JB's Adventure Blog

Ok, it's just a shirt right?

That's what I first thought to myself as my nose started to run from the exertion of yesterday's ride, but I found my self pause to instead wipe with the glove - not sleeve - as I looked at the flag on my left shoulder. I also made sure that I stoped at the light before my right turn.

Trust me I am very proud to wear these colors it is a special honor!

Check this out...

United States Code Title 4, Chapter 1 - The Flag

SS1. Flag; stripes and stars
On the flag of the United States shall be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; and the union of the flag shall be forty-eight stars [Note that sec. 2 which follows provides for additional stars. Today the flag has fifty stars representing the fifty states - Webmaster], white in a blue field

SS2. Same; additional stars
On the admission of a new State into the Union one star shall be added to the union of the flag; and such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission

SS3. Use of flag for advertising purposes; mutilation of flag
Any person who, within the District of Columbia, in any manner, for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America; or shall expose or cause to be exposed to public view any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign upon which shall have been printed, painted, or otherwise placed, or to which shall be attached, appended, affixed, or annexed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, or drawing, or any advertisement of any nature; or who, within the District of Columbia, shall manufacture, sell, expose for sale, or to public view, or give away or have in possession for sale, or to be given away or for use for any purpose, any article or substance being an article of merchandise, or a receptacle for merchandise or article or thing for carrying or transporting merchandise, upon which shall have been printed, painted, attached, or otherwise placed a representation of any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign, to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark, or distinguish the article or substance on which so placed shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court.

Yikes. I think I'm going to start riding with tissues! :)

So, the code goes on for another two pages, but I thought it was interesting.

The next stops on the race circuit are Mt Saint Anne, Canada and Bromont, Canada for consecutive World Cups. My start position may not be great, but it will be fun if my legs are still on! A podium race could be in the cards!

I'm stoked for the rest of the season because I get to do some more really fun endurance races and shift gears a little!

The week after Bromont I'll tackle the Fools Golds 100 miler in north Georgia. This will be my first time doing the race but the reviews are awesome and it sounds like as much of a festival as a bike race!

See ya at the races,

Jeremiah

Labels: Endurance Racing, Racing

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 11:25 AM 0 comments

Book Ends!

WOW!

Today I won the USA National Short Track Championship!

My first short track win and I couldn’t have timed it better, and I'm a little shocked that I pulled it off - but wow! I will go with it!

Yesterday was a good ride in the cross country, but a flat put me out of contention for a top spot. I finished a solid 7th. This was just extra motivation to put on a good ride in the short track.

After last week's lesson in tactics from Todd Wells, I was ready for a smart race this time. I grabbed the hole shot and felt really good. Once the pace settled, I was able to read the race and cover moves.

I let others cover the moves except when Todd bridged up to Ryan Trebon. The Giant riders, Adam and Carl, and JHK closed the gap down only to see Todd on the side of the course with a chain problem. As we closed in on a flagging Trebon, I tried my hand at an attack but it was answered by Adam. Then I put in another attack just as we were making contact with Ryan. It worked up a small gap, but it was enough to work with. It was long five laps to the finish but I was committed! This was my only chance - I was going long. This was especially risky because there were two Kona riders and two Giant riders on a fast course where drafting comes into play.

I drove it at a max pace, attacking the hill each lap and tucking in on the long start/finish straight. I think there was a lull in the chase for one lap. But for the last three, Barry Wicks of Kona was chasing hard.

Then with two to-go it was time to punch it into over drive. I sprinted up the second to last time up the hill. The crowd was going nuts! I sprinted again, though I was inside out. My 12-second gap was enough I had it!!

Two National titles in one month! One was long and one was short but both were amazing.

Thanks to the Trek/Volkswagen crew and everyone out there that helped me get here.

Sue; this one is for you! Thanks for the inspiration!

Whooooooo-Hoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeremiah

Labels: Racing

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 7:00 AM 2 comments

Fourth of July Surprise

I WON ????? I was confused... Nick Martin, Brian Smith and the rest of the Trek crew were spraying me in the face with Pabst Blue Ribbon, screaming and jumping on me.

Today, somehow, I won the US National Marathon Championships even after a major mechanical.

I had a strong race going and had a 90-second lead with about 35 miles left when my chain got caught in the spokes.

Ryan Trebon and Andy Shultz were not far behind.

I tied up the three broken spokes and took a link out of my chain. This took a while and I assumed my chances of wining the race were becoming next to none as riders passed by. I charged hard hoping to rally for a top-5 finish. Then I caught up with Travis Brown and he helped pull my hanger back out. He gave my a really good pull on the flat fire road before the major descent to the finish. THANK YOU! I thought that if I kept on charging I could pull back some spots.

