He is well on his way. After two podiums in Vegas and Seattle, Trebon won his first race of the season - and the first race of the USGP - in Madison, Wis., last Saturday. With a week off, expect to see Trebon come out to play with the locals in this week's final Thrilla on Thursday night at Summit High School. There won't be many more opportunities to watch the 6-foot-5-inch Trebon in action until the final weekend of the USGP hosted by Bend on December 10-11.
You've been posting the numbers from your Garmin on Facebook after races, and you've been throwing down some crazy watts. Even when you don't win, you're always really active in a race, aren't you?
I don't like going to races and just sitting in, waiting for the race to happen. I like to race more aggressively and try to make things happen. If it costs a little bit of energy that's OK, I feel confident in my fitness that I can race aggressively and still be good at the end.
You recently raced in my home state of Indiana, and did a skills clinic before the race, which was a fundraiser. How was that?
I enjoy going out and doing skills clinics because a lot of times people get advice from riders who are better than them, but it's not necessarily the best advice. When you can give someone tips and see immediate improvement, it's fun.
You can show people what they're doing wrong, and just have fun with it. Make fun of them, and let them make fun of you.
Speaking of making fun... is it true you're called "tree farm" because of your height?
Todd Wells started that a couple of years ago. I have a couple of nicknames...
What others?
It depends on what part of the country we're in. They call me different things depending on how much they like me or not.
Is your height an advantage in 'cross?
I don't think so. I think it's a little bit of a disadvantage sometimes. If it's extremely technical and your center of gravity is a little bit higher it's a disadvantage. But, I stand out in a crowd, you know?
That you do, my friend! What's your biggest strength on the bike?
I'm not the best bike handler. I don't have the best sprint. I'm not the quickest in and out of the corners, but I have a little bit bigger motor. I can compensate for the lack of skill sometimes. That's what's great about 'cross. Its not just one unique skill, you have to have a bunch. You can compensate in some areas for others where you're not as good.
How is the new team working out?
It's going well. Dusty and I have been working pretty hard. We've accomplished a lot. We look professional, act professional, and present a good product to sell to potential sponsors. We're racing and doing a good job, and not making fools of ourselves, you know?
I thought that was the point of 'cross!
For some people! That's the good thing; you can go out there and have fun. We can go out there and take it seriously, but still have fun at the same time. There's a big mix of people who want to go out and race hard, but they still don't take it too seriously. (Unlike road racing.) I think that's why 'cross has taken off. You can have fun and still take it seriously. People aren't completely separate from each other.
So you had your big 3-0 this year?
It's been all downhill since then.
You're a master now! Do you feel like you're still improving as a rider?
I don't feel like I'm physically getting better, but mentally, you get more experience. I feel more comfortable, and confident in myself and my abilities that I don't tend to stress out about small things and make a big deal of them. When you're younger you can waste a lot more energy. The older you get you need to save it up.
I'm not getting worse. I've been racing cyclcocross since 2002 in the U.S., at the front of the field since I was 22 years old, and it's definitely gotten faster, so every year we have to continue to improve because more people take it seriously. The fields get deeper and better. Small gains. I don't know where the top is yet.
What do you like to do to relax when you're home in Bend?
I like to sit on my couch, hang out with my dog Frank, and that's about it. There's not time for anything else. When you're not training you're just recovering. I like to detox, relax and get ready for the next race coming up.
What are some of your favorite training rides?
I don't do the regular loops that people do, I tend to source out. My favorite ride is to head up toward Redmond and Terrebone. There is a succession of hills between here and there that I like to cross back and forth to find a harder training route. I like to find challenging terrain rather than more scenic terrain that's easier to ride.
What's your favorite pre-ride meal?
Toast. Two pieces of toast, one with peanut butter and one with jelly. That's what I eat every single morning for breakfast.
That's not much breakfast for a guy your size who rides a lot!
I don't eat that much. People always think you eat a lot. But I don't. I gotta stay tall, thin and skinny some way.
Favorite post-ride meal?
Tortilla chips and coconut water.
Anything else you want to tell Source readers?
Tell them to come and cheer for me and boo for everybody else.
