After riding sweep in Stage Four, Stage Five saw me back on the early team. I was riding solo again sweeping up race notification signs. Why this job isn't give to the local organizing committee, I'll never know. They insist on the signs, why can't they pick them up? (I do realize that this would cost our team jobs...but still)
This time, much to my delight, everything went smoothly. My borrowed Mac laptop running parallels for Delorme street atlas (Delorme: offer this software in Mac format, come on already!) was error free the entire day. Now, its not easy driving 60mph+ while glancing at the laptop perched on the passenger seat, but the course helped by not being overly complicated. Few turns, and a fairly straightforward route made navigation easy.
One thing I will never understand, though, is where some of these signs disappear to. Each location was pinpointed on the map, there was also a paper back-up. I'd arrive at a given intersection expecting to find a pair of signs and often come up empty. Or find just a sandbag, or an A-frame and a sandbag, or some random combination therein. Strange, I guess people really want those A-frames. And the core-plast signs. And sandbags?
Along the way I also helped our other two vans setting out the course. There were KOM and Sprint lines to set, course arrows to post, and cattle guards to mark. I'd love to hear a rider's opinion on the cattle guards, they appear to be quite unpleasant to traverse.
The route into Bakersfield was very strange. No tree cover, no brush, nothing green of any import, but miles and miles of oil wells. And not the modern looking tower things, the cartoon-y ones that look like a drinking bird with the nose rhythmically bobbing up and down. It was a strange and unpretty entrance to town.
As usual, the 1K was placed in hell, nowhere near anything (although it was only 1000m from the finish) and down a pretty steep hill from the finish line. This meant that we couldn't really go to the finish expo, find a decent lunch (crew lunch was served, it wasn't good), or catch up with any of our friends on the finish crew.
One suggestion to the Medalist sports/Amgen organizers: Try to find a way to incorporate the 1K to go (its a huge blimp!) into the finish scheme so that it becomes a destination. Its sad that it often gets placed in no-man's land (Sacramento was an exception, and the crowds around the 1K were great--try to replicate this everywhere!) where it could be used to anchor the finishing straight. It could be so much more, and they're not doing a good job of taking advantage. At least put it where we are close to a cold beer!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Stage Four: San Jose to Modesto
The start of this stage was marred by the previous night's failed attempt to find food outside the hotel. Keith and I walked a bunch of blocks around that joint trying, and failing to find food. We settled for hotel bar quesadillas and beer. It was fine, but it was also really sad that there was nothing but empty lots, closed up stores, and a 7-11.
I rode this stage with the sweep crew which is very cool. The nuts and bolts of the job are simple: pick up all the crap that was put out by the advance crews. The complications: a constantly moving peloton who never stop, people that instantly want to move once the race goes by, local pd who don't know what you're doing, and slack-jawed gawkers.
We, however, got stuck at some point behind a tour ambulance that was off duty...but by the time we realized this it was too late. We were about 7 or 8 miles off the pack, and in the weeds. For the clean up crew, this is not good; it typically means your day is over, and you'll be behind for the rest of the stage.
Thankfully, not only is Racecar Steve an actual race car driver, but he also knew the roads inside and out. Though he was doubtful, and we were afraid that we would be stuck hours late, his ability to drive a pickup truck 80+ mph through winding valley roads. It was a double win, we caught up, and we also had a really great ride. Closed roads are really, really nice!
We pulled into the 1K area absolutely exhausted. Its hard to describe the toll that the jumping in and out of the truck, the sun blaring down, and the constant scanning of the roads takes, the crash after that adrenaline high hits hard.
I rode this stage with the sweep crew which is very cool. The nuts and bolts of the job are simple: pick up all the crap that was put out by the advance crews. The complications: a constantly moving peloton who never stop, people that instantly want to move once the race goes by, local pd who don't know what you're doing, and slack-jawed gawkers.
We, however, got stuck at some point behind a tour ambulance that was off duty...but by the time we realized this it was too late. We were about 7 or 8 miles off the pack, and in the weeds. For the clean up crew, this is not good; it typically means your day is over, and you'll be behind for the rest of the stage.
Thankfully, not only is Racecar Steve an actual race car driver, but he also knew the roads inside and out. Though he was doubtful, and we were afraid that we would be stuck hours late, his ability to drive a pickup truck 80+ mph through winding valley roads. It was a double win, we caught up, and we also had a really great ride. Closed roads are really, really nice!
