Many stories of sports and life can be found among the Appenninica MTB Stage Race riders. Jeremy Mahot took up mountain biking during the Covid period as an antidote to the death of a close friend, and in 2022 he concluded Appenninica to raise awareness about the problem of depression
There are many motivations for someone to take up a sport. Some develop a passion early on and others approach it with time. Those who do it to get physically fit and those who do it to find inner peace, to take their mind off life’s everyday problems.
Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2022 finisher Jeremy Mahot was introduced to mountain biking during the hard months of the Covid quarantine when gyms were closed, and one could only get an hour of airtime to play outdoor sports. Before then, he had never played this sport, but love was at first sight.
“It was a bad time, and a friend invited me to mountain biking. Unfortunately, not long after I started, another close friend lost his life due to depression caused by a concussion. He could no longer find peace with himself. At that moment, mountain biking saved my life, and I felt a duty to tell everyone about the positive impact this sport can have on a person’s life, as well as the social interaction with other bikers”, says Jeremy Mahot.
To testify to this, Jeremy Mahot got into mountain bike stage racing, participating in and completing the Bike Transalp in 2021. From there, the idea of sharing his adventures on social media and a blog, explaining why he was doing it and showing how everyone can achieve a goal if they want to, even finding the motivation to get through the darkest moments.
“I want to make people aware that concussion is a major trauma, not to be taken lightly, because it can bring problems such as depression, irritability, and lack of concentration. Talking is a great help to vent. I want everyone to understand that so many things can help to feel good. You have to be willing to put yourself out there. Within the circles of Mtb fans, you can find people willing to talk and listen”, explains the French rider based on the United Kingdom.
On his journey-testimony, Jeremy Mahot crossed paths with Appenninica MTB Stage Race, finding that sense of family and community he sought.
“I enjoyed Apenninica for the beautiful scenery and host cities, and it reinforced my belief that the Mtb community is unique. I now have friends all over the world with whom I talk regularly. I will go back in the future because the family atmosphere is unique. I left alone and returned with many brothers and sisters with whom I shared an experience”, he says.