Our Interview with Former Tour De France Cyclist, Marty Jemison
Interview: Pro Cyclist Marty Jemison
With the Moab Century Tour approaching soon this fall, we thought it would be fun to check in with former pro cyclist, and Skinny Tire Events participant, Marty Jemison.
*Marty was a professional cyclist from 1994 through 2000 and was the US National Road Race Champion in 1999. When he was a member of the U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team, he participated in two Tours de France and was a teammate of Lance Armstrong. His most successful day in the Tour de France was when he earned a top 5 placing during stage 13 of the 1998 Tour. He got into a successful breakaway that stayed away all day and finished nearly three minutes ahead of the Peloton Team.
He was selected by U.S. National Team at the UCI World Road Race Championships in 1994 and 1997. Since retiring from Professional Cycling, Marty has been leading tours for his own company Jemison Cycling Tours.
* source: wikipedia
Question: How did you first hear about and attend a Skinny Tire Event?
From Marty: I first came to The Moab Skinny Tire Festival at the introduction of my friend [and author] Dave Shields in 2006. Flying from SLC to Moab in a private plane and for a good cause was too good to pass up. I've attended several times [since] and talked on several occasions to the cyclists.
Question: Any memories or moments you recall from your time at our events you still look back on?
From Marty: The Moab Century Tour is a great challenge. It's a beautiful loop that gains a lot of elevation (5,500ft) in 100kms going from the warmer desert up into the La Sal Mountains. One of my fondest memories was when cyclists donated to the cause for my service as a DOMESTIQUE FOR THE DAY, which means I did their bidding all day long. IE, provide cycling inspiration, pull lead in the wind, and fix flats. What was challenging about that day was we had an unusually cold start at 18 degrees. Riding on the front and pushing wind as a domestique for hire was a lot of fun for myself and for those on my wheel.
Marty speaking to cyclists at the Skinny Tire Festival in 2014.
Question: For those of us that will never know! Tell us 1 or 2 moments from the cyclist’s perspective, about riding in the Tour De France, that as a spectator - or general fan of cycling- we would just never understand or realize.
From Marty: Something we experience as cyclists in the Tour de France was mind-blowing for me. Every day of the race we pass an estimated one million human beings or more. Of course, the racing is the fastest ever with the strongest 200 riders in the world at the time. But seeing so many people all day long adds to the spectacle.
I also remember seeing two different persons two different times during the race. For some reason a regular older woman made an impression on me AND then a week or so later I saw her again. It's very crazy because I only lifted my head and was able to focus on 'anybody' a few times during the race. It's too dangerous to take your eyes off of the tire in front of you. This makes the story nearly impossible to believe, yet it happened!
Question: How do you spend your time now and are you still involved with cycling?
From Marty: I was very strong for about ten years after my Professional career, but today, my fitness is much lower than where it used to be. Riding 20,000miles/year for over a decade and racing more than 900 races with equal or more difficulty than the Moab Century makes you strong and fast.
25 years removed from that kind of intensity has kind of grounded me. Today, I enjoy leading luxury cycling tours in France, Italy, and Spain through my company, Jemison Cycling Tours. This still allows me to be on the bike, meet cyclists from all over the globe, and share incredible experiences in beautiful places.
Marty now splits his time between Park City, Utah, and Spain.
Click these links to learn more about our two cycling events:
Skinny Tire Festival (Annually in March)
Moab Century Tour (Annually in September)
