I was asked to answer some questions for a column in the 3 RiversVeloSport
Club monthly newsletter. I thought I'd share it here as well.
How did you get started?
I began cycling with my dad seven years ago. The riding we did
was mostly on the river greenway, urban exploring around town, and
the occasional jaunt into the corn fields for a longer ride. After a
bit of time, we linked up with Phil Snider and the rest of the “fat
tire crew” for the club's Thursday night urban/off-road rides. I
eventually joined a local team, began racing, and have become fully
immersed in the sport.
What’s a typical week of training like?
My training schedule fluctuates throughout the year depending
on the discipline I'm racing at the time. In the spring I'm usually
on my road bike putting in longer rides at a lower intensity. After a
month or two of less structured training, I begin to decrease the
quantity of hours and increase the quality of training, mixing in
specific intervals intended to bring me into race form. In the summer
I work to build and maintain fitness throughout the remainder of the
road season. Late summer/early fall, I transition into cyclocross
training which consists of trail riding, cyclocross drills and
workouts and, of course, racing!
What do you like about what you do?
I enjoy being able to compete in multiple disciplines, each
presenting specific challenges and having their own unique flow.
Coming from an off-road background, I was able to develop and hone my
skills in Mtb and CX racing. This past year I signed with
Bissell-ABG-Giant and raced a full road schedule regionally and
nationally. The road has presented me with a fresh new challenge of
having to learn the tactics, find my own style of racing, and find
new ways to improve.
What is most challenging about what you do?
Some of the challenges I encounter is finding the balance
between the multiple cycling disciplines I compete in. I want to do
them all well all the time, but there are periods in the season when
I have to take a break and it affects me in the short-term... It's
important for me to remember my goals for the entire season and
beyond!
What advice would you offer someone considering getting into
racing?
When I got into cycling, I did it for the enjoyment I got out
of riding my bike. I still receive a great level of enjoyment and
satisfaction from riding, although it comes from different factors
other than just riding. KEEP IT FUN!
What is most rewarding?
More recently I began setting specific goals for myself on and
off the bike. I have found this to be incredibly motivating and the
results have been very positive. I would highly recommend someone who
is looking to improve and track their progress to write down some of
their goals, hopes and dreams. It's a simple thing, but it can be
very rewarding.
What are your goals/dreams for the future?
My goals are to continue to improve myself and find ways in
which I can take my racing career to the next level. I have
aspirations to race professionally and I am actively pursuing that
dream while also receiving an education at Marian University.
ALSO: I know it's long overdue, but look for a reflection article I wrote for CXMagazine on my Worlds experience to appear in the next couple of weeks!
Thanks for reading!
-Josh Johnson
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