We pulled into the 1K area absolutely exhausted. Its hard to describe the toll that the jumping in and out of the truck, the sun blaring down, and the constant scanning of the roads takes, the crash after that adrenaline high hits hard.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Stage Three: San Francisco to Santa Cruz
First, no posts due to poor time management, and also hotels that charge for internet access. I thought this shit was free. I'm hoping to blow through the stages I missed in the next few posts.
Rode in the lead van out of San Francisco, left the hotel and hot footed it across the entire city (think bay to breakers) to the start in Golden Gate park. The race cruised down Highway 1 with sprints in Pacifica and Half Moon Bay. Here's a tip to all race planners: don't put a sprint line on a major highway, or four lane, much-used road. Its a pain in the ass and dangerous too. I don't care how many cones you put out, with three lanes of traffic coming blowing by, it could end very badly.
The rest of the stage was fairly uneventful...there were four KOM points on the route from the turn off from the first segment of Highway 1. Three were north of Santa Cruz county, in the hills that overlook Palo Alto and Mountain View (though we never saw either), the final one was on the run in to Santa Cruz. Bonny Doone Road is the turn-in to the climb, and that's a ridiculous street name.
The stage ended in a straight sprint finish. The 1K was marked by a house full of young professional SantaCruzians who were determined to help us have a good time. They graciously offered us use of their bathroom, fed us beer, and even informed us of the city's (very) liberal dope possession laws. Sadly, they never actually offered the dope. We definitely took full advantage of them and their beer!
After the stage wrapped, and we had sorted for the next day, we trekked over to former R&S man Alan's house for some pizza, beer, wine, and tour watching. It was really great to catch up with him, meet his wife, and envy his beautiful house. Alan seems to have figured something about life out, I'm hoping that it's not too hard for the rest of us to learn too...
Rode in the lead van out of San Francisco, left the hotel and hot footed it across the entire city (think bay to breakers) to the start in Golden Gate park. The race cruised down Highway 1 with sprints in Pacifica and Half Moon Bay. Here's a tip to all race planners: don't put a sprint line on a major highway, or four lane, much-used road. Its a pain in the ass and dangerous too. I don't care how many cones you put out, with three lanes of traffic coming blowing by, it could end very badly.
The rest of the stage was fairly uneventful...there were four KOM points on the route from the turn off from the first segment of Highway 1. Three were north of Santa Cruz county, in the hills that overlook Palo Alto and Mountain View (though we never saw either), the final one was on the run in to Santa Cruz. Bonny Doone Road is the turn-in to the climb, and that's a ridiculous street name.
The stage ended in a straight sprint finish. The 1K was marked by a house full of young professional SantaCruzians who were determined to help us have a good time. They graciously offered us use of their bathroom, fed us beer, and even informed us of the city's (very) liberal dope possession laws. Sadly, they never actually offered the dope. We definitely took full advantage of them and their beer!
After the stage wrapped, and we had sorted for the next day, we trekked over to former R&S man Alan's house for some pizza, beer, wine, and tour watching. It was really great to catch up with him, meet his wife, and envy his beautiful house. Alan seems to have figured something about life out, I'm hoping that it's not too hard for the rest of us to learn too...
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Stage Two: Davis to Santa Rosa
I should tell you that the stage was sponsored by Nissan. Like I said, we mostly drive Fords...except for the sweep trucks. Those are Nissan--Titans; one is a 4X4, the other is not, not like it matters. Both of the guys who pilot those things tend to drive 'em like they stole em.
Davis, CA is among the cycling capitals of the nation. This was evidenced by the 6-10 riders we saw on the road at 6:00am when we left the start line heading for Santa Rosa. Also with us at that point--the sun. Or at least it looked like it at sunrise.
The run to the first sprint in Winters, CA was quite uneventful, tea and coffee were consumed, odds and ends were adjusted in the cabin. Life was good. On the other end of the sprint at Winters was an excellent breakfast--I had sausage biscuits with gravy--great!
It's not that the day went slowly downhill from there, its just that it tumbled there quickly at the end. Into Santa Rosa we were treated to showers and areas of heavier rain. Lots of comparisons to 'last year' and then tales of how 'the entire race was that way' and 'one day of rain was nothing...' Well. Our post at the 1k was wet when we got there. It was wet when the riders came through. It was raining enough that our tent collected marshall stragglers who sought refuge. It also never stopped being wet.
