The Shimano camp
Photo: © Chris Davidson

Wrenchin' in the USA: The Chris Davidson diary 2005

Chris Davidson is a mechanic for Shimano Multi-Service doing neutral tech support at road and mountain bike races..

Chris' diary entries show us what life is like inside the pits and give an insight into the mind of a mechanic.

Index to all entries

Keiichi Tsujiura’s top tube decal Photo ©: Chris Davidson	Ford Racing’s women Photo ©: Chris Davidson
Shimano is very proud Photo ©: Chris Davidson	Square scandium tubing Photo ©: Chris Davidson
Carbon seatstays Photo ©: Chris Davidson	Kona’s Kris Sneddon 2005 race rig Photo ©: Chris Davidson
The Kona team van Photo ©: Chris Davidson

NORBA NCS Series #1 ,Tapatio Springs, TX, USA, March 3-6, 2004

Day two - Friday, March 4: Mud and new gear

The weather for day two was less than pleasant; it rained/misted all morning, and temperatures were in the 50s. This made for bikes caked in mud and slick conditions on the rocky terrain. Friday featured the marathon on a course about 20 miles away, and a short TT which served as the first stage of the overall format for the Pros.

We had some special visitors in the Shimano tent today; the Bridgestone Anchor riders for Japan are here with their legendary mechanic, 'Bassman'. These guys are the best riders in Japan, national champions in mtb and cyclocross. They last joined us at Mt Snow in 2004, and they regularly make a trip over to the US for some racing. One of them, Keiichi Tsujiura is the current Japanese national cyclocross champion. As Shimano is based in Japan, and they are very proud of Japanese riders, they made him a special pair of the new M225 mountain bike shoes. Check out the photo. I also thought that it was interesting that Keiichi had his blood type designated on his top tube decal. One tough racer.

I got some more photos of the new 2005 Kona race bikes. Kona signed Roland Green for 2005 and I got some shots of his new dual suspension bike getting built up. The bike features Scandium tubing that goes from round to square when it reaches the welding points. Team mechanic Robin Sansom say this 2005 change was to help make a stiffer frame. With Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks, Kona sports some very tall riders, so the extra measures with the tubing help. The rear ends on the bikes feature carbon seatstays, also new for 2005.

Finally, some of the nicest pro women, the Ford cycling team are sporting a new trailer and a team mechanic for 2005. Former pro rider and 'Super D' ace, Billy Holmes is doing the wrenching for the Ford girls for 2005. The extra support should be quite helpful for these very competitive women. I have a feeling 2005 is going for be a good year for them.

Short track cross-country racing runs right by our tent tomorrow, I hope the weather is better.

Until then, thanks for reading,
Chris Davidson