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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.
USA Cycling Women's Development Camp - July 2005
Future champions
Days one and two at the Olympic Training Centre
The Tour dominates the world, even here at the Olympic Training Centre in Colorado Springs, Colorado...
Day one
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Greetings cyclingnews.com readers! With the 4th of July with fireworks going off all round, I sit in the workshop at USACycling about to close out day one of the 2005 Women's Development Camp. 90% of our riders got here today; some are just coming off the stage race in Fitchburg on the east coast. For the most part, today involved assembling bikes and checking riders into their rooms, helping them find the cafeteria, etc. This evening we headed over to the track to watch some velodrome racing. Then a late dinner and most riders headed off to sleep.
My evening was spent unpacking bikes and assembling equipment for tomorrow. The bike shop at USACycling is an interesting place, filled with history. On the ceilings reside national team bikes that date back to the 1984 Olympics. All around are decals and signs from races all over the world, a good number from the era of elite amateur racing in the Olympics. Classic races like Settimana Bergamasca, Road Worlds in 1986 and the Tour Feminine. It is a cool place to work as a mechanic; you get the feeling of those who have passed before you, the hours of toil, the innumerous late nights.
Tomorrow the fun begins with some maximal testing and then an easy road ride in the afternoon. Because of the holiday today, I am awaiting the shipping delivery man tomorrow, we are expecting a number of items to complete the selection of spares and support equipment for the camp. Beside the riding and the bikes, tomorrow will also involve installing a roof rack on the follow car, prepping spare bikes and wheels and decaling the car.
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We have been really fortunate this year to have a number of people and companies help out with the camp. On the technical side I am grateful for the support of Karl at Pedros, Brett at Ultimate Support, Marc at Hutchinson Tires, and AJ at Victory Circle Graphix. These guys have answered my personal call for help with items that make the camp run smoothly. Additionally, Subaru and RV INNO have ensured that the riders will be fully supported on the road.
The camp has grown a little from last year, We were fortunate to have Katheryn Curi (Webcor) as a camper last year - she went on to win the Elite women's road race [http://www.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2005/jun05/USelite05/USelite055] two weeks ago in Park City. Under the guidance of director Mike Engleman the camp is a little larger this year and an extra day longer. I spoke last year of the pool of campers containing potential 2008 US Olympians. I think that this year's camp also holds a bright future for women's cycling here in the US. Potential National champions, only time will tell. Katheryn provides a great example of what is possible.
Day two
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Day two was time to get more serious. Everyone is now here for the camp, and after a search through two different airlines' baggage systems, the last rider's bike has made it to Colorado Springs. Today was the first big group ride; 22 girls plus a few extras and a car pulling up the rear with Mike Engleman driving. We rode out to the TT course to give the girls a preview of the suffering that is to come on Saturday. 20km of wind and rolling hills. It should be a good test.
Later in the day I gave a more formal lecture titled 'The rider/mechanic relationship'. This was an attempt from the mechanic's side of things to explain our side of the sport and how we integrate into elite cycling. Hopefully the riders learned something that will help them advance in the sport; I didn't see anyone falling asleep, so I was relieved.
Also working with us at this camp is resident track rider extraordinaire, Brad 'the Wonderboy' Huff. He represented the USA at the Pam Am Games in Argentina and brought back a medal in the men's pursuit. He also was on the podium at elite road nationals less than two weeks ago. Great guy and super strong on the bike. He keeps everyone laughing with his comments; my favourite is his quote when we find him in the cafeteria. He says that 'the fat boy has to eat'. Brad isn't exactly fat.
Finally got some shots of the mechanic's shop here at USACycling headquarters. Kinda cool. A few track/TT bikes from Olympic Games of the past hang in the rafters. Check it out.
Finished the day installing a roof rack on the follow car tonight, in the dark. It seems like the external light here on the OTC campus are on a timer and I was about 10 minutes over the limit on the rack install. I'll have to double check the adjustments in the morning as the daylight permits.
Tomorrow holds some power testing for the athletes and the first road ride with some real climbing. It should be interesting.
Chris
