Team Spotlight: Jason Berning



This week’s spotlight is on new team member, Jason Berning. After finishing a brillant second at the Cache-Game Race just behind Cary Smith, Jason went on to have another strong race at the Galena Grinder finishing 7th in a very strong men’s pro/cat1/2/3 field. Just before heading up to Targhee to race Pierre’s Hole, Jason tells us about looking good in Fitzy orange and green and bear spray quick draws.

SKH: How long have you been on the Fitzgerald’s Bicycles team?

JB: This is my first year. STOKED!

SKH: Why did you join and what do you like most about being on the team?

JB: I joined because of the true team environment, awesome support from a local shop just down the street and my wife says I look good in orange and green.

SKH: What kind of riding do you do?

JB: A little bit of road and lots of dirt.

SKH: What is your favorite long ride?

JB: My favorite long ride has to be the Pinnacles Trail on Togwotee Pass. The trail is super fun and truly gets you out there….part of training for the ride is a quick draw of the bear spray.

SKH: You just got back from the High Cascades 100. How was it?

JB: The High Cascade was not my best race but it was the best course I have ever ridden for an endurance race. The track was flowy singletrack with a 20 mile descent to the finish that had me grinning from ear to ear. (SKH’s Note - Jason says the High Cascade’s wasn’t his best race, but he finished 28th with a time of 8:45 in a field of more than 100.)

SKH: What’s next?

JB: Pierre’s Hole 50 this weekend and then the Park City Point to Point.

SKH: Do you have any superstitions when it comes to racing?

JB: I don’t have any superstitions but I have never been a fan of computers and heart rate monitors. I like to listen to my personal computer and simply pedal.

SKH: What’s your mantra?

JB: Rubber side down.

SKH: What is your favorite post ride treat?

JB: I got turned onto Chocolate Milk this year and am not looking back!

SKH: What have you gotten from Fitzy’s that you cannot ride without?

JB: Fresh Giro gloves.

SKH: Do you have a song that gets stuck in your head when riding?

JB: One line pops in my head when the racing gets tough: ”I got a good feelin.’”

Jason shared his Cache to Game Race Report: Legs to Lungs

The annual Cache to Game Race is always a classic and every year the dynamic is slightly different. With several long races in the season, for some reason this one hurts the most. I always look forward to this race as it truly gets the legs and lungs fired up for race season. This year did not dissapoint. The field was stacked and I knew that everyone had their legs under them with the help of tremendous early season riding weather and trail conditions. I went into this race with one goal, beating my time from last year.

The start is always interesting. Last year the lead Police car took off from the start and an early break away separated the pack before the first turn onto Redmond. This year even with JP firing it up the side to get the cop to go faster, the cop slowly cruised to the end of the pavement with a deep field stacked up ready to put the hurt on.

Once we hit the dirt there were several pulls and lead changes through lower Cache. The wind was at our back and it was not as important to grab a wheel. As soon as the first steeper climb started I made my move and a crew of of 4-5 riders followed. After a couple of miles it was Cary Smith (big surprise) leading the group and I followed. Cary had about 200 yards on me going into the steep single track climb. The only disapointment of the race was that it was my first Cache to Game that I did not clean the steep climb but surprisingly it did not affect me too much. A true example of legs and lungs not working together. I closed the gap at the top but in my mind Cary had the race if he was in front going into Game Creek.

I focused on my descent by staying low and riding smooth. In the end I was able to hold off a strong pack of riders and beat my time from last year: 2nd again, but no complaints. I always say, “good race with no mechanicals or crashes” especially following a career crash 2 years ago in this race. Cary put some serious time on me in the descent and pulled away with the win. He is a true competitor and one of the best if not the best descenders around.

It is always a treat to ride with such a strong field of riders in the greater Teton area. One of the highlights of local racing is how humble all of these amazing athletes are. The finish is always memorable and a great time to hang out with the strong and supportive Fitzy Team. We had an awesome showing and everyone had a strong race including the Saurdude killing it on his new Spark 29er and 50 stepping up the ranks this year. Oh yeah, can’t forget Scott and JP rocking the Fatties. Lovin’ it riding for team Fitzgeralds Bicycles, and the race season is only getting started. Stoked!

- Jason