Working behind the scenes for USA Cycling on behalf of all racers, promoters and local associations in the Southeast is a young man named Stuart Lamp.  Chances are you have seen Stuart in action without knowing it, while there's an even better chance area Cat 1/2s have sucked his wheel at some point! 

Having known Stuart for awhile I know he has a unique story and perspective on bicycle racing.  Through the interview you will learn about his background in the sport, his time at Lees-McRae College, his role with USA Cycling, and several events he suggests doing at some point in your racing adventure.

NC.com - How did you get into the sport of cycling and racing?

Stuart Lamp - I first started riding thanks to my Dad. He started riding MTB's in 1996, and got me into the sport. I just rode occasionally, and was actually not that in love with it. I started riding in high school after quitting several sports due to injuries. I was really out of shape when I started back, and weighed about 215 pounds. I was huge! This time, the switch was turned in inside of me, and I just fell in love with riding. I was riding everyday after school, and decided that I would try a local MTB race. I entered the junior event, and took off avoiding a few early crashes to take the lead. By the time we were completing the first lap, I had a 2 minute advantage over second place. Unfortunately, I had a pinch flat going into the last lap and made the rookie mistake of not taking anything to repair the flat. I DNF'ed, but I was hooked on racing at that point. Within my first year of being on a bike, I dropped my weight down to 140 pounds and felt great! Within two years though, I was done with MTB racing, because I fell in love with what road racing had to offer. I loved the different disciplines, and the tactical aspects that a rider need to be successful. I have raced road exclusively since the 2003 season.

NC.com - You are a Lees-McRae graduate, an alumni of their collegiate program and a TTT national champion while there. How has the collegiate experience impacted you?

Stuart - The collegiate experience was huge for me on several levels. The first thing that stands out when looking back is the camaraderie that I had with so many great people. You don't get this feeling with non-collegiate racing and I truly miss this aspect of cycling. I miss having 15-30 great riders to train with on any given day, and helping each other to be better riders. When I look back at the experience, some of the best times were in training with teammates.

The second thing is that I was able to get an education, and do what I love at the same time. I was fortunate to have Lees McRae want me on the team, and the school was actually a good fit for me. I honestly was more concerned with racing, than hitting the books, but I still managed to get my degree and put it to good use. I hope that more schools like Lees McRae, and Cumberland University, offer such an opportunity to riders looking to get an education. It can have an amazing impact on smaller schools, and the exposure that they receive.

The last thing that stands out for me is the satisfaction of knowing that I contributed to something that is still going strong. I never thought that the team would be where it is today when I stepped foot on campus in 2002. I was fortunate in having the opportunity to help grow the team from a humble beginning of 7 riders, to where it stood when I left in 2006. There have been several changes through the years, but the one thing that remains the same is the strong team bond. The riders that I had the privilege of riding with will always leave me with a big smile when I look back on my college years.

NC.com - You are now the Southeast Regional Coordinator for USA Cycling. How did you land that job and what are your primary responsibilities?

Stuart - I actually interviewed for the Collegiate Directors job in 2006, but Daniel Matheny was actually hired for the job. At the time, I did not think too much of the lost opportunity because I had a good job at that time working for the Decatur Convention and Visitors Bureau. In February of 2007, I received a call informing me that the Eastern Regional MTB Coordinator position had opened up, and USA Cycling wanted me to apply. I was shocked at that point that I got a call, but I told them I would apply for the position. As luck turns out, I got the job and eventually my duties were moved to overseeing all USA Cycling disciplines in the Southeast.

My job duties are to oversee all forms of the sport, work with Local Associations to improve racing, approve race permits, category upgrades for racers, calendar management with Local Associations and promoters, and member services for USAC members in the Southeast. There are many other specific duties within these categories, but these are some of the main jobs.

Editor note- Daniel Matheny is a former Nashvillian & former NC.com diarist now working for CTS.

NC.com - What should all bike racers realize about race promoter demands, and what should promoters understand about bike racers more in order to have a successful event?

