Jeff Kerkove is an endurance racer out of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Besides his long hours of training and racing, he works a fulltime job at the Europa Cycle and Ski Shop in his home town. He has a weblog that I have been reading for awhile that’s always informative and fun to read.

I approached Jeff last week about doing an interview for us and he gladly accepted.

Blue Collar: What circumstances and reasons led to your beginning in racing and then endurance racing?

Jeff: I got into racing after seeing an ad in a newspaper for an XC mountain bike race. We just went and watched to see what it was all about. 2 weeks after that, I was standing at the start line of my first Beginner XC NORBA race. I spent 3 years racing Beginner…1 year of sport…and then Expert…and now pro in the endurance scene. I switched to endurance racing after getting bored with 2 hour races and fed up high priced entry fees. I wanted a different test. I entered my first 24 hour solo event in 2002 and placed 2nd behind Tinker. My next race after that was 2 weeks later at the Solo World’s where I placed 2nd in the Under 23 Men’s Solo. After that I was hooked!

Blue Collar: What kind of basic training do you normally go through?

Jeff: Training is a deep question. I do not have a coach. I learned everything I know by trial-n-error, and reading a bunch of books. A good book for basic direction when it comes to training is The Mountain Bikers Training Bible by Joe Friel.

Blue Collar: How often and in what ways do you change your training to continually gain strength?

Jeff: I follow basic phases that I have come up with that I know works for me (Joe Friels book described above, but tweeked by myself). For endurance racing the biggest thing is just being able to sit on the saddle and keep pushing for a long time. Then you have to throw in some specific work outs like intervals, sprints, and hill repeats. I pretty much ride every day… whether it be at 100% or at 2%. Recovery is super important.

Blue Collar: What styles of riding is in your training regimen? Singlespeed, Road, Long climbs, etc.?

Jeff: I do it all… singlespeed, road riding, mountain biking, commuting. You have to mix it up when you ride as much as I do. Other wise you burn out.

Blue Collar: What training do you do that specifically readies you for endurance races?

Jeff: I like to get in some long 6-9 hour rides at some on the local mountain bike trails. I will use all the gear and fuel that I plan to use in the event. Training rides act as test races.

Blue Collar: How long is an average training ride?

Jeff: My average rides go for about 3 hours. Some as short as 1 hour… some as long as 10.

Blue Collar: What keeps you motivated during training and racing?

Jeff: I just like to ride! I have a lot to ride for… my health, my friends and family, and my sponsors. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am.

Blue Collar: What do you do in the days preceding an endurance style race to prepare yourself? Alcohol? Food? Sleep?

Jeff: I will taper during the week before. Ride pretty easy during the week accept for a few hard efforts just to keep the blood flowing. Eating right, and getting plenty of sleep is super important. A couple days before an event I will try to stay off my feet as much as possible.

Blue Collar: How many races per year do you participate in? Favorite? Least Favorite?

Jeff: I try to get in at least 2 races a month from April to October. That all depends on scheduling and how my body feels.

My favorite course…24 Hours of Afton which is held up by Minneapolis, Minnesota. Least Favorite…24 Hours of Moab. Just doesn’t flow well for me. Seems like you are always fighting the sand. Plus the time I have raced it, my body didn’t want to work.

Blue Collar: How does the long hours training, added to your hours at your job, effect your personal life?

Jeff: You can balance both if you do it right. Most of the guys that I hang out with ride and/or race so there really isn’t any draw backs for me. For some it might be an issue.

Blue Collar: Why did you begin a weblog?

Jeff: I started the blog cause I want to share my experiences and promote my sport and team. Not a lot of cyclist in my neck of the woods (Iowa) get to this point. I want to let everyone in on it. Plus I wanted to share my knowledge to help others succeed.

Blue Collar: How long have you been posting on it?

Jeff: The blog has been up and running since June of 2004.

Blue Collar: In what ways does this benefit you individually and as a racer?

Jeff: It lets my sponsors see what I am doing, plus it lets potential sponsors get an idea for what I can offer them. More than anything, the blog is just for fun. All I have in my apartment is a computer and a bunch of bikes. It keeps me busy when I am not training or working at the shop. And who says a pro bike racers is all bling-bling.

Blue Collar: What is the goal of your weblog?

Jeff: Help grow the endurance scene, and to share my knowledge on gear, training, this crazy life I am leading.

Blue Collar: What are your future goals for your racing career?

Jeff: Podium at World’s!