JB's Adventure Blog: December 2004

Erin and I have a house!

It is offical the deal is done and we are all moved it to our lovely new home. So much exitement and so little down time! I thought about the fact I have little to talk about as far as this weeks mountain biking goes exept for one much needed low key group ride on Sunday with some freinds I hadn't seen in a while. Joking, playing with freinds and general goofing off on the trails really takes your mind of the busy world. This is what the off season is all about!

I was kinda wishing I had someone else to write for me this week end and low and behold my good freind Nick Wait sent out this cool e-mail and saved the day. He allso helped me realise that some times to slow down can be just what you need to operate with a smile!

Have a mountain biking good time.

Jeremiah Bishop

From: Nick Wait December 5th 2004 OFF SEASON

The Off-Season has arrived. As I write this I'm staring to my left at an issue of Utne (a cool independent rag) titled "The Power of Rest". The article brings up the point that many view rest (doing nothing) as a waist of time because our society breeds the idea that one must be constantly busy in order to be productive in life. This article also points out the fact that many people feel guilty when they finally give in to that damn voice telling them to "slow down for a while". Anyway, where I'm going with this is that when the fatigue signs become obvious take them as a welcome "heads up" and turn it off even if only for a moment. Take the time to revel in your own thoughts or not... You might be surprised to find that your motivation and interest decide to stick together after all. A fresh mind and body is the true key to productivity.

A further note on mental recovery... I actually started writing this entry almost one month ago. However, in my experience-riddled state I made the choice to temporarily retire it to the "drafts" folder were so many ambitious "I'll get to 'm lata" stories and journals lay in discontent. Casualties of my sometimes convoluted thought process I suppose...

It has been about ten months since I began my preparations for the 2004 Mountain Bike Racing season. I started when the leaves were raining from above in 2003 and now, again in that mellon collie season, I'm beginning my early preparation for 2005. The past season was the longest and most new-experience filled season out of the five years I've devoted myself completely to mountain bike racing. Starting with training through the dramatic seasonal changes in WV and my time spent with Jeremiah Bishop pushing each other through intense sessions in the Shennandoah mountains surrounding Harrisonburg, VA and our three-week long boot camps in Clemson, SC to competing as a US National MTB and road team member. In Europe I raced top U-23 riders through the Pyrenees and Alps of France on roads used in the Tour de France and historic mountain bike Venues I used to and still do read about in books and cycling-culture rags. Back in North America I competed against the top mountain bike racers in the world in the mountains of California, Colorado, Idaho, Calgary, Quebec and of course my favorite... West Virginia. Gosh, thinking about it kind of reminds me of (lack of good analogy)... Lots of good things coming in all at once with a few causing problems but still manageable and stored for future good. Hmmm, let me simplify that a bit: Figuring out how to put these experiences together in a useful fashion that will benefit my career and happiness.

Home again.

I'm in the midst of my post-season "recharge" and home is once again opening it's arms with soul refreshing events such as the Tour de Lilly presented by Blackwater Bikes , Purple fiddle jam nights presented by John and Kate and the most recent warm memory of the 23rd annual Jack Frost Celebration presented by White Grass and it's fire stoking duo of Laurie and Chip. Thank you all for providing excellent: Technical support (Roger and JR!), Training play ground (Laurie and Chip) musical recovery time (Wolf Creek Session), physical and mental confidence (Steve Thaxton, Kristan Douglas, Morgan jones) and Camp Clemson (Ian Davidson).

In Motion.

Besides my yearly experimentation with training logic and techniques, I've been able to apply some new note-taking skills to help smooth out some the inevitable curve balls that come once the ball really starts to roll this spring. The premier destinations of my training over the next couple months will be at my home in Eglon and the surrounding mountains. I'll also be spending a fair amount of time in Harrisonburg, Va. training with my friend and training partner Jeremiah Bishop.

Enjoy!

-Nick

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 10:40 AM 0 comments

OFF SEASON???

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