Stuart - I will begin by answering the first part of this question. Bike racers are what drive this sport, but without promoters, officials and volunteers, we would not have any races to compete in. A lot of racers complain about mistakes made by a promoter, but they themselves have never promoted the first event. It is very difficult to organize any event, let alone a bike race. There are permits that must be filled out, course inspections, securing volunteers and sponsors, etc. It is not just as simple as drawing a line on the road, and having a bike race. I don't feel that racers truly understand everything that goes into an event, unless they have promoted an event at some point. It is difficult to explain how much work goes in to putting on a successful event, but I hope that racers who read this will go up and thank promoters for putting on an event that they attend. If you have criticism, then make it constructive and do it after an event. This will do more good than you will know.

Promoters, to be successful, need to understand what is called the "Member Experience." A promoter needs to focus on all the things that affect the racers experience at their event. If registration is a disaster, then a rider will not have had a successful experience. If races are not on time, due to a promoter controlled issue, then the racers will look bad at that event. If a promoter focuses on safe courses, properly staffed course marshals, competent registration crew, and entry fees that are in line with the racing experience, then the race promoter should have the recipe for a successful event. That doesn't mean that they do not have to promote the event and rest until race day. It simply means they have the pieces in place to have a great event.

NC.com - The growth of racing has mushroomed in the last five years with more road and cyclocross races, and mountain biking has several top notch series, SERC for example. Aside from more opportunities to compete, what are the other upsides to this and what are some of the downsides?

Stuart - The next upside besides more competition is that the sport is being exposed to more people. Racing is reaching a larger audience, and attracting a lot of people who would normally just ride for fitness. Cycling is now also viewed as a major way for cities to bring outside visitors to their towns. Many towns have seen the economic impact that cycling can bring to a community, and we are seeing more cities take advantage of this.

The downside is that some regional events have taken hits in recent years, because there are so many racing opportunities. That is an unfortunate part of growth, and competition, but these events are still viable, healthy events. The Local Associations have done their job in creating racing opportunities, and keep riders within state lines. I think competition can be healthy, but you have to be careful how far apart it is. If the races are too close, then we run the risk of destroying two events and leaving racers with a negative experience. Some people don't understand that, and think that we can have a race on every street corner. Unfortunately cycling in the Southeast is not as popular as it is in a state like California. We have seen steady growth in the Southeast over recent years, and I want to see that continue for years to come. We have tried to keep competition between events to a reasonable distance, and hopefully we can continue that in the future. Calendar management has been a very important part of my job, and hopefully we can make improvements to that over the next few years.

NC.com - You still race yourself and hit a TBRA race every now and then. If you had to choose 5 top notch races outside of Tennessee that a racer should do at some point, what races would they be and why?

Stuart - Wow, this is a tough question! There are so many great races in the Southeast that I don't know if I could pick just 5. I could actually list about 20 events. I am going to do my best, but keep in mind that these races are based on my preference of racing. These are in no order, but rather a collection of my favorites. One thing that all of these events have in common is that the promoters continue to excel in taking great care of the member experience I talked about.

Mississippi Gran Prix- This a fun, fast stage race in Southern Mississippi. Three days of racing with a criterium, road race, circuit race, and individual time trial.

Regions Race Weekend- This event is in Albany, Georgia. Features an open prologue style time trial on the criterium course. Then you have a great criterium course, and road race to complete the weekend. Great way to start the year.

Tour de Tuscaloosa- Great criterium and road race. The road race is one of my favorite race courses, because it is deceptively hard. The crit is right in downtown Tuscaloosa and continues to grow each year. Just a great event.

French Broad Cycling Classic- This event is a great race outside of Asheville, NC. The RR that they use has 6,000 feet of climbing in 40 miles! The time trial course is probably one of the best courses for a time trial specialist.

Meridian/Cuba Challenge- Great racing on the Mississippi/Alabama border. A very fast 6 corner criterium on a wide, downtown course. The road race the next day has about 6,000 feet of climbing in around 80 miles, which is amazing for the Mississippi/Alabama border.

Bonus Race: Crossroads Criteriums in North Carolina. Weeklong series of very fast crits, on a variety of courses. Convenient locations within an hour of Charlotte which is extremely nice.

NC.com - Thanks for taking the time with NashvilleCyclist.com We'll give you the last word, what would you like to leave the readers with?

Stuart - I would like to let everyone know that I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the Southeast. I hope that if anyone ever has any issues, or ideas to please share them with me. I am always interested to hear what can be done to make bike racing a better sport for everyone here in the region. Everyone can reach me at slamp@usacycling.org . Thanks for taking the time to read!