2nd Place Expert Men - Justin Riddle
Team/Sponsors: Bike Stop

Bike:Fuji + Kona single speed

2008 Cat: Expert Men - 2009 Cat, if changed:

Favorite Race Style (XC, Enduro, Endurance) and why? I like em all but get the best high from short races where I can go hard an push the painknowing when the pain will stop; specifically races like Wednesday's at Wakefeild. I would like to do a big endurance race on a team for 09 because it's been a while but don't know if I'll find one that fits my schedule.

Favorite Race: 7 Springs 24 hour race in 2006 on a 4 man ARSENAL team !

How did your favorite race play out?
From the moment we traveled up to the moment we left was the best! We definately left our mark on that race in more ways than one! I don't think I could ever have more fun racing a 24 hour race ever again; geat friends and tough competition. We took second it was round two in a battle against Visit Pa, round one was Big Bear.

How often do you ride and at what pace per ride?
I ride just 2 days a week in the winter and 2 - 4 in the spring to fall but I train exclusively for road triathlon, specifically Iron so one interval on the road, one mtn and on endurance and the forth would be a race.

Do you think riding everyday is over training?
Yes, you have to rest sometime.

Do you switch between road ride, mountain biking and running?
Most everything is on the road and running on the road. I might run and ride trails once a week but a lot times that once a week is a race. Last year I went over a month off the mtb (only on the road bike) to have my next ride be a race.

Do you wear a heartrate monitor and train based upon heart rate numbers?
Yes, I wear it and let it dictate training zones. I don't look at it in a mtb race but for running I'm glued to it and for doing Iron specific training and racing road tris I use it.

What (if any) supplements do you take during a race?
Gatorade mix (or heed) and gels. Hammer gel, Powergel, Gu and Carbboom. I go to VARunner and buy like 20 - 30 different gels at a time and try to carry a different flavor and brands for every race or long workout and constantly mix them up. Powergel is my favorite. Endurolites for long training in the heat.

What type of (if any) supplements do you take after a hard ride?
Hammer Recoverite or Cytomax Muscle Milk.

What got you into mountain biking and then what got you into racing?
I was always into bikes and transitioned from riding BMX bikes (not-racing them) to a GT Karakorum in 1998 to try and get in shape. I started to hit mtb trails on the weekend with a long time friend and then eventually my dad got into it as well. It was thrilling to find a new place to ride and explore it, and then see how fast I could ride it. My first race was 24 Hours of Canaan and that hooked me.

Would you consider this a hobby, sport, lifestyle, or occupation? Why do you feel that way?
It's a sport but it's my lifestyle. I can't not be active.

What do you like to do with your time away from your race/training calendar?
Family stuff. I gave up all other hobbies because there's no time. I have an Art degree and used to enjoy making art; used to play guitar too but now that I am into all this I don't have time for it. I used to think that when I got older I would get back into that stuff but now I don't think that will ever happen, I'll just stick to fitness stuff.

Anything else you would like to share?
It's nice that theres a REAL series again !


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