Midwest MTB Racing Recap

by Jay Richards
May 28, 2008

With most of the mountain bike racing racing action over Memorial day weekend relatively low key, I thought I would check in with one of the hottest riders in the Midwest right now, Mike Phillips.

Phillips has gone full assault on the National Series racing in the first three Nationals and even made the trip out to California to race in the legendary Sea Otter event. Currently in the National series, Phillips sits an impressive 10th overall, 9th American in the cross country series, 11th overall in the short track and has a outside chance of being named to the Worlds team. Closer to home, the Milwaukee, WI native took on the first WORS race, taking the win.

Phillips first started racing in 1992 at the young age of 16. Snowboarding and skate boarding were other activities that occupied Phillips' active time while growing up then taking a break while attending college before getting back into racing in 2001. Phillips has scored top 10 overall finishes in the WORS series five of the past six years including 4th place finishes the past two years. Probably the biggest win for Phillips was taking the National title as as semi-pro last year, pulling on the stars and stripes. Racing at the National level can be more mental than anything and Mike shares some interesting comments about the mental side of things and answers a few other questions via e-mail correspondence.

1. You have had some great early season races on the National scene. Living in a Milwaukee that experienced the second snowiest season on record of snowfall, how did you prepare yourself training wise for early season racing in March? Any other type of training other than cycling in the "off season" ?
   Thanks. Yes, this winter I was just as relentless as anyone who lives here can attest! I think at that point it becomes more of a mental barrier than a physical one. However, I think I made it through intact because all the training distracted me from the awful weather! This year I couldn't afford a coach, so I recycled last years' plan and just upped the power from beginning to end starting in early December (after the big eating season!). For instance, last year I used 200w as my baseline for endurance rides, and this year I tried to stay above 220w. In a twisted way the cold weather actually helped, because if you have a 4000kj (kilojoules) ride to do and it's 5 degrees outside (this actually happened) you are going to rip those kj's as fast as you can! Anything below 160bpm was fair game, that one was 5hrs. To compare, I did the same mileage two days ago in the warm air and only used 3200kjs, so you can see how the Midwest actually makes you "tough!" In addition to base I was in the weight room twice a week, but instead of doing lots of different exercises with tons of reps (except for a short acclimation period) we concentrated on building the big power, so we got up to the high weight/low reps pretty fast. This is easy to juggle during base but in February I started LT (lactate threshold) work and I usually stop the weights there as it starts affecting power output. March is pretty much the worst with back to back VO2 days (blocking days together helps with recovery at the NMBS races that you race 2 days in a row). I like having some good form early season to get results, plus I think the better your early season the better your peak will be later on. Also those first few races don't gas you so much and you can get right back to training with minimal recovery.
2. It was pretty hot last weekend at the California National? Coming from the "cool" Midwest, what adjustments did you make for racing in the extreme heat?
   In the past I've race well in the heat so I wasn't too freaked out. I just follow a few rules, and those are: drink lots of water in the days before the race, take your electrolytes! and most importantly, respect your Lactate Threshold, because you can't bust out the attacks and recover like you can when it's not hot. You can get into trouble before you realize it's too late!
3. On the same token, what is it like mentally to go from racing in the Midwest to the Nationals? And on the flip side, do you find it hard to focus being "race ready" for the local races?
   I was worried but after my first NMBS (Phoenix last year as a semi-pro) I realized that the Midwest is just as fast if not faster! That said I am always "race ready" no matter where, I can't help it! I think racing is just in our nature.

4. 

