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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 Three in Deer Valley - Birthday celebrations
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Day three saw the celebration of Dara Marks-Marino's 30th on the start line to the women's XC in Deer Valley. One of the nicest riders in the bunch was all grins as the focus was on her during the pre-race intros.
A couple of interesting things with the racing: the 'parade lap' and gravity sector. First up the pros had to do a parade lap around the paved crit course for last year's masters nationals before heading out on the dirt. The course here in Deer Valley is so narrow, leaving it hard to pass on the single track, that the organisers had both men's and women's fields do a road lap with a flying start. Never before have I seen a NORBA race start with a Chevy Suburban as a lead vehicle!
Gravity. After the first two NORBA venues of 2005 being in relatively unfriendly places for the gravity events, there seems to be a happy vibe from the gravity racers here in Deer Valley. Always good to put the 'Mountain' back in 'mountain bike racing'.
I got a bunch of pics today, so I am going to let them do the rest of the talking. I hope that you enjoy. Good stuff tomorrow - the insanity of STXC right in the heart of the venue. Always a good time - see you there.
Chris Davidson
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Chris Davidson
- Dara Marks-Marino [Ford] turns 30 today, and was a happy camper
- Very blingbling! Haro rider Chris Sheppard was sporting a new bright gold frameset
- The Euro pro riders came out due to the E1 UCI status
- What are these gravity riders grinning about?
- The Chevy Suburban which led the riders on a lap of the paved roads before hitting the dirt
- Dara Marks-Marino [Ford] smiling with all the attention from her birthday celebration
- Old guys win big in Deer Valley: 65+ XC winner Art O’Conner
- The men line up for the XC start
- Trent Lowe [Subaru-Gary Fisher] leads the men onto the dirt after the parade lap
