Kevin Nichol, lst Place (Center)

Ian MacGregor, 2nd Place (Left)

Peter Stetina, 3rd Place (Right)

Photo by Whitney Deuel/Jeremy Long

KEVIN NICOL RACE BIO 2008

  I took up cycling after loading up my bike with packs, maps and my basketball high tops, to set off on a journey with dad into the mountains surrounding Boulder at the age of 9.  We planned on a night in the woods and then breakfast back in Boulder at the IHOP.  I think it was 70 miles total and I was beat.

  For some reason I kept doing it and found the perfect outlet for this new gig, a bike race called the Red Zinger Mini Classic, 1981.  The race was patterned after the event’s namesake Red Zinger that morphed into the Coor’s Classic.  These events featured some of the best riders in the world and I had the privilege of seeing them up close and personal, Lemond, Hinault, Phinney, Hampsten.  I was hooked and baseball quickly took a back seat, although I vividly recall my first race ever.  Loaded up on bacon, eggs and OJ, yes, one must retain strength during athletic endeavors and promptly vomited after I crossed the line.   Little did I expect to be still doing this 27 years later, competing against the offspring of my former coaches and idols.

  My passion for the sport has not diminished over the years. Actually it’s not so much the fight I’m in love with, but the pure joy of riding through our beautiful Colorado Mountains.  Competitive results are just the after-effect of long hours in the saddle.  I have a very unorthodox approach towards “training.”  Training is sort of a misnomer here…. I ride heavy mileage, all in the hills, out of the house by 4am, 5hrs/7days.  Sometimes I go fast, sometimes I go slowly.  This is all carefully arranged so I can maximize my real profession of being a “stay at home dad” for my two wonderful kids. 

  From my past of trying to live the dream, of young guy pro bike racer, to changing my first diaper at the hospital, I have become a different person.  The wonderful experiences that have come from the bike lately can be attributed to the different perspective gained from raising a family and sharing life with my beautiful wife of nearly 18yrs. 

  I focus on the positives and give my full attention to the task at hand.  Being prepared seems to be half the battle and taking on lofty goals while fulfilling one’s obligations to home and work is the ultimate in preparing one’s organizational skills.   

  These past three seasons have been fruitful and when it’s all said and done, the really important thing to say at the end of the day is “I had some fun.” 

2006 Elite Colorado Best All Around Rider

2007 Elite Colorado Best All Around Rider

200   Pro Mt. Evans Hill Climb Champion