Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126756
By Dan McCauley Kroin Hines is currently one of the fastest woods riders. Hines showed up on the National Championship Enduro, Hare Scrambles, and ISDE Qualifier scenes' only two'years ago, and now when the results are posted Hines' name is usually close to the top. In 1982, Kevin took his stand by winning the A lligator Enduro in Daytona Beach, Florida. But Hines didn't start getting any real recognition until he' beat the factory stars at the infamous Blackwater 100 in Davis, West Virginia, in 1983. Many were still thinlting-or hoping that was just a freak day for the Massachusetts rider. Since then, Hines has taken overall wins in National Ch4mpionship Hare Scrambles, an ISDE Qualifier and numerous other events. Until last week, Hines had been denied a National Enduro win. The Quicksilver National, run after this interview, changed all that. National Enduro Champion Mike Melton calls him "Richie Rich." This is due to Kevin's strong financial backing from his obviously wealthy father, Paul Hines. Kevin .has the freedom to devote 100 percent of his time to off-road' competition. Kevin's attitude is serious toward achieving his goals. He knows other riders want the same titles he is chasing, and has made up his mind he must put out just that much more. With a strict diet, Kevin has slimmed down from 190 lbs. to his current weight of 160./t is rare to find him awake much beyond 9:30 p.m., as going to sleep early is just a small part of his training program. Loyal to Husqvarna motorcycles for quite a few years, Kroin is currently competing on a 500WR he calls "The Rebel Rooster." We were fortunate enough to spend a week with Kroin over the Christmas holidays in New England. After some serious cross-country skiing, trail blasting and good times, it was time to get him to comment on a variety of subjects. . ·12 Leisure time: I surely don't spend Sunday in front of the television set watching the football games. I like to tune into documentaries and shows such as 20120 and 60 Minutes. My' girl friend makes me watch Solid Gold and The Dukes of Hazzard, but I really don't get into those shows a whole lot. You can learn some rental car stunts from the "Dukes" though. I spent a lot of time playing ice hockey in high school. I still enjoy watching a good hockey game. Ski- ing and auto racing are cool. Baseball and basketball don't interest me. Downhill skiing is relaxing and is excellent for your cardiovascular system and muscles, and is excellent training. What I really like about it is it just gets you back down to nature - the snow, trees, the whole thing. One of my big time summer recreational sports is water skiing. My family has a ski boat which we keep at our summer house on Cape Cod. I enjoy trick skiing, as well as slalom and a'little bare-foot occasionally. I don't bare-foot as much anymore because it's a good way to break your neck. I tried orienteering (a cross-country foot rate where a compass is used for navigation) f<;>r the first time a month ago. My friend "Quazar" (Pete Leonard) and I entered as a team and ended up third overall in the Expert division. . I definitely don't approve of killing "Bambi." I love nature and would never kill animals for recreation. I really don't play too many video games. My older brother, Ronnie, excels in that department. We have a system and every cartridge imaginable. 1 admit I did playa little Burgertime over the Christmas holidays, but Ronnie is still the "Burgermeister." Music: I like all types of music. It depends on where I'm going and what I'm doing or what I'm chewing - like tobacco. I'll listen to country, disco, classical, or jazz, but I guess I prefer new wave to the other types. My record collection incl udes everything from Haircut 100, The Dead Kennedys and Diana Ross to Hank Williams, Jr. The Clash is my favorite all-around group. I don't enjoy going to large concerts, they're too crowded. I would rather see a good group in a rather quaint type of place. I don't particularly like large crowds or smoky places. . Toys: My' 18-speed mountain bicycle is my favorite toy. It's a Univega Alpina Ultima, I enjoy my mountain bike for many of the same reasons I like cross-country skiing. Riding it is relaxing and exhilarating. I ride it on the same trails I ride my motorcycle on in Myles Standish State Park. I wish I had more time to ride and enjoy it. I'm planning on taking my bicycle with me everywhere this season. Racing cyclocross is definitely something I'm planning on doing. I rode my l2-speed bicycle down to Cape Cod and the islands a couple of times this past summer, and that was enjoyable. CarS{ German cars are my preference - Porsche and Mercedes. The new Corvette is impressive in the performance department, though. I would like to have a Porsche 930 Turbo, but I couldn't fit my bike in the back. I don't know. It seems like too many of the big time racers have Porsches. I think racing formula cars or off' road rally racing could be in my future. Single life: I like being unmarried. It doesn't cramp my style. It enables me to come and go as I want. ' Training: I feel training for National competition is a year-round thing. Many riders think taking a month or two off from racing when the season is over is bK, but I don't believe this is true. I agree the offseason is a time to relax. However, it is an excellent time to train and sharpen your skills. I don't believe partying, smoking or drinking will fit into my schedule as long as I'm riding in competition. However, I do admit I did swallow a few Heineken's after the last round of the National Hare Scrambles Series at Loretta Lynn's. I won them in a bet. I think running in the woods is very good, but I don't jog on pavement. It's too hard on your knees and joints. I'm a member of Nautilus. It helps me work on flexibility as well as strength in one motion. I use Nautilus when time permits, but I feel riding is the best form of training. I practice as often as possible. Nutrition plays an important role· when competing in any athletic event. Food intake is as critical to your body as fuel is to your motorcycle. I have done quite a bit of reading on the subject of nutrition and health, and have come to the conclusion that this has a definite effect on your results. Mental attitude: Traveling to events by myself a majority of the time has a tremendous effect on my attitude both positive and negative. At times it's difficult having no one to talk to. Singing along with the radio gets' old, but I think I do a fair job of keeping myself mentally fit. For '84, my attitude is all positive. Traveling: I definitely spend more time on the road than any otber offroad rider, thanks to my location and the fact that I ride every National Enduro, Hare Scrambles, and IS DE Qualifier. In fact, I'm the only rider to make all of the events. "K.B." (Kevin Brown) and I traveled to a couple of events together, and that was fun. Racing expenses: I really don't know how much I spent last season to be honest with you. I would have to check with my father. If I wanted· to make money I would have gotten into a different aspect of motorcycle racing. We're all playing the same game - some get paid, some do not. I guess I must really love riding or I wouldn't be doing it. Support: My father, Paul Hines, is my major supporter in my quest to achieve National recognition. A title. would really make him happy. I come from a family of four boys. My father has always made it possible for us to race - from go-karts to motorcycles. My brothers were each very