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The Kimberly Bruckner Journal 2004
Like many top riders, 2001 US road champion Kimberly Bruckner has the Athens Olympics in her sights as she returns to racing after surgery for a soft-tissue tumour in her ankle cut short her 2003 season. With her T-Mobile squad in its second year, her diary this year will document the highs and lows of the US' top women's team.
February 2, 2004: T-Mobile training camp & beyond
Meetings, make-up & missed muffins
I returned home from beautiful sunny California and our T-Mobile training camp just a few days ago, and already I'm looking out my window at all the snow falling. I think it's time to get out my skis. I was super excited as soon as I heard T-Mobile was having camp in Buellton, California. Both Dede and I had been to previous training camps in that same area and knew the roads well. And of course, we also knew all about the best places to eat there!
The team had had a short camp in early December at the US Olympic training center in Colorado Springs. The T-Mobile women's team numbers 10 this year. Nine are returnees from last season including Kim Andersen, Kristin Armstrong, Dede Barry, Dotsie Cowden, Mari Holden, Lara Kroepsch, Amber Neben, Stacey Peters and myself. The team was also lucky enough to pick up Lynn Gaggioli, a great American sprinter and all-around rider. It was there that we received our new Giant composite bikes complete with the pink and black flames...very sharp looking. But I had been having problems getting the fit just right. I'm difficult that way.
Following that camp, my husband and I drove to Scottsdale, Arizona to spend four weeks training in the sun. While we were down there, I continued to fiddle with my fit, trying to dial it in, with no success. Chris was having problems as well and we knew we needed help. Then, as luck would have it, we had the ultimate good fortune of running into US Postal rider Robbie Ventura. He suggested that we go see Paraic McGlynn at the Bicycle Ranch in Scottsdale for a complete bike fit and evaluation. Robbie swore that this was THE GUY to see for bike fits. That's all I needed to know. Chris and I called him straight away and set up appointments. Paraic spent an unbelievable four hours with me figuring out where all my problems lie and getting me straightened out. He ordered me new orthotics and once they were made, checked me again with the orthotics to make some more minor adjustments. Now I feel incredible on the bike. Chris swears he hasn't felt this good on the bike in the last two or three years. So thank you Paraic and the guys at Bicycle Ranch. I know the Postal guys are spending the weekend with you... enjoy that big screen TV for the Super Bowl!
Our Buellton camp was pleasantly full of time for some great riding. "Training" camps aren't always like that. Usually they're full of media opportunities, photo shoots, and sponsor visits, which are definitely key in the success of a team. Our camp was both and it was great. The first day, the team did a ride up Figueroa Mountain, a partially dirt climb that just seems to go and go and go. On the descent, Dede pointed out Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. You'd never guess it was Michael Jackson's unless someone told you. Yes, there was a gate at the entrance and a guard house, but beyond that, all we could see was a long winding driveway. Making it a little more obvious that someone famous lived there was the cars that were parked along the road with fans (or just observers) sitting on the grass, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man. I found it ironic too that just across the road from Michael's driveway was the Figueroa Family School. Enough said.
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The day of our photo shoot was quite interesting. T-Mobile had hired a PR firm out of Los Angeles. The PR firm brought in a photographer who I later learned was quite famous for his pictures. He in turn brought along a make-up artist, Karen, who frequently works with him on shoots. Karen was amazing. She turned us into the women we never thought we'd be. I didn't even recognize myself! It took her about two hours to fix my hair and complete my face, something I could never repeat in a million years. In the midst of my two hours in the chair, I learned that Karen has been Michael Jackson's make-up artist for the past 23 years and is a very close friend of his. We couldn't help but inquire how she does his face. But of course she wouldn't tell us. She was good at keeping her secrets. Karen had also worked on the set of the television show Ally McBeal and had lots of stories to tell from that experience. So between listening to Karen and watching the transformation of my hair and face, my two hours in the chair seemed to fly by! I just hope the pictures turn out.
Ken Whelpdale, our mechanic, was busy all week putting the new Shimano 10-speed on our Giants. It's so great, I love it. We were showered with new team clothes from Biemme, both racing and casual. Last July, we were lucky enough to visit the Biemme factory in Italy after finishing the women's Giro. It gave us a chance to really sit down with the Biemme reps and tell them what we liked about their clothing and what we thought they could improve. The girls were also able to pick out some casual clothes for the 2004 season. And although I SWEAR I don't remember this, our director, Jim Miller, assures me that it was I who picked out the bright pink and black "tight" t-shirt. He remembers me saying, "Oh yea Jim, we'll wear pink... it'll look good on us." Well, if you see us in this particular t-shirt this season, let me know what you think. You can't miss it.
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Our reason for being, Bob Stapleton of T-Mobile, lives right up the road from Buellton in San Luis Obispo. He made the trip down daily to check in on us, ride his bike, and help with the organization. After talking with Bob, I always walk away with the greatest feeling, like I can do anything. Bob's got this great knack for making you feel good about yourself. He's definitely a key component of this team's success.
The camp wrapped up on Sunday and we all said our quick good byes. It's only a few weeks until the start of our racing season. Six girls will soon be headed down to Australia to contest the Geelong Tour and the first women's World Cup. The rest of the team will start their season at Valley of the Sun in Arizona. Mari's focusing on the track this season and will compete at the World Cup qualifier in Florida at the end of February. Kim Andersen's focus is the mountain bike circuit, her first love. Between their events, both Mari and Kim will be competing with us on the road, so you'll see T-Mobile everywhere!
After the camp was over, Dede, Kristin, and I headed up to San Luis Obispo to spend a few days with Bob, his wife Tess, and their kids Ali and Sean. Knowing that the 3 of us are major muffin-lovers, Bob sent us on a ride up the coastal mountains to the town of Cambria, directing us to a particular muffin bakery on the main street. Unfortunately, it started raining about 30 minutes into our ride and never stopped. Kristin and Dede were shivering and I couldn't feel my hands by the time we got to Cambria. It was raining so hard we didn't even see the muffin shop as we flew through town, intent on getting back to Bob's as soon as possible. We'll have to hit it next time.
Just a little over two weeks and I'll be headed south to Australia and the start of the season. And I promise to be a bit more prompt with my diary entries once I'm there!
More pics from the T-Mobile training camp.
See you soon,
Kimberly
