Race Cyclocross!

Portland area racer and blogger Brooke Hoyer submits his answers to the CpQ (Cyclocross Punters Questionairre). Enjoy!

1. How old are you?
42

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
That’s a challenging question. I’ve lived in Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey (for three months), Connecticut, Michigan, North Carolina, Michigan (again), Illinois, and Washington state – in that order. The longest stretch I’ve lived anywhere was my second time in Michigan, from 1983 through 1999. I’m now in Vancouver, WA.

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
This is my fifth season. I’m no elite but have managed to crawl up to the 35+A group.

4. What was your first bicycle?
My first bike was a no name thing with training wheels. Soon after I learned to ride sans training wheels, I got a Schwinn Stingray in a wicked metallic green. I got my first ten speed when I was ten or eleven. It had 26” wheels. I got my first Merckx a couple years later (long story) but it got stolen pretty quick.

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
I picked up cross racing a couple of years ago because I had kids. I used to be big time into rock climbing but the crag is no place for toddlers and climbing trips can consume a lot of time – lots more than bike racing for sure. I’ve ridden a bike since I was five so bike racing seemed like a good idea. I’ve done a handful of road events – Tabor and PIR – but the bulk of my racing is CX. Oh, I did quite a bit of hard core mountain biking back in the 90s.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
I somehow found out about cross on the web. It sounded intriguing so I went to the Grand Prix race at Jackson Middle School that Vervecken was at. I bought a cross bike a few months later with the money I score by Ebaying my climbing rack. I did a couple of the cross clinics and then started racing with the Bs. My best finish was at Barton where I managed to sneak into the top half of the field. Mostly I got my butt handed to me.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
Yes. I don’t race anything else. Once the kids are older, then I might start racing road events. But maybe the kids will get into rock climbing and I’ll do that more instead. For now, I’m all cross all the time.

8. Do you race full time? If not, what other job(s) do you have?
My day job is firmware engineer. That means I write software that makes the motors go whir in mechanical/electronic devices. I work for a big honking tech company with sites in Corvalis and Vancouver. I’d race full time if I were independently wealthy. I think promoters welcome masters pack fodder with checks with open arms.

9. Did you go to college? If so, what was your major?
I went to the University of Michigan. I have a BA in Classical Archaeology and a BS in Computer Science. I got the BS a few years back for a change of career.

10. Describe the first time you shaved your legs.
I shaved them a couple of years ago when I was getting road rash all the time. I figured it would make rash care easier. It did but was enough of a pain to prevent me from continuing. I’ve got lots of hair on my legs and shaving is just too much trouble.

11. Do you have any tattoos, and/or piercings?
Nada

12. Pre race rituals?
I get nervous, no matter what. I try to warm up properly but usually I end up talking to people and screwing around too much.

13. Post race meal?
Whatever’s for dinner.

14. How do you wind down after a race?
I don’t. I wash the bikes if necessary then it’s time to be dad.

15. Your idea of the perfect cross course?
Dunno. I really like Alpenrose and Estacada. I like a mixture of lots of elements.

16. Espresso or tea?
Decaf. I used to swill coffee all the time but if I didn’t get it for some reason, nobody was happy.

17. For you, what is the essence of cyclocross?
Hard charging, competition. Good times. Good people.

18. Tubulars or clinchers?
Tubulars. The first season racing, I pinch flatted getting my fat ass back on the bike after a terrible remount on hard ground. After that I got some tubular clinchers. I went full tubular the next season.

19. Write a haiku about 2006 CX Nats.
I didn’t do ’06 Nats so how about ’06 Portland USGP?
Cold rain coming down
Riding round and round in mud
That hot tub looks good

20. My mind wanders when I’m racing. What were you thinking about during your last race?
I was genuinely pissed about my lack of ability to drive the bike. I thought about buying a second set of Challenges since the Flexus sucks in the slop.

21. Seen any good movies lately?
I’ve got kids. I don’t watch movies for adults. Although I did see Apocalypse Now directors cut recently and that was kick ass.

22. What are the last three albums you’ve listened to?
Actually, I listen to a lot of NPR, although London Calling is always in my play list.

23. Who is going to win USA CX Nationals this year?
Page. He’ll have form by then.

24. In three words or less, describe how you feel about top mount cross brake levers.
Mud traps.

25. Would you use disc brakes on your cross bike if they were UCI legal?
No. Cantis are just fine.

26. What is the craziest thing you’ve done to lighten your bike?
I don’t worry about weight so much. If I want to lighten things up, I’ll trim it off my fat ass.

27. Any season goals you’d like to share?
Top ten in a Crusade race.

28. What result are you most proud of?
Barlow 2006. It was my last race as a 35+B. I was losing ground and had slipped to third about ten seconds off the lead going into the bell. I decide to dig deep and took the win. My only real win in CX. A close second was the Portland USGP. I finished slightly ahead of middle of the pack in the 35+ race. I rode hard and kept my head together all race.

29. Who has most influenced your cross racing career?
I admire Erik Tonkin. I think it’s cool that he’s got the same goals as me – he just races against way faster dudes. I also love the guys and gals in the lower cats that fill out the fields. Those folks are racing their hearts out every week and they revel in the accolades of their friends, families, and fellow competitors. That’s a wonderful spirit that makes racing great.

30. Is there another rider you train with regularly?
I ride with some folks here and there but I mostly ride solo.

31. Why do you think the Europeans are so much faster than the US crossers?
It’s in their genes. Their fathers and fathers’ fathers raced. You grow up racing, get an early enough start, and have the opportunity to race at the highest level on your home turf and the fastest guys are going to bubble to the top and develop to their fullest potential.

32. Are you married? Have any children?
Yes. Two children aged 3 and 6.

33. Any (other) passions or hobbies in your life?
I love to write and read. I really loved rock climbing when I had the time to pursue it. And I love my wife and kids.

34. What would you be doing if you weren’t racing cross?
Getting old and fat. So now I’m just getting old.

35. Do you have a blog or online journal?
http://hoyerfamily.com/cyclocross/ Dude, I’m a famous blogger!

36. Any words of advice for those new to cyclocross?
Figure out how to get on and off the bike. Then race and have some fun. Only train seriously if you want to. There’s lots of fun to be had with only moderate fitness.