Nick Frey Interview, Fall 2007

Nick Frey #1

They say it is "something in the water." I've been drinking the same water since I was born, so talent definitely isn't in the water. However, with the right amount of support, desire and willingness to sacrifice, greatness can be attained.

At the young age of twenty, Nick Frey has found the balance of support, desire and sacrifice to reach greatness. A junior at Princton, he balanced the demanding workload of an intern, stoked the fires to train with the best and strongest, and made many sacrifices (though not grades and a degree plan) to nail the one time trial of the year that counted - the National U-23 Time Trial championship in August.

Frey returned to Princeton in the fall, kept the mileage up, and had another eye-opening experience in Stuttgart, Germany, representing the USA. He is now preparing to make the leap into the pro peloton.

Nick has been kind enough to respond to our interview request and fill us in on how Nick got to where he is today, where he is going, and the final fire-drill of hit-or-miss questions.

CyclingUpdate.com: How has Iowa and midwest bicycle racing prepared you for where you are today?

Nick Frey: "Riding is Iowa is tough. It sucks most of the time, whether 30 mph headwinds, freezing temperatures, lack of hills, lack of variety, lack of turns, I could go on . . . however, it makes riders very good in a few important areas: pacelines, smooth riding, raw tempo power, etc."

"I got to be a good time-triallist without really working at it a whole lot just because of the type of riding that must be done in Iowa. That said, it is really the Tuesday Night Ride that consistently pushed me each year when I was a junior, and I credit much of my success in and love for cycling to that special 2.5 hours each week."

"Some of my closest mentors have been and still are my riding buddies from Des Moines, especially when I was a junior and senior in high school and trying to figure out what to do with my life in that turbulent time. I constantly spoke with people twice or three times my age to get different perspectives and opinions. It has been an amazing support network for me, and I have learned so much more than if I had just kept playing soccer with my gooney high school buddies!"

"As an FYI, I wrote every single college admissions essay about cycling and its application to my life and to life in general."

CU:What was the turning point in your young cycling career - when you knew that you had something special?

NF: "I actually think the turning point was July 13th, 2007. That is the point that I decided I truly love cycling and want to go for it. There have been many points along the way where I was close to throwing in the towel, and everyone from my girlfriend to my parents to my riding buddies have pulled me out of it, but I never truly appreciated my gifts until this summer."

"When I went to the World Championships in Stuttgart this September, I saw the top cyclists in the world and rode with them (Dave Zabriskie, George Hincapie, Jason McCartney, Kristin Armstrong, Christine Thorburn, etc.) and realized that they 1) are human and 2) were in my same position when they were 20, or else not even as advanced."

"The hardest part of cycling from my perspective (because I started when I was 14) is the amount of years required to get fast. It is an endurance sport that rewards perseverance, dedication, and work-ethic much more than genetics--almost no one truly reaches their genetic potential--and I still have 10 years until my theoretical "peak."

"In Stuttgart I realized that if I stick with it and continue to improve while nurturing my love for the sport and learning from older, faster, more experienced riders, I truly have the chance to reach the highest levels of the sport."

CU: Who got you to where you are today?

NF: "Me. When things really sucked, or when I was up against a wall, I climbed over it, I figured out how to push through."

"However, there is no way I would have climbed or pushed without everyone in my life. My parents, teammates, friends, girlfriend, coach, riding buddies, etc. They have all helped me in different ways and to different extents, and I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by such amazing and inspiring people."

CU: What do you tell kids who are coming up in the junior ranks - how can they make the jump to college and still be competitive racers?

NF: "It is unfortunate, but I don't really know any juniors! If I did, I would tell them that cycling is an incredibly long, drawn-out sport . . . winning or losing this or that race as a junior is not important--what you need to focus on is learning and developing as a rider and a teammate, but also figuring out how cycling fits in with LIFE."

"You cannot ride a bike for a living indefinitely, and most people never even get to that point in the first place. You have to be a whole person and a happy person, and cycling must compliment your life, not consume it. Specifically, when going to college, you need to make sure to work hard striking a balance between your work, your friends, and your riding. Too much of anything and you sacrifice everything."

"If I have done nothing else for the cycling community, I have shown (like some others before me) that it is possible to excel at the top institution in the world and excel in cycling at the same time. I credit this in large part to quickly learning how to make school and cycling compliment each other, which my dad told me to do coming back on the train from winter break after an incredibly hard first semester."

"It took me all of freshman year to figure out how to manage my social life, my cycling life, and my school life, but it has made most other endeavors seem trivial in comparison!"

CU: You used to play soccer, right? What is your next athletic endeavor?

NF: "Yeah right, I don't think there is one besides the bike! I am not Lance yet . . ."

More to come from Nick in a few days...

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Nick Frey #2

Since Frey has committed to the rigors of Ivy League scholarship and twenty-five hours of weekly training, prioritizing his time is a key concern.

Many college students (or people in general) just don't get it - but Frey has it figured out and has become very successful with planning the work, then working the plan.

