Long Beach

It was hard to choose which model. I decided to buy the green one.

From what I understand Chris's Mini Cooper is a little more than just the stock version.

Chris took me by West Coast Choppers to see where it actually happens. I felt like a tourist geek.

Todays agenda was to go visit one of our main sponsors, Profile Design, in Long Beach. They provide us with all our handlebars, stems, TT bars, seatposts, bar wrap, and bottle cages. Chris Travers showed me the warehouse which houses Profile Design, TItec, Primo, Cheng Shin Rubber, and a division for medical rubber and wheels (wheelchairs, motorized chairs, etc.) Lots and lots of shelving that's for sure. After picking around for some hardware I needed, Chris took me to lunch at the Yard House. In about a week he said this place will be too busy to even stand in because the Long Beach Grand Prix will be taking place. The barricades on the finish straight were in place with no one in sight so Chris punched the gas in the mini for the full effect. As the pictures show he showed me around town a little too. Chris has been great to work with at Profile Design so it was interesting to see how his end of the world operates.

Tonight is our last night in Redlands so we are taking the host family(s) out to the Olive Garden because that's what we do. It's all about family!

Cheers,
DOUG

Redlands is done

Dotsie showing her stuff in the break!

I don't think Tim knew I was ready to take the photo or else he was distracted by something shiny.

Me wondering where the forest part is?


The weekend has come and gone. In Sunday’s race Dotsie made the initial break and rode a smart race to take third. That moved her into 5th overall in the general classification and the team was second in the team classification.

The Sunset Circuit Race is one of the few road events that doesn’t have a follow caravan. Once the race started, my job as mechanic was done so I helped Tim in the feed zone. Having two people doing feeds is nice since the riders have two chances to get a bottle. It takes a good touch to hand a bottle to a moving rider and the ladies can appreciate a good feed. Feed zones are also good for doing paperwork and talking shop with the staff from the other teams.

One of the best things to hear from a rider is that “my bike worked awesome.” I love that and makes my day.

In addition to the riders that are in Redlands we have 3 Canadian riders that are at the Common Wealth Games in Australia. Sounds like Gina had a good ride getting 4th in the road race against some of the best of the best. At some point Gina, Sue, and Audrey will be back and it will be good to have the team all together again to kick some more butt.


For dinner we were treated to a whole lot of Thai food with our hosts. This was the only time I’ve been able to have dinner with everyone since I’ve been in Redlands. Usually I’m working on the bikes during that time of day. After dinner we were exposed to a Boba. The best way to describe it is a slushy with giant tapioca balls in it. I personally don’t get it. It was weird to suck up the balls through the oversize straw and have to chew them. I will leave Boba in California.

Today there wasn’t much to do so Tim and I went for a ride. We did the Oak Glen stage which has a long climb. It was so hazy looking down into the valley from the top I didn’t bother to take any pictures. The good thing about going up is you get to go down the other side. Sweet!

Often when I’m typing these blog entries I think I’m typing to my family, friends, and teammates only. Anyone is welcome to read it as I found out. Many folks already knew about the van troubles etc. I heard several times this past weekend, “ hey I’ve been reading your blog!” I met Sarah’s dad this weekend. Hello to Dan Tillotson! He also has an affection for guitars and of course he knew all about my adventures up to this point. By the way Dan and Pat, your daughter is tearing it up just in case she is too modest to tell you.

Cheers,
DOUG

Redlands Life

Do you know what happens to a garage when you invite a professional bike team to stay at your house. We fill it up with bikes and equipment! This is our host Serena's garage. I have to say from a mechanics perspective this is plush digs to work in. Using host houses like we do keeps me from working in hotel parking lots.


The bikes getting washed. They get washed after every day of racing. Once you get your system down it doesn't take too long.

The Redlands quiver of bikes drying in the sun.

Since the last time I posted, myself and the team have moved from our host family in Fresno to another host in Redlands, CA. The Redlands classic started with Friday’s Time Trial and today (Saturday) was the criterium. My days have been occupied with washing bikes, changing tires, changing cassettes….etc.

Although this is not the first race of the year, it is probably the biggest and most note worthy. What’s been fun is to see some folks I haven’t seen since last season. A shout out to mechanic extrodinaire Chris Davidson who is working with the Ford mountain bike team. (Check out his mechanic diary on cycling news). Caught up with Mike Engleman who is with the Ford ladies too. The man with the plan Chris Travers from Profile Design stopped by on Friday to check out his favorite team of ladies and pass out some groovy flip flops.

