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!