This post is the 5th in the series where I will have the racers on my masters and 1/2’s teams answer some questions to help everyone learn some things about them. The following information was provided to me by James Reid. James is new to the team this year and will be a strong addition to our crew.

Rider profile

Name: James Reid

Age: 37 (racing age 38)

Occupation: Lawyer

Years riding: 4 years.  Started in May 2013

Years racing: 3 years.  My first race was May 2014

Greatest racing success: Winning: (1) the Point Series and a State Championship jersey two years in a row (Time Trial in Cat 4 and then Crit in Cat 3/4); (2) a State Championship medal in a Crit, TT, and Road Race (Cat 4) in the same season; (3) Waterford A Race (Cat 1-3); and (4) a podium spot in the Cat 3/4 (first)  and Cat 1-3 AAVC Race (third) on the same day.

The one that got away: I blew the State Championship (Cat 3/4) Road Race in 2016.  I was relatively fresh and in the front going into the final straight away.  Instead of taking off with 800 meters to go before the main sprinters made the final turn, I stopped pedaling to go behind a rider (since I thought it was always a bad strategy to be the first person going into a final turn) and missed the sprint lead-out train that came a few seconds later.

Indoor training tips: Find friends and/or a coach to hold you accountable.  Watch movies and/or interact with people on easier workout days to keep it fun.  My indoor training rides at home are only scheduled while my kids are asleep; otherwise I need to cycle at a gym or a friend’s house.

Why are you excited to race with Kinetic Fitness Coaching p/b Jack’s Bicycles this year?:

Our team consists of different weapons (from sprinters to breakaway to all around riders) that complement each other’s strengths/weaknesses.  They are also great guys/role models.

2017 goal(s): Give our team a chance to win/podium in all races we enter, continue to learn/improve racing strategies each race, and win a road race.

Anything else you want to add:  They always say that cycling is chess on wheels.  I love chess and look forward to learning from the experience of my teammates.