Event: Race for Chocolate

Name: Jeremiah Bishop

City: Harrisonburg AKA. Bike Town

State/Province: VA

Country: USA

Age: 26

CLASS +/or Age group: Senior 19-29

Category: Pro

Team: Trek/VW

XC Race Bike: Fuel 100

Tires: Bontrager AC

Conditions: Very Muddy & Slippery

How was your fitness level going into this race?

Being that I rode with Paul Buschi........... I only rode about an hour or two this week......... we did a few laps around the mall..... then we got tired so.......... went in and had a milkshake (laughs).

You just got back from Big Bear?

Yeah............. had a rest day flying back obviously...... I'm trying to pick it up (fitness level)........... I'm not prioritizing regional events as much as I'm trying to prepare for the upcoming nationals. There are two nationals........ Alpine, WI, Snowshoe, WV and then there is the 24 Hours of Snowshoe - three weeks in a row........... so I'm really trying to rev up my training........... I did some pretty long, hard rides this week and will probably race tomorrow (Sunday) as well.

Did you have any problems getting into the singletrack?

Yes, Mike Kuhn's teammate got a tremendous hole shot, took off and hit the woods with what looked like a pretty big gap from where we started (maybe 20 seconds) I thought.......... man, he's going away from us quick........... but we got him once it started to get slimy and rooty and technical............. so I went into the woods in the top five and was happy with that.

Were you strong from start to finish?

I had to get into a rhythm......... I think Nick and I sort of pushed each other the whole race........... kind of took charge at the front trying to chase each other......... we just kept it pretty steady and I tried to pick it up on the last lap. He really attacked on the second lap so I really attacked on the last lap. (Editor's note: these guys were great to watch and were a good 5 minutes plus out from EVERYONE ELSE............ which is pretty amazing)

When did you put the hammer down?

There was a pretty good downhill........ if you have ridden the course you prob. know where I mean......... about half way through the lap you go over some log hops, then a downhill with some fast turns and it comes out into an open area (I think where you go around the pond?) at the very bottom there is a big field. I flipped on the full suspension and figured I try to put a gap on him (Nick Waite) since it was rooty, turny and very technical.............. I gave it everything I had through there. Nick was riding a hard-tail so I thought I'd use the bike for what it is good for.........

Looks like it worked?

Yeah........ I got a gap and barely held it............ at first he was just hovering back there about 5 or ten seconds behind me.......... but it was enough to stretch it open.

Did you have any unusual problems?

Hugged a tree once........... just kind of ran into a tree with my shoulder........ but everybody had slip ups and bobbles........... trying to keep the bike upright........... I just snagged a tree pretty hard when I was trying to get away (I was pretty anaerobic).......

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yeah......... I'm sure that they would have liked dryer conditions but......... it was well organized, well marked course and I'd like to come back and ride it when it's dry........... it looks like it would be a lot of fun........... not that it wasn't fun.......... it was......... slipping and sliding through the mud.

Do you wished they used the rain date?

Not at all. It makes the race challenging....... and adds another dynamic to the sport which is cool...... you've got to get your bike dialed in......... you've got to run parts of the course........ it pulls a different side of the rider out and makes it exciting!

Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?

Ran into Thais Silva.............. Nick Waite chimes in, "You did? Was that her that you ran into?" Jeremiah continues - I was in front of you and trying to get away desperately and Thais was on the high line trying to let us pass but she started sliding down the hill on the roots and slid right into me ....... I was like........... (makes a crashing sound and screams ah...... uh......ah....then both laugh)

Anything you would like to add?

I would like to thank TREK/VW/JBL and all of our great sponsors plus Poz and Sean for there awesome help in getting ready.