 Interview with Ann on Cyclingnews.com
Ann & Dale Knapp Profile on Cyclingnews.com
Height: 5' 2''
Weight: Do my knee and leg warmers make those fat rolls at the
top?
Residence: Des Moines, WA
Strength: I love to race my bicycle in the rain and mud.
Weakness: I have to get up and go to work every morning.
Why do you ride? Because I can :)
What/who started you racing? I transitioned from running after
I graduated from college and moved to Seattle. A friend, Jack Story,
suggested that I try mountain bike racing. I was fine going up the
hill, but any technical riding was initially a disaster.
Marital status: Married one year to Dale Knapp, the best coach,
cheerleader, and sweetie a girl could ask for.
Hardest part: The pain associated with letting your fingers
and toes thaw out when riding in the cold rain and/or snow.
Worst moment in career & why? Hmmmm, I don't consider any
of my racing moments worse than any others - they are all part of the experience.
Sure, there are days I wanted to win and didn't, but hey that is just
part of racing.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? I wanted to be
Bruce Jenner and get my picture on the Wheaties box.
In one word how would your best friend describe you? I am going to
refrain from answering this one, you will have to ask them. Since
most of them are guys, they would probably just say, "You are such a
girl".
A fruit or vegetable that best resembles your character
is: How about
an
apple - they grow all summer and are ready to go in the fall just in
time for cyclocross.
Favorite food: It is a toss up between Mongolian Grill and Italian
food.
Perhaps garlic is the common thread here.
Favorite reading material: Books of all kinds, usually those that
teach a life lesson.
Favorite music: I am partial to techno stuff when it comes to race
day.
Best idea of having a good time: It has to be sitting around a beach
fire, watching the sun set, and roasting marshmallows. Pretty wild
stuff, huh?!
Favorite place to travel to: I still have a lot of the world to see
before I make this decision.
Most respected mountain bikeriders: Those with a positive attitude not
looking to make a lot of money.
Other most respected athletes: Dale Knapp and all those people that
just
love to get out and push themselves until they drool.
Favorite riding spots and courses: This is a secert, but Mark Peterson
would probably like me to say Bellingham.
Advice to beginners: Take time to learn the basic skills and
techniques unique to cyclocross. During the race, when you are
anaerobic and in a race coma, you will rely on those ingrained habits
to get you on and off your
bike with efficiency.
Other sports you do: Running, skiing.
Other interests to cycling: ?????
Do you have a coach? Dale says that I am uncoachable, so not really.
Typical training week:
Monday: Run and lift weights
Tuesday: Ride
Wednesday: Cyclocross practice
Thursday: Ride and recover from cyclocross practice
Friday: Ride
Saturday: Ride and prepare for the race
Sunday: Race
Career Highlights: Winning Cyclocross Nationals 2002, participating at
Cyclocross Worlds 5 times
Year 2004 Highlights: Placing 4th at Cyclocross Worlds in France
Objectives for 2005: Better than above.
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