Recently on Cyclingnews.com |
 Dauphiné Libéré Photo ©: Sirotti |
 |
The Chris Davidson diary
Chris Davidson is a former mechanic for Bontrager Racing Service, now in the service of Shimano Multi-Service.
His diary entries give us a look inside the pits and an insight into the mind of a mechanic.
NORBA Series Race #1, Big Bear, California, USA, May 17-18, 2003
Days three and four at Big Bear
 |
The XC and Mountain Cross were the big features of day three here at Big Bear. The weather was a little cooler and the wind was up. We got the venue today early, expecting the line for service to be long all day, but while there was a small line waiting for us when we opened, the day turned out to be very light with work in the tech area; most of the XC bikes we saw just need a simple derailleur adjustments. On the DH course, the lower categories completed today and plenty of derailleur hangers needed straightening, with new derailleurs needed in about 15 cases. Today was also the Youth races, and even with all the talk of the NORBA series being dead, the turnout of young competitors was huge. In fact, comparing to past years, the tech area was even more populated than ever.
The XC races created big excitement today; the talk was of 'Canada Day'. On the women's side Alison Dunlap brought home the victory, but Canuck Kiara Bisaro surprised many with a strong second spot. She came by the tent to thank us for the help with her bike, and stayed to describe her ride. On the men's side, the Northern crew took 1-2-3, with Ryder soloing in to take the top spot, followed by an on-form Geoff Kabush and Seamus McGrath. Kabush and Peter Wedge came by the trailer after cooling down and talked about lots of six-plus hour road rides in the rain this spring getting their fitness in shape. They were both running the XTR groups with disc brakes and the XTR wheels tubeless. Kabush was super stoked about his ride and really excited about the big MTB races this summer on Canadian soil.
 |
During the course of the day many appreciative people have come back by the trailer after having their bikes serviced and have left some malted beverages with us; it seemed to be the universal way of expressing appreciation in the MTB world. After shutting down the trailer this afternoon, we all headed up the hill to watch the Mountain Cross in the early evening. The gravity athletes put on a great show on the Big Bear course; there was a big double at the bottom that was a clear crowd-pleaser. The four-up format and the fast runs had the excitement going non-stop; with Eric Carter (Mongoose) taking the top spot over a huge field that included Brian Lopes, Steve Peat, Mike King and others.
Tomorrow will see the Short Track XC and the finals of the DH for the pros. The pro men's STXC should be interesting as the men's field is deep and there are plenty of guys who are hungry for a result in the short, five-race series. The DH field is packed and should draw everyone on the mountain, as it is the closing event of the day. Due to the fact that the competitors in the DH final will all have team mechanics, we usually shut the trailer down once the finals have started. After packing the trailer, it is off to the airport in LA to catch flights home.
The NORBA series appears to be off to a strong start in 2003, especially the turnout in the lower categories. The lack of prize money did not lower the level of competition in the pro fields.
Stay tuned for new parts from Shimano this summer, there were many things in the trailer this weekend that I cannot mention yet, but should be on the radar screen this later this summer, definitely before the trade show in Vegas.
Big bear Day Four
 |
The mood was somber for the start of day four in Big Bear as word of the death of a female downhiller who crashed on Saturday filtered through the tech area. I had heard that the woman was newly wed and visiting California for the first time. As the threat of danger is always a factor in sport, I find myself too often thinking that crashes happen, and people get up and bring there bike by to have me straighten the derailleur hanger and go back for another run. In the face of the recent incident, I find myself reminded of the importance of human life. Parts can be replaced, bikes fixed, this is not always so on the human side. So, go forth and be good to others; appreciate the challenges and beauty of our sport, relish in life.
Sunday morning started at the usual stop - the Grizzy Manor for breakfast. We sat in a small room and talked tech swapped stories with the guys from Michelin, Specialized, Haro-Lee Dungarees and Luna Chix. It seems like mechanics like to travel with their own kind. And our breed is often the only one looking for food at 6:00am near race venues.
The order of the day was STXC and DH finals. The Kona guys came by the trailer with high hopes for today, both Wedge and Kabush showed good form yesterday in the XC. Both wanted a bit more tire pressure and a little more lockout on the fork for today's brutal STXC course. The loop took the Pro Men a little less than 90 seconds to complete and had some elevation change. Roland Green came by and discussed his DNF the previous day. His face is all healed up from the crash at Tour de Georgia, but he spoke of having lingering trouble with his shoulder. Climbing out of the saddle and pulling hard on the bars was still giving him trouble. However, he was looking forward to get home and putting in some more solid training.
|
In the Women's STXC, Sue Haywood put in a brutal attack, going through for a solo win ahead of Alison Dunlap. She was pounding up the climb on her last lap. On the men's side, Roland went to the front from the start and looked like he would walk away with the win, but a group got together behind him and brought him back in. Todd Wells looked to be in the driver's seat with less than ten laps to go, but the Costa Rican Bonilla got to the front with two to go and stayed ahead. There was lots of suffering in the men's race, it took less than three laps for the leaders to catch the back of the strung out field. It looked like not all the competitors were enjoying the altitude.
By the time the downhill finals had started, we were tearing down the trailer/tent setup. Next stop is the east coast for the next two NORBA Races, then back out west for the last two races. In the middle of all that, we have some trips to Canada for the World Cup and Canadian Nationals.
The Canadians sure looked strong this weekend, and there was no lack of turnout. I would say that NORBA is looking healthy for 2003.
Thanks for reading
Chris Davidson