Category: Conrad Stoltz
A clever story about a flat tire, Caveman teeth and ingenuity.
I never tire of this episode from XTERRA Richmond Virginia 2009. “Tire” pun intended…
Dan Hugo and I pre rode the XTERRA Richmond course shortly after our arrival from XTERRA Northwest Cup in Coeur D’Alene, where I had a 4 inch nail puncture my tubeless tire in 2 places. See previous blog.
My replacement tire was in the mail, so I rode the tire with the 2 nail holes, and just put in a tube. Of course it flatted. I changed the tube. It deflated faster than I could pump. Before putting our last tube in I carefully inspected for sharp objects.
It also deflated faster than what I could pump.
We still had a lot of riding to do and I wasnt going to call it quits.
I was going to make that tire tubeless again- no matter what!
First I used a bottle cap to scoop the sealant from the healthy front tire and put it in the rear. With the 2 huge holes.
Hoping the front tire seals up, (since I took out almost all the sealant) I poured energy drink in the tire…
Athletes’ Beauty Kits. And other random quirks
Seriously Bobby, you need 8 tooth cleaning tools? (ok 4, if you dont count the ones in the mirror)
On a recent trip to Keystone Colorado for the Specialized 2011 product launch, I shared a room Specialized Team Manager, Bobby Behan, who is a very very organized guy. (“like, you know”- Irish accent) When on the road, he always completely unpacks his whole bag right away- even if its just a 1 night stay. He neatly lines all his shoes in a row, all his watches in a row and his training clothing goes neatly in Specialized bags- lined up according the temperature rating.
Sharing the “road” with other athletes is always a trip. Jamie Whitmore had a pre-race ritual which led her to travel the globe with a her waffle iron and special waffle mix…
Breakfasting with the Specialized Factory Team is quite an experience in itself.
Conrad Stoltz profile on XTERRA.TV
Hats off to the XTERRA TV crew and Whit Raymond (commentating)- those guys surely knows how to make one look good.
Thanks for the good times and good memories!
Asian Games
Somehow a picture of me at the 2000 Sydney Olympics made onto the 2010 Asian Games banner. Quite an honour, considering I’m sharing the space with Eneko Llanos (swimming) and Michellie Jones ( cycling)
A lot of people dont know that I raced road tris for 2 decades before I dipped my hairy Cave toes into the murky XTERRA waters. During the early 90s I raced 6 seasons in France and South Africa. Then came the 2000 Olympics in Sydney- triathlons’ Olympic debut- where I broke away on the bike with Olivier Marceau and lead for quite a while.
In 2001 I started racing seriously in the USA and did my 1st XTERRA. 2001 was probably my best season on and off road. Here is a bit where I won the 2001 Chicago Mrs Ts Triathlon (ahead of Greg Bennett). Article and pics of Caveman in Speedo here.
Its interesting looking back to what we used to wear just a short few years ago. That short funny Speedo top in the Sydney photo was the very 1st generation Shark skin which is so controversial now. They fit so tight (and badly) it felt more like a “Sausage skin”.
Now with the new FINA rules, maybe we’ll make the full circle to speedos and tank tops…
D Day for XTERRA Worlds in Maui
I have my new birthday kit, my bike is waxed, training is a thing of the past. Now its race time.
Sunday 25 Oct at 9.00am Hawaii time. Follow on www.xterra.tv (and watch the 2008 Worlds footage) Will be twittering on #ConradStoltz
