TRIPLE Exclusive: An Interview with Shannon Hutchison-Krupat

Through a bit of happenstance and creativity, the Crankset landed its first interview this summer. We were fortunate enough to speak with CSC’s Kurt Asle Arvesen following the Tour de France and his second victory at the Post Danmark Rundt.

In our second installment we bring you a conversation with one of the “classiest” ladies of the US elite peloton and a great ambassador of the sport of cycling, Shannon Hutchison-Krupat. She has ridden for a number of teams throughout her career, [mostly in the Atlanta area], and had a stint with Colavita Olive Oil, during which she was ranked the #1 Criterium racer in the country.

Photo: Emory Ball/Cyclingnews.com

I first met Shannon at this year’s Tour de Grandview, where she finished in 1st and 2nd, respectively, over the weekend. I ran into her again at the USA Crits Finals in Las Vegas during Interbike week. Unbeknownst to me, the race would be one of her final with Aaron’s Corporate Furnishings. Shannon’s talents, however, have always extended well beyond the barricades. And for the lady with one of the most contagious smiles around, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of her rubbing shoulders or trading elbows.

Granny’s 30: Shannon, how many years have you been riding professionally?

Shannon Hutchison-Krupat (SHK): I started in 1997 for a local bike shop in South Carolina called Outspokin'. The next year I was with Cox Atlanta Velo on the track. My first year as pro was 1999 on the Cox Atlanta Velo women's team that eventually morphed into AutoTrader.com.

G: As your bio states, you're the perfect blend of being one of the country's best sprinters and a domestique. Not to make you choose, but are both equally fulfilling [especially when a teammate wins the day] in your mind? Is that competitive side of you hard to temper in a race like Vegas where you were a worker? Does the team give you enough freedom...say if you really have the legs on that given race day?

SHK: I do have favorite races that I just worked for others and I felt really good about it. As a team rider you do what the director says, whether you agree with it or not. I do think that there were races or tactics that we all might have disagreed with, but you have to remember that you have a job to do, like it or not. There is freedom to a point. If you feel like going on the offensive and trying to get into a break you can work it, that is if the right people are there.

G: Its also been well documented that you are an orchestra teacher, what was your instrument? And why?

SHK: Actually, I started in the 5th grade on the violin. My mother had always wanted to play the violin, so that kind of helped to lean that way. My top instruments were violin, oboe, and viola. I picked violin. If I had it to do over again I would pick viola.

G: Did [do] you have aspirations of playing professionally? Or has it been the case, as with some of my friends, that once you step behind the podium there is no going back?

SHK: I have played in several orchestras and substituted in several others. I played for the Two Rivers Philharmonic in Illinois. I don't think that they are still going. I also played for Orchestra Atlanta, which has now changed their name. I am not sure what it is called now. But honestly, it is so difficult to get into a good orchestra! I have a good friend that has flown all over the place and still has yet to get that good gig. Plus, I love teaching and working with students. My competitive side comes out especially at Festival time! We have to win! I always make this bet with the kids. If we get all Superior ratings from every judge, in every sub-category (that is 26 Superior or 1 ratings) then I usually dye my hair something crazy for the day. I have ended up dyeing my hair every year! Last year it was blue.

When I postured for a digital image of the blue-haired Shannon, she replied, “hopefully it is long gone!”

G: What is your favorite [not particularly the easiest] piece to teach...favorite to play...favorite for listening?

SHK: I have tons of favorites! My favorite piece for my students is called Scenes from the Emerald Isles. My students last year loved it. It is pretty tricky at the end with an Irish Jig. They called the piece “Super Scenes,” and would play it at Mach 1. It was so fun to watch! Plus they all had it memorized and would whip through it like crazy! I also love Brahms and Debussy and the Mendelsohn Violin concerto in e minor.

G: What drew you to middle school as opposed to other levels of education?

SHK: This year I did move up to the high school level. I am having a great time! High school has been my passion, but there aren't a lot of positions available. It is great to come in where the students already know how to play. I am not starting from scratch. The only bad part about that, [is that] they come with bad habits that we have to fix. Technique and Intonation.

G: Any comparisons to "Mr. Holland" ever?

SHK: No. But I try to be creative like him.

G: Having been privy to workings of the University of Michigan bands, I was amazed at how tightly knit the world of music is, where each professor and student alike had knowledge of other bands and band directors around the country, of potential job openings, etc. Is that a comparable analogy to the world of women's cycling, as you certainly seem to race with or against some of the same women over the course of a season and a career?

