JB's Adventure Blog: 1/16/05

The Chicken Ride.

Cold and misty conditions are in place for the training camp kickoff. I thought weather like this was sure to scare off most anyone, but the group was a large pack made up of Clemson area riders, University crew, the clan of the chicken (us fools) and a few folks hiding from the frozen climes of Asheville.

I met a seasoned looking rider named Colin who coaches some of my Trek teammates; Andy Mills and Caitlin Thule. We talked training mumbo jumbo for who knows how long.

There’s nothing like good group ride conversation to keep your brain off the pain of numbing hands and feet. Some even took short cuts on today’s foray! Shame, shame Ian. Rest assured, we enjoyed the hot food Ian so skillfully cooks for each of these rides that have become the making of Clemson lore and tradition.

Happy trails!

Jeremiah Bishop

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 10:20 PM 0 comments

Blame it on Alberta

CCCCCCHHHHIIIIILLLLLYYY ....

Today was the kind of cold that kills... and Todd Helmick and I were stupid enough to go out to the high-mountains of Augusta County for a grudge match of "who is gonna fold first" ... I did.

Trepidation:
After excruciating pain on my face and toes I decided I was scared of how cold it would be at the top of Shenandoah mountain! The recent 70 degree temps made me forget that I owned winter shoes. So that was for sure a big factor in my lasting only 1:15. We crossed a stream rendering Todd's derailleur inoperable. I told Todd about the peeing on the frozen derailleur trick that Chris Scott told me. He looked at me strangely at first, but then I told him to turn his head and I demonstrated the magic of this life saving fix. The trick is to bounce the bike up and down and run thru the gears before things get cold again. Voi La.

We bailed down the ice blackened stretch of route 250 and I was like hallelujah when we saw the gas station. The white trash mocha was to be our savior! We sure got some strange looks from the rustic looking men in leaf costumes. They didn't understand WHY some one would ride bikes outside in 14 degrees and blasting 20 mph winds, and neither did I.

Redemption:
After getting the much needed re-load I decided I hadn't thrown in the towel yet. It seemed like a waste to drive all this way and ride for an hour. So with much duct tape, a pair of shoe covers, and some heat packs on our toes we headed into the mountains again. We decided that all single track was the warm way to go, so I lead us up the 40 minute snowy climb up the Dowels draft trail. We did make it to the top this time and the shimmering blue and white view was breathtaking as was the wind chill. We ripped it, carving S's in the snow all the way to the bottom.

Relaxation:
Todd split for home back in Williamsburg and I headed back to thaw my bones out in H'Burg.
A fantastic ride, followed by some hot tea.

My face still stings a little and feels wind burned, a small reminder of our adventure.

Keep warm:

Jeremiah

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 8:50 PM 2 comments

Back to work

Hey you.

It was like 32 degrees today. Todd and I rode for 5 hours in the jagged, rocky single track at Wolf Gap! Bitchin last down hill off of Big Schloss.

Winter is back in force and just in time for me to start training a lot. Clemson's not that far away and I can hold out for a few cold rides until then. It looks like Nick Waite and John Devine (who is visiting) are high tailing it to the warmer climes of South Carolina already. I don't blame them; it is like a meat locker in the West Virginia high country right now.

Tomorrow's 5hr ride at Ramsey’s Draft should be killer as well, a bit colder - highs in the upper 20's

Oh, did I mention it is snowing.

Just a dusting, it's good for the man hours.

Have fun riding or sipping beer by the camp fire.

Jeremiah Bishop

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 9:53 PM 0 comments

Clemson Training Camp Day 1

Blame it on Alberta

Back to work

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