Recently on Cyclingnews.com |
 Mont Ventoux Photo ©: Sirotti |
Tales from the peloton, February 21, 2004
Greg Lemond's Fantasy Cycling Camp
San Diego, California, February 4-9, 2004
Eddie B named "Father of modern American cycling" at Endurance Awards banquet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greg Lemond's Fantasy Cycling Camp, created to help legendary cycling coach Eddie Borysewicz after he and his family lost their home in the Southern California bushfires in October last year, was a memorable five days for all who attended. Jeff Rose was one of the attendees, and relives the experience for Cyclingnews.
On Saturday night, February 7, at the Endurance Awards banquet held at San Diego's Sea World, legendary coach Eddie Borysewicz - known to all as Eddie B - was recognized for his pivotal role in American cycling. The award was presented to him by Greg Lemond, with Eddie joined on stage by 20 Olympians from the 1984 Olympic cycling team as well as athletes from his teams over the years. Alexi Grewal said: "Eddie had come into the cycling program like John Wayne, taking over a non-existent program and forming riders into a team who believed in themselves and believed that they could beat the rest of the world."
The dinner was just one of the highlights of the five-day Greg LeMond Fantasy Camp and reunion of the 1984 Olympic cycling team - all to help raise funds for Eddie B to help replace the home he lost during the Southern California bushfires. The camp was organized by Vic Copeland and Jeff Rose - who were supported by their wives Joyce and Jeannette - and a whole host of people from the San Diego area.
Athletes and Olympians who attended some or all of the camp included: John Beckman, Scott Berryman, Ken Carpenter, Greg Demgen, Tom Doughty, Brent Emery, Alexi Grewal, Dave Grylls, Steve Hegg, Ron Kiefel, Roy Knickman, Greg LeMond, Pat McDonough, Davis Phinney, Wayne Stetina, Rebecca Twigg, Nelson Vails, Danny Van Haute, Shaun Wallace and Mark Whitehead.
The camp started on Wednesday evening, introducing all the campers and athlete coaches. Thursday morning, Greg LeMond and John Beckman led a group ride that worked on climbing and pack riding techniques, with performance testing done in the afternoon. On Friday and Saturday, wind tunnel testing was performed at Allied Aerospace while others rode at the San Diego velodrome. The last rider in on Friday was none other than Lemond himself, who found that watching all day only made him want to try it himself. The evening also included a surprise dinner with Lemond and his wife Kathy for those attending the camp.
Sunday morning was the "Great Torry Pines Hill Climb", featuring a contest between Greg LeMond and Eddie B. Sunday evening was an Eddie B roast attended by camp members, family and a surprise visit by Gerard Bisceglia, head of the USCF, with stories by LeMond, Greg Demgen, Nelson Vails, Steve Hegg, John Beckman and others.
The camp was even more special for Eddie, because on Thursday at 9:00pm, his new home was installed after a 400 mile trip from Phoenix that day.
The camp was a great success on many levels. It will raise double the amount of the largest single contribution, and it also provided a chance for many of the athletes to talk to each other for the first time in years. As one athlete pointed out, "This camp had been a great opportunity to air some things out and rekindle old friendships."
The only question from many was: "When would we do it again?"
Comments from campers
Kenan Kirkendall, Oklahoma: "The camp was a smashing success - thank you so much for all the effort you put forth in planning and carrying out the details. The whole experience was super! I haven't seen my Dad so excited in years!"
Christopher Chapman, New Hampshire: "I'm still speechless, but I will respond once I recover from the jet lag!"
The last word goes to Alexi Grewal: "Although I know the camp was to benefit Eddie, but it was much more than that. Thank you for what was certainly closure for many or all of us there. I am certain that what I witnessed was not an end but a beginning. I am also sure that it was not the cycling instruction that impressed and benefited the campers so deeply, no, it was love - the love for each other and the totality of our experience in cycling with each other.
