California update #1

{Written from LAX waiting for flight to Taiwan}
Yeah, yeah, yeah... It has been busy, busy, busy. I've been hearing update the blog for awhile now.

This past 10 days I've been at team camp in Buellton, California. Took about 5 days to drive out here. NOt much happened on the drive. Had a little bit of bad weather but was manageable. The days at team camp revolve around mechanic work that needs to be done. Things like assembling bikes, swapping saddles, changing stems, gluing wheels, organizing the truck, etc. Even with 3 mechanics we are all busy all day long. The weather is nice and warm so being outside is a pleasure.

Gettting to know the guys although I still forget who is who sometimes. One skinny guy can look like the next skinny guy.

Here are some pics over the last two weeks.


The gateway to the west. I always get excited to "head west". I enjoy reading about the early migration westward in United States history. Especially the mountain men and Louis and Clark.


The truck has shelf bed to nap on.


Stopped in Flagstaff for the night and the storm.


Driving


Working spot



The glow

Thanks CD

[this is a first of sorts. CD has been kind enough to update my blog for me. Thanks Chris!. It's good to have friends in the trenches with me]

A brief update for those fans of Dougie who crave the insight and updates of life as a pro mechanic: Doug has been pinned down under a mass of bike parts and shipping/receiving/inventory duty trying to get TeamType1 off and flying out of the box for 2008. We are currently right at precipice of racing in Malaysia and doing a wind tunnel project in NC with some athletes, all ahead of the team camp in California at the end of the month. Doug has been taking on the bulk of the work at the service course in getting all the racing equipment ready for the diverse TT1 early season ventures. This means Doug has been putting in the late nights, weekends and overtime to coordinate and orchestrate all that is technical for TT1. So please cut him some slack on the lack of blog updates. When we get to camp in California i will make sure that Doug gets plenty of downtime and writes/posts with pics some good updates.

"Serenity now, serenity now", as Doug said yesterday.

Holla-

CD

Working

Hey,

I was playing around with posting videos. This is from back in December at the Team Type 1 media camp. Eric and I were playing around with the camera equiped bike in the parking lot of the hotel.

Okay, I just checked and the video thing worked! Watch out for more behind the scenes highjinks.


Here is my 3rd crockpot creation. I was proud of myself!


Milwaukee has some good winter weather going on. I like commuting in the snow.


We got our first complete SRAM Red groups this week for the race bikes. Eric and I have been busy getting bikes and wheels ready for the first race of the season in Malaysia in a few weeks.


Here is a stable of bikes in assembled condition.


Look there's Jelly in the doorway!


Ian MacGregor"s bike ready to go.


Jelly working it.


We are using mostly tubulars for the race wheels but we have a few Zipp 404 clinchers in our quiver of wheelsets.


Speaking of tubulars. There is something pretty about gluing up!

SEE YA,
DJB

24 Hours of Telemark

My only update for now is a few pics from last weekend's 24 Hours of Telemark in Cable, WI. I got some skiing in besides helping to set everything up and tear it down. I feel guilty for admitting this but, driving a snowmobile is kinda fun.





Here is a link for the new team this year I'm working with this year. http://www.teamtype1.org/

Cheers,
DOUG

Rochester wireless

Because I only update unless Davidson says, here I am wating for my plane back to Milwaukee in the Rochester, NY airport. I'm getting a free wirless connection. Not sure if I'm supposed to but why pay for one if it's free. That doesn't happen in most airports. So if you are stuck in the Rochester airport at least they have a connection to surf.

Oh, have to go!

DOUG

From Cali weather to midwest snow

Got in some skiing this weekend. I feel a bit slow but still enjoy the graceful feeling of skiing (except on the uphills at this point. Ha!)



I used to be much more meticulous about the waxing thing. Now it's scape off the storage wax and go. Working on skis is relaxing in a way.


Trying to take a time delay picture you never know what you'll get. Everyone tries to get the classic skating picture and the in-between-weight-transfer-shot are goofy looking.


Crisp, clear, cold. A perfect Blue Extra wax day. For you skiers, you know what I mean. My memory banks have many of these days of skiing at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid, NY. I hear Van Ho is primo right now with a Nor' Easter on the way to add to the snow depth. Lapham Peak, shown here, in Delafield, WI is a fine place to ski too.

BYE,
DOUG

Buelton, CA

Just got back from a media camp in California. Buelton to be exact, which is right next to Solvang, CA. Nice area.



ERIC DOING SOME ASSEMBLY WORK


I DID NOT PLAN ON THIS BEING A PRODUCT PLACEMENT SHOT.


