He’s eating his Wheaties in Hawaii
By Scott Moninger & Matt Koschara
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It’s been nearly 15 years since Doug Smith’s smiling face first appeared on the Wheaties box, giving the cycling community a nice boost in the mainstream world.
Unlike many of today’s top domestic riders, Smith’s initial exposure to cycling was not the result of extensive media coverage of elite American racers. He took to cycling because it was better than walking, especially for a guy who was still a year away from getting his driver’s license.
Smith soon discovered he had something of a talent for riding the bike, and his favorite mode of transportation became his passion. His season would officially begin with the first national-calendar event in California and culminate in midsummer with the national road championships, which he won in 1986 – the same year he won the feared Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Smith went on to take the overall titles at the Visalia Cycling Classic and the Tour of Peru. Still, he may be best remembered for becoming the first cyclist ever to appear on a Wheaties box.
So what’s happened to Doug Smith since he became a breakfast-cereal icon? VeloNews caught up with him in his present-day role, as a school psychologist in Oahu, Hawaii.
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VeloNews: Where did you grow up?
Doug Smith: Estes Park, Colorado. It’s a little mountain tourist town. Very small-townish, which was great. We had only 82 people in my graduating class. However, we had a saying there: “No sooner done than said.” That kept most of us in line.
VN: Did you start cycling with the intention of racing?
DS: No. I was too young to get a permit to work in the tourist businesses in the summer. I needed transportation and eventually sought the challenge of riding over Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved highway in the world. I think it’s 12,183 feet high, and the views are stellar. My legs hurt just thinking about it!
VN: How old were you when you started racing?
DS: I was 15.
VN: Who inspired/influenced you as a cyclist?
DS: The most important people were there early on: My brother, Brad, told me I should gamble on my dream, and my sister, Melinda, provided emotional support. My good friend Brad Doggett mentored me and got me to races, while Doug Bruinsma, owner of the Colorado Cyclist, was my first unofficial sponsor. The Joe Gilas family was always willing to house me in Denver. A big source of personal inspiration has always been my friend Roy Knickman. Our mutual mom-type friend, Kris Urbonas (James Urbonas’ mom), provided me with guidance when I asked. Alexi Grewal basically saved my career when he advised me to get some therapeutic work done on some old and severe injuries. Len Pettyjohn was my team director early on and provided many opportunities to grow as an athlete. My early heroes were Bob Cook and Dale and Wayne Stetina. I about had a cow when Dale eventually became my teammate and mentor!
VN: Were you immediately good, or did you develop slowly?
DS: They had shut down the course and were halfway through giving out prizes by the time I finished my first USCF race. The following season, while still a junior, I was sometimes beating guys on the senior national team.
VN: What were your strengths/weaknesses as a rider?
DS: That’s an easy question for me. I was a weak sprinter. I was a strong climber, especially in the heat and at altitude. I’ve always had trouble sleeping, so recovery in stage races over 10 days was problematic.
VN: What did you love/hate about the sport of cycling?
DS: I loved the ability to challenge and improve myself. That’s all it ever was for me, so I was never out to beat anyone else. I loved the international travel. Those experiences have enriched my view of the world and my place in it. One outcome, for example, is my decision to adopt my daughter from China. Also, I loved the camaraderie and professionalism among pro riders and that I learned not to take shit from people. After a while, I hated traveling constantly, especially to places where the destination seemed like just another hotel with windows that don’t open and stale air-conditioned air. The races seldom stuck in my mind at that point, because I didn’t like to think about it while I wasn’t actually on the bike. Although it was hard-earned, the whole career was a privilege, so I can never complain. The short answer is: I loved travel and curb bunnies; I hated travel and curb bunnies.
VN: What was your favorite race food/drink?
DS: PowerBars and any sports drink that was watered down enough. I used to concoct “custom” flavors of PowerBars by sticking weird flavor combos together. Don’t do coffee-vanilla-chocolate-berry. It’s just plain wrong!
VN: What was your favorite/least favorite cycling event?
DS: Favorites: Any mountainous international race overseas. The Coors Classic and the Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb. Least favorites: Anything cold (I even get cold in the tropics). Also, the Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb (because I never won).
VN: What was the best year in your cycling career, and why?
DS: In 1989 I had the most fun, was the most relaxed, and consequently won the most races. I had a great team, Wheaties-Schwinn, and Chris Carmichael (yes, Lance’s coach) was our captain. I and the whole team had a consistent season.
VN: What was the worst year in your cycling career, and why?
DS: 1982, my last year as a junior. I had a bone tumor removed from my leg, became very depressed and lost weight. I rode terribly, and a few local-level senior Cat. 2s ridiculed me, which hurt. Also, 1986. I had a bad accident with a pedestrian in the final corner of a crit. I got a concussion and nearly broke my neck. He’d wandered onto the course at just the wrong place and time. The pedestrian died. I won the senior national road championship one month later in a long solo break, which was very redeeming and totally exhausting. I was elated. Later, someone accused me of doping: I nearly belted him.
VN: Who was your favorite teammate?
DS: Steve “Tilly” Tilford. He’s funny, honest, hard-working, willing to sacrifice, a winner, trustworthy, entertaining and a good tactician. Plus, he always came as a package deal with his girlfriend, the great soigneur Trudi Roberts!
VN: Who or what do you miss the least?
DS: Being lied to, and arrogant riders.
VN: When did you retire from racing?
DS: Spring 1990, a good time personally and in general for a road cyclist.
VN: Did you retire from the sport of cycling on your own terms?
DS: Yes.
VN: If you could go back and do one thing different in your cycling career, what would it be?
DS: Relax and enjoy the ride a lot more!
VN: Do you remember the last cycling event you competed in?
DS: Vaguely. It was a criterium in Tucson. I had some kind of weird mechanical and couldn’t finish. I remember feeling relieved, which rather fit the occasion.
VN: Do you still ride, and if so, how often?
DS: Yes, although Oahu is not terribly cycling-friendly. I ride my one-speed beach cruiser and pull my daughter in a trailer back and forth to preschool. For exercise, I surf or swim or walk with my wife.
VN: Are you aware of the current drug problem in cycling, particularly the Festina affair at the Tour De France in 1998? If so, do you think it is more of a problem now than when you were competing, or is it just more exposed and discussed now?
DS: Yes, I heard about that. I think it’s great that finally there was a big bust! I raced very little as a pro in Europe, and I’m pretty far out of touch from cycling now, so I can’t give a real informed comparative opinion. However, I believe that drug use kept increasing in the U.S. throughout the Eighties. It was maddening. You couldn’t raise a protest because there were few dope controls and you’d just look like a poor loser if you griped.
VN: What are you doing now in terms of a job/career?
DS: I’m a psychologist and spent the last two years working in the Hawaii public schools with kids. I love it. Hawaii is a wonderful and beautiful place, but with plenty poverty; there are many problems.
