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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
Bike washing and plenty of riding
Days 3-6 at the Olympic Training Centre
Day three
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Wow, the days here now seem to blend together as the camp progresses, it has been three 20+ hour days in a row. But something happened to me today that put some perspective on my experience here and its importance. It happened in a coffee shop of all places. Let me explain more fully:
This morning's ride schedule had half of the girls doing testing in the lab and the other half free to do a ride on the road. I went with the group heading out on the road and we had about 90 minutes to ride and be back at the OTC. On the way back we had time for a coffee stop, so we visited a local place. On the way in I noticed three older gentlemen at a table by the door. I had to step around them as one man was in a wheel chair and was not as close to the table as the others.
After standing in line and getting my coffee I headed back to the door to join the others outside. On the way back past the table with the three older men, the man in the wheel chair addressed me. He asked if we had come from the OTC, as he was being treated in the hospital next door to the OTC campus. I paused to enter a conversation with this man as an attempt to recognize the level of achievement of the women I was with. When I told him of the camp and the amazing female riders that were with me, he explained that he was an Olympian himself. He represented the USA in 1956 in Melbourne in road cycling. He was on fire with enthusiasm as he spoke. He was a very proud athlete and told me of his athletic life before the heart attack that left him in the wheelchair.
It was sad that our riding schedule limited the time I could spend with this man; as soon as I heard his story, the camp hit a higher level with me. I never would have expected the most meaningful experience that I have had at the camp to date would happen at the local coffee shop. But I am grateful that it did.
Day four
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Finally got the car in complete form today - racks on and decaled out. I have been waiting on some late arriving details for the car. I was glad when the car rolled out today with two spare bikes and two sets of spare wheels, all with new Hutchinson tires aboard. Two miles into the road ride today one rider found a finishing nail had punctured her sidewall and come back out through her tire's tread. Combined with the flat, a dropped chain and missed traffic light in the next mile put three riders brand new to motor pacing on the rear bumper of the car. Kinda scary.
Tonight I did a 'bike wash' clinic by request of the riders. Imagine riders actually interested in mechanic work! Some stayed around for about 90 minutes, and one rider asked if she could wash her bike completely by herself after I had finished the demonstration. She was good in her first try, I really was amazed. So good that I am going to put her bike out against my bike wash in the morning and let the athletes that did not attend tonight's clinic guess at who washed which bike. Results tomorrow!
Day five
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Last night at the request of some of the athletes I gave a little clinic on the 'pro bike wash'. I laid out all the brushes and cleaning fluids, the buckets and stands and went through the process step by step and answered questions. To my surprise today the girls asked me if it would be OK for them to wash theirs bikes themselves. I was really surprised by this request, but they were serious so I stepped back and let them at it. They were full on, waiting in line to get an open stand. Riders wanting to do the bike wash and not letting me help. I must have done something right last night.
The cumulative fatigue is starting to mount. This morning was the first day that I was fast asleep when the alarm went off at 6:15am. Most days here have been 6:00am - midnight, some a little longer. The rider to staff ratio is 23:2, much more than ever would happen in a team setting. However, we have had some help along the way to get some things done.
The girls went for a velodrome orientation today, and some took to it so well that they went back and did the Friday night race series tonight. All on the first day on the bike - very cool.
Tomorrow is the TT at the camp, a test for everyone. Some tired legs around the dinner table tonight, so we will see how the TT shapes up.
Day six
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Another day, another 6:15am wake up call to wash the follow car. Cool thing about that is that the weather is always beautiful here in Colorado Springs in the morning. Clear skies and huge mountains in the backdrop of the rising sun. However, every afternoon at about 2:00pm the dark clouds form over the mountains and the rain comes. Every day, like clockwork.
Today was the time trial for the camp. There was a lot of tension among the girls about the results and their meaning. And to top that we had a little timing issue/problem. Had to keep that on the downlow.
The rest of the day involved a few bike tweaks and then I was forced to head off campus for some small parts. I needed a bucket/strap for a Sidi shoe, a computer mount and a Speedplay part. It was my first time to go there, but I was really impressed with the guys at Pro Cycling in Colorado Springs; super helpful. For all the mechanical stuff that has gone wrong this week with 23 bikes that don't see team mechanics, I have been lucky to get away with only one trip to a local bike shop.
Tonight we had a group discussion after dinner and the staff fielded questions from the riders on a variety of topics. To my surprise, lots of riders wanted to know about mechanical issues. It has always seemed to me that the better a rider was in ability, the less concerned about the actual workings of a bike. 'As long as it gets in the 11' is a phrase I hear a number of times.
Epic ride planned for tomorrow; six hours, 10,000ft of elevation and hopefully good weather. We were not lucky last year, so we'll see this year.
Chris
