Meet Erin Kummer
At the recent Team Timex camp in NY, Erin Kummer was inducted into the Timex Multisport Hall of Fame, but the outgoing Boulder, CO resident has quite a bit more going on for herself.
Slowtwitch: Erin, how was NY?
Erin: Amazing!! Coming to the Timex Team camp is honestly my favorite time of the year. I love getting to catch up with my teammates from around the world and the weekend’s festivities, presentations and goodies only seem to get better and better each year!
ST: What have you learned this time around?
Erin: Arrive with the biggest suitcase you have and don’t put anything in it, as it will be bursting at the seams with tons of great product when you leave! Our sponsors are way too nice.
ST: So was your suitcase big enough.
Erin: No matter how lightly I pack, it never is and definitely wasn’t again this year. Good thing I flew Southwest so I could check an extra bag for free.
ST: What was more entertaining, the VO Max test last year or the salt loss one this year?
Erin: Although it’s interesting to see VO2 results, I think the sweat loss test this year was really informative and important information for all athletes to know in terms of safety in their training. The process was a bit more involved but the test itself was really fun and the results will be very valuable for everyone’s racing/training nutrition and hydration.
ST: With all the urine samples floating around, did it feel a bit like a massive drug testing effort?
Erin: In all honesty, it was more disturbing and gross feeling than anything! Even though the urine was contained, there’s just something about a container of someone else’s pee sitting next to you that is just not right!
ST: But there was hopefully no confusion in terms of which collector belongs to whom.
Erin: We had our names on each of them but I guarantee between the 40+ athletes participating in the test, someone had to have mixed it up!
ST: How long have you been on the Timex Team now?
Erin: Since, 2007…wow, 6 years now. Throughout the years, the team has truly been the most influential and supportive piece of my athletic world…I couldn’t imagine my life without it.
ST: And how did it all get started?
Erin: Well, I was a golfer in high school with a few options to play in college but I really didn’t enjoy the sport well enough to take it to the next level. After choosing to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder, I 100% decided that golf was out of the picture and that I wanted to start fresh with a new sport. I joined the rowing team for my first 2 years at CU then got interested in the masses of people running around town in brightly colored lycra. I discovered that CU had a triathlon team so I attended a weekly meeting and decided to give it a go. I had never swam, biked or ran before in my life but for whatever reason, everything just clicked and the rest is history.
ST: But how did you go from discovering triathlon in college to being on the Timex Team?
Erin: I had a bit of success early on so I thought it would be fun to try and get on a team so I could meet others and become more knowledgeable about the sport. I researched the various teams that were around at the time and everyone said that Timex was by far the best team out there! I applied knowing it was a long shot but I was miraculously accepted. It was the start of an opportunity I had never even thought of.
ST: Is Tingle the teammate you have bonded the most with?
Erin: Oh Tingle…hehe. Laura and I were actually the only 2 Boulder, CO girls on the team back in 07/08 and because we had a lot in common and she had a fun personality, we became very good friends over the years. We’ve definitely created a very close bond, that is something very special and have shared many up and down moments in life together. We’ve lived together, we’ve trained together, we’ve grown together and we continue to support each other in all aspects of life. Huge thanks to Timex for creating that great relationship.
ST: Anyone else you have gotten close to?
Erin: There are several members on the team that I’ve had the pleasure of being around since 2007 but Tim Hola is one person I have always kept in touch with. From doing Timex clinics to working at Powerbar events to creating product videos together, we share a lot of the same thoughts on family and sport and enjoy keeping tabs on each other.
ST: So what is on your race schedule this year?
Erin: A lot of racing on the dirt. Due to several running injuries (and a current torn labrum in my left hip), I’ve decided to focus on racing 2 wheels only this year. I’ve already started the season with some moto racing on the Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit then I’ll crank out the Winter Park Mountain Bike Series Jun-Aug and do a major focus on cyclocross Sep-Jan. Team Sports (managing company of the Timex Multisport Team) will be putting on CX Nationals again in Madison so it’s a perfect way to wrap up the season!
ST: How is Boulder treating you?
Erin: I did recently get a big Detroit ‘D’ tattooed on my arm since I am originally from there, however, after being in the bubble for over 10 years now, I think I can officially call it home. Boulder is a one of a kind place but I absolutely love it. I love the variety of things to do all year round, I love having hundreds of places to ride within a few miles and I even love the entertainment of the crazy drama that goes on. Bryce and I just got a condo in Winter Park, so we’re excited to spend a lot of time up there this summer.
ST: We saw you got a new bike transporter. Is that working out ok?
Erin: Bike transporter? That’s like our 3rd home after Bryce built it out! After building a wall to separate the living area from the bike section and adding a futon and rockin’ sound system, it’s truly the ultimate travel machine. We head down to Texas in a few weeks so I’ll have to report on how the first road trip went.
ST: How many bikes can that beast hold?
Erin: In the inside, we can get three dirt bikes or 2 dirt bikes and 2 mountain bikes but with a hitch on the back, any additional rack or trailer can make for endless possibilities!
ST: Gas mileage?
Erin: Maybe 15ish on the highway. Not as good as a Sprinter but definitely way better than an RV.
ST: We like your very positive outlook.
Erin: Is it bad that I’m beyond excited about a new cargo van!
ST: Talk to us about motocross. When did you get started and what inspired you to go there?
Erin: I actually purchased my first motorcycle many years ago but didn’t start racing dirt bikes until 2009. From developing handling skills to gaining extra strength, I find that riding/racing my dirt bike is the best form of cross training for mountain biking and cyclocross…plus it’s super fun. How I got started is actually quite funny – a lot of my mountain bike friends were getting into trail riding and pressured me into selling my dual sport to get a dirt bike. I knew Bryce through mutual friends and knew he was a professional moto racer so I decided to see if he had any suggestions or even a bike for sale. He actually had a KTM 250F for sale so I bought it. I asked him for a few pointers and advice, we went and rode, and the rest is history. We now own 2 houses together, live a fun filled active life and couldn’t be more in love ☺
ST: Who is faster, you or Bryce?
Erin: It depends…with a motor, I’ll get smoked any day. On the CX bike, Bryce gets pummeled. On mountain bikes, it goes either way depending on the time of year!
ST: Anything else we should know?
Erin: Keith Meyer of Timex surprised the living crap out of me at camp this year by inducting me into the Timex Multisport Hall of Fame! It’s a huge honor to be recognized amongst this group of amazing athletes. I was totally shocked and couldn’t stop shaking while giving my speech.
Images 2 and 3 are courtesy of Annette Hayden of mountainmoonphotography.com
