Interview #4: Ken Louder, TT National Champion
Ken Louder has answered the father/son questions sent to him. The younger Louder, Jeff, is still working feverishly on his answers. They both graciously accepted dhblog's request for an interview. After a great deal of deliberation and question testing from dhblog's pollster, interview questions were developed. While hard-hitting, the questions were meant to flesh out the true character of both of these icons in Utah cycling. You can regularly read about Jeff in cyclingnews.com and you can always find Ken lighting it up at every Utah race where, if you're lucky, Ken will give you a proud update on Jeff if you ask nice. Thanks Ken!
dhblog: $65 burning a hole in the wallet...what would you buy?
[Ken Louder] Not sure, but it's getting cold so maybe some new capilene from the Patagonia outlet store to get me through the winter. Either that or a good Italian red to put with some risotto to get us through one evening.
dhblog: favorite concert this year?
[Ken Louder] That's easy since the ONLY one I saw was Chris Isaak at Red Red Butte (must be getting old). The place is more about "the scene" than the music and it was entertaining to see a pro like him work his crowd of female fans.
dhblog: favorite concert of all time?
[Ken Louder] Not so easy. In 1966 when I first got to NYC for my freshman year I saw the Byrds at the Village Gate which was very cool then(and now) another time, more recently I was taken to The Jazz Alley to see "some pianist who's pretty good" by a business assoc. Turned out to be Ahmad Jamal with a Moroccan percussionist for two really fantastic sets and several encores in a place where, during the music, the crowd shut up and totally respected the musicians. Almost every time I've gone to something "big" I end up thinking I should have spent the money on buying another record (disk or download these days).
dhblog: Avenues Bakery or Liberty Fresh? and, what is the best "supplement" for cycling from both?
[Ken Louder] Both are good. At the Bakery it's carbos for right now - at the Heist you usually have to add a recipe, plus a little effort, heat and time.
dhblog: favorite fishing hole?
[Ken Louder] Middle Bight, Andros, The Bahamas. I'm on the platform with Andy Smith on the tower. We've got bright sky, a small breeze, a rising tide and "Big Mammas" are coming into range.
dhblog: Jeff, what do you wish your dad would have taught you? Ken, what is the most important thing you have taught Jeff?
[Ken Louder] Scary question. I hope it's the value of always trying to be honest and straightforward. I admire Jeff for often seeming to be better at it than me, and I hope I had a part in it.
dhblog: what are your biggest cycling victories? what are your cycling catastrophes?
[Ken Louder] I have to count the National TT win on the up side. Physically, every crash has been some sort of catastrophe but my brain-dead stupidity at last year's Natz crit is at the top of the list and will bother me for a long time.
dhblog: what caught your interest in competitive cycling and when did you start?
[Ken Louder] I've always been a reader and through some book or magazine I think I was aware of the Tour before we had TV (we got it in Twin Falls when I was in the 2nd grade in 1954) . I first saw racing in France in 1974 - during the Tour. It seemed like every TV in the country was devoted to full-time coverage of the race. Back in SLC in 1976 I went on a social ride with some skiing friends on my new "10-speed" and after they kicked my ass up Emigration, the challenge had been thrown down. My first race was in early 1977 (I was 29). I entered a crit in Research Park and I got schooled by some guys who let me tow them around until it was time to sprint. It seems I may never learn...
dhblog: why do you think Bill Harris hasn't answered dhblog's interview questions? do you think he has something to hide?
[Ken Louder] I don't think he has anything important to hide. Probably the power is out in LA again. If you do communicate with him ask what he thinks about him showing us his HR charts in return for us showing him ours. We all spend the season trying to respect our HR workout limits. Ever wonder how well he does?
dhblog: have either of you been "star-struck"?
[Ken Louder] Not since Eddy retired and Ayrton Senna was killed.
dhblog: what would your dream job be?
[Ken Louder] Easy one, F1 driver for Ferrari.
dhblog: Ken, what is your proudest moment as a father?
[Ken Louder] Watching Jeff develop from birth (I was there) to be a man (I'm glad I'm still watching).
dhblog: tell us about your funniest family memory...
[Ken Louder] Even if I could remember I probably wouldn't be able to tell you - in order to protect the innocent.
dhblog: how about a list of your favorite beverages?
[Ken Louder] Latte in the AM, Vintage euro red with dinner. Champagne on special occasions and a Trippel now and then. In between, green tea, San Pelligrino and Red Bull.
dhblog: we're big fans of Burke Swindlehurst here at dhblog...introvert or extrovert? explain...
[Ken Louder] Not sure: maybe overtly an introvert but inwardly an extrovert? Some French philosopher said there are only two kinds of personalities: voyeurs and exhibitionists... since he was French he wasn't able to understand that things aren't only this or that. We are all a blend, I think. I am fairly sure that Burke is not French.
dhblog: speaking of Burke, i'm going to steal one of his questions he asked to dhblog...if you were a car, what make/model/year?
[Ken Louder] 1962 Ferrari GTO. V-12, no computers, old school but scary fast and very classic cool..
dhblog: what should dhblog viewers know about you?
[Ken Louder] I'm afraid they may know too much already.
dhblog: are there any questions i should have asked either of you?
[Ken Louder] See previous question.
dhblog: finally, tell us about your favorite blog?
[Ken Louder] What's a blog?
Ken, thanks again for indulging us here at dhblog's place. Remember, if anyone has other questions, post them in the comments section and we'll make sure to forward them on to Ken for an answer.
By the way, Orange County was great this past weekend. I wish I would have taken a bike because it was warm...in the 80s...and i'm pretty sure #1 was out of his zones on Saturday from what I heard.
I wonder what #1 is doing right now...