   How has the jump to racing Pro been like?
   Not nearly as bad as I thought! There is always some overlap from class to class, so if you're top 5 and move up to Pro you should be mid-pack, no problem. Basically you just have to have a few good results, pay your dues, and get that better call up so you aren't wasting energy getting to the front. You can use your training power levels as a gauge too like I did this season. That's a great way to measure improvement and gain the confidence to jump in the Pro pool!
5. Last year you took the Semi-Pro race at US Nationals at Mt Snow VT. were crowned National Champion in that class. Did the course and conditions favor your riding style? What advice can you give to Midwest riders who are planning on racing the course at Mt Snow this July?
   I raced Mt Snow back in the heyday of Mt Bike Racing, in 93, so it was really cool to go back east and race it again! I'm from upstate NY and I grew up riding those muddy, rooty downhills so I was stoked when I pre-rode the course in the pouring rain. I usually make time on downhills and the conditions really helped me, plus my form was good for climbing, so I didn't really lose time there. For Midwest racers, I would say just loosen up and learn to go fast while still being smooth. Think of yourself as water over the rough stuff. I know that sounds cheesy but it's true! Carry your momentum, light on the brakes and just keep the speed up -- it really helps make alot of sections. We have stuff here in the midwest that is similar but it's not as steep, so just go ride those trails at a higher speed! For the climbing part, the main thing is to keep your weight down. Racing at 155 is alot easier than 165, which has been another big thing for me. I am a weight weenie with equipment too, especially 'cause I ride the FS (full suspension). Also you can work on pedaling technique, climbing demands a much more circular pedal stroke so I do lots of single leg drills and really concentrate on the circular motion when I'm riding.
6. I saw a picture of your dinner spread from the pre-race meal before the San Ynez, CA National. You must like to eat!
   Yeah....I have developed more self-control in my old age [31] but still struggle with this. It's tough to give up foods you like and to eat smaller portions, but if you have goals it's worth it! Plus after long rides you can let it go a bit and treat yourself. Then you can look back and say "wow that cake was really good, maybe I can have another piece if I do good in this race!" later on. Basically I eat whatever till March then I go from winter weight of about 165 down to 155. It's too hard to try and maintain a low weight mentally and physically early on. Part of peaking for me is this sharpening of the body and mind, the other side of that is letting it go. Highs and lows...
7. Last time I talked to Chris DePearsio, he said he was going to focus on MTB marathon racing this year but he has been racing the XC at Nationals and Sea Otter with you, having a great season as a first year Pro. How has it been having Chris along during the early races?
   Chris has been great in showing me the ropes. Without him I would not have known a lot of the ins and outs of the NMBS races, and just traveling to races in general. That has saved me tons of time and headache! So I am grateful for that. It is also cool to have another Midwest racer to travel with, it keeps things in perspective. We both have regular jobs and keep reality in check and just try to have fun! Racing can get so serious, you need to step back and remember why you're doing it in the first place.
8. What is your favorite course to race and favorite place to train?
   If I could race flat courses all the time I would! That said I love the Phoenix Nova course, it's like a roller coaster and suits my skills perfectly. But I like climbing, I'm just not that great at it. By nature I like things that challenge me so I am drawn to training on hills whenever I can. I really like riding near my Dad's on the CA coast, but back home in NY is good too, tons of hills! Actually anywhere is great, I just love riding my bike, road or mountain!
9. What's the craziest thing to happen to you in a race or training?
   All I can think of now is Sea Otter this year: the leadout on the track was crazy! I got nudged into the concrete barrier on the Laguna Seca raceway before we hit the trails, this was at about 30mph and nowhere to go...I barely kept it upright. I was angry at the time at the guy who did it, but he didn't even know it had happened! That's just racing and that's the way it goes. He even apologized at the Santa Ynez race, I thought that was a good gesture. That's one thing about the Pro field, it's a bit more relaxed and people are more level headed for the most part.

Phillips is scheduled to race the entire National series, leaving Deer Valley UT, Windham NY, and the series finals at Brian Head in UT for remaining Nationals. The main goal will be the National Championships at Mt Snow, (his favorite course) then taking a short break in early August before starting back up again for Chequamegon, the fall WORS races, and the CX season. Good luck rest of the season Mike! (Follow his progress online.)

Looking ahead

WORS #3 kicks off the racing in June with the Big Ring Classic at the popular Nine Mile forest and is consistently one of the top drawing races in the series. The course features a mix of tight singletrack and rocket fast ski trail.  The longer course lap satisfies all riding interests.

Retired pro Alison Dunlap will be in Madison June 7-8 to instruct at the 9th annual Women's Dirt Retreat.  Alison will join experienced local instructors including current WORS elite racers Sue Juedes, Abby Strigel, Holly Liske and Holly Klug. The Women's Dirt Retreat is a women's mountain bike camp that aims to help women of all skill levels become more comfortable riding off-road.  The clinic covers topics such as climbing, descending, conquering roots and rocks and other important skills in small groups. 

Keep the wheels moving!

Note: If you have any mountain bike race information or comments you would like to share, please feel free to contact me at

and I will try to include it in future reports.