As the race ended and we prepared to set off to a special event set up by Steve A. the most beautiful sound came wafting out of the mission right next to where we were set up. A chorus of men singing hymns seeking some sort of earthly salvation. That day the rains made sense.
Davis, CA is among the cycling capitals of the nation. This was evidenced by the 6-10 riders we saw on the road at 6:00am when we left the start line heading for Santa Rosa. Also with us at that point--the sun. Or at least it looked like it at sunrise.
The run to the first sprint in Winters, CA was quite uneventful, tea and coffee were consumed, odds and ends were adjusted in the cabin. Life was good. On the other end of the sprint at Winters was an excellent breakfast--I had sausage biscuits with gravy--great!
It's not that the day went slowly downhill from there, its just that it tumbled there quickly at the end. Into Santa Rosa we were treated to showers and areas of heavier rain. Lots of comparisons to 'last year' and then tales of how 'the entire race was that way' and 'one day of rain was nothing...' Well. Our post at the 1k was wet when we got there. It was wet when the riders came through. It was raining enough that our tent collected marshall stragglers who sought refuge. It also never stopped being wet.
As the race ended and we prepared to set off to a special event set up by Steve A. the most beautiful sound came wafting out of the mission right next to where we were set up. A chorus of men singing hymns seeking some sort of earthly salvation. That day the rains made sense.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Stage One: Nevada City to Sacramento
I guess the acid test for any plan is the first day that plan has to be implemented. Stage One of a tour always provides that for the routing and sign crew.
Van organization is challenged by actually needing to get supplies out in a timely way. Old legs are stretched getting in and out of trucks. Directionality is challenged by an entirely new course and set of turns.
After a long lay-off from the thrust and cut of a major bike race, I was thrust into collecting local race notification signs from the course, and was set out all by myself due to a prior pick-up clustershag. I was then cut by those same signs I was charged with collecting. Stupid staples. (and true to form, by the end of the day I had re-earned my previous tour nickname).
This was all compounded by the fact that the GPS that I was relying on (since I lost my co-driver in the clustershag) crapped out about 50 or so miles into the stage. At one point, it showed that I was traveling ENE at 165mph...by the time I caught it, my van's virtual location was somewhere east of Lake Erie. Needless to say, this situation was never resolved; I pressed on--and I can assure you, nearly every sign got collected.
I swear I got every sign, boss!
At the end of the stage, everything went off without a hitch, and we're always really hoping that it looks that way on TV. If it looks like there were no errors to the viewer at home, than we all did our jobs to perfection. Sadly, I can't actually tell you who won the stage, we were too busy getting our blimp put away, and setting up for Stage Two.
That's the blimp...HTC powered through!
I even got to trackstand this sweet Pennyfarthing on the way to dinner.
(while on the phone)
All photos by Turbo Bushnell...
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sacto to Grass Valley
The day before the day is always nice. Nothing too pressing to do, lots of sorting and adjusting...
We have three Ford vans, and two F-250s. Sounds good enough, but when you load them down with eight days worth of signs, sign stands, and sandbags, (and other assorted crap) you end up hoping for about 100 more horsepower. Sadly, it never arrives.
And these vans. The high-water mark must have been when Dodge sponsored the Tour de Georgia and the advance trucks were Sprinters, and they were just fantastic. The switch to panel vans came the next year when Dodge dropped their sponsorship. It's never been the same.
This year (and they tell me in years past) there are three vans. The main Routing van is piloted by Rob and assisted by Sabra; the secondary van (and my previous post) is piloted by Mark with Terry riding shotgun. These two vans set out 4 (if you're lucky) hours before the race starts to set out all the course arrows and UCI mandated technical signs. This is really glam work.
The wrinkle is in the third van. This van's first priority is picking up the traffic advisory signs that have been out for a long while alerting the local driving populace to the fact that on race day, there are going to be delays. Sadly, I'm guessing that we're going to have people complaining about delays; signs seem to do no good.
The final truck (*This year* we have two) is a pickup (two, due to the fact that the race organizer could not unfuck themselves enough to rent a full-sized bed pickup truck) these guys are tasked with picking up all the signs that the first two vans put up. This year, due to the error, we have two pickups--short bