Professional cyclist Lucas Euser has pedaled his way around the world from tearing up BMX track and mountain bike trails as a youngster in Napa, California, to racing Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Flèche Wallone with Garmin-Slipstream, to his current home at Team SpiderTech powered by C10, Canada’s first Continental Professional Cycling Team. Stops along the way have included a near career-ending run-in with a car in Spain and recent move to Boulder, Colorado. Chris from Lyman PR grabbed onto Lucas’ wheel to find out what keeps him motivated and his approach for overcoming challenges.
Bonjour, Lucas, how is Provence and the South of France treating you?
It’s COOOOOOOLD! We flew in the day a massive cold storm hit most of Europe. We’ve barely seen temps over freezing and have had some fun run-ins with snow and black ice!
That said, I’ve slightly hardened myself by moving to Colorado, so I think I can handle it. Knowing we are in a beautiful place with such an immense amount of history helps take the edge off.
LPR: Sounds like perfect weather for copious espresso and Rhone region adult recovery beverages.
How long will you be over the pond and what’s planned?
Over the past two years our team has worked hard to ride well in Europe and the proof is in the invitations we are getting to some high caliber races in 2012. We’re slowly transitioning to full time in Europe with stints of racing in North America for the bigger events. Team Spidertech has picked a base in Kortrijk, Belgium where they will run the team, but riders will be scattered in a few other cycling hot beds of Europe such as Girona, Spain and Lucca, Italy.
LPR: That’s a waffle, paella and pasta trilogy of awesomeness.
You recently decided to call Boulder home and bought a house. Knowing how much you’re on the road, what does it feel like to have some roots in the ground?
Part of my decision making process included finding a place I could call mine and always know it was there when I needed it. I was tired of not only living a lifestyle full of traveling, but having to live like a modern nomad when I was back in the States. This is the next phase of my life and in order to take my career serious I have to play my entire life on a similar picture. A house gives me a small taste of stability in a very hectic lifestyle.
LPR: And a place to store all your bikes while draining your bank account. Congrats!
Between Boulder and Napa, we know who has better wine, but who has better coffee. Your must-sip locales in each?
Boulder. I love Napa, but what Napa has in wine Boulder has in both coffee and beer! In Napa, I love a nice easy spin with the boys to Bouchon Bakery to enjoy a cup in the sun. In Boulder there are so many to pick from, but local roaster’s Box Car Roasters are very impressive and share storefront with my former teammate Will Frischkorn’s new shop Cured.
Do people recognize you without your glasses?
NO, and the fact that I grew a beard immediately after really threw people off. I had to remind close friends who was while standing right in front of them!
Speaking of the beard, what’s with the secret agent disguise? Movember was supposed to end November 30…
The beard takes the edge off of that icy cold Front Range wind. Plus I keep getting compliments.
LPR: Aha, a mountain and ladies man.
What makes you laugh the hardest?
Right now, the accent my Quebec teammates have. I know it sounds mean, but the way they get going sometimes is hilarious! Sounds like Woodstock from Peanuts.
To fill out your size extra small bibshorts, how many calories do you eat each day?
As many as I can! Mostly of pancakes and bacon!
You’re pretty handy in the kitchen. When you have time and no dietary restrictions, what would you make?
I am, but sometimes it’s super hard to be motivated after a 6-hour ride to cook a big meal. I am a huge fan of cooking things ahead of time like big curry dishes or hearty stews that last for days. I love the crockpot. Put a roast in their before the ride and when I get back I throw some rice in the rice maker, take a shower and viola–it’s an amazing post ride meal. I get a lot of my tips from “The Feed Zone Cookbook” by Allen Lim and Biju Thomas.
What does your typical winter “work week” look like? How many hours of bike practice? What and how much time out of the saddle?
It’s really a never-ending job. From waking up to countless emails, doing interviews, interacting with sponsors, handling social media, eating properly, riding, recovering properly, writing more emails, eating more, and making time for everything else it’s a heck of a lot more than just “riding a bike.” It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle.
Most epic day on the bike EVER? Could be a race, training ride or just tooling around
Seven hours, 265km, 5000 KJ’s at the World Road Race Championships in Varese, Italy in 2008. That and the first 3 stages of Paris-Nice in 2008. The race is typically from Paris to Nice, France, hence garnering the name “The Race to the Sun.” First 3 days were freezing temps and rain and I just remember wearing enough clothes to keep a small village warm. There were crashes on the slick roads everywhere and with so many clothes on it was like a slip n’slide. I’m sure the list can go on, but we tend to ride in just about every condition out there. Rain delays don’t exist in cycling!
When you got hit in 2009 it physically almost ended your career. When you got hit again in 2010, it took a major psychological toll. But you’re back and stronger than ever. Where do you find the resolve and determination?
It’s easy to focus on the minor details and get caught in this cycle of trying to micro manage each and every one. Ultimately we realize the things that change our lives are the things completely out of our control. Putting my life into perspective was exactly what I needed, having a re-check wasn’t exactly necessary, but I have learned to take things a little easier and when life starts to get stressful there is a reason and the only one that can fix it is you. I once heard a quote that resonated to the fact I have to take my life into my own hands, and give it the respect it deserves: “The only thing we have to do in life is die, everything else is a choice.”
After getting hit three times on the bike, what message do you have for cyclists? Motorists?
Respect each other. If you have time to wait three hours on a good dinner or spend time in line at the coffee shop, you have a few seconds to respect another human life. Make the choices that reflect you as a human being.
LPR: Great advice. As with everything in life, taking a deep breath before acting would avoid a lot of circumstances.
Lots of people struggle to get out of bed and motivated for their job. What inspires you?
The thrill of what is next. Life is exciting and if you’re out their meeting new people and trying new things who knows what may come your way. I live for that feeling of finding something new and interesting, and growing my own personal human kind!
Flat Lucas debuted at the Tour of California in 2010, people were constantly saying “Hey, that’s Lucas!” What’s your secret to being so congenial?
I love meeting new people. Everyone has a story and I’m always curious to figure it out. I’ve come across some incredibly inspiring stories that way.
Three best tips for up-and-coming riders with pro aspirations?
“Just Ride… Just Ride… Just Ride” – Fausto Coppi
What’s the state of cycling? Don’t think too hard, whatever comes to mind.
Stagnant. Cycling is in desperate need of a new image. It’s a glorious sport that showcases athletes at both their highest highs and their lowest lows. That needs to be captured by the media and given to the fans in a new light.
LPR: I think media exposure is key part of that; there’s more depth to the sport than often portrayed.
Pro or non-pro, which cyclists or athletes inspire you the most and why?
Levi Leipheimer is a huge inspiration. One of the best in the world and still has time to give back to his local community and help young guys in the sport.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I never had any crazy aspirations as a kid, just always enjoyed being a kid. When I started riding at 13 I knew that was something I wanted to do for a long time. As time progressed I was on this path to be a professional and I just rolled with it. It always felt like my natural path.
If someone were to play you in a movie, who would it be? Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson comes to mind…
Ideally Ryan Gosling, however it would probably be Daniel Radcliffe.
LPR: We’re going to go with Ryan Gosling on that one – you have the charm and good looks. That is, once you shave the beard.
Thanks for your time and good luck with the season. Maybe we can “Hangout” on G+ when you’re stateside.