Interview with Ali “Socks” Goulet

Posted by MK in Interviews, Scripture on October 24, 2008 | one response

Congregation,

I recently was able to spend some time with Ali “socks” Goulet. Ali finished 12th in the elite nationals in Kansas City last year. He is the real deal. Ali races the Utah CX circuit. Without question, Ali is one of the most inspiring riders out there givn’r every weekend. He is definitely a crowd favorite. The guy leaves it ALL on the table – every single race. Mad handling skills – including barrier hoping, and a powerful engine that keeps him in the race. Additionally, Ali is great for the sport of cyclocross. For the last few years, he has put on a Ridley Skills clinic with local CX’ers Kathy Sherwin of VeloBella and Bart Gillespie of Mona-Vie Cannondale. He also helps with local cx clinics helping coach and mentor other cx racers. Folks…Ali is BIG RING.

The bio: I was born in Vermont, started cycling when I was 14, got a road bike at 15 and started racing, primarily mountain bikes.

My early cycling highlights were winning a World Cup in Vail as a junior expert and beating our local pro in a hill climb at age 16.

I put the bike away when I was 18 an perused snowboarding, one of my snow highlights, being voted #5 in SnowBoarder magazines top 20 riders of the year for 2000. After ten years off the bike I found the love again and was soon racing in Utah’s Icup and NORBA NMBS, In three years I worked my way up from expert to pro on a national level, winning an expert national title and the Utah state title along the way.

COTBR: So tell us, have you accepted THE BIG RING as your personal savior?

Ali: I believe in myself, only I can truly save myself, with that being said, I do feel The Big Ring has much to offer and everyone should observe the ten commandments of the Big Ring.

COTBR: Who are you riding for this year?

Ali: For the past two seasons I’ve been on the Ridley Factory Team, this year I also have Easton components to thank for making my ride light and sexy… oh and Challenge tires to give me grip.

COTBR: So…what’s with the socks Ali. Is this your trademark?

Ali: One cold race day I put on some snowboard socks, not to start a trend but just for warmth. Gardie Jackson, one of our series announcers started calling me Socks and so the nickname was born..In a sense it is my trademark…for cold days. On warm days I wear regular socks..Lately JonBear and I joke that my new nickname is Fat Daddy Socks, you figure it out.

COTBR: So did you have a good cx off season since your last race in Kansas City? How do you spend your cx off season?

Ali: Recently I’ve used road racing as my prep for cross, after years of racing mountain bikes I find road racing to be very refreshing, I enjoy the tactics and being able to hurt face to face with your opponent, I still ride my mountain bike though.

COTBR: So, how is your cx season going so far?

Ali: Ridley is off to a great start, Bjorn Selander placed 3rd at the MadCross UCI behind Page and some Planet Bike guy. Dayna Dueter and Dave Cole just scored their best results in the UCS, 1st and second respectively. I held down 2nd last weekend in Heber and Jennie Wade held off a Cat2 roadie for 4th in the A’s so things are rolling.

COTBR: You seem to have an “all or nothing” approach to races. Tell us about that.

Ali: Simply put, you’re not Big Ring if don’t use the Big Ring. How can you know what you’re capable of if you’ve never been over the limit? I recommend everyone try leading a lap or two of their respective class, push your limits and see what happens. You just can’t win from the back in cross..sure you can move up if people have problems but if the front guys are rolling, its over.

When I first started racing A’s I raced like I do now – only I would fade hard or drop out, people would tell me not to start so fast and that it hurt me. Really my problem was burn out from racing MTB’s into September with no downtime before cross. I adjusted my racing program and since then I’ve made good on those fast starts with fast finishes. I’m constantly trying to improve my racing tactics but I’m not going to sit back and hope for a good race, I’m going to make it happen.

COTBR: What races outside of Utah are you targeting this year?

I’m looking at the Boulder Cup UCI and Nationals. My wife and I just had a beautiful baby boy www.EthanBazGoulet.blogspot.com , throw in our three dogs and it’s just not possible to justify much travel this season. I am super focused on Nats though, I would like a Masters national title and I want to better my Elite result from last year.

COTBR: So what accomplishment on the bike are you most proud of? – Off the bike?

Ali: It would have to be my Elite Nationals result from last season, off the bike its my family, my beautiful supportive wife Joanna and bundle of joy Ethan. Snowboarding and Cycling accomplishments make for great memories but in the end that stuff if for the Ego, the family is for the heart and trumps everything else.

COTBR: Tell us something that most probably don’t know about you…

I danced ballet as a wolf in the Nutcracker when I was 7 and I’m a French-Jew-Mexican.

COTBR: Thanks for your time Ali. Do you have any parting words of advice to the readers of Church of the Big Ring and Cyclocross Republic?

Nothing is achieved without risk so go for what you desire or you’ll always wonder “what if” and remember, if you’re hurting the other guys are too so keep it in the Big Ring!

COTBR: I told you guys, Ali is the real deal! Watch for him to have a great Nationals ride this year. We are all behind him here at the Big Ring!

pictures courtesy of Forrest Gladding.