Take what you can

Sometimes it can be hard to come up with material to write about on a blog. Take today for example. Although I did get a lot accomplished around the shop, it is nothing that exciting to talk about. Ooooo! Wow! I installed rim strips and unpacked a shipment of tires. Wippee Do Da Doug!

Well paint me blue and make me eat yeast. I got a pretty good cherry to write home about. Seems that tree did not want to budge when I threw the shoulder in to it. Messed up my wrist too. But that doesn't photograph well. Its just swelling. Ever try taking a picture of your shoulder close up? Makes for some odd looking photos. This was the most logical looking one.
It will be interesting to see what color it is tomorrow. Check back!

It was a beautiful day so I went for a mountain bike ride this afternoon. Awesome urban off-road ride in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. I going to go ice now.

Frequent readers may notice the "Doug The Enigma Berner" title. S.T. referred to me as an enigma once. Upon learning the definition of this word (thanks to TC) I kind of liked it. I couldn't tell you the definition right now but at the time it struck me as a curiosity and I wanted to incorporate it somehow into my master plan of things.

See Ya,
DOUG

Lake Placid and Pro Cycling

Hey Dan T. here is my plank of wood I like to play.

Timex bikes assembled and ready to be shipped. P-U-R-D-Y, purdy!
Sunday night and I've been trying to figure more of this blog thing out. I still can't get a picture to post in my Profile section. In addition to that, I'm stumped silly to point of yelling at the computer because I can't fathom how to post links onto my page like everyone else can. I hate this whole thing because I end up wasting time on something that I shouldn't be spending time on. I had to resort to venting to Brooke Ourada. She assures me that by Joe Martin (its a race) she'll have me dialed in on the whole process.

A short story to tell you. On Friday I went most of the day thinking it was Saturday until Keith informed me it in fact was Friday. I didn't believe him and tried to correct him in his error. I had to ask the barista at Alterra Coffee what day it was. With a puzzled look at the guy wearing tights shorts and a helmet in front of her she replied it was Friday. Whoa! Where have I been I thought. I had emotions that ran the spectrum from dissapointment to elation. I prefer to think I was given a gift of another whole day in my life to enjoy.

My days have been busy in the shop. Getting ready to leave on Wednesday to drive to Georgia for another round of races with Colavita/Cooking Light team. The van gets pretty full with all the stuff we need so I literally have to go through all the gear and make sure there is nothing we don't need that is just taking up space. On the other hand I need to make sure we have everything we might need. Its better to have it just in case (within reason).

The other thing that has kept me busy is another batch of Quintana Roos needed assembly for the TIMEX team athletes. About 3 assemblies a day was my limit. Its one thing to build bikes out of the box but another thing to disassemble the parts that are not sponor correct and substitute with the Profile Design and FSA parts. It just adds more time to the whole process. As the photos show, it is uncanny how all the different parts fit the overall color scheme. We did not even plan it like this. They are soooooo matching! Only the CSC team matches as well as the Timex team does.

Got a call the other day from the big guy, Tom Schuler, while he was at the Tour of Georgia. Mister multi-tasker was making phone calls and trail running at the same time. He told me met up with a friend of my mine, PJ, who works with the Discovery Team. (PJ do I have your most current e-mail or do you not answer e-mails). Tom also said another friend of mine was there driving the Discovery bus or something. Its still a mystery but its sounds like maybe Greg Bobolarry. If this is true then that makes 5 Lake Placid chumps that are involved in the world of Pro Cycling. In no partitcular order there is Doug Berner, Jim Williams, Tim Chien, PJ Rabice, and Greg B. You can even count Mike Jones from Health-Net since he spent enough time there too before he became SO PRO JONES. There must be something in that mountain air that makes us so talented.

Well I'm standing next to a mountain
Chop it down with the edge of my hand

DOUG

more photos I forgot

Special K rocking the knobbies!

"Ian, do you have room for one wafer thin mint in there?"

I've always seemed to have a way with the ladies but the harem thing has gone too far. These girls are nuts!

"I think if I apply enough downward force the box should close okay. What do you think Ian?"

I'm being recruited by Mavic so they brought down a car to see how it fits me. Not bad. Make the suspension a little stiffer. I sensing a little too much drift in the corners; Then we'll talk. (Hee, Hee. Thanks for the picture Jason. Jason is our Timex team photographer and is one of 4 Mavic Neutral Support Full Timers. Although he is at the same races as me I've have not seen him since Hawaii).

