Last Updated: May 18th, 2009
Name: Melissa Kern
City: Byram
State: New Jersey
Country: United States
Age: 30
Category: Expert
Team: Team Bulldog/CycleCraft/Crisp Titanium
Sponsors: Clif, Kenda Tires, Zeal, 661, Motor Tabs, Hydrapak, Oury, Gaerne
XC or DH Race Bike: CrispTitanium
Tires: Panaracer/Kenda
Shoes: Specialized
Clipless Pedals: Shimano
- What year did you start racing mountain bikes?
End of 2005 year
- What is your best result so far? (example: 3rd Place Senior Expert Men - Mt. Snow, VT - 2000)
Placing 3rd in my first National Mt.Bike race
- What is the most and least number of hours that you train in
a week? (Not zero but the least number of hours you actually train)
Depends on the week. Depends on the schedule. Depends on the racing.
- Name your favorite XC and/or DOWNHILL race course?
Favorite "fun" XC race course right now is Neshaminy, PA
Favorite "technical" race course is always Allamuchy, NJ - my backyard!
- Name your favorite place to ride:
ALLAMUCHY - love it!
- What is the longest distance or number of hours that you have
ridden XC in one day on a mountain bike? (EXCLUDING A 24 OR 12 HOUR RACE
unless SOLO!)
Solo 24hour race
- How much of your training is on the road?
Most of my winter months plus one or two times a week during the season.
- Do you cross train or use weights?
Yes!- i need to but more so in the off-season/winter.
- Do you use supplements or sport drinks?
I'm a big fan of Hammer Nutrition Products. Use them religiously as well as the G2 blueberry pomegranate (yum)
- Do you do anything special (besides the whole training
lifestyle) to prepare for an important race?
Keep tabs on my nutrition as well as water intake. But I ALWAYS carry a photo of my grandfather when racing - not really a preparation but it is something special (to me!)
- Do you use a heart rate monitor?
ABSOLUTELY! Cant train/race without it.
- Do you keep a training log?
Now i do!
- What do you consider your strong points on a race course,
hills, technical sections, downhills?
Downhill and the techi sections would be top on my "strong points"- love it.
- What aspect of mountain biking is the most fun for you?
Probably the challenge of clearing a difficult section. Looking back and realizing what you just cleared while riding on two wheels - But ya definitely cant rule out that sweet fast single track ya just glide on.
- What is your greatest moment (biggest rush) that you have
experienced on your MOUNTAIN BIKE?
Every ride there's a new and different experience - kinda hard to say
- Do you have any suggestions for Beginner racers?
"DETERMINATION always beats fatigue in the end.."