TEAM ROAD BIKE


SETTING UP A RIDER'S POSITION


THE TT BIKE


DEDICATED CAMERA BIKE THAT ONE RIDER FELT WAS AN "ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN"



YOURS TRULY - JOE COOL - IN THE QUAINT DANISH VILLAGE OF SOLVANG, CA

CHEERS,
DOUG

Coffee Time

Hey,

Thought I would send out a few pictures for no other reason other than I have the time to do it. I'm enjoying a nice Sunday morning at Alterra Coffee. Yesterday was the year's first winter storm for us here in Milwaukee. It really blew in fast. I was occupied in the shop for several hours and didn't take notice until I went outside to go home. The world had turned white. Unfortunately, the snow turned to rain at some point so today is a yucky mess. This is why I end up running this time of year because the bike riding would be miserable. So today I'll go for another run (I went Thurs.) on the hopes that someday I'll think that running is enjoyable.

I received a video from a Lake Placid friend showing him skiing with his son Jonathon in a ski trailer. Now Randy is that guy who ruins the track pulling a sled. I'm only kidding Randy, I know you'll be considerate.

Speaking of Lake Placid check out the link titled Lowell Bailey for some interesting reading on what it's like to be a skier on the World Cup circuit. Lowell and Tim Burke are two local "kids" from Lake Placid I've seen grow up to be World Class skiers and great individuals as well.


Stuff that makes us mechanics giggle! What is wrong with this cassette? This wheel was returned by one of the riders like this. Not sure if it was used like this but it could be used as evidence as to why I have a job. Ha!


Chris Travers from Profile Design was in "da house" for his annual trip to Milwaukee for a little business but mostly fun. Here is a rare behind the scenes look into what a sponsor meeting looks like. And you thought we sat around a big oak table and wore suits?

For over a month I've been obsessing a bit with only certain music. One has been the Red Hot Chili Peppers and how John Fruciante plays guitar in that band. He is subtle or in your face while playing. Another has been a live CD recording of Pete Yorn. In addition I can never get Hendrix out of the mix too. This morning I went back to listen to some Radiohead. Probably my favorite band on a different level from anything else. Music is so subjective to personal taste that it is hard to tell someone to try listening to this but here I go anyways. I found a couple Radiohead videos (I limited it to 2 for right now). The best video I've ever seen is the video for a song called "Just." Search for it on youtube. I'll just showing some live stuff. Paranoid Android was something you probably heard on the radio. I might be wrong is a acoustic version that shows how some of their multi-layered songs are great because even stripped down acoutically they stand up. There is a new album out which I'm a bit behind in getting. The in store version is out soon but the band tried a new way of selling the ablum themselves. About a month ago you could by the on-line version for whatever you wanted to pay. I thought I read somewhere it raised about 10 million in a day or two. Is that right? I might be wrong.






Cheers Ya'll,
DOUG

People read it!

Wow! Thanks for the comments. I guess I never kept track when people have told me they read my rambling blog entries. I am pleasantly surprised.

I don't have much to blog about right now. It's cold in Milwaukee. I'm busy at work. Going to California next week for some work stuff.

Looking to purchase a bed is about the most unattractive thing I want to spend my time doing. I went to a furniture store this past weekend to "check out the Thanksgiving madness sale". I was turned off by the elderly salesman with body odor that kept whacking the bed with his cane to demonstrate which mattress was firmer or softer than the next. He wouldn't leave me alone to browse at my leisure. Add to mix, people laying all over the place to check out the beds. Spouses exclaiming, "Honey, come check out this one." I couldn't take it anymore. I had a panic attack and high-tailed it out of there. Vowing to find something on Craigslist.com as I snuck through the TV and living room sections to avoid Mr. Stinkmeister.

Please, if someone wants to give me a nice bed here in Milwaukee, I'll come get it. Maybe.

Cheers and thanks for the reader support,
DOUG

Thanksgiving

Not much happened on Turkey Day. I enjoyed a bunch of nothing and playing guitar. It was too cold for a bike ride.

Here I am making dinner for myself. Instead of Turkey I substituted a chicken and some sweet potatoe mashed potatoes (how about that Keith!)



Work is rather exciting right now. Stay tuned for an update on that topic. New team stuff but I'm not at liberty to discuss it yet even though only about 10 people read my blog.

Cheers,
DOUG

Back to long sleeves and leg warmers

After two weeks in Florida, I got back to "Tosa" yesterday afternoon. It was a good trip. Good results by the athletes. The bikes were awesome. Learned that some people run with Jelly Belly's as their secret weapon against fatigue. Even though I'm glad to be off the road finally, I do miss the warm weather (and having maid service). I still feel like it's summer. Walked into a Starbucks in Florida and was jolted into realty that it was November because they had the holiday decoration theme in place. Wisconsin is not neccessarily cold but 50 degrees seems cold when you are coming from 75 degrees. Florida meant riding in shorts and jersey. But now I have to wear a long sleeve and leg warmers when riding (see my lunchtime MTB ride below. Ripping it up! I missed the knobby rubber).