Prickly things and cops. I've found you!

I just remembered that I had typed the text in WORD. What a relief. Just have to post pictures again.


The perks of traveling. Mountain biking in Sedona!

I asked the owner to take a picture of me on her bike. Cruisin'!

What the.... I never get flats! Ah man there is slime all over the inside of the tire and nothing to wipe my hands with.

Bib says hello to Sedona!

Pre-ride tube change.

Don’t you hate it when friends and acquaintances don’t update their blogs? It takes a certain commitment to have a blog and the upkeep should be routine. I know, I know I have become a blog slacker lately. I realize I am extremely popular and apologize for the lack of blogging. Life has been busy and hectic and no connections while traveling.

Lets get the party started! I’ll remember as much as seems interesting. I may free form this so sorry if it runs on. I claim artistic license!

After Ironman Arizona I headed to Cave Creek, AZ for our Timex Team Camp. We spent 3 days at a really nice resort. I’d love to see more than the parking lot someday. With 39 athletes my camp experience was overwhelming. My day started at 5:30 am to make sure the truck was open for Gatorade and Power Bars for the athletes. Of course it meant last minute air and bike adjustments for some too. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (except one) were eaten on the go. Most of the evening revelry was short-lived knowing I had to get up before the sun. They had some really nice pool tables which resulted in some bad pool games on my part. I think it was because the tables were high quality and the sticks were straight. I’m used to the uneven, ripped felt and sticks that point in the wrong direction One night before turning in I saw a wild boar sneaking around the property. No one believed me though. I think they are kind of dangerous. I was able to briefly meet some of the athletes I didn’t know and catch up with some I did know from last year. With my brain fried from the being in the heat all day I apologize if I mixed people’s names up. I find it best in those situations to refer to everyone has “HEY”. Hey, how are you doing? Hey, that’s a nice bagel you got there. Hey, I can’t build your bike because they didn’t ship a headset with it.

Many of the team sponsors were in attendance to talk about their products to the athletes. Chris Travers from Profile Design, Herbert from Quintana Roo, Dean Gore from Bontrager, Cassidy Phillips from Trigger Point Technologies, Talia from Spenco, Melisssa from TIMEX and a few more I’ve forgotten. In addition, Monique Ryan spoke about nutrition and someone from Gatorade Sport Sciences spoke too. Of course I heard none of this because I was in the parking lot working on bikes or gluing tires. Probably the most riveting talk was presented by myself. Close to an hour of tech talk with Doug Berner. I only saw two people yawn which was encouraging.

Once everyone was shuttled to the airport and the truck packed on the final day, the fun began for Keith and I. We headed to Sedona, AZ to spend the night (sleep like a log) and do a mountain bike ride the following morning. Sedona is beautiful and has some great mountain biking in addition to a very satisfying meatloaf dinner. This is the first time in my mountain biking career that I have used Slime Tubes. Our inquiry at the local shop said we should because of all the different types of cacti in the area. The guy was like Bubba in the movie Forest Gump rattling off all the ways shrimp can be prepared. “ Lets see you got prickly pear, yucka, saguero, sombraro, prickly this, prickly that”…. OKAY I”LL BUY THE TUBES! Well my only puncture on the day, 20 minutes into the ride, was a big green gooey mess. So much for self-sealing green Martian blood. Whatever dude! My regular tube luckily lasted the whole rest of the ride. Keith flatted too back at the truck.

The rest of the trip back to Wisconsin involved driving to Colorado Springs to drop Keith off to spend Easter with the girlfriend. That meant solo driving the rest of the way. Because we drive such a big truck we are subject to truckers rules. You know all those weigh stations and inspection pull-offs. To put it nicely Colorado is very strict. We had to have the proper paperwork etc. Something was a little off with our registration which I guess means that Colorado State Police can treat you like crap. I realize that I may be new at this trucker thing, but please don’t berate me. Talk to me instead of huffing and puffing. The thing is I/we were at their mercy. If I opened my mouth one more time they would probably arrest me but how else can I explain what was going on. The learning part was we need to adjust some paperwork on Team Sports end but they don’t need to be a prick about it. Every other state never even brought it up. Uh! I hate you Colorado.

