My Blog
HCC: Where are you originally from? and which area in Hawaii do you live now?
TL: I was born in Tokyo but raised in Philadelphia. I spent the last eight years living in the Washington, D.C. area before moving to Hawaii. I live in Hawaii Kai with my wife and two daughters. We only had ten days to purchase a house and decided to restrict ourselves to Hawaii Kai because we heard the traffic was better in that area.
HCC: You raced in the mainland for which team and what types of racing?
TL: I raced for several teams to include Turin (Chicago); Mambo Kings (Philadelphia); Regulators/Trek (Virginia) and DC Velo/Martens Volvo (Washington, D.C.). We raced mainly road races, criteriums, and time trials.
HCC: What’s your occupation? and does it allow you to train the way you like?
TL: I am the Chief Division Counsel for the FBI Honolulu Division where I provide legal advice and training to FBI agents and analysts on criminal and counter terrorism matters. Any work-related matter will take priority over cycling but generally I can still manage to squeeze in some lunchtime rides.
HCC: How did you or who influenced you to get into cycling?
TL: My roommate at the University of Chicago was a nationally-ranked cyclist and he persuaded me to ride with him. I used his spare bicycle and he convinced me to enter some collegiate races. I got dropped regularly but I noticed improvement after every race.
HCC: Do you have a favorite food? If so which and why?
TL: Japanese curry! It tastes so good and is easy to make.
HCC: How many years have you been competing?
TL: About 20 years... pretty scary!!
HCC: Do you have a favorite drink? If so which and why?
TL: I am a water person... plain water...
HCC: How many hours do you train and where abouts?
TL: Most of my training involves my 30 mile roundtrip commute from Hawaii Kai into downtown. I also partake in the Team Core Tuesday night rodes and will join Tradewinds, Bike Factory or Team Core on the weekends rides. I probably put in 15-20 hours per week.
HCC: Do you have any cycling Idols? If so who and why?
TL: Two of the most humble cyclists I admire are John Hamblen and Jon Wirsing. Both race professionally on the East Coast for local teams. I was very fortunate to be in some breakaways with them over the years and they were just classy in the way they rode.
HCC: How did you get into cycling on the mainland and how about in Hawaii?
TL: Cycling is all about inspiring and encouraging up and coming racers into the sport. I was very fortunate to run into these people in Philly and Washington, D.C. The same thing happened in Hawaii. Team Core's Dave Lum --probably the most altruistic person on Oahu introduced me to all the races here in Hawaii a few years back. It's not the sport but the people that make cycling enjoyable.
HCC: Do you have a favorite cycling race? If so which and why?
TL: Cycle to the Sun on Maui... it's so hard and mentally draining. But once you reach the top- it's the most peaceful image I can imagine!
HCC: I see you are on a team on the mainland (which team). Is there a reason why you didn’t sport the local team kit?
TL: For the past few years I rode for DC Velo/Martens Volvo...they are a great bunch of guys and they asked me to continue to ride for them. In Hawaii, I have decided to race for Tradewinds. They are a great bunch of people who look beyond cycling to more important factors such as friendship and comraderie.
HCC: Numbers and types of coaches you have or had?
TL: Only one coach, Marcel Bengston. He was a professional cyclist from Australia who captained our Team Regulators/Trek. He was the consummate cyclist. He knew how to call every race.
HCC: Describe the awards you have received in cycling?
TL: I've won several state awards and jerseys for Virginia and Pennsylvania.
HCC: What category are you under the USCF and which categories do you like to participate in and why?
TL: I've been a USCF Category 1 road cyclist for the past 14 years. I still race Senior Men although at age 39 I'm not getting any younger.
HCC: Describe your greatest moments in cycling?
TL: Probably being in the final breakway of 12 riders at the 1998 Univest Grand Prix in Souderton, Pennsylvania. We had 4 Belgians from their National Team; 3 French from their National Team (including former pro Joop Zootemelk's son); 2 Colombians and 3 Americans (inlcuding myself and Jeff Rutter). It was a 100 mile road race with some nasty climbing. Of course luck would have it I flatted with 5 miles to go and lost 8 minutes waiting for a spare- I think I wound up in 28th place or so. Our Regulators/Trek Team van got lost on the course...what can you do..that's part of cycling. Th experience was amazing--talking with international cyclists in the breakaway like it was a stroll in the park to them!
HCC: How do you find the Hawaii Cycling Cup? Does it challenge you with the variety of races held by the teams?
TL: I think it is a great idea. Half the battle is showing up for the races. I admire all the teams and volunteers who sacrifice their Sundays to host these Hawaii Cup races!!
HCC: What are the differences you find from racing on the mainland and in Hawaii?
TL: There are many excellent riders here...Rickey Armstrong, Garrett Ito, Chad Seymour, Ed Kurzenski, Ray Brust, Dave Lum, John Mina, Carl Brooks, Jiri Skiroback to name a few...and some young guns have the potential to go professional like Mike Zagorski and Thomas Novikoff. Yes..the fields are smaller and team tactics play less a role but you still have to give it 100% if you want to finish well.
HCC: Are you surprised that you are moving up in the Hawaii Cycling Cup?
TL: Honestly speaking... yes.
HCC: How does it feel to be #2 on GC? and will you feel that you will stay towards the top in the up and coming races?
TL: I think I am lucky that I'm #2 at this point. We'll see how the rest of the year goes...
HCC: What do you do other than work and bike? Is there another hobby you like other than cycling?
TL: I have been playing a lot of tennis with the wife. I also enjoy swimming.
HCC: If you had a wish and would like to do something about the cycling in Hawaii what would it be?
TL: I wish I could contribute more to the cycling community. We have a great bunch of riders out here who are so friendly. Next year, I promised Atomman Kim I would help organize a race. Cycling is my stress-outlet and cycling here in Hawaii is truly paradise!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Tony Lang - Talk Story 3/06