By the way, we won today’s race. Tina gets the credit for being first across the line but it takes all the ladies to do their job for her to win. Unfortunately, I was manhandled by a woman because I was in the camera shot so I didn’t see Tina cross the line. Sheesh!

Oh the insanity

Hey look. It was actually warm enough to wear just shorts and jerseys for once

This is what pro cyclists and staff do. Computer staring. Can you find Waldo er I mean Sima?

What? I have something on my nose? Where?

Who knew that Sarah Tillotson was forced to take opera lessons until the age of 15?

I tell these girls what for

Sometime this guy has to keep these ladies in line!

Its a family thing

We don't always eat at home. Sometimes we go for Sushi and eat a Nuclear Roll. Ouch that's a hot one! Another perk is that one of our sponsors is the Olive Garden. We try to get a picture with the staff when we can. Nice perks to have.

TT form

Just so you know....Girls can ride hard and fast. This is Rock Star Audrey laying down some rubber.

Audrey and Sima

Sima was talking about something gross as usual and Audrey was expressing her distain for such talk. Come on Sima give it a break would you! Go eat a Poptart or something!

MAYBE AGAIN

The director's job is to protect the riders from the unstable characters we find along the way. Whew!

Once again its not working!

I don't have patience for this crap!

trying

This is a sweet shirt Sima bought for me at a thrift store. I need to have it tailored to fit better.
Hey,

It looks like the picture uploading works again.

Plenty of pics to put on now.

DJB

Not Working

Can anyone in Blog land upload pictures? It doesn't seem to work anymore.

My life!

My life is great. Ever have those days where you are excited to get out of bed?

Life is progressing along in Fresno still. The team bikes are getting dialed in and riders along with the staff are getting in the miles. Pictures from the last week are just a bit of the fun that is going on here. The important thing to mention is that I am working. This is what I do and people appreciate it which sometimes is the best payment of all.

Tonight Sarah said I was an ENIGMA (or maybe it was a TOTAL ENIGMA). I hope that is a good thing? Anyone have a dictionary close at hand?

The whole point of this blog entry was to post some pictures but after 2 hours I still can't seem to upload the images. I'm at a lost with this. I"m pretty confident its nothing that I'm doing this time. I'll try some other time.

Cheers,
DOUG

Fresno again

Oh please don't run out on me now. Just a little further. Just a little further




Break time 5:45am Utah country



Hello Ya'll (Tuesday3/14),

It's time for an update. I been busy since I finally left Colorado. Here's is a recap.

I left Grand Junction at 4:00am and drove a record 17 hours and 58 minutes to Fresno, Californ-i-a. That was a long day. Because of the new engine I had to break it in for the first 500 miles. 55mph seems really slow when the speed limit is 75. The whole day was a snow storm at anything above 2,500 feet which at times required that intense concentration that tires you out. Driving through Nevada I spaced out and forgot to check the fuel gauge. I remember the guage read 1/2 a tank and the next time I looked it was pegged at E. I think I was abducted by aliens because I don't remember that whole stretch of road. Well, at this point all I could do was hope that gas was available soon. To set the scene there is nothing but nothing here. Just high desert. I stopped twice but the stations were from like the 1950's and no longer sold gas. Luckily I did find an oasis of sorts that sold gas. That had to be close. I'm sure I didn't have much longer to last.

I had some sleep that night and woke up early to get ready for the days crit. It was great to be back on the racing scene and to be doing what I'm supposed to although not as oragnized as I'd like to be. Everything went well and the ladies raced well.
I'm liking the team so far. Great people to be around. Apparently it has been raining a lot here and I can tell by the condition of the bikes. (For you bike techs, how do you think I can tell this? It is not because they are dirty though.)

On Sunday night we had a get together with the men's team that is sposored by Colavita too. It was a big table for 20 at the Olive Garden (another one of our sponsors). A lot of loud fun was had by all including the wait staff. I don't think I should mention one of the guys on top of the van afterwards. Ooops I just did! Check Brookes blog for photos. http://www.zenchick1.blogspot.com/

Monday I got enough work done to join in a ride that unexpectantly turned into a great 4 hour ride for Sima, Tim, and me. I loved that ride for some reason. I think my new food to eat before riding are Ritz crackers because that is all I had before we left for the ride. I had a Diet Coke in there somewhere too. I kid with Sima what an honor it was to ride with her. But seriously it was a fun ride. I've done hundreds of miles with Tim but it was good to ride somewhere other than Lake Placid with him too.