Even though I’m back in Wisconsin I don’t think I’ll have any down time to relax. The shop needed to be organized from the great flood (a sprinkler head broke about a month ago while I was gone) and a bunch of QR’s need assembly. My only down time seems to be when I’m driving somewhere. One of the Timex athletes visited the shop today and commented that it was so organized. Right then and there I decided I should stop stressing about it and move on. That was a little blessing in disguise for me. Thanks!

Well it was nice chatting from this Panera. They have free wireless. NICE CALL PANERA. To the ladies in Europe hope all is well. Saw some pics from Fleche. Sarah, looks like you were on the rivet for one picture. Sima, way to look focused. The bikes look good.

For no particular reason….. Hey Shane and Athena….. You groovy cats. Shane and Athena got married the day before Ironman Lake Placid a few years back. They were competing in the race. I guess that’s one way to know when you’re anniversary is coming up. Hah!

Cheers for now,
DOUG

oh man

I just spent two hours putting together a new blog entry. Somehow it didn't publish and I lost it. It was the blog entry to end all blog entries. I should have won an award. I'm going to go lay down. I apologize to all that have been waiting for me to stop blog slacking and post something.

AAAAAHHHHH!,
DOUG

Its a dry heat!

TIMEX team bikes. Looking fast

Keith Meyer in Peep Wars. You put a couple of marshmallow peeps in the microwave and whichever peeps fall first is the loser. Great fun!

Doug B. in the truck looking for that perfect tool for the job.

Everyone likes to gather in the kitchen so why not have a Peep War.


Yesterday while I'm in AZ the ladies got another win for the books at the Sea Otter Classic in California. NIce going. Wish I was there to see Tina win and its sounds like the whole team rode great support.

Ironman race days means this guy has to get up early to be in the bike transition to help our TIMEX athletes with last minute things. Mostly its pumping their tires and ensuring with some calming words that they are good to go. This morning I woke up at 4:15 so I could be down there by 5:00. Its a surreal scene with all 2000 athletes up before the sun getting ready. If you ever get a chance check one out.

Today I ended up forgoing the usual all day spectating and VIP access to the catered food to take a nap from 10-noon and then got ready for a ride. Ended up doing a 4 hour ride in 90 degree weather. Good thing I remembered the sunscreen. I felt great on the ride. Its was mostly flat except for a 6 mile climb up South Mountain. One thing about going up is you get to go down. The road was twisty and turny. The speed limit was 15 mph but I could easily and safely go about 30mph which is always fun to go faster than the cars.

One of our athletes, Matt, who is not competing had a unplanned epic 8.5 hour ride that involved sewing kits, dirt roads, begging non cyclists for water, and a map that he probably will consult closer next time. Matt is in charge of the ride up to the resort for our three day training camp tomorrrow. I'd understand if people are a little worried.

Cheers until next time,
DOUG

Tri Life

We're all friends here right? I was too busy blogging to go get some shorts.

Our slap on the hand notice from Sally!

Keith says I always comment on how much I like the foamy soap dispenser. I love these things. How does it work?


Whoa! Its a whirlwind here at IM AZ (that's short hand lingo for Ironman Arizona). I'm still gluing tires in amongst all the other things that have to be done. Yesterday was set up day. This takes anywhere from 4 to 7 hours to set up the tents and displays and all the crap we have to set up. I was so exhausted by 7pm that I prettty much ate dinner (only because someone had prepared it) and went to bed. Yesterday morning we were given a warning by Sally from the community action police that our truck was violating some sort of rule in the neighborhood. I guess its too big. Also its a no no to have the garage door open unless you are in the garage working. Things are neat and tidy here in this neighborhood. That probably explains why no one is outside saying howdy neighbor.

Since I went to bed so early I got up at 5:00 am to glue some tires and sip coffee in the garage ( and yes I opened the door BECAUSE I WAS WORKING!) By 9:00 I was on a mission to a bike shop to find a Silca right angle pump head adaptor. This is a necessity to inflate disc wheels and I left mine with my box in California. I hate when I do that!. These little adaptors affectionately know as "crack pipes" are like gold. It took me 3 shops to find one and they had one left. To the dude at Tempe Cycles thanks for nothing. Try searching a little harder for the cassette spacers you said you had. Don't make it so obvious when you don't feel like searching after only 2 minutes. "Sorry pal I just can't seem to find any right now". DWEEB! Thanks to Landis Cyclery. They were on the ball (and get a attaboy mention on my famous blog).