CU:Congratulations on the stellar 2007 season - what was your highlight?

NF: "The highlight was obviously the National Time Trial--I didn't feel incredibly powerful, but I rode very smoothly and tactically raced the race to perfection. Everything clicked, and it is a rare and beautiful event when that happens, especially at a national championship."

"However, there were some notable results that I had (they obviously palled in comparison with my TT ride) that I am very proud of: I won the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference overall (9 race weekends) and our team won every team time trial we entered except for Nationals where we placed a close 2nd; I got 2nd in the Salida Criterium in Colorado and the Friday twilight stage of the Tour of Kansas City, both very hard-fought races where I really gave it everything and impressed myself; I got 7th at the U23 National Criterium after jumping the Slipstream leadout train going into the final corner; I was one of the top amateurs at both Downer's Grove criteriums, the Pro-Am and the Elite race, unfortunately crashing in both races (monsoon conditions)."

"Overall I had a fantastic season and loved spending my summer living, working, and training in Boulder, CO. I met some amazing people and raced with a great bunch of guys--the results always follow!"

CU: What is your first priority right now?

NF: "Getting through school and making the most of something that almost no one has the opportunity to do: attend the top school in the world."

CU:How can you remain so focused?

NF: "I actually don't focus on things I don't love doing, so I don't really see it as a challenge! I have concentrated on what I love and am good at, and the rest I just "get through" for lack of a better phrase."

"I have realized that I need to constantly be challenged--when things are easy and simple, whatever I do feels hollow, like what was the point, anyone could have done that! I need to do something better, faster, longer, harder, more creatively . . . whether these challenges are external (i.e. set by someone or something else) or internal (why don't I see if I can break my old record?) does not matter so much, although I find the internal challenges more satisfying because everything I do I feel like I have accomplished a personal goal."

"If you read anything written by top athletes, business people, even world leaders, it is often the repetitive setting and accomplishing of goals that leads to success and fulfillment. For instance, I do not like external training programs "sent down from above" (i.e. a "coach") because then I am checking boxes . . . I would rather decide, that day, what if I quit twiddling my thumbs reading CyclingNews and left a half hour earlier, then got back a half hour later and ate lunch somewhere late, then I could go all the way to Califon . . . the end result is a great training ride, but I also get a huge joy out of "doing more" than I had planned or thought I could do."

CU: How did you get hooked up with H.A.R.T.? What drew you to the team?

NF: "I got hooked up with H.A.R.T. while in Des Moines during winter break last year--Randy Reichardt was on the ride (East Peru loop, of course) and he heard me mention that I was not on a team. After telling me about the team, I thought it sounded cool but didn't give it much thought until I got an internship with Ball Aerospace in Boulder--then it was a logical step to join his team because I would have a team to race with in Colorado."

"It worked out really well, and I have some good friends on the team just from a short summer of racing!"

CU: Who is your coach and what has he done for you lately?

NF: "Donny Quixote--he has just ordered me a full parts spec for a bamboo fixed gear bike that three of my friends and I are building for MAE 321: Engineering Design (yes, I have figured out how to build a freaking bike and get it paid for by the school and get credit for it!!)."

"We have also just scheduled a series of Q&A/workshops for time-trialing that are going to be led by Donny, Jane Riessen (25-29 female duathlon national champion) and me. They should be very helpful for anyone who wants to go faster against the clock."

CU: What is the purpose behind your blogging? I notice how you put up your training plans and data. Isn't that like giving away state secrets?

NF: "I originally created my blog after winning Nationals because I figured, "well, this is it--I don't want to work 9-5, I want to race!". My summer internship really facilitated both the creation of the blog and the decision to "go for it" and try to get a contract--the job was not as challenging as cycling (but what is?), and I had some free time while blowing off steam from working on SolidWorks (3-D modeling program) for hours on end!"

"I had hoped to use the blog both as a tool to show teams that I can promote myself and as a means to keep people up to date with my endeavors. I have found that it elicits very interesting feedback, and it has also been an excellent time-saver: whenever someone asks how things are going, how this or that race went, or they have just met me and want to know more about me, I direct them to the blog."

"As far as giving away state secrets, I welcome anyone to go out and try to get a 5,000kJ ride in day after day! Training is (contrary to much popular belief) not rocket science--you have to know yourself, listen to yourself, learn what works for you and what doesn't, and then just go out and put in your time doing high-quality training."

"For instance, I coast less than 1% on my rides . . . it is crucial to maximize one's time on the bike doing exactly what you need to be doing, and this does not mean you have to sacrifice any joy and treat it like a job--I have found more joy in being out by myself, miles away from home and work and distractions, and being able to just think about everything without any stress. When else in life (besides sleep and vacation) do you have an opportunity like that?"

CU: What are your favorite events and why?

NF: "Obviously time trials are close to my heart! They are very interesting to me because so much science and engineering is behind every top ride. One must focus on training, tactics, equipment, and mental strength, leaving no details to chance."

