10 Questions With…Dahon Sponsored Rider Bruce Frazier
Taking time out from celebrating his team’s recent win at the 2006 Granny Gear 24 Hours Series of mountain bike races, we talk to Bruce Frazier, Captain for the Dahon sponsored Team Miss Behavin’ and the 4 Players.
1. Tell our readers a bit about the Bruce Frazier story.
Wow, there is a subject where there so much to say about very little. If I could title the story it would be the “Extraordinary Adventures of an Average Person”. My life has truly been blessed, I have a wonderful family, a great business, and many stories that I will be able to reflect on in the golden years. Cycling has always been a passion for me, from being a consumer, competitor, advocate, shop owner, and above all rider. Through all the times in my life, cycling has always been there, from snot nosed bmxer to middle-aged glory hound I have always enjoyed my bike(s).
2. Other than riding a Flo to victory in the 24 Hour series, what other types of riding do you do?
Anything that involves being on 2 wheels!! I have found a great love for the road in the last year or so, it only took me 10 years to buy a road bike. I finally broke down and purchased an Allegro last year, and have really enjoyed the change of pace from mountain biking. I spend most of my time on the dirt though, I love the peace and quiet away from traffic and people.
3. Aside from this podium glory, what else inspires you to get on the bike each day?
Old age, cycling addiction, endorphin rush, reason to have a tasty draft afterwards, you name it. Actually, it is a great way to relieve stress after (or before) a long day at work. Being on the trails is the only time I have when I am away from the bustle of the world, no phones, no obligations. I do it for me, call it my little release valve.
4. 24 Hour racing is pretty grueling. Why did you choose a Dahon Break Away bike?
The story begins 4 years ago. My family and I took a year off and sailed over 2000 miles around the Baja peninsula in Mexico. Because we were on a 41’ sailboat, I was not able to bring a bike, so I relegated myself to a year without riding. When we were docked in Ensenada, Mexico, I happened to find a bike shop, so I went snooping. Lo and behold before my eyes stood a brand new Dahon Matrix. I had never seen a full size performance mountain bike (performance being the operative word) that was in my unemployed sailor budget. It was love at first sight. My birthday was that week, and my wife snuck back and bought the bike. I rode the wheels off of that bike over the next year. During that year I rode a bevy of incredible untouched country, and met some wonderful people in La Paz that showed me some really fantastic riding, (along with HUGE rattlesnakes). When I returned to the US, I had come to like having a portable bike for travel, and looked to Dahon to replace my Matrix. As it turned out, the Flo was released that year, and the rest is history.
I love having the Flo because I live in the middle of nowhere, and spend a LOT of time traveling to riding trails and racing venues. It made sense to find a bike that could handle the rigors of racing while at the same time, would be cheaper and easier to transport. While the focus is on the airline aspect of a folding bike, it is fantastic to put it in the travel case in the car as well. I usually box it up and throw it in the back of the car rather than on a roof rack, it saves getting road grime and damage on the bike, and is much less likely to get stolen.
5. Typically, what do the races involve in terms of preparation and training?
Training for 24 hour racing is as much mental as it is physical. It was only the first few times racing that I actually rode to physical failure, not knowing how the game is played. Now, the hardest part is mentally talking yourself out of bed at 2:00 in the morning when it is 15 degrees outside, or snowing (both of those really happened at the 24 Hours of Moab in 1999 and 2002). The key to succeeding is having great support, which I thank my lucky stars for a wonderful wife and kids who put up with me during all this nonsense, and great equipment. (My trusty Flo!!) In terms of training time, I dedicate a lot of hours to the road, (or trainer) during the winter, and lots of odd hour riding getting used to being on the bike in those oh so odd times of the night.
6. Given your recent first placing the Flo must be doing something right for you guys. We hope to see you on a Fuego in 07. How do you think the differences between these bikes will go in the 24 Hour?
Each course we race has its own personality, some courses are perfect for the Flo, but there are some that are just easier and faster riding a full suspension. The typical course we race on consist of around 1500 ft of climbing per lap, and are usually involve some type of technical, rocky sections. Racing on these courses speaks volumes on the durability and quality of the Flo. At 200 lbs I am not what you would call a petite rider, and most definitely a perfect candidate for bicycle testing. The old saying goes, “the shortest route between two points is a straight line”. However, straight is usually the worst line. I think the Fuego will be a great upgrade for the 2007 season, not in a quality sense, but just to have the option on the more technical courses. During most of the races, I will alternate laps between the Flo and Fuego, depending on course conditions and fatigue.
7. Why do you think more people don't ride? For us city dwellers it is cheaper, more convenient and often faster. Are we just too lazy?
I believe, in the U.S. anyways, that the perception of cyclists is that we are at the fringe, it is truly only a socially acceptable activity when you are a kid. When you grow up, you get the “privilege” of driving a car. People tend to judge others by material goods, (nice cars) bikes aren’t considered a luxury item even though I have more than one bike worth more than a decent car.
8. What is needed to change people's minds?
The only way to change the mind is through the spirit and soul. People need to embrace cycling as an alternative lifestyle, not just for exercise, training, commuting, or lycra wearing racers. It must be ingrained in peoples very being to create a change.
9. On a lighthearted note, what are your plans for a bike related xmas?
As boring as this sounds, I am getting a new trainer for Christmas!!! It is a Tacx Virtual reality trainer, so I can ride indoors. The weather here is below freezing and snowy for most of the winter, so I am condemned to ride indoors. I look forward to riding the real video terrains of the Tour of Flanders, the Pyrenees stage at the TDF, the Iron Horse classic in Colorado all from the comfort of my living room!!
10. If you could take any bike from the Dahon stable and pimp it out for xmas... what model would you choose and what changes would you make?
Tough question, I am truly a bike slut. I love all types of bikes, and I am going to give you two just because I can’t pick between them.
#1 would be a new Fuego with a drive train/shifter upgrade to SRAM XO, Truvativ Noir Carbon Cranks, AVID Juicy Ultimate Brakes, Reba WC fork, and change the stem to the CNC machined NVO stem that came on the Allegro in 05, much classier looking piece.
#2 would be a Hon Solo, with no change at all, because it is just that cool. I saw it at Interbike in 2005 and fell in love, moustache bars are the bomb.
For more information on the Dahon Sponsored Rider Program please contact