I just buried my head and went flat out the second time up the first 2000-foot ascent of the course. I was fired up after losing the lead. Then, just as I was making good headway, my chain went out again! I laughed as Travis passed again as I remounted. 'What else can go wrong?' I thought, but I went like hell.

This time I was just possessed to hammer every hill at max! My lungs were on fire but I was moving! I caught Dave Weins with about 7 miles left and he encouraged me to chase the two guys who where just 30 seconds ahead. I only had one climb left and my body was in the hurt locker. I just went max and caught a guy with an orange jersey. I sat for a little and then jumped for the hole shot for the single track. I was going for it hoping to catch the next guy, Evan Plews. I did catch him about halfway down. I tried to surge pass but he picked up the pace. I guess he was going too fast thru some rocks and flatted!

Absolutely exhausted and light headed, I conceded that I was not going to be able to catch any more riders so I just tried to stay smooth and not crash. I found out that behind me Ryan Trebon and Andy Shultz had pulled out - they'd not been among riders who passed me when my chain broke - so I was racing for the win!

Wow. That was a strange but amazing race, I will not soon forget it!

THANK YOU to all that have helped me out past and present to make this win a possible.

I'm donating prize money to the mike Janelle fund www.livelikemike.org. I thought of Mike while I raced today and I knew he was a fighter and loved to push it to the max. So I did the same. Thanks Mike.

Happy Fourth!

Jeremiah

Labels: Endurance Racing, Racing

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 8:38 PM 3 comments

ZOOOOOOMMM!

Today' race at Deer Valley was one of my best short track races not because of my fourth place but because it was a crazy ride that still panned out...

Against the odds, I was called up pretty far back. The start was rough too. I was caught behind some first-lap carnage when Geoff Kabush slid out causing Ross to lose his chain right in front of me. There where riders running up the first hill of the first lap.

'OK, my race is over,' I thought as I rode in 15th place in a cloud of dust.

But I felt some good power on lap 2 and sprinted by a group of riders on the course's large climb. Around 8 minuets in I was able to surge again to get past JHK and Sam.

On the next lap, I made contact with Kabush and Ryan Trebon who where trading attacks. I sat on for a couple of laps, they slowed and I felt some good kick so I went for it. I was in the LEAD!? The super short track duo did catch me, but still I was able to claw on the back of Kabush and Ryan with 3 to go. I was dicing the third choppy corner of the decent and rolled my rear tire burping some air; the bike flew sideways, in a split second I got my foot down and saved it! YIKES

Then with 20 PSI in my tire, I played it safe. Carl Decker was closing in though and made a inside move on me for the top corner of the course making it near impossible to pass with my low rear tire. It was painful, but I actually had fun racing the short track for a change.

Ross also had a good ride, rounding out the top-5 in what has turned out to be a great weekend for the Trek Volkswagen Racing Team.

Plenty of excitement, lots of speed and a little danger!
That's short track.

Next stop is the big re-match with Ryan Trebon at the USA National Endurance championships in Breckenridge. If I thought the short track hurt, I'm sure 50 miles at 10,000-11,500 feet is going to be a tough one! There are a lot of fast racers on the line up and it promises to be a great race.

Wish me luck!
Jeremiah

Race 17 - June 29: Elite Men Short Track
Results

1 Geoff Kabush (Can) Team Maxxis 23.39
2 Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona 0.04
3 Carl Decker (USA) Giant Mtb Team 0.11
4 Jeremiah Bishop (USA) Trek/VW 0.13
5 Ross Schnell (USA) Trek/VW 0.41
6 Sam Schultz (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher 0.42
7 Troy Wells (USA) Tokyo Joes 1.04
8 Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher 1.10
9 Cody Peterson (USA) Scott Bicycles 1.20
10 Adam Morka (Can) 3 Rox Cycling 1.29
11 Tad Elliott (USA) U23 National Team 1.38
12 Brett Morgan (USA) Sobe/Cannondale 1.41
13 Robert Marion (USA) Kenda Titus 1.47
14 Andy Schultz (USA) Kenda Titus Hayes 1.56

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 10:00 PM 2 comments

Full Throttle

Ok, maybe my second-lap attack was a little too aggressive for just coming up to altitude, but it sure was fun!

Kabush and Ryan Trebon opened up on the first climb and were just flying. I jumped around JHK in pursuit and made contact on the second switchback climb of lap 1. I had to sneak around Kabush on the descent because a gap was opening up.