I found out Dave Obrien likes my blog. Dave is from corporate Timex and is awesome to work and hang with. This is his last event since he is moving on to a better job. I'll miss you Dave. Let's hug.

Ben Harper, you and Keith are one piece of work. Keith is crying tears from the laughter you guys are experiencing on the phone.

Other than working on atletes's bikes all day I seem to attract people looking for directions or looking for answers to their questions. I literally have no idea about the water temperature, where to park on race day, where registration is, and where their bike is that they shipped. I know how to get from the house to the back of the truck and that is about it. Sorry. That's why there is a info booth which is located 5 feet away from my tent so go over there and see Mrs. Stars and Stripes. Stars and Stripes as I call her is a volunteer at the info booth. She is about 65 with U.S. flag sneakers, white slacks, last year's volunteer shirt on backwords, and bright red lipstick which is applied with gusto to create a smiley face up to her nose. She calls most of the young fellas including myself "kiddo". "Hey, where are you from kiddo!" "How much are these bikes kiddo?"
Me and her started on rocky ground initially because I told her she couldn't lock her mountian bike to my bike rack. I said it would be in my way and suggested she should lock it to a nearby tree. Fortunately she forgot about that incident and asked me to borrow some black tape which I abliged and our friendship blossomed from there.

The day is over. More bikes to work on tomorrow. See ya!

DOUG

Sticky Fingers

Today was spent gluing on tires. My thumbs are tender and i have a headache from sniffing the glue. I managed to get 9 wheels out of 20 done. The rest are prepped but I just didn't have it in me to do anymore tonight. Phew! Some of the wheels are from the Discovery Team stock. Some were on Lance's bike at the tour last year. Yeah whatever.


Avocado Sandwhich is my new favorite.

Flyin to Tempe

This is the red truck I picked out.

This is the truck I'm afraid to look inside and find out what I have to do next.

Ouch!

Big D and Special K


Todays travel from Ojai, CA to Phoenix, AZ was pretty much uneventful. My two flight were short "hoppers". The time spent in the air was a lot shorter than the time spent waiting in lines. Before I knew it I was driving the full-size pick-up we rented through rush hour traffic and found Keith Meyer waiting at the rental house. We have plenty of room and after catchng up for a bit I became really relaxed and could have gone to bed. I think the constant on the go feeling has caught up with me. Tonight I should sleep like a log. For dinner Keith grilled some salmon topped with a mango salsa and I prepared the salad. Delicious!

My belly is full and I'm ready to call it a day. By the way, It is sunny and warm here. Jeans are too much. I left rainy California behind.

I listened to the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs about 5 times in a row today. I can't put my finger on it but their new album is really good. Thanks to Sarah Tillotson, the happiest post-race looking racer.

I'm missing the table tennis games. Since it was raining when I left Ojai it would have been a great day to kick some more "you know what". Ah I miss that.

Good night,
DOUG

Ojai Memorial Crit.

Teeeeennaaaaaaaaaaaa Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiccccccc!

The red team in action

Host family signage. Is that the Pocono Powder Puff in the background?

LOOK AT THOSE BIKES!

Roast Beef with laughs on the side.

Today it was typical race morning routine. Actually it may not be typical but often it is like this. First off, I got some coffee because I needed to get rid of the drowsiness. Lately I've been on an espresso kick. I often don't finish a whole cup of coffee so it just gets cold. I'd rather enjoy two shots and get on with the day. Afterwards I washed the van, aired up the tires on the bikes, and packed some last minute items. By 9:30 I went to the race venue to get a parking spot and set up our little camp.

Other than chat with passer by's, I just waited for the ladies to ride down from the house. Caught up with the Wisconsin boys Frank Pipp (Team Targetraining) and Garrette Peltonen (Health Net). They are racing well and looking strong. I think Garrette's Blog is pretty funny http://www.garrettpeltonen.blogspot.com/. I don't think Frank has gotten into the whole "tell everyone what is up thing" and I admire the humbleness. Spot on Frank!

My job today during the race is to man the pit. In crit races there is a designated spot just past the start/finish line where the team mechanics stand in case one of the riders has a mechanical. Once again I had no action! Of course that is a good thing for the riders. I hope I'm not jinxing it but all last year up until now I can't recall but maybe once where one of my riders needed service. The spares bikes are in the pit with me and looked hot! Many people stopped to ooh and aah over them from the sidewalk.

