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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.
NORBA #3 - Deer Valley, Utah, June 17-19
Day One In Deer Valley: Back in the Dirt and Loving It
Greetings Cyclingnews.com fans, Chris Davidson back on the dirt at NORBA #3 in Deer Valley, Utah. This race is kinda interesting for a number of reasons:
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1. NORBA racing again, after a three month break
2. Back to the dirt for me, I haven't even unpacked my tool case from the Montreal/Philly
trip and thrown all the mtb tools back in
3. Altitude, 7000+ft
4. The venue is less than 30 minutes from my house, I get to wrench at the races
and sleep in my own bed!
Needless to say I am very excited about the racing at Deer Valley this weekend. After a pretty steady day in the tent working on bikes I got to get out and ride some of the sweetest single track trails anywhere - my own backyard. Lots of locals in attendance today so there was no lack of conversation in the tent. It was good to catch up with some faces that I have not seen in three months, the rest of the mtb mechanics. I got to wrap with Zak [Trek], Tom [Giant], and Billy [Intense] and get back up to speed with the dirt scene. I am still looking for Dara Marks of Ford Cycling, it is her birthday this weekend and she has big plans for this event, namely the podium. My new boss, Dave Arnauckas of Shimano, is a little slow on the derailler tune, his right arm is still in a cast from a little mtb accident. He can still torque a BB cup with the best of them, despite the injury.
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I got to work on Shonny Vanlandingham's Santa Cruz today as it had something weird going on with a brake line, it looks like Santa Cruz has a couple of versions of the Blur this year, Shonny's one is the XC version.
Out on the trail this evening Brent Miller [WTB] ran up behind me and said hello. He just returned from Oz and said that he ran into Oenone Wood [Nurnberger] this past week. Oenone left for down under after Philly, and the chance meeting with Brett in a café brings the last two weeks for me in a complete circle. Weird.
More work on the schedule for me tomorrow - I get the idea that this event will be much better attended than either of the first two NORBAs. I am looking forward to it, stop by the trailer and say hi if you are in town. My town for once. See you there.
Chris Davidson
