Carl Decker, Racer Extraordinaire

Name: Carl Michael Decker
Nickname: “The Deckerator”
Mission: To escape Adam Craig’s bad gas.

So, Carl was kind enough to sit down with K-Man for an interview. This MTB, CCX, Road and Rally Car racer is a well known nationally for both his cycling prowess and for being a really cool guy. Besides racing bikes, K-Man moles found out that the Deckerator has a longstanding love for cars. In fact, he was known to tear around in a black car- spray painted black, creating fear in the Oregon countryside. Nowadays he creates havoc in his teal rally car. K-Man was hoping to get pictures of his garage, but unfortunately, the Deckerator has been busying himself climbing hills in the Mt. Hood Stage Race. Thus… K-Man was forced to scrounge for photos- Russell Cree was kind enough to provide the nice looking photos. The others… well… you know what happens when K-Man’s imagination goes a little south.

K-Man: So, thanks for sitting down with us Carl. To get us started, let’s get a little background info from you. Where were you born, what are your vital stats, what lives in your backyard… you know… what us readers want to know..
Deckerator: I’m 6′tall, 160 lbs, bald hair, blue eyes, 32 years of age. I’ve been a Bendite since ‘81 when I moved from the Oregon Coast. Quail, Bunnies, Chimpmunks, and a VW Beetle.

K-Man: Alrighty… do you have a significant other?
Deckerator: I have a 6′ tall hazel-eyed beauty of a girlfriend named Emily “tucknasty” Tucker. Yes. She’s sitting next to me right now.

K-Man: What does she think is your worst habit?
Deckerator: Worst habit according to Tucknasty: Not enough action. She’s pretty much insatiable.

Things Carl gets women to do for him
Pictures have been pixelated to protect their identity.
Pic provided by Carl.

K-Man: OK… how about friends? You’re teammates with Adam Craig, who’s tougher? You or Adam?
Deckerator: Adam Craig is tougher. He’s from Maine. Smart too. He’s FROM Maine.

K-Man: How did you like growing up in Bend? Have you seen a lot of changes? Have they been for the good, bad or has it been a mixed bag?
Deckerator: I’m really lucky to live in Bend. A lot of the growth has been for the worse, but it will be a long time before this place sucks. I’m just happy about roundabouts. Stoplights are lame-o.

K-Man: Anything that made you decide to stay in Bend?
Deckerator: I went to U. of Portland for four years (BS Criminal Justice) and was gone long enough to appreciate what we have here.

K-Man: What do you like most about the area?
Deckerator: I like the climate and the geography around Bend. I like snow in the winter. I usually take a big break in the winter.

K-Man: What’s your favorite meal?
Deckerator: Peanut butter and Honey and Banana sandwiches.
K-Man thinks: Mmm…. peanut butter, honey and banana sandwiches a meal do they make.

K-Man: How about your grooming habits? Do you sing in the shower?
Deckerator: I sing in the car. Sometimes Sinatra. I stretch in the shower.

K-Man: K-Man has a favorite piece of clothing. It has little running bunnies on them. Do you have a favorite piece of clothing? Why do you like yours? K-Man likes his because bunnies are cool.
Deckerator: My lucky boxer shorts. They have monkeys and bananas on them.

K-Man’s approximation of what Deckerator’s
shorts may look like

K-Man: Are there any restaurants in Bend that you could recommend to us? K-Man likes visiting and likes to get advice on good places to eat. K-Man doesn’t like visiting the same places over and over.
Deckerator: I like the Taste of Thai trailer next to the Service station on Greenwood. They give lots of samples, which tides you over until you can find a good place to eat some good food. Park Benches and friends houses are funner than restaurants.

K-Man: Who’s the best athlete in your talented family? You, your brother, your mom or your dad?
Deckerator: I’m the best athlete in the family. I have many trophies and medallions. That doesn’t make me the best person though. But it helps.

