Riding in Little 5 for the first time can be a profound experience. The DePauw interviewed four freshman riders, all of whom took Kent Menzel's cycling Winter Term course, Science of Cycling.
TDP: How has your experience training for Little 5 gone so far?
Abby Prine: It's been pretty relaxed, not super intense. But it's been really nice to have something to ride for, a reason to train. It's always more fun for me to ride when I have a race at the end. [As a freshman] people don't expect me to go out and win, so I can have a little bit more fun with it.
TDP: Do you have a favorite pre-race food?
AP: While I'm racing or after races I love these little things, they're called Shot Bloks. They're like little gel squares and they taste kind of like fruit snacks.
TDP: Do you have a pump-up song or playlist?
AP: I am all about Eminem. The last song I always listen to before I run a race or bike or anything is "Shake That, feat. Dr. Drake" and then usually before that I listen to "Insane" and "'Til I Collapse."
TDP: Can you talk a little bit about the "Science of Cycling" Winter Term class you took?
AP: I took it mostly because my dad is an alum of DePauw, and he rode Little 5 I think three of his four years here, so he has been like, "Abby you need to ride, it's such a great experience."
TDP: What quote or motto best describes your attitude going into Little 5?
AP: It's from the movie "Fired Up!:" "You've gotta risk it to get the biscuit."
TDP: Have you ridden before?
Zach Alleman: First time riding. So it's something that I wanted to do, and I guess I kind of saw this as a opportunity to pick it up.
TDP: Why did you want to ride in Little 5?
ZA: I'm the type of kid that always likes to be doing something. In high school I played like three, four sports. Here I play football. I always thought it'd be cool — like say we win — my name is forever in history.
TDP: Is there one thing that you most anticipate about Little 5?
ZA: The whole atmosphere of everyone on campus. I was here last year for my football visit, and it just happened to be on Little 5 weekend. This campus is just alive that weekend.
TDP: Do you have a pump-up song or playlist?
ZA: If I really want to get pumped up I'll listen to some rock…If it was rock, it'd be Metallica. If it's rap I listen to a lot of Gucci Mane and Wiz Khalifa.
TDP: What quote or motto best describes your attitude going into Little 5?
ZA: It's the one that we have on the back of our shirt: "Winning races, melting faces."
TDP: How did you get into riding?
Carson White: Me and my dad used to ride down old farm roads…Just to different neighboring towns. It was a fun activity that me and my dad shared.
TDP: How has being the only freshman on your team affected you?
CW: It's tough, you know? ‘Cause I feel like I have a lot to prove. But it's really enjoyable because I've gotten to know a lot of upperclassmen…It's really fun to find people that share your same interests.
TDP: Do you have a favorite pre-race food?
CW: I really like to eat bananas or any type of fruit … Sometimes I eat it on the bike.
TDP: Do you have a pump-up song or playlist?
CW: "Friday," the new sensation [joking].
TDP: What quote or motto best describes your attitude going into Little 5?
CW: "Everything will be fine as long as you don't break a clavicle." [Sophomore] Christopher Lee, one of our riders…fell on his bike and broke his clavicle.
TDP: When did you start riding?
Will Valentine: I've been riding since I was a freshman in high school…It was really more for my own personal training. I had the intention of doing triathlons.
TDP: How has being a freshman in Little 5 affected your experience?
WV: It's basically [that] I just don't know how experienced other riders are.
TDP: Do you have a favorite pre-race food?
WV: A banana [laughs]. Granola bar.
TDP: Do you have a favorite pump-up song or playlist that you listen to?
WV: I listen to a lot of Eminem while I ride…"'Till I Collapse" is probably the best pump-up song that he has. [Valentine and Prine have trained together several times this year.]
— Compiled by Maritza Mestre