Name: Henrik Morseth
Year: First Year
Hometown: Eugene, Oregon
Major: Physics
Racing since… I started racing my freshman year of highschool, on an aluminum BMC Streetracer
What brought/brings you into cycling?
One of my best friends, Gus, a skinny climber from Louisiana, slowly introduced me to cycling. His exuberant stepfather happened to be a certified coach and started giving me training plans. I tore it up in some junior races and never looked back! Some knee issues sidelined me for a few years, but now I'm pushing through and extremely hyped to help win UCLA some titles. USC SUCKS!
Favorite race?
My favorite race has to be the Cascade Cycing Classic from an epic-ness perspective, however I have some fond memories of going deeper in the pain cave than ever before at Montinore Road Race. I think it was probably my first Cat 4 race and for a 14 year-old with just about 4 months of experience it was quite intense. Longest 30-some miles of my life.
Biggest mistake before a race?
Biggest mistake was definitely my preparation before the Cascade Cycling Classic. I took nearly a full week off until the day before the race. The level of suffering wasn't exceptional and I did pretty well, but I know now that I probably lost a lot of fitness coming into the CCC. A notable second big mistake would be over-carbo-loading. A few years ago I had this idea that the volume of pasta I consumed the day before a race correlated directly with my performance...
What is your pre-ride/race ritual, if any?
Eat rice or pasta, usually with some type of sausage and vegetables the night before.
Lots of sleep, coffee an hour before and a 15-20 minute warm up usually does the trick. Then I try to remain as inconspicuous as possible on the start line, and focus!
What are you looking forward to this upcoming season?
UHHHHH, RACING?! Did I mention racing? Winning is cool too. But in all seriousness, I'm really looking forward to Nationals. And even more than that, I want to ride to my potential this year- or at least set myself up to get there the next.
Describe your favorite training ride (preferably a la SNL’s skit "The Californians”)
The Thursday Nighter of course. Thirty miles of all out hammering over rolling hills in the outskirts of my hometown. Rumoured to be more intense than Cat 2 races, its a very fun ride.
Best burrito place?
Los Agaves, since Fall Camp I am a changed man.
Best coffee place?
Ehhh I don't know. But I sure do love Stumptown coffee.
Other interests?
I love skiing and snowboarding, and was one of the fastest nordic skiers in the state of Oregon during high school. I have trained on and off in Muay Thai and can throw a mean spinning back-kick.
Any final ruminations, musings, or meditations?
-Spin to win
-Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do
Unless of course you cannot spin, in which case you are, how should I say, dropped like a sack of lead potatoes.
