Well for the 3rd time I get to proclaim hurray for the off season! I just had a great final race at the official season finally Ice Man Cometh. The nice part about tricking myself this way is I get the last race of the year party more than once!
With a best ever season in the bag that’s a good thing. Why was it a best ever? Hmm. I think because I rode really well in March and August and October! I also trained like I never have in my life. (Suppose that means I have to do it again this winter) I hosted a successful Alpine Loop Gran Fondo that helped raise a lot of money for Prostate Cancer Awarenss Project and SVBC for bike access in Harrisonburg and had a lot of fun hosting the show. Perhaps the biggest reason this season leaves a warm glow in my belly is that I got to show Conrad what Daddy does when he goes away, I brought him and Erin to a few of the races like Bonnelli Park ProXTC and even rented an RV for a week in the woods at TranSylvania Epic! There is nothing like the family times we had this year it was awesome!
For sure crashing at World Championships and limping to the finish was not the way I wanted to end the season anyhow, So instead I had some great fall racing like an a fantastic bronze medal at Pan American Games in Guadalahara Mexico, the fans were great that stoked it up a bit. Of course my Laissez Faire attitude toward training this time of year has left me in this limbo level, in shape but not smoking fast like I would usually want to be for big races, It doesn't bother me though because its all part of the plan. The good trade off is that I have been on the low stress program for a month now with trail work a six pack downhill and several trail runs interspersed with a bit of relaxation and off time drinking beer with friends. This will come in handy when the real work begins in December!
Now its time for a few weeks of wanted winter. Then I will be jazzed for the big push. I am kinda addicted to racing and will never be fully satisfied so it was important that I call it a season before I am racing the Christmas Cross races in Belguim! Ha ha ha...
I exceeded most of my goals like double wins at the first Pro XCT race short track and Cross Country! Top 3 at the Continetal championship in Colombia and at Sea Otter. Brought me back into the limelight as a contender for the USA's Olympic team. Stage Race wins at Pisgah and Translyvania Epic quenched my thirst for Epic. I went for broke at World Marathon Championships in Italy and lead halfway thru despite a bad last 10 miles I had fun. Attacked on Kulhavey and Sauser to take 4th at the London Olympic Test Event shocking myself and the National Team Coaches. Met a bazillion cool people who love bikes from Mexico to Bogota from LA and the UK!
As I drove the last few quiet miles of Interstate 81 and watched leafs spiral to the ground I was a little sad, last race was over especially since it’s like the end of a great party with friends, the lights and sound wind down everyone goes home. A slight tweak would have been a win at ICE Man but eh 2nd is solid and besides got to be hungry to train like an animal this Winter so maybe it’s a good thing to keep the fire stoked!
For now its time to rake leaves make sure there is enough firewood for the cold months ahead. I am looking forward to the holidays with family as well as a refreshing change of hiking and cross country skiing that this time of year brings. Next spring is a big one with the Olympic Qualification being decided in the first 1/3 of the year. So for now I hope White Grass gets snowed over like a one of those sleepy winter scenes with the snow globe. I imagine a winter night, glowing orange light in the little window of a cabin with a blue and white winter storm raging outside. Ill keep the fire stoked and enjoy the calm while it lasts.
Thanks to all of the fans sponsors and supporters who have made this year exciting and memorable.
Jeremiah Bishop
Cannondale Factory Racing.
