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The Chris Davidson diary
Chris Davidson is a former mechanic for Bontrager Racing Service, now in the service of Shimano Multi-Service.
Chris' diary entries will show you what life is like inside the pits and an insight into the mind of a mechanic.
NORBA National Series #7 - Snowmass, Colorado, August 5-8, 2004
Day 1: Sloping off to Snowmass
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Back to back NORBA weekends in Idaho and Colorado, both at ski resort venues -- Schweitzer & Snowmass -- with lots of dust at both; it seems like déjà vu. Except for the fact that we have doubled the elevation for this weekend at Snowmass.
Greetings, Chris Davidson here again at another stop on the 2004 NORBA tour. Snowmass, Colorado is just up the road from Aspen. And 'up' is the key word at this venue. There is barely a spot of level ground anywhere here in Snowmass. In fact our Shimano trailer and tent combo is one of the few rigs that is anywhere near the start/finish line. The lack of level ground has the rest of the team trailers confined to a series of small parking lots behind the Snowmass Village. Further complicating the problem is a line of trees that hides the area. We directed a number of racers to other manufacturers' tents only for them to be unable to find the other trailers. Very steep everywhere here at Snowmass.
It was a slow day in the tent today, as most Thursdays are at NORBA races.
It was good for us in the fact that my boss Matt has been ill and spent the
day in bed. That left just Foye Troute and me covering the service work all
day. I hope Matt is feeling better.
I rode a lap of the XC course this afternoon after work. I joined up with Brent
Miller and Amon Pease, both pro XC riders for Intense, for the ride. Both agreed
that they would be going slow this afternoon. The start/finish area is the lowest
point on the course; from there the course goes straight up the mountain. The
first 35 minutes of the lap went straight up the main ski run. The course then
transitions into beautiful single track in the aspens, as it descends the mountain.
I did the entire first climb in the small ring. Some sections were ridden I
the 22x34 and I had to work to keep the rear wheel from slipping. This does
not bode well for the XC races, as the climb is the only place to pass, the
single track descent is too tight. It will be a very physical course. The Intense
boys were nice enough to wait for me at a number of points. Good guys. Really
strong guys.
Weather is always an issue when situated in the mountains of Colorado; sure enough it rained for a couple of hours this afternoon. This helped to cool it off and keep the dust down. On a sunny afternoon it gets hot rather quickly and the combination of heat elevation, steepness and dust make this the toughest course yet for 2004. It should make the racing interesting.
I will get the camera out and use it more tomorrow. Drop by the tent if you are at the race. Until then, thanks for reading.
CD