I made contact with Ryan on the first big climb of lap 2.

We had some good lead changes and the race was exciting. I lead from the end of lap 2 to the end of lap 3.

On Lap 4, Ryan was coming on fast and I was starting to cramp. Attacking in the feed zone, I thought it was over but I clawed back his 10-second lead on on the descent. It was mono y mono... Unfortunately this hombre was experiencing bad quad cramps so I had to put'r in cruise control while Ryan rode away in the last 3 miles.

I was a little surprised not to get caught by Kabush because the cramps were bad!
Railing the descents and putting in good racing moves was really fun today.

It's nice to be back in the groove.

Tomorrow is the short track.

Keep ya posted,
Jeremiah

Pro Men

1. Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona 2:08:42
2. Jeremiah Bishop (USA) Trek/VW at 0:43
3. Geoff Kabush (Can) Team Maxxis 1:28
4. Andy Schultz (USA) Kenda Titus Hayes 3:11
5. Carl Decker (USA) Giant Mtb Team 3:24
6. Sam Schultz (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher 4:18
7. Ross Schnell (USA) Trek/VW 4:51
8. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher 6:52
9. Cody Peterson (USA) Scott Bicycles 8:39
10. Sam Koerber (USA) Gary Fisher 29er Crew 9:04

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 11:14 PM 2 comments

The Big Sky Out West

Back in Deer Valley, UT once again for my first NMBS race of the year.

It's nice to be back in the high and dry country. All of the sun and thin air seems to make me buzz for some reason. Not sure what it is, but I dig some time out here. Our crew is Zack, Jenny, Shep, Dusty, Cait, Laura and Ross for the Trek condo. It's a stereo typical log cabin interior with river stone fireplace, antler chandeliers and five chainsaw sculptures of bears rounding out the Sundance feel. It's actually really fun and I bet kids love this stuff.

Speaking of kids, our crew went to an autograph session of the Young Riders kids bike club of Deer Valley. Hordes of little mountain biker grommets were there at Squatters eating burgers and drinking cokes and getting us to sign everything from stickers to posters to t-shirts! Cool.

The course was really fun to ride and in good shape due to a big snow year and some snow even 3 weeks ago! Now its pretty hot as usual with bleaching sun and temps in the 80s. The flowers and aspen trees seem to encroach on the course quiet a bit this year so you have to stay on your toes. It's kinda more like east coast trails, really fast dry east coast trails.

I am not sure how the race will go as I've had a big block of training and a couple of races to get me back on track, so I am in the land of the unknown. I think I can roll a top 5 with some luck.

I'll keep ya posted.

Jeremiah

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 9:55 PM 0 comments

Wild and Wonderful in West Virginia

So, Saturday's event in West Virginia was the wonderful part. Our friend Paul Buschi's wedding at the Elk River Touring center! The once-H'Burg mountain biker and Trek/Volkswagen Team member tied the knot with the equally energetic and happy Megan Tillett. Congratulations!!!

I was happy to see so many mountain bike friends there. Chris Eatough and his wife Allison made the 6-hour drive from their home in Maryland. Sue and Tim, Thomas and Julie, the Carpenters, Andy McKinley, Andrea and Peter, the C-Ville Posse and more. It was a lot of fun with some crazy dancing going on! I am sure Paul was stoked.

Sunday was the wild part. We drove north to Canaan Valley for the West Virginia State Championships. Canaan rhymes with what? Rain, Pain, Cain, Wayne, Slain..... Anyhow, for myself and the rest of the crew, it was a total flashback to the days of yore. Sometime in the early 80's the Davis area was the eastern hotbed for this new extreme sport called mountain biking. If you don't think XC racing is extreme then you should have been there yesterday!!! It was retarded and totally crazy, roots rocks, mud and bog holes four feet deep that looked like 4-inch puddles. The moon rocks were awesome. I almost ate crow when my brakes gave out on a steep drop after the moon rocks, and there was one stream that was crotch deep that was ridable.... SICK!

I barely held it all together to take the win in front of a tenacious salamander named Nick Waite. He got the state championship title and the bragging rights of beating Russ Langley in the mountain road race the day before and still giving me a major run for it. After the race we where so caked in mud you couldn't tell what color our jerseys were!

I'm just glad I didn't have to do the race on a 30-pound full rigid bike with no working gears or brakes like back in the day!

Classic! I loved it!

I have some pictures on the way so be sure to stayed tuned.
Jeremiah

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 11:41 AM 0 comments

Wearing the Starts and Stripes