Interview from the road: Between Mill City and West Wendsor, Nevada

Emmett Peixoto and David Fink Interview:
by ben thum

After a week on the road how do you feel about the experience so far?

Emmett: Well, I was about to kill Dave Fink the first 5 days. Then I actually tried, now I think the "team" is pretty strong; which is unfortunate. As far as the bike riding goes, I wanted to quit for the first couple days, but that was because I didn't ride a bike once leading up to this journey. The country-side is beautiful, the bike riding isn't that tough and I've gotten used to the pain.

Dave: The first couple days were hard because Emmett was crying throughout the ride and constantly telling me he was gonna quit and go home. But I convenced him of the tremendous amount of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that we would both attain upon arriving in KC for the nationals.

What has surprised you the most on this journey?

Emmett: The weather and I witnessed DV kissing DF on the lips (for 5 seconds straight). Yucky!

Dave: The ease at which I am accomplishing 100 miles a day.

High points of your first week?

Emmett: Top of the Sierras Lloyd

Dave: Pushing Emmett out of the Team and welcoming DV

Low points?

Emmett: Whiping off the tears of Dave Fink's face after he couldn't peddle two miles.

Dave: Not having my cold weather and snow gear

Thoughts on that (small tornado) weather problem you encountered?

Emmett: I really didn't know what was going on. The snow was bad, but I took my mind to a zen-like state.

Dave:Very happy to have DV riding a few paces behind us, keeping us safe with the Toyota Tundra

Will your legs be ready for the 4-wall Nats after a month of hard core biking?

Emmett:YES! I'll be in tip-top shape. Better than ever before. This is my training for the nationals.

Dave: I would have turned around in Reno if I wasn't planning on going to KC to win!

What type of activities occupy your off-bike hours - besides sleeping?

Emmett: Females.

Dave: Studying handball videos. Have you adapted well to sleeping in a tent?

Emmett: Well, I never went camping as a kid. I had a, "My little pony" tent in my back yard and I slept there once. So, this is a shocker. DV is making it easy on us.

Dave: I didn't grow up with a "silver spoon" so I have had to adjust at a young age, without the luxuries that most kids are fortunate to have.

Most interesting people you've met so far?

Emmett:There was this biker that we stumbled across that went off the road. His bike was on top of him and he was screaming for help. So, DV got out of the truck and we got off the bikes, lifted his motorcycle off of him. He tried to get up and farted (broken leg and ankle and all) and then tried to cover it up with curse words and other profanity. He drove off without saying a word. DV cracked the biggest joke at the perfect time, as this guy sat in a heap undfer his bike farting and cursing. DV is a genius! God, I will never forget that moment. If we didn't show up the guy would have died and yet, he only farted and didn't thank us.

Dave:The newspaper reporter and her family that invited us into her home for a warm meal and treated us like family.

What are the odds The Team will bike all the way to New York City?

Emmett:I'm ready to go to NY and further

Dave:I want to stop at as many handball clinics as possible along the way. As long as our schedule calls for it, 100%

Think you'll ever do this again?

Emmett:I want to make the next trip across Ireland

Dave:Yes

Have you heard a discouraging word?

Emmett: All kinds of curse words from the farting/distressed biker
Dave:Yes, everytime I am updated on mb posts from Albert Apuzzi

Have you watched the buffaloes roam the prairies?

Emmett:We haven't made it to Kansas yet, Ben. And, we aren't going thru New Mexico

Dave:Yes. I watched Dances with Wolves

They say there's nothing like a X-Country bike trip to test the mettle of even the best of friends. Have you found this to be true yet?

Emmett: Every second

Dave: This is nothing compared to living with the "Kings" in Australia

Does DV sleep in the truck - or at a 4-star hotel?

Emmett: 5-star hotel

Dave: He shares a sleeping bag with me.

Heard any good jokes lately?

Emmett: Dave Fink beating Sean Lenning

Dave: Dave Vincent told me he was an Open Handball Player once? Sorry. What? Wait!

What other thoughts would you like to share with the handball world?

Emmett: We need your support. Support the WPH. The WPH is the best thing in handball right now. If we can just give it a boost it has the know-how to sustain itself and become great.

Dave: I'm appreciative of the support we received and hope to receive a lot more in the coming weeks.

Good luck guys. May the wind at your back never be your own.

Emmett: Thanks Ben

Dave: Love you Ben

Ditto. You too, DV. Not surprised to hear the Toyota Tundra is a GREAT truck! Keep on' truckin'