PRQ: Pro Racer Questionnaire Part:#0 Introduction

On the BLOG Large Fella on a Bike he started a really neat feature called Frame Builders Questionnaire: FBQ where he sent a questionaire to several of the top custom frame builders in the country. Each post highlighted a different custom builder with their answers to the same questionnaire.

It was fascinating. I got to thinking that I'd love to do the same thing but a questionnaire for Pro XC racers. Currently XC seems to be the lowly stepchild of cycling. It gets a little love at Velo News and a lot of love at Mountain Bike Racer but in general there just isn't a whole lot of feature information out there.

As an amateur racer I am fascinated by the professionals and naturally attempt to emulate them. I soak up any information I can glean reagarding their training, bike setup and nutrition. There are precious few Pro Racer BLOGS out there to get the regular fix of information. But I thought it might be cool to send out a questionnaire to as many pro racers as I could find. And hope that they don't consider me a stalker and seek restraining orders.

Here is the list of questions. They are changing a little between entries as I tried to pare it down some because it is kind of long. There is so much information I'd love to get from the Pros but in order to get them to answer it, I'd have to limit the questions. I tried to do a cross section of questions from general, to bike geek, to training etc. I'm not so sure it's the greatest questionnaire and apologize in advance if you don't like the questions.

I am hoping that the racers will see it as another opportunity to promote their sponsors and themselves, and that amateur racers and fans can learn more information about some of the athletes they usually just see listed on results.

If you are a pro or a semi pro who'd like to be listed, just fill out the questionnaire and email it to me at ashwin@vtti.vt.edu. Please provide a promo picture, list of sponsors and bio.

Here is the list of questions:

General

-Who are your sponsors that you’d like to recognize
-What makes an athlete a 'good investment' for a sponsor?
-How long have you been racing mountain bikes, how long as a pro
-Where do you live and do you live their year round?
-What are your goals for 2006?

Bike Geek Stuff.

-what bikes do you race on? What other bikes do you own?
-How do you see XC technology changing over the next 5 years
-What component or cycling gear would you pay full retail for if you had to?

Training/racing

-How many hours a week do you train (min, max, average over the year including strength training, cross training, etc.)
-Do you have a coach?
-Do you follow a scientific periodized cycling specific training program or ‘just ride?
-Do you strength train?
-How do you recover after a hard ride or workout?
-What is your nutrition protocol for a 2-2.5hr XC race?
-What is your pacing strategy for a 2-2.5hr XC race?


Life

-How do you balance the stresses of regular life with training and recovery?
-Do you have a guilty pleasure?
-What advice do you have for those of us with families, and full time jobs who want to race our best?