Today the weather was rainy and cold. Not the weather I remember from last year. All of us did some errands and stuff around the house. The ladies were heading to a thrift store for clothing. I mentioned I was needing a long sleeve shirt for this cold weather so Sima surprised me with a sort of new shirt that smells like a thrift store. $2.60 for such a find. SWEET! How did the thrift shop decide it was $2.60? Why not just $2.50 or $2.75?

I just realized I gave Sima two mentions so I will try to work everyone else into my blog entries in the future.

Cheers For Now,
DJB

Fingers Crossed

Attention, Attention Doug will be hitting the road again! That's right. I picked up the van tonight. I thought about packing up and leaving but decided to get some early shut-eye and get up before the sun to leave. I have to get an oil change in Las Vegas anyway. I should get to LV mid morning. Hopefully everything goes well this time.

I will get to see some of the ladies afterall I think. I'm looking forward to getting my grove on with the bikes although I'm behind the ball. I'll do my best to get caught up.

I mentioned I was going to give the public bus system a try. Although it got me to where I wanted to go, it was quite a world of travelers. The bus system should be known as one big nicotine party and I was not part of the gang. At the transfer point there is a 10 minute wait which means everyone stands around to bum smokes. I also noticed the high school kids are really foul mouthed. On more than one occasion on my visit they can be heard shouting out across parking lots etc. They seem to be living in a world of want-to-be thugs. Pull your pants up and shut your mouth kid. (Am I old now?) The kids I've worked with are not like that. Something has gone on here with these kids. Anyways I've decided the bus system was not for me and resorted to the bike for transportation. I guess my idea of the bus ride turned out different than I assumed it would be. Bikes rule and are faster. Going somewhere under your own power is freedom.

Until Fresno say a few prayers and keep your fingers crossed for me and the van,
DOUG

Nothing

Hello! I don't think I have much to mumble about. Yesterday I had a good ride. Stayed down in the valley because the weather was a bit iffy and was probably snowing and cold if I started to gain elevation. Other than that life is boring. I got two flats yesterday. Luckily on the second flat I was in town and near an REI so I could replenish my CO2 for another day. Bike stuff is expensive in that store. The pictures I'm posting are from the ride. The cool thing about bike riding is the stuff you see. Now I probably would not have seen a fish sculpture made from license plates driving around in a car. Another thing about Grand Junction are the street names. Now you see why it was important to understand your fractions in school. Why don't they just use whole numbers? I could understand 26 1/2 street but why 3/8? Some of the streets even have a letter and a fraction (C 1/2). Was there a town planning board that discussed this?

It is raining/snowing today so I'm not intending to get in a ride today. If I were a pro I would be expected to. I will gladly go if someone wants to pay me to ride. There was a time in my life I'd go ride but not now. I actually like racing in the bad conditions. Its a tough guy kind of riding. Easier to psych people out when they are miserable in that kind of weather.

I'm going to try out the bus transportation today. It will give me something to do. Its too far to walk downtown and I don't want to get soaked riding my bike. There are some good looking (at least from the outside) pawn shops I'd like to check out. One of them has a bunch of guitars. You never know I might find the deal of the century. Some vintage guitars have been found in pawn shops because no one knew what they were. Some of those are worth 5 figures. (Ben, If you're reading this I'll call you for your vintage knowledge).

See You Everyone,
DOUG

Taking a deep breath

A big bike!


Kids that wish they were medievel nights.


Driving through Glenwood Canyon when the van was okay and life was good.


Grand Junction is down in the valley somewhere.


Serenity Now! Serenity Now! Today is Tuesday in Grand Junction, CO. The latest update on "Doug's Travels" is that I'll be spending about 4 days here. I spent the better part of yesterday figuring out what to do with the van. Long story short it is getting a another new engine installed. I don't know the details but the mechanic here and the one in Iowa went to bat for me and somehow, someone is paying for it. The engine manufacturer wanted me to send in the engine so they could inspect it before deciding if it was a warranty issue. I just about fell off my chair. That would take two weeks. The engine has 800 miles on it. Obviously something is not working. Luckily we are moving forward on the issue but I have to wait, AGAIN! Someday I will get to Fresno. At this rate I should be stopping in Las Vegas for an new engine.

I stopped in a local bike shop for some riding directions. The weather is going to get worse later in the week so he suggested I do the loop that was a stage of the Coors Classic and where they filmed American Flyers. (Hey Plow, have you been here?). I left kind of late in the day and I missed a turn somewhere so I didn't do the whole loop. Did some good climbing though. Had to go through a tunnel. That was a trip. In the middle there wasn't enough daylight so all of a sudden the lights went out.

