JB's Adventure Blog: 10/29/06

If you haven't been here you should go. The place has only .03 % of the earths land mass but 4% of the worlds plant and animal species! CR has some simularities to other Latin American country but I sense that there is a alot of possitive energy and happniess that is part of the culture here. I wish more people could live like the Costa Ricans.

My travel was smooth exept the 2 am wake up Erin and I had to endure to drive to the Airport. I owe her big for that one.
I slept some on the plane to Houston and the spitt was nice for my 2nd flight was only 3:30. I arrived to the small but Charming Airport here in San Jose. The theme is ala Rain Forest Caffe exept with travel information and like 20 locals trying to take you bags for some tips. The Money here is very different. I assume there was an inflation period because I just payed like 2,000 Colones for a large water bottle! I Quess a car would be like 40 million! Geez...

So Yesterday I felt like a rock star. The Importer for Trek Ignacio Pazos asked me to come to a shop visit exept it was really like a dealer expose for all the Trek Dealers in the Country!!! They hosted a top notch event resplended with a catoring service a big white party tent in the front lot of their expo store. I had more pictures taken than the pope and signed alot of autographs you would have thought I was the guitarist from U2. The main presentation begun with an open house of their demo store and a computer slide show. I was at the conferenec table with the glass pitcher of water and a mic. Ok I better think of somthing good to say! I was introduced by General manager Claudio Brenes Salas. And there was an interpreter on hand so I didn't make too much of a fool of my self with my 40 word spanish vocabulary.

The intro speach was very nice and I took the floor for couple minutes of backround. I started with who I am what I have done with the Trek Volkswagen team and how this was a special year 10th anniversary for our team and that we gave 100% to become the best team in the USA once again!

I had a good respose for all the Q&A and I think I was receive very well. The tone was truly buisness and I hope that I can be a possitive inpact on Treks 100% a year groth here in Costa Rica!

Thanks gotta catch a ride to the west coast to get ready for this CRAZY race!!

hasta La vista!

Jeremiah

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 10:37 AM 2 comments

In the category of best Virginia races Tidewater IS the award winner! The course is sweet flowing single track, the weather always seems perfect. The race is affordable there are great T-shirts prizes are deep and smiles are broad.

My Trek/Volkswagen regional team mates Todd Helmick and Jeff Shalk were in attendance. And Steve the "Wonder Wrench" Hoover was there with the Taureg and Trek/VW trailer greeting the fans racers and family members.

I was amazed to see how dry the course was after an inch of overnight rain. Then I ran into Steve, he told me his crew put in 4 hours of emergency trail work raking and leaf blowing to get the course in top shape that morning! That is some dedication, a quick glance at his hands showed the calused and dirt to prove it. I told him he needs to get hired by the UCI to do all of there course design and trail work! That would be great because some of the course look like they went through a swamp with some course tape.

My fellow Trekie Todd Helmick put in an inspired birthday ride pushing me the whole 6 lap race! I counter attack with 2 to go on the steepest climbs. If I waited he could creep up or try to get me in the sprint!
It was encouraging to see him racing aggressive again. I wish I could have seen him put the winning moves on at the World Police and Fire Fighter Games in Canada! Stay posted as Todd goes to Australia to defend his title this coming March!! I have a feeling he can do it again.

After the race awards Erin and I went to a cool Mexican place with Chalie, Libby, Todd, his wife Nicole, Hoover and Jeff. We talked about the days excitement and how much we wish there were more races like the Tidewater Classic!

Next year will be the 20th year celebration. See you there.

Next: the last race of the season La Ruta de los conquistadores.

Happy trails:

Jeremiah.

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 12:47 PM 1 comments

Pura Vida en Costa Rica

Tide Water Mountian Bike Classic #5!

Archives