From sleeping in my garage to living in a trailer (a.k.a. The Unit): The whirlwind success story of Svein Tuft.

Jacob: Svein, although everyone loves your story about being a hobo and riding to Alaska, this will be your first interview NOT about that. Instead we’ll fast forward to 2002. A bunch of my buddies in San Diego have decided to rent a house. A room is offered to me, which I can only afford if I get a roommate. I talk to you and arrange a deal to take the room for both of us. Then you called me after I moved in and said you couldn’t do it. A new plan is hatched where we get a new guy to take the room, and I move into the garage. Can you verify my version of the events?

Svein: Well Jake as I like to say Good things eventually happen for a reason. Your version sounds pretty bang on, but I seem to remember my reason for not moving into the La Mesa palace was a decision of whether to be able to eat Kraft dinner for the next month or have a room and not have any of the said dinners.

Jacob: Eventually, I settle into a garage living lifestyle. Giant shelves are moved around that are draped in cloth to form walls. A bedroom of sorts is created. And rules are developed for my housemates such as the dryer will be turned off at 9:30pm regardless of the condition of the clothes inside. In time, contact is reestablished with you and a new offer is put forth: Move into the garage with me. And you accepted.

Svein: Jake It was the greatest decision of my life. I think I was waiting for my 1st cheque from Prime Alliance before I could start living the posh lifestyle you were enjoying in the garage. Man we owned that washing machine, and remember the stories I would tell you and Laura at night about the hobo days (sorry I had to get something in about my true roots) better than TV I'm sure you would agree.

Jacob: Absolutely. I wish I had taped those stories. So now back to present-day, Symmetrics has just finished up a blindingly successful season that culminated in your UCI overall America Tour victory as well as the team title. Did you foresee this kind of thing happening at the start of the year?

Svein: Awwhh Man! It's always back to the biking with you isn't it? I thought we were going to talk more about the good ol days. It's funny how this year ended up. For me it was a bit of an experimental year, I actually trained through the winter and hit the track pretty hard. I was surprised in Cuba and just tried to roll with that form for as long as possible. I never had any idea I would be riding for the Americas Tour jersey until the US open where I was surprised again. I'm always surprised to be in any kind of winning situation because everyone else always looks like they have way more hustle than me.

Jacob: Yeah, I hate go-getters. I imagine that there was a lot of stress involved with taking the lead of a season-long Tour. Was having the leader’s white jersey a motivator for you or a big weight on your shoulders?

Svein: There was a part of the season ie: Philly week and Beauce that the jersey was a motivator, and after that I was falling apart physically and it became a bit stressful. I'd started racing so early that my form was coming undone and there was nothing I could do but just hang on. Then we did the "greatest trip in the world" down to Venezuela and I think we all took a good 5 years off our lives. It was hard to come around after that.

Jacob: Things have been a lot different from your workhorse days on Prime Alliance to a lead role on Symmetrics. How does it feel to go into a race with 7 or 8 guys firmly dedicated to supporting you, assuming it’s not a sprint of course? Hell, I can beat you in those.

Svein: Well Jake I happen to know you were the Junior provincial flying 200 meter champion for Alberta, so when I'm up against you there's not much I can do but just watch the fireworks. This team has been the greatest 2nd family a guy could ask for, and I've never seen a bunch of guys so dedicated to the one goal. We've all been through quite a few crazy situations while racing and these guys keep amazing me with how far they push themselves, and I know because I'm suffering on their wheel.

Jacob: Teams come calling every year, “Sign here, and you’re dreams will come true”. What keeps you in Symmetrics colours? Is it Geoff’s Tour de France stories? Is it Pinner’s talk about the climbs only being highway grade? Is it Christian’s mesmerizing texting prowess? How about Matt Barth’s insistence on group hugs? We never saw the Navigator’s do those at Superweek.

Svein: All of those things are fantastic! Pinner has a magical way of convincing you that a Hor's Categorie climb is somehow only going to be highway grade, which always gets my motor going. Us bigger boned folk always need all the help we can get in that department. I always felt a little awkward about the group hugs. We're a tight knit unit but that's just a little too far.The Youngman's (Christian) texting ability has only progressed throughout the season. I think I could get 2 words done by the time he would have a couple paragraphs sent off to his special ladyfriend. GB's (Geoff) stories can keep all entertained for hours while sitting out in the hotel parking lot picnic style eating some of Amarigo's (head chef and GB's assistant) delicious risotto. Yeah like I said before these guys are all my 2nd family and I wouldn't leave this for the world.

Jacob: What would your dream schedule be for 2008? And you can’t say, “Loafing about in your trailer until TT nats”.

Svein: OHH so I just like the TT's eh Jake? What about the sweet short hillclimbs that I look forward to all year? I can't really think of a dream schedule. It's all just biking around to me. I like to go out and just hit it and hope for the best. That's about as far as I look into it.

Jacob: My mistake. I guess you're already doing repeats up the Delta Hill Climb course. So I was up there this past weekend and saw Christian hitting the trainer and then heading to the gym. What’s with the exuberance of these young fellers? Are you still tired from 2007? Personally I’m still drained from dodging asteroid craters in Venezuela.

Svein: Well the Youngman I think is more dedicated than anyone I know, so it's pretty hard for us old guys to compete with that vibrant youth. 2007 was pretty tiring for sure, but there's nothing like being home in BC and doing hikes and some backcountry skiing to get the head together. I do not recommend anyone to go to Venezulea to ride a bike. Those were by far the biggest potholes I've seen in my life.

Jacob: I hope that 20 years from now people won’t be saying, “Do you remember that Symmetrics team? How come no one else did something like that?” Where would Canadian cycling be without the Cunninghams?

Svein: Me too, Jake. Me too. Kevin and Mark have poured so much of their life and time into this team and their would not be a program like this today if it wasn't for the Cunninghams. I've never been part of an organization where you have such a tight relationship with the owners, and that's one of the things I love about Symmetrics.

Jacob: So how much propane are you using to heat the Unit these days? Are you going to put up some snow-fencing for the ‘Park’?

Svein: Actually it's been a pretty sweet November. A lot of sunny days and good biking conditions. I want the snow to come so I can get a ski on.

Jacob: The Unit is on Kev’s property. Do you really have a leg to stand on during contract negotiations? I mean, he could just put a lock on the gate can’t he?

Svein: Well the unit's on wheels so if you don't like your neighbours you can just pull up and leave..Just kidding, and Kev wouldn't do that would he Jake?

Jacob: Good Simpsons line there. Well done. I think if Kev could pull the wheels off your unit altogether, he'd do it. "Oops Svein. Looks like you're stuck there. I'm gonna have to hit you with some mad rent charges unless you want to chat about next year". Okay that should do it. Well Dwayner, it was another great season being your teammate. And just remember, if the form is there to win another stage race in ‘08, you don’t have to take the lead until the last day. Think of the wee ones like myself.

Svein: That would be a perfect world wouldn't it Jake? Thanks for your time Buddy, and here's another Simpsons quote for you. "Whew all this computer hacking is making me thirsty. Where's my Tab?"