I was in Grand Junction in 1990 and it didn't seem as big as it is now. It is considered a metropolis now. Wish I had my mountain bike. Awesome routes to explore. I'd love to ride from here to Moab.

I'm thinking I should travel with some posters and what-not if I'm going to spending so much extended stays in hotels. You know spruce up the room a bit.

Wel, I'll post some pictures from the last day or two before I head to the coffee/chill shop.

Cheers,
DOUG

Not in the mood!

Even though I picked up the van Saturday and was finally on the road again, I made it as far as Grand Junction, Colorado. I had to do a scheduled oil change. Found out that water is getting into the oil. Not good. The mechanic said I wouldn't make it to California. I'm so tired of dealing with the van I don't even want to talk about it. Looks like I'll be stuck here now.

Dotsie won the road race today. Too bad I wasn't there. STUPID VAN!

Wishing I was driving,
DOUG

Pigs are curious

Another day of Atlantic. I rode by the repair place and John said the van would be close to being done and to check back around 4pm. I went for a ride and had something to eat. I went to see about the van in the afternoon but he was a little behind. Oh well. Maybe in the morning. I can't really complain about Bair Firestone. They are doing a great job to get me back on the road. The engine is in. They're just hooking everything back up. Hopefully I might be driving tomorrow. Looks like about 25 hours to Fresno.

When I was in the repair shop a customer heard me talking and wondered what the heck have I been doing in this town to stay occupied. I told him I've been riding my bike and watching TV. Then there was a store wide conversation about where I should be riding. Apparently there is a rail-trail around here and they wanted to make sure I knew about it.

Rode by some pigs today. They came running to check me out. Then scurried away when I pulled out the camera. Then came back to check it out. Then scurried away again when I dismounted the bike. Then came back to check me out again. Then got bored with me and ran away again.

I've always thought Coca-Cola was good for me at the end of races. The sign reinforces the belief that it fights fatigue. ( How about this sign for your house Plow?)

Keep your fingers crossed about the van,
DOUG

Life ain't nothing but a funny funny riddle

Thursday! I wish there was more to comment on. I went to Walmart. Went for a ride. Took a nap. What to do for dinner is next. Pretty much what I did yesterday.

Todays weather was in the forties with a cold wind. For quite awhile during the ride I felt like I was listing to the right due to the side winds. The roads around here have good pavement just no scenery to look at. Thank goodness for IPODs. I rearranged my ipod tunes this morning. Came up with a playlist to ride to. One of my favorite moments is when I came upon the town sign for Lewis. At that moment John Denver's "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" came on. It was a kick-ass song to come on. A perfect moment. After that song, "Crazy Train" (Ozzy) came on. There is a part in between the main chord structure where Randy Rhodes plays a little run of notes that is stimulating. So stuff like that helped to burn up the cold miles.

At first I thought the sign read that Atlantic was the Capitol of Iowa. No it is the Coca-Cola capitol of Iowa. Does every state have a Coca-Cola capitol? If so I missed that day in grade school.

I took a pic of me in the hotel since I spend enough time here. It has a desk which is nice. From my experience you don't always get that. Most of the time I wouldn't care but it's come in handy for this occasion. I have no window that faces the outside. The only window looks out on the pool area. That's my only wish is that I had a connection to the outside from this room.

Cheers,
Doug

Walnut

Well I made it through yesterday. Not much to write about. Couldn't take many photos since the batteries were low.

I awoke with that particular feeling where I didn't know where I was for a few seconds. First thing in the morning I hit up the WalMart. I try not to frequent this store much but its right across the street from the hotel to get some groceries. I was early enough to witness the employee stand around in a circle pep talk thing. For the 30 minutes I was shopping, 5 employees asked me if I was finding what I was looking for.

Eventually I got suited up and went for a ride. For no particular reason I decided to ride to Walnut, Iowa. Mostly because it seemed the right distance away. Walnut, as I discovered, has a population of 894. It consists mostly of antique shops. It has an optimists society (not sure what that is. Initially I thought it read optometrist society). Do they have meetings and look on the bright side of life?

At the end of the ride I checked on the van. The whole front end was off and the engine was pulled out. John found some other things wrong and needed my approval so it was perfect timing.

I rode around town but not much to see. It does have a "bike shop" but there was a sign that read "car parts 50% off". It might be worth a stop in. The rest of the day I took a nap while watching the tube and went out for dinner. Dinner at the Feed Lot.

Today's schedule looks similar so I'll see how it goes.

Cheers,
DOUG