SHK: Yes, it is very similar. Probably more so, because it is a smaller group.

G: There is a tremendous amount of technology that goes into teaching orchestra on the collegiate level [ie. use of filming/recording performances, practice, etc], has it had an influence on how you teach adolescents/young adults?

SHK: There is a ton of great technology out there. I am still trying to get a handle on it all. I really need to take more classes to totally understand everything. I wish that I could do more with my students. Unfortunately, I don't have resources for a piano lab or music lab. That would be awesome!

G: Have you noticed a big influence of technology in your cycling, or are you still on that same Schwinn you learned on in Indianola [IA]? What are you riding on now...what was your favorite ride?

SHK: Funny, my first real road bike was a Specialized Allez. This year, I was back on Specialized, the S-Works Ruby. It definitely ranks up there as one of my favorite bikes; right next to my Litespeed Ultimate that I still have!

G: Shimano or Campy?

SHK: I have always loved Shimano, but this year we road SRAM. It was a great change. I still have to work on that shift with the wrist during the sprint.

G: I know that you love to race Grandview, but would you call it your favorite race? If not, what is your favorite race?

Photo: Leonard Basobas

SHK: Ohio is great because I have two host families. One I have stayed with for the past 5 years or so. I have watched their family grow over the years. I helped teach their oldest son to ride his bike. There is also a family that I see every year that I stayed with my very first year on Cox. Two of their kids are now in college! It is so amazing to go back and visit and see everyone and catch up!

Athens Twilight is also a great race. The energy is amazing!

G: Given the current climate of cycling, I just have to ask. With Genevieve Jeanson's admission of doping do you think its an issue in women's cycling? Have you ever heard things said throughout the domestic peloton to suggest it could be an issue? Do you think the women's peloton is somewhat sheltered [from doping], because it’s not as much of a big business industry as the men's?

SHK: I have heard of women doping, but mostly it is women in the European peloton. You always wonder when someone comes out of nowhere and is flying. Honestly, the money isn't really there in the women's peloton like the men's. When the top women are getting a small fraction of what men get it doesn't make sense.

G: I am a big proponent of women's cycling. I really like what the USWCDP is doing. Have you adopted that type of mentoring role with some of your less experienced teammates and/or is that a role you'd like to embrace down-the-line [in say, a director role]?

SHK: Well, truthfully, this is where I am going next season. I knew from the beginning [of this season]. I knew that this was going to be my last season. I wasn't happy with my year on Aaron's. It had a rocky start and I never really meshed. So I knew that the decision to retire was the right one. With my new job and cycling not making me happy I needed a change. A friend of mine asked me about joining up with his bike shop and putting together a women's team. One of my good friends was already on board and they wanted a couple more women. I thought, “wouldn't it be great to have a couple of U-23 riders and mentor them.” So right now that is how it is looking. We are waiting for the final go ahead from the title sponsor and then we are set.

G: You finished in the top 10 in the US Crits final rankings, and 13th in the US Cycling Criterium rankings. Do you see yourself riding competitively for as long as your body allows?

SHK: I am definitely taking a step back. Retirement…if I want to sleep in I am going to! I don't know how many races I am going to do this year, but it will be great to do what I want to do and help a couple of girls get to the races that they can get noticed and hopefully get on a pro team.

G: No one likes to crash. I saw some images of you caught up in one in Charlotte [Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium]. Plus when I spoke to you about my broken collarbone, you definitely had an intimate knowledge of what I was experiencing. What was your worst moment on a bicycle? Did your worse moment even involve a crash?

SHK: Charlotte was one of my worst races this year. I felt great that whole week. [I] raced great at the track on Wednesday, but then felt like crap during that race. The crash didn't help. When I got back in, I was on a bike that was too small and my helmet was broken. I couldn't get comfortable. Crit Nats [USPRO Criterium Nationals in Downers Grove, IL] was also bad. So many crashes, and crazy girls. It didn't help matters that it was raining. I slid so far in the rain I wondered if I was ever going to stop!

G: What's your best moment on a bicycle?

SHK: Definitely winning Athens Twilight in 2005 (inset, Photo - Robert Laybourn 2005).

Best wishes to Shannon in her future endeavors as an orchestra teacher and a cycling mentor. Hopefully, we haven't seen the last of her on the racing circuit.