On the bike

K-Man: What’s your favorite bike? Personally, K-Man likes big wheels but K-Man doesn’t think there’s a big wheel category yet.
Deckerator: I heart singlespeeds. They’re light and simple and quick. And ti bolts and other chichi light crap actually make you faster on descents on one. A riddle that’s strange but true. Figure it out for yourself.

K-Man: Do you enjoy being in the wilderness alone on your bike?
Deckerator: I like being in the wilderness with friends and bikes. I’m afraid of hitting my head on a rock and being eaten by ants.

K-Man: What do you remember about your early races? Do you remember hearing all the other racers go “oh crap, the Decker brothers are here?” Or was it the look of pain on everyone else’s faces as they chased you around the course?
Deckerator: Late in races I used to pass grown men who would double take, shift up three gears, attack, crack, and then throw their bikes in the bushes when I’d pass them again. I was 9. They were slow.

K-Man: What has been your favorite race so far? Why?
Deckerator: The world cup at Ft William Scotland is something special. I’m not good at it, but the course is fantastic. Pan Am Championships in Medellin, Columbia were an amazing adventure. Wonderfull place and people. Too bad about the kidnapping rebels everywhere. I’d totally go back.

K-Man: Were you competitive with your brother? Inside sources tell us that you made all of the other racers hurt when you would chase each other around the race course.
Deckerator: Chris and I were best friends on and off the bike. Of course we wanted to beat each-other, but there weren’t as many mano-a-mano battles as you’d expect. He was riding while I was in college running, or I was riding while he was partying, or whatever. On paper, we were equals on foot and on the bike.

K-Man: Sources say you and your brother have a pain switch whereas most people have a pain dimmer. Can you tell us a little bit about this switch? Can we stop by the local Home Depot to pick one up?
Deckerator: I’m Propane. And I Vote. (its a pun, b?!#h)
K-Man thinks: Hmm… note… no pain switch… he just enjoys it.

K-Man: All things being relative… an epic ride for K-Man being anything over 50 miles and having hills, what’s yours? Did you bonk?
Deckerator: Rode to Portland with Brother Christopher in 1997. Took Breitenbush pass from Detroit. It was closed from the 96 floods. We bonked to the moon and didn’t see food, water, or car until we were in Clackamas or some shit. We ate burgers, fries, and 49 oz shakes, slept for a half hour, and finished her up. 181 miles in 9 hours flat. I’m still getting over it.

K-Man: What’s your most embarrassing moment on the bike?
Deckerator: Looping out a wheelie on my BMX and landing on my cocyxx in front of me mates. Is that how you spell cocyxx?

K-Man: You seem like an adventurous guy, have you ever gotten naked on your bike? Like in Arizona?
Deckerator: Naked Dune run in Death Valley once. Slap factor precluded any repeat performances.

K-Man: How much training does the Deckerator need during an average week to stomp all over the competition?
Deckerator: 12 hours

K-Man: I asked Sal this question… does shaving your head make you go faster?
Deckerator: Yes, because you are riding away from the shame.

K-Man: With your amazing career, what’s your most memorable moment on your bike?
Deckerator: Winning the Norba Short track at Infineon on a road bike a few years ago. Photo finish with a reversal.

K-Man: How about your proudest achievement?
Deckerator: Not eating the cake after dinner tonight. Trying to slim down.

K-Man: What do you enjoy about racing?
Deckerator: I like turning. Skis, bikes, cars, motos, even running. That’s where the fun lies.

The horse is turning

K-Man: Did OBRA help you develop as a rider?
Deckerator: Yeah. Oregon has a badass race scene. Having cheap, well run races close to home is important for learning the ropes. Travelling to NORBAs is expensive and unnecessary for most Oregonians.

K-Man: Any parting words to aspiring Pro Mt. Bikers?
Deckerator: It’s supposed to be fun. Don’t worry about getting uberfast overnight. You really need about 10 years to find out what you’re capable of. If you’re gonna make it that long, it better be fun.

K-Man: Anyone you’d like to give a shout-out to?
Deckerator: My Mum, Susan is getting over some major surgery. So heya to Moms. Hope you’re feeling swell.

Thanks Carl and best wishes for a quick recovery for your mom!