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Rider Profile - Noah Hanagan
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name? Noah Hanagan
date of birth? 09/04/93
place of birth? Red Bluff
ht? wt? 5’7", 130 lbs.
Tell us about your riding background, How long, how you started.
Noah: I
started riding primarily xc with my dad about 5 years ago. I then
became interested in every type of riding/racing. I have done
cyclocross, endurance races, xc races, super-d, duathalons, dh racing
and dirt jumping. I feel that a wide variety of riding benefits my
overall capabilities.
When, where, was your first MTB race?
I started with the shasta wintercross races a couple years ago in Shasta County.
Were you immediately a serious racer, or was there a turning point?
After
my first cyclocross series, I had a major turning point. In my first xc
race, the Shasta Lemurian, I got third overall in the beginner after
being held up by miscommunications.
Describe your style, your strengths on a trail.
I
feel I have many strengths. I have a lot of pedaling power from xc
riding, I also love working the trails and pumping. I have recently
been working on jumping and technical speed.
What cross training do you do? Other Sports?
I
ride all year round with cyclocross and other races. I am also on the
Shasta high school JV soccer team. I run and work out as much as
possible.
Presently, what bikes are you running and why do you like or dislike them?
I am riding a Jamis
dragon pro steel frame hard tail with a fox fork and XT and truvativ
team components for xc, super-d, endurance events, and cyclocross. I
love this bike for its overall speed and quality. I am riding a giant
ac for dh and dirt jumping. This bike is good for some races but I am
upgrading soon to a strict dh race bike.
Tell us about what your goals and plans were coming into the 2008 season?
I
hope to maintain my position as xc state champion, to become dh state
champion, I also want to start doing more short track races. I plan to
these goals and more by training harder, riding farther and faster,
cross training harder, eating healthily, and HAVING FUN.
What was your best result last year? explain Favorite course last year? Explain.
I
feel my best results were in xc because I had many technical
difficulties in dh. The state championship race was hard and fun and I
am proud for sticking it out through the mud. My favorite course for dh
was the bigfoot dh because the soil was tacky, and the weather was
perfect. My favorite xc course was the humbolt hoedown because the
scenery was unbeatable and it had a lot of flow.
Talk about competing in both xc and dh events, is it easy, harder, than you anticipated? Most difficult part?
I
think that for me it is the only way to stay interested in biking. The
variety always keeps me motivated. I think it is easier because
training for xc also helps with dh and vise versa. The most difficult
part is finding trails that can help with both aspects of racing and to
keep variety of trails that I ride.
What are your goals for the coming season?
I want to improve all of my times at every single race. I hope to maintain my status as state champ and become dh state champ.
How have you prepared to meet these goals this offseason?
For
sure. I am riding 40-mile rides with steep up hills, challenging down
hills. I am staying healthy by drinking tea and eating proteins and
pastas. I am also challenging my self physically outside of biking.
Which events are you focusing on this year and why?
I try
not to focus on a specific event or two but rather on every race. I
would like to prove my self at sea otter and spring thaw though. As
well as doing better at team bigfoot series events and endurance events.
Outlook on racing at this time, what do you hope to achieve or get out of it in the coming years?
I
hope to acquire some more sponsors that will benefit me and that I can
establish a solid relationship with. I have found a solid group of
friends that will push the limits of riding with me. I hope to enjoy my
year and to stay healthy and avoid injury.
talk about some people who have helped you toward your progression over the years?
My
dad and mom are the reason I can keep racing. I also thank my friends
for riding with me. And my sponsors for providing me with what I need
to keep riding. Especially Jamis Bikes who make beautiful bikes that
are dialed out of the box. Also Gu energy gel for keeping me energized,
sixsixone for protecting me and clothing me, utopia for keeping my eyes
clean, and of course pirate dh for providing me with local support and
advice.
advice for motivated juniors aiming race and progress?
I
would say to just keep riding and having fun with your bike. its not
about how many sponsors or getting first all of the time. So just keep
having fun.
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