"Sometimes in history men and women are caught in a vortex of inspiration and give their hearts to that hope. Eddie B said it himself in his last words to the assembly: 'Thanks God.' And so history is made and lives are changed."
Photography
Images by Mitchell Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com
- Scott Berryman heads out for an easy ride along the Pacific Coast Highway.
- Eddie B and Greg LeMond share stories at the welcome dinner.
- Greg LeMond makes a little speech at the welcome dinner.
- Some of the "swag" (Stuff We Ain't Got) that was given to the campers and Olympians from the camp sponsors.
- Once Nelson Vails got a hold of the mic, it was like pulling teeth trying to get it away from him.
- Scott Berryman goes into a trance during Nelson's speech as Roy Knickman looks on.
- John Beckman tries to rally the riders for the first day of riding.
- Greg Demgen (right of photo) helps lead the ride out of town.
- On the bike path section heading towards Bonsall.
- Nelson Vails demonstrates the sprinter's technique for attacking on a road ride.
- Scott Berryman knows the technique too.
- After about 60 miles, another trackie, Mark Whitehead, is starting to look a little rough.
- A camper takes a moment to relax and enjoy a winter day in Carlsbad.
- Dr Brent Kay oversees the testing in the solarium at the Tamarack Inn.
- Rebecca Twigg lectures to some of the campers
- Eddie B talks to Vic Copeland and the staff of the Allied Aerospace wind tunnel in San Diego.
- Sandy Hirano begins her wind tunnel session
- Chris Chapmen in the tunnel as Eddie B, Greg LeMond and Vic Copeland look on.
- Lemond prepares to give the Allied Aerospace wind tunnel a try.
- Lemond practices the aero position without the aero bars.
- Roy Knickman gives Greg Lemond directions over the loudspeaker while the local TV camera captures the action.
- Steve Hegg (C) talks with Glen and Kenan Kirkendall in the Sea World arcade during the Competitor Magazine Endurance Sports Awards.
- Paul Swift and a friend are still winning the big prizes... but these days at the arcade.
- David Grylls won a little something too.
- Eddie B talks to some fans at the awards.
- Greg LeMond is surrounded by 18 members of the 1984 US Olympic team during a presentation of a plaque to Eddie B at the awards.
- Greg LeMond tells the attendees about what Eddie B meant to him.
- Eddie B with some of the Olympians and friends that presented him with the award of "Father of Modern American Cycling". (L to R) Greg Demgen, Scott Berryman, Paul Swift, Greg LeMond, Davis Phinney, Brent Emery, Eddie B, Ron Kiefel, Rebecca Twigg, Dave Grylls, Wayne Stetina and Ken Carpenter.
- John Beckman got one of his antique jerseys out for the last day of riding.
- Alexi Grewal at the start of the ride.
- Masters' national champion Bill Ziegler takes a moment to pose with Nelson Vails.
- Eddie B and Rebecca Twigg lead the group down the California coast.
- Not your typical group of Sunday cyclists - (Front row L to R) Danny Van Haute, Paul Swift, Steve Hegg and Scott Barryman.
- Danny Van Haute calls the photographer names while Steve Hegg tries to look cool.
- Danny Van Haute and Steve Hegg lead the group.
- Eddie B seems to think he is the first to the sprint line.
- Greg LeMond keeps another rider at bay.
- Lemond and Ron Kiefel discussing the old days.
- Greg Lemond, Ron Kiefel and Eddie B riding at the front.
- Richard Bryne and Greg LeMond during a break in the ride.
- Camper Sandy Hirano and Davis Phinney on the Torrey Pines hill.
- Eddy B raced Greg LeMond to the top of Torrey Pines hill (each had a little "team" assistance).
- Eddie Borysewicz goes for a walk around his new house.
- Now all Eddie B needs to do is a spot of gardening.
- Maybe it's going to be a rock garden...
To go to Eddie B's web site, visit: www.eddiebcyclingworld.com
