Ronde Ohop - QA with David Richter

David Richter showed earned his stone (literally, you get a mounted stone when you win! See what I did there?) last year with a 30 mile solo move. Here's his perspective of the Ronde Ohop:

PruDog: You won the Ohop on your first ride last year. What do you remember most about it?

Richter: How epic it was. I couldn't believe what had just happened.


P: You went solo for most of the race with an attack on the Mashel-Eatonville-Mashel loop. Did you know how hard the dirt would be? Or was that part of your plan?

R:I attacked on the road section, knowing the dirt was going to be insane. Just like what happens at Paris Roubaix before the Arenberg Forest.

P: You’re known as a road guy. But people forget you raced pro mountain bike and have ridden cross. What is one reason a roadie should do the Ronde?

R: To really experience what epic is.

P: What is one reason a cross rider should do it?

R: because a bunch of roadies will be doing it & they'll [the cross riders - ed] smash the most decisive part.

P: If you could give someone who has never ridden it before one piece of advice before their first rider what would it be?

R: ride as aggressive as possible & drink before the dirt loops.

The Ronde Ohop
The 2011 Herriott Sports Performance Ronde Ohop power by ByrneInvent is August 21, 2011 and is the final round of the 2011 Washington Cup.

The race covers a 6 mile paved circuit 2-4 times (depending on the category) before finishing with 10 laps of the Mashel-Nisqually Loop. The loop features 1 mile for paved road and 1.25 miles hard pack dirt.

Road or Cyclocross bikes can be used but 25-28c road or file tread tires are recommended (neutral wheel support is provided by FSA).

For more info visit the Ronde Ohop Website at http://www.dirtymoose.com/2010ohop/index.htm