Cyclocross is a sport dear to our hearts at DeFeet. We go together like peanut butter and chocolate. At the end of a proper 'cross race, you should look like got dipped in those ingredients, too. Cyclocross combines several core DeFeet sports: running, cycling, hiking (when you're too tired to run), and sometimes, snow. You don't 'sort of' do a cyclocross race. You're either all-in or you're on the sidelines. Being on the sidelines isn't bad, either. It's way more entertaining than watching football. If it's a decent race they'll have a heated beer tent. Someone might even give you a cowbell to clang.

Jeremy Powers is a young lad who's making his name racing cyclocross and road both here in the US and abroad. We asked him some probing questions over the weekend.

1. Jeremy, welcome to DeFeet's '6 pac of Q's'. Tell us, first off, why bike racing? What was the pull for you. Were you always athletic growing up?

I played a few different sports when I was growing up, mostly baseball. I was passionate about baseball but by the time I reached junior high, all the coaches were only picking their family members and friends for the all star and regional teams so I got discouraged and started racing mountain bikes on the weekends with friends. Thats where it all started, My mom and I hopping in our diesel pick-up truck and heading to races on the weekends. Going to races on the weekends hasn't gotten old yet, I've been doing this since I was 13. My family still comes to all the localraces and screams for me, so that never got old either!

2. Cyclocross seems to be your passion. Who are the 'tough men' in the World, today, and also from the American side?

A lot of the Belgians are pretty hard guys. Wellens + Nys are the most impressive to me, they go all season racing at the top and they show up in all conditions, wet, dry, hot or cold there in the hunt for the W. In the states, the normal guys, Ryan, Jonathan, Timmy, Todd & Barry all have their strengths. Each of those riders can win any race on a given day, Because the racing is so short it makes it really fun to race and even better to watch.

3. The former 'can't-leave-home-without-it' item used to be a bag of cassette tapes and a Sony Walkman. Those were the Dark Ages, when Belgium was Belgium. What tools do you carry to help feel at home?

This year I'm bringing some serious horse power to keep me sane while I'm over there. I recently bought some technic 1200 turntables, some mixers, samplers, etc. I'm pretty into music, so, with the stuff I bought, the skys the limit, maybe I'll come home with a record deal! My dad's coming over this year also to lend a hand as well for the first two wks, so anytime I'm bored we'll be able to jet and have some down time away from the racing!

4. Here's a manly question: Tires. Lots of options today for cross tires. Do you have a strategy for tire selection for cyclocross?

I mostly run Dugast tubulars. At cyclocrossworld.com we can use any tires they sell. My favorite and pretty much standard choice of many cross' racers is Dugast hand made tubulars. They've been described as 'pillows' because they are such an amazing tire to ride. My strategy is always based on the conditions of the race. If its muddy I'm using Dugast specific 'rhyno' mud tire. If its SUPER fast we'll run the file treads and for all around grass courses, we use their traditional typhoon tread.

5. After cycling. Have any plans or things you want to do? Hobbies that you want to do more of?

Phew, I have a whole gang of ideas...I love food, I'd love to open a bakery some day.
I'd like to go to mexico and learn how to make real authentic mexican food from the heart.I like music too, I'd love to be work the turntables, travel the world spinnin' clubs. I don't want to ever stop riding and enjoying my cycling, If I didn't ride my bike I'd probably go completely insane, so I don't care what I'm doing, I'll have a bike with me.

6. Lastly, DeFeet products. What do you use and has there been any long-term 'staple' DeFeet products that you've had?

I love the durability and functionality that comes with using DeFeet products. The undershirts, the gloves, socks and shoe covers are probably the products that I use the most. Racing cross' in the winter can get pretty cold and I love DeFeet Woolie Boolie socks and I usually warm up for sandy/muddy races in DeFeet SlipStreams to prevent the shoes from getting all crapped up before the start and peel them off for a nice fresh look on the shoes before the start. DeFeet DuraGloves are thin and functional, they keep my hands warm and they don't feel too bulky, like I can't grab the bars. DeFeet UnD Shurt's speak for themselves. They are the best.