On the way down to Panama City, Ben and I spent the night in Nashville, TN. Found a place to watch the final game of the World Series. Although this picture of Ben's head could have been taken anywhere, I swear it's in Nashville.


Here are all the bikes in transition on race morning. I just finished with last minute checks and I usually hang out just to make sure nothing weird happens before the athletes get done with the swim. The pro women bikes are in the first row (the red ones). Technically I can't help them once the race starts but if I something happens at least I can direct neutral support to help them.


The volunteers have the pro's bike waiting for them as they are leaving transition. This is Jacqui's bike ready to go.

In response to the comment about my bedroom in the last entry. I didn't take a picture of it because it is depressing in there. As of then ( and now) it is just a matress on the floor with a lamp and table. It's workable but I need an "upgrade". Hopefully I can get to that now that I'm in town.


CHEERS AND KEEP ON RIDING!

DJB cribs

Here some pics of my place. An actual place to sleep, make coffee, and leave my guitars out so I can play them. It's been awhile. After I took the photos I realized I need some stuff on the walls. If anyone in my area has a bed they want to give away... I could use one.









DJB

Island Vibes

Since I've last written about Las Vegas a few weeks ago, I had a week of shop work and then headed to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii for the Ironman Hawaii World Championships. I've been home now since Wednesday and have to admit that for a few days I was suffering from PHD (post hawaii depression). I really got used to hearing the waves crashing on shore. Oh well!

This year's Hawaii trip seemed better than ever for several reasons. Here are a few in no particular order of importance. There was a great island vibe this year. Last year I felt depleted from such a hectic schedule. This year the workload for the week was perfect. Just busy enough during the day to enjoy my job and then having the mornings and evenings to hang out with good friends and stick our toes in the sand. I learned to embrace the fact that the island has some magic vibe if you let it take you there. I think we all felt it this year from the staff to the athletes racing.

Besides work, I managed to get in several rides including a freak crash which has wacked my knee/hip out of alignment. It was an similar crash as Lance had when his handlebar got stuck on a fan's feedbag. Except I jack-knifed the front wheel in a pot-hole (more like a crater) while riding one handed to wipe the stinging sweat out of my eyes. Luckily the traffic at that momemt was not heavy. Once again the island vibe protected me. Ha!

My other goal this trip was to surf. Way back in April, Rachel Ross from the team said no matter what, the day after the race she was taking us surfing. I was pleasantly surprised to get an e-mail a week before leaving for Hawaii that she still remembered. Although the surf conditions weren't that good, I did get going a few times. My interest is peaked and for some reason I really want to do more. Even though the waves were few it 's still a good time to paddle out and hang out chit-chatting. It's like sitting on the chairlift when going skiing except it's warm. I got to thank Rachel, Rambsey, and her best friend Moni (sorry didn't get the spelling of her beautiful name) for arranging all that. I even watched her kids while they ran into town. Talk about a great kid life. Going to the beach everyday to play.

For some reason I only took a few photos this year.


Me waiting for 6am taxi in Milwaukee.


Beside's TIMEX athletes, I often help out some of the other pros. Here is Lisa Bentley's Cervelo that needed some adjustments. (The best was a guy I met who politely asked if I could look at his shifting. In all of 5 minutes I handed his bike back to him and said to take it for a quick test ride to make sure it was good. He came back and told me that he'd taken it to two bike shops and 3 mechanics but it still shifted poorly after each trip. He was amazed and very happy that I was able to take care of it for him and wouldn't have to lose sleep over it anymore. He apologized for not having any cash on him so he came back later with a nice tip. I love that kind of stuff. Gosh I'm good!


Vicktor Zyemstev's brand new 2008 TTX. One of only 3 that were available at the time. The guys from Trek were there and are super supportive of the team and the feedback I can give them. Some things of note were the Bontrager brakes. Nifty and light. We also had a show bike which I built up with the SRAM red components. That cassette is really chi chi. Machined out of a solid block of aluminum.


On race day I did a ride of my own and joined up with the bike course. This is the lead man. No idea who. Later on in the evening the finsh line became a beacon of positive energy. The bleachers were packed and people lined the finsh straight several deep. Dancing and singing like it's big Mardis Gras. TIMEX throws out a bunch schwag from 9pm until midnight during this party. It's crazy how people go nuts for t-shirts and hats. With all the dancing and running around it's like 3 hours of aerobics but totally worth it to watch the folks who have been out there for 15 or more hours finsh with huge and emotional grins. Some of the stories bring tears to your eyes. Even the men's and women's pro winners came out for the festivities and to welcome folks across the line. If you ever get a chance to watch an Ironman even, don't miss the last 3 hours.


My boy Special K. Always willing to whip up some breakfast potatoes. The best wingman a friend could have. Here's to you Mr. Timex watch guy....


A picture perfect sunset. Enjoyed by this guy and on the island of Hawaii. ALOHA!