Jamming on the triangle

I’ve often said, “at least I’m not sitting at a desk for my job.” That also means that I don’t even get to sit down sometimes. If you are a fan of cycling you would know that the cycling world has been focused the last week right here in California where the best pro teams have gathered to compete. The daily life working a major weeklong tour is non-stop from 6:30am to 10pm. One good thing about a race of this caliber is that all the housing and meals are provided for so I can honestly say haven’t slept in such good beds and eaten so well in quite awhile.

I once had a dream that I was playing in Paul Simon’s band. I’m not sure why it happened to be Paul Simon. I wish it was something cooler but that’s the way dreams go. Anyways, I remember thinking that I was chosen because of my guitar skills (yet in the dream I was playing bass. Weird dream world again).

Getting asked to do the Tour of California was the same thing except that I really didn’t get to apply my excellent mechanic skills that much. Basically, I was asked to join the band to carry the bags and play a little bit of triangle. Each morning I drove the van and trailer from one hotel to the next hotel to set up and get all our rooms situated. It’s actually a race in itself since 18 teams are all trying to get to the next hotel to get prime parking with water and electric. I never saw one lick of the race except for the prologue and time trial. Nonetheless, it was important to the functioning level of the team and had to be done. We should all strive to do tasks the best we can, but I’d rather be known as great mechanic rather than a great bag collector.

After the daily drive, setting up the trailer, and getting everyone’s bag to their room, I grabbed a bite to eat and waited for the race to be over and the riders to return. Within minutes of getting the bikes, Eric and I were washing bikes and getting them ready for the next stage. Having two mechanics made things really smooth. Usually we were done in plenty of time for dinner. After the 9pm staff meeting it was time for bed or a little socializing with the other team mechanics.

Once again it’s hard to truly explain what goes on in my job. There’s a lot to it that seems to go unnoticed. Let it be said pro team mechanics are wired differently. We must be a little nuts!


This was the team photo from camp I didn't post yet.


Before I left St. Helena, I had a chance to get the decals done on the trailer. Looks pretty even and straight.


Packed parking lot in San Fran for the start of the TOC. These are our Colavita cars. I have a thing for the tires being shiny.


I thought I'd show you some of the other team's vehicles. This is a Jelly Belly team car.


The Discovery Team truck.


Driving over a pretty cool bridge.


Parking in another lot.








The most unique hotel we stayed at was the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obisbo. All the rooms had different themes to them. even the bathroom is "world famous."


Ah yes! Another parking lot!


What happens at 6:30 pm after a week of racing. NOTHING!

Day 4 of camp

After another long day, us mechanics got to close up the trailers before the sun went down, wash our hands, and put on our "collered" team shirts for an official team dinner at the Sutter Home Inn.


The view from our balcony. There is only one room on the third floor that we call the roost.


Iona and I holding Flat Stanley.


Here is a picture of tonights team reception and dinner. Nice dinner!

Cheers,
DOUG

Updating Finally!

Hello to all who have been wondering about me. I'll spare you the mundane day to day life details. As my last update tried to convey, I've been busy. One of the busiest times ever. January 28th was the target day to leave for California. The 28th came and I headed out. Enjoy the picture montage!


Before leaving Team Sports I tried to get as much work done as possible. Here I am gluing some tires to be mounted later.


Here is Eric building some TT bikes.


Here is Rachel and Jess organizing the Specialized eyewear and Voler clothing.


This was an "RV" traveling couple I met one night at the hotel. They were on their way to warmer temps from Nebraska and we bonded because I was pulling a trailer too.


I always get excited driving east to west. The west has such a huge feel to it. Imagine what the first people thought. The thought of the mountain men living there has always fascinated me. Mountain men and cowboys.


Went to see a man about a horse. There must be a tree somewhere?


This is what the inside of the trailer looks like. Everything stayed in place on the trip.


Driving and driving. Left on a Saturday and arrived in St. Helena, Ca (Napa Valley) on tuesday. Everyday was sunny. No snowstorms or broken vans like last year. The worst part was getting about 7 miles per gallon. I stopped about every 160 miles for gas. I guess that's okay since I enjoy visiting truck stops. They have the most interesting stuff to buy if you take a minute to shop around. One place had several different types of 12 volt appliances to plug into the cigarette lighter. Hot pots. sandwitch presses, coffee makers etc. Cool!


A sunset while driving.


For the next 10 days Eric and I have set up our trailers at the Sutter Home Winery parking lot. As long as we have electric and water, us mechanics are happy.


You couldn't have the bike frames arrive at such a last minute moment if you planned it. They were finally in our hands 12 o'clock Friday and the riders were scheduled to ride 10am Saturday morning.


Somehow Eric and I, with the help of my pal Shane who flew in from Connecticut, got 26 frames assembled for the athletes. We worked from noon until 2 am that night. Took a nap and resumed in the morning getting the adjustments right. I must say we came through big time. I hope everyone appreciates it, since I don't think you'll find dedicated and thorough guys like us just standing on the street corner. We rocked!

Camp is progressing along with other kinds of busy work but at least everyone is riding. Phew!

I'll try and update some more this week with more behind the scenes of a pro cycling training camp.

Good night,
DOUG