Race Cyclocross!

It is with great pleasure I present to you a CPQ with US cyclocross legend Justin Robinson. Justin currently races for the California Giant Strawberries Cyclocross Team, and has raced at the top of the national and international ‘cross circuits for the last sixteen years.

The first time I met Justin was in Brian Vernor’s Pure Sweet Hell, so Sunday morning while I was prepping this post I brewed a pot of french press and fired up our copy of the film. The Justin Robinson motor-pacing scene is one of those cinematic moments that is hard to get out of your brain:

Here we go:

1. How old are you?
33

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
Bonny Doon, California. Born, raised, never moved, will be here till I die.

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
19 years, 16 years elite cross

4. What was your first bicycle?
Schwinn green BMX bike

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
Started racing MTB’s in 1990, didn’t touch a road bike until @’96, raced a few partial road seasons from 99-2003, I still race the MTb but haven’t raced on the road in years.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
Surf City Cyclocross 1991, racing my steel Yeti MTB, Cat c men, raced the first half of the series and did well until I sprained my ankle and was very depressed to miss the rest of the season.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
Why Not!

8. Do you race full time? If not, what other job(s) do you have?
Nope, I work full time as a father of two, a husband, and a Water Well Contractor, as well as up-keeping our family 5 acre compound in Bonny Doon.

9. Did you go to college? If so, what was your major?
Art Major at San Jose State University

10. Describe the first time you shaved your legs.
I have NEVER shaved My legs.

11. Do you have any tattoos, and/or piercings?
Nope, just lots of hair.

12. Pre race rituals?
Pretend like I know how to warm up.

13. Post race meal?
Anything except Beef or Pork

14. How do you wind down after a race?
Go home to my family.

15. Your idea of the perfect cross course?
Very technical, lots of mud, not too much elevation change, lots of running, lots of snow, lots of ice, freezing cold, really hot, the race of attrition.

16. Espresso or tea?
Tea

17. For you, what is the essence of cyclocross?
The community of people that do it, combined with the intense pain of racing, and the relief of crossing the finish line.

18. Tubulars or clinchers?
I guess tubulars (it’s a love hate thing)

19. Write a haiku about CX Nats.
Cold Balls
Frozen in my chamois
Was vasectomy necessary?

20. My mind wanders when I’m racing. What were you thinking about during your last race?
How I really don’t like the way cheap champagne smells when it is sprayed on you on the middle of a run-up at the beginning of a race and the smell won’t leave until the race is over.

21. Seen any good movies lately?
3 year old and 5 year old at home… not much time for movies these days

22. What are the last three albums you’ve listened to?
The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldier / Willie Nelson, Teatro / Tom Waits, Mule Variations

23. Who is going to win USA Nationals this year?
Some tall skinny Guy.

24. In three words or less, describe how you feel about top mount cross brake levers.
Don’t partake anymore.

25. Would you use disc brakes on your cross bike if they were UCI legal?
Probably.

26. What is the craziest thing you’ve done to lighten your bike?
I got off of it and ran.

27. Any season goals you’d like to share?
To race without wrist pain.

28. What result are you most proud of?
The fact that bikes brought my wife and I together and she is the love of my life.

29. Who has most influenced your cross racing career?
Willie K Bullion

30. Is there another rider you train with regularly?
Nobody else rides as early as I do round these parts

31. Why do you think the Europeans are so much faster than the US crossers?
It’s culturally excepted as a cool thing to do from a very young age.

32. Are you married? Have any children?
Yep, 2

33. Any (other) passions or hobbies in your life?
Gardening, Pottery, pruning fruit trees, making illegal trails, running, snowboarding, playing with chainsaws, etc.

34. What would you be doing if you weren’t racing cross?
All of the above.

35. Do you have a blog or online journal?
I just joined Facebook.

36. Any words of advice for those new to cyclocross?
Learn to love adverse weather, If you look fast it does not mean you will go fast… you have to either be really talented or ride your bike a lot or both.