down after a race?
Short spin away from attention if I’m pissed, otherwise into the showers as fast as I can to get clean and warm. Then a beer or two after I get back to the hotel/house and I’m all set.

15. Your idea of the perfect cross course?
Varied surfaces, plenty of strange transitions, some off cambers, good balance of speed sections and technique sections. 2 dismounts per lap.

16. Espresso or tea?
Espresso. Do I sound English?

17. For you, what is the essence of cyclocross?
Making do with what you got. Equipment, body type, and terrain. Just make it work.

18. Tubulars or clinchers?
Tubulars

19. Write a haiku about 2006 CX Nats.
it was wet and fast
the boys all came out to play
stoked to win the day

20. My mind wanders when I’m racing. What were you thinking about during your last race?
Try not to embarrass myself in front of the Euro-fans; why does Troy keep pinning it on the road?; hey, is that Powers? He’s way up there today…; Good talk.

21. Seen any good movies lately?
I’m still all up on Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang.

22. What are the last three albums you’ve listened to?
Real ones? On vinyl? 1) Roots Manuva – Dub Come Save Me, 2) Biz Markie – Goin’ Off, 3) Atmosphere – You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having

23. Who is going to win USA Nationals this year?
For ‘07- Powers is gonna get it done right.

24. In three words or less, describe how you feel about top mount cross brake levers.
Brakes?? Why??

25. Would you use disc brakes on your cross bike if they were UCI legal?
(see above)

26. What is the craziest thing you’ve done to lighten your bike?
I don’t stress about weight, only reliability.

27. Any season goals you’d like to share?
Top 30 at CX Worlds, find a decent pair of jeans.

28. What result are you most proud of?
Winning Canadian Champs in ‘06

29. Who has most influenced your cross racing career?
The Ottawa Posse

30. Is there another rider you train with regularly?
In Hamburg- German Champ Sickmueller, in Ottawa- me.

31. Why do you think the Europeans are so much faster than the US crossers?
Culture. But the gap is narrowing.

32. Are you married? Have any children?
No…and no. I hope.

33. Any (other) passions or hobbies in your life?
Pretending to know more about music than I really do, quality time with my CL family.

34. What would you be doing if you weren’t racing cross?
Good question. I hope I wouldn’t be driving a CAD station all week.

35. Do you have a blog or online journal?
crazyfast.blogspot.com

36. Any words of advice for those new to cyclocross?
Find a ninja to learn from. Technique is paramount. Try new things. Think smooth, not speed. Equipment is unimportant.