After a really tough night of travel misadventures, including missed planes, and botched connections, one might have expected Tinker Juarez to be in a less than jovial or friendly mood. But I have to say that he is a total gentleman and a joy to be around. We sat in the shade under the canopy of the Cannondale Demo Trailer and literally chatted together.

Tinker Juarez: It's all good, everything is getting going today!

Gary: You look more relaxed than the last time I saw you which was at Interbike.

Tinker: We're outside. I mean, I am all about outside. I don't know, it's different there at Interbike. It's a whole different thing there. I mean there is all that cool stuff, and it is neat to check it out.

Gary: How long have you been with Cannondale?

Tinker: Since '94, what? Eleven years.

Gary: So what do you think about Pedrosfest, have you been here before?

Tinker: Once before, but I don't know it is kind of a blur. I think it was two years ago, but I really don't remember it that well. Not like this year. Soaking it in really. I mean this year it is really nice, it's happening in the moment. Like an outdoor Interbike show.



Gary: You are leading a ride this afternoon, what will it be like?

Tinker: Ride and check it out. I will be unwinding it for the expert riders, we'll ride good and hard, but we'll keep it flexible. You have to be flexible. Usually the only difference between the expert and those who are not is the questions. You have to be ready to tailor it to the group. I mean you want to make people work, but you don't want to get lost. The ride will be guided by someone who knows the trails. If I went out alone, we could be out there for a while. I mean I'd just go... The trails look completely new, it will be a brand new beautiful experience. I am really enjoying this trip. I am staying in a really nice place. I'm not a camper, I mean I can camp and be outside, but I don't like to camp out. I'll ride anywhere anytime.

Dan: So, where is your home trail? I mean the place where you go when it's all done and you need to relax and be at peace.

Tinker: Wet trails are hard. I ride near Park City Utah, it's not really high, but the trails are hard and dry, they're good for climbing. I don't like too much single track. I train mostly on the road for endurance anyway. The wet out East is very challenging. My weakness is the wet. Roots and big rocks get slippery. My strength is in the dry and the technical areas. I like traction. It's good to know what you need.