I think I'll just copy what happened in the race today. The Colavita Cooking Light Team took to the streets of downtown Ojai for an NRC race today. The course is a very difficult 1 mile circuit with a steep climb on the back stretch of the course that softens up the freshest of legs. Many attacks were launched but nothing was able to get away as the wind was a discouraging factor for riders that tried to brave the protection of the peloton. Colavita Cooking Light policed the front of the field and made sure that any rider that did try to breakaway was covered, as the team had super sprinter Tina Pic ready to launch her famous sprint. Sima Trapp, Sarah Tillotson, Brooke Ourada and Audrey Lemieux did the lions share of the early work and with two laps to go the Victory Brewing train came blazing to the front in hopes of setting up their fast finisher Laura Yoisten. Victory drove the pace until the final time up the back stretch climb when Colavita Cooking Light’s climber Dotsie Bausch made an acceleration that derailed the Victory Train. Bausch blasted over the climb with Laura Vangilder of Lipton, Colavita Cooking Lights Tina Pic, and Victory Brewings Laura Yoisten who had switched tracks, in tow. When Bausch pulled off it left VanGilder in front leading out, and both Pic and Yoisten launched their sprints from opposite sides. In the end Pic crossed the line first with a few bike lengths to spare with Laura Yoisten second and Laura Vangilder in third.

It is definately awesome to see Tina win. She can seem so casual about the whole scene but once the race starts don't try to push her around. Watch out! Tina, Sima, Sarah, Brooke, Audrey, and Dotsie are all great riders to work with on and off the bike. I will miss them all a little as I fly off to Arizona tomorrow morning to work with the TIMEX team for two weeks. Life is good when you are around good people. I look forward to getting back with them.and their brand of insanity.

Tonight was spent packing for Arizona which means which t-shirts to take since I need to shift from Colavita Cycling Team shirts to the Timex Multisport Team shirts. Oh what a chore! Sounds like I'll be busy at Timex camp but I'm told we are staying at a plush resort so I hope I get to enjoy more than the parking lot. I'll let you know.

Sarah let me listen to a copy of the new Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs this afternoon. It is sounding good tonight as I pack. I think it is going to make it to this guys ipod for further scrutiny. Thanks Sarah! Hey Dan Tillotson. (Mention number two for him). By the way, I think I fixed the comment section. I didn't realize that I had it set so only blog members could send me a comment. Now anyone can, I hope. Thanks to Sarah on that one too.

Getting late. If you Colavita ladies read this I'll see you down the road soon. Bye! (Someone send that picture of me and my herom Lori took)

DOUG

Ojai, CA

The gang down to Ventura Beach.

Moi! I guess I could be somewhere worse.

These "oranges" are actually a sculpture. I think it is great. Sort of like gluing a quarter to the sidewalk and watching people trying to pick it up. Keep trying Sarah!

If I had a nickel every time Tina asks if her saddle is straight, I'd be rich.

The Colavita team has been enjoying another host family in Ojai, CA the last couple of days. Tomorrow is the Garret Lemire race. We are staying about 5 minutes from the course so there are no logistics to ponder in the morning.

I finshed the bike washing and my routine of checking over the bikes by dinner time so I was able to enjoy a great meal cooked by our hosts Roy and Lori. Since I only had to change a few cassettes and one tire on the race the wheels (Shimano DURA-ACE), the whole process ran much quicker. If someone were to ask me what I do to the bikes I probably couldn't describe it. I've done it so many times I just know what to do. Essentially its is checking the operation of everything on the bikes and looking for any potential problems. I also take a lot of pride of making them sparkle. Not only does a clean bike run well, the sponsors deserve a professional looking machine.

The last couple of days have been gray and rainy. Not today though. Actually got a little sunburn on my arms from the ride we did from Ojai down to Ventura Beach. It was mostly downhill on a bike path so there was no car traffic to deal with either.



Besides the sweet garage I'm working AND sleeping in, the house has a Ping Pong table. I was once told to not call it ping pong. It is officially known as table tennis. I really like playing and it has provided some great entertainment. I would play all day but I don't want to wear the girls down before the race. Not to brag or anything but noone has beaten me yet. Mostly I've been trash talking to give me the mental edge. In eighth grade only Andre Karkos was better than me.

Well it is time to call it a day,
DOUG