NashvilleCyclist.com recently caught up with local
cycling phenom Zach Bolian while he was back home in Nashville.
Zach has spent the last few months training in Italy after competing in
Junior Worlds, and lately he's been in California training and preparing
for the 2005 season. Those lucky enough to show up on the February
5th Saturday morning ride got to ride along side the man himself.
See some photos of Zach at
Bikes of Be
There or Get Slower. Upcoming potential races for Zach include
Pomona, Redlands, and possibly even Tour de Georgia!
23 Feb 2005
NC.com - At what age did you begin racing
competitively? Why cycling?
ZB - I started racing mountain bikes when I was 12 years old. I
started riding my bike because I really wanted to drive, and 16 seemed
like it was forever away. Since a bike was the only legal mode of
transportation I started riding my bike to my local bike shop, only
about a mile from my house. I went there ALL the time and it was
like a second home for me. The guys there got me into racing along
with some people at my school.
NC.com - How do you enjoy spending your time when you aren't
training or racing your bike?
ZB - When I'm not training and racing my bike??? No, I'm
exaggerating, but for now I've had to curve my interest to consume less
time and energy. So for now I mainly like being a bum in general.
I read, use the Internet like a crack addict, and hang out with friends
when I can, but training, racing and travel take up most of my time.
NC.com - At the age of 16 you won the Junior National Road
Race Championship in 2002. You obviously were a top notch junior before
winning, but discuss how that victory stamped your name on the map of
USA cycling.
ZB - Winning nationals was definitely huge for me, and in many ways that
one result put me in the position where I am today. Nationals is
THE only big race for a 16 year old American cyclist, so obviously USA
Cycling puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of that race.
Winning earned me some invitations, which lead to more and so on; it
broke the ice really.
NC.com - A few years ago you were battling knee problems
that hampered your progress. Describe this struggle and how you have
overcame that obstacle. Did this experience change your approach to
cycling in any way?
ZB - Dealing with years of knee problems was definitely the most
difficult thing I've had to do so far in my life. The problem was
largely a physical puzzle, but the struggle was almost entirely
psychological. The hardest part was constantly wondering when, and
if I would be better. When you are so focused on training and racing and
getting results and all that stuff it is really hard to take down time
and focus on the problem at hand. That got in my way a lot.
NC.com - You have been chosen the last few years to be a
part of the Junior US National team racing abroad. How has that impacted
and progressed your career, and moreover have you actually begun to view
cycling as your career?
ZB - Yeah, racing with the National Team, and Hot Tubes over in Europe
was definitely where I wanted to be since I started racing as a junior,
and luckily I was able to get there. Really racing in Europe as a
junior just exposes you to a whole new world of bike racing. The
races are better organized, better attended, and of course there is
better competition. That's not to say that the competition here in
America isn't any good, because that isn't the case. The
difference is there, the fields are deeper, and when 10 guys can win a
race here 80 guys can there, and that makes the racing eight times
harder and more aggressive.
NC.com - You're one year removed from high school at
University School of Nashville with plans for attending Furman
University correct? What do you plan to study at Furman besides the
bike? Discuss this transition and how you hope to continue your cycling
pursuit abroad.
ZB - Yeah, I finally got out of USN after 13 years there, and I am
planning on going to Furman this fall. One of the reasons I chose
Furman actually though is because we take 2 years of general courses
before declaring our major, leaving me more time to figure out what it
is I want to study. In the next few years I figure I am either
going to have a strengthened love for cycling, which may put me down a
physiology path; or I'll be finished with cycling and want to pursue
something else. So we'll see.
NC.com - Growing up in Nashville and as someone involved in
the Tennessee racing scene early on, who were your role models locally,
and what professionals do you admire most and why?
ZB - Hmmm.... you know I'm one of those guys who kind of takes a little
bit from everyone. I've never really had a proper "role model,"
but being a young mountain biker I remember thinking Mike Callaway-Fagan
was the coolest and fastest guy alive. Then later on as I started
doing more road I looked up to guys like Jason Grass, Christian Foster,
and Todd Nordemeyer, all who ended up becoming good friends. As
far as professionals go I have to admit watching Lance dominate a
mountain stage, or time trial, as well as seeing his high level of
professionalism has always motivated me. Really you have to admire
all of those guys at that level.
Part 2 of the Zach Files coming soon.....
BACK to Zach B's Main Diary Page