Name:  Curtis Racher

Birthday:   10/18/69

Occupation:  Mechanical Engineer

Quiver:  Orbea Lanza 69er and Orbea Volata Road Bike

Favorite Trail:  Craighead Forest , Jonesboro .  It has a lot of fast ups and downs with some near vertical descents.

Favorite Race:  Revenge of the Ridge, Mena. I love to climb!

Best Finish:  1rst in Beg. at Pigeon Roast, ROTR, Old Post & Devils Den.

Favorite Riding Food:  Whatever is available.

What are your riding goals?  To continue to get stronger and compete at higher levels (Sport & Expert). To be able to finish the Ouachita Challenge faster than the year before.

Why do you ride?  To stay healthy and fit.  I also enjoy the outdoors.

What advice would you give to a beginner rider?  No pain no gain.  If you want to build muscle and increase your endurance you have to push yourself to the limit.  Be careful not to over train and burn yourself out.

If you could upgrade anything on your bike what would it be?  Mavic Crossmark SL Wheels (29 front & 26 rear).

Worst Wipeout:  I crashed into the side of the pedestrian dividing wall on the Main Street bridge on a CARP Urban Assault ride.  I was riding too fast over the bridge and I tore the left side of my shin and knee off on the wall that divides the pedestrians from the cars.  That wall is like 1 grit sandpaper.  I then proceeded to get my wheel stuck in a trolley track and crashed in front of a restaurant.  All these people were eating dinner and my leg was gushing blood.  What a site.  They must have thought I was crazy!