"However, I am really trying to improve my stage racing this season--I am targeting the young rider jersey at every major stage race I attend, possibly in the Tour of Virginia, Nature Valley, Tour of Pennsylvania, Fitchburg, Tour de Toona, and others later in the season. I can climb well if I need to, and I am a smart rider--I can't sprint very well because I never train for it, but I can consistently place top 10 or 15 in criteriums and field sprints because of my positioning and aggressiveness. I can ride multiple days back to back and improve as the race goes on, so I hope that I can use these strengths to put up some good shows in 2008."

Despite having it all seemingly "come together" after a great season, Frey learned about the harsh realities of professional cycling, budget crunches, a soft market, and only a number of spots for talent.

CU: What happened to Kelly Benefits?

NF: "It was a funny September and October for me this year . . . I have never had to negotiate contracts or getting on a team before, as Hot Tubes is the only "serious" team I have been on and Toby just called me up in December and made me an unsolicited offer! This season, just a few weeks after Nationals, I got in touch with Derek Brouchard-Hall (of Mercury fame, rode for Peter van Petegem in Paris-Roubaix) who is from the Princeton Class of 1992. He raced professionally until he was 30, then went to Harvard for an MBA and now is a McKinsey consultant in London. He knows most of the directors of the top pro teams from his years in the peloton, and he personally sent my resume to every one of them!"

"After an encouraging statement from Jonathan Vaughters that he would have jumped at the opportunity to work together a year ago, but he has to get to the Tour, I was approached by Jonas Carney with Kelly Benefits. After talking to him for a while in person at Downer's Grove, and after he saw me (a non-sprinting time-trialist GC guy) mixing it up at the front with the big sprinters in the final lap, he said we wanted to discuss riding for his team in 2008 (this conversation took place after Worlds/Interbike, in late September)."

"After a few weeks of waiting and just checking up on his offer, it seemed like the offer was contingent on all of the other big names he was signing, i.e. Bajadali and Candelario. I basically concluded that I no longer had an offer, and then Erik Saunders approached me about riding for his new pro team, Time Pro Cycling."

"We really clicked on the phone, and I basically took the offer after a few days of thinking about everything. I think that this is a great situation because I will be able to learn and grow without too much pressure, and I think that Time Pro Cycling is an EXCELLENT program so I am very excited about next season."

CU: Five years down the road, where are you?

NF: "I see myself racing for a top American-based team in Europe at Pro Tour events (i.e. Slipstream, for example). I know it is a long road to the top, but the joy is not in reaching the top--it is in traveling the road itself."

"I love interviews with young up-and-coming cyclists who mention how many hard years they have ahead of them . . . do you think the top guys, even if they are 30, can say anything different?? Cycling is hard, so as long as you are cycling for a living, you have hard years ahead of you! If you enjoy it, and more importantly realize what other options you have in life and make a conscious decision that cycling is what you would rather be doing, instead of sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day for example, then those years are enjoyable.

"I know that whatever I do, wherever I go, I have many options, and I am very grateful for everything I have--one must never take for granted how much better they have it than many other people in life."

At CyclingUpdate, we enjoy interviewing the tough, young up-and-coming cyclists, too. More from Nick with the Lightning Round in a few days...

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Nick Frey #3
Everything you ever wanted to know about Nick Frey: The Lightning Round...

• Why Princeton? #1 school on earth, excellent engineering program, top sports teams, focus on undergraduates, top financial aid program in the country, great location, family nearby . . .
  
• Why not DMACC? I didn't get in (or apply)! This is an excellent choice for many people, and I am not going to detract from it.
  
• If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be and why? I would not have driven so fast with a learner's permit because then my dad would still have his '88 BMW 325i convertible!
• If brainpower could translate into speed, who would be your bitch? Uh, I have re-read this question a few times and am truly stumped by it! Hey, they don't let just anyone in to Princeton!
• Best TT bike ever? Cervelo P3, in all of its various incarnations.
• Best hair-band ever? Good lord, none of them.
• Mac or PC? MAC!!!
  
• Best movie? Good Will Hunting
• Who is your favorite pro rider? Cancellara (current) and Floyd (past)
• Best biking book? Bobke
• Top three songs in your iPod playlist? Proper Education by Eric Prydz (remix of Pink Floyd's best song), Ms. Jackson by Outkast, I'll Call Before I Come by Outkast
• Max power on SRM? pretty sad MAX power, but not bad 15-minutes: 377.
• Max HR? I have not seen over 182 for a LONG time.
• Resting HR? I can get it down to 38 but it usually goes up if I think about it or measure it.
  
• Favorite quote? "What am I on? I'm on my bike busting my ass 6 hours a day." -Lance
• Grad school, job or school of hard knocks? Hard knocks, school, then job!
• If you could eat an unlimited amount of anything, what would it be? Haagen-Dazs Rocky Road
• Is Lou right? Cyclocross really is for idiots? I think it is for people who are either crazy or really good at it and focus on it! I can not comment on Lou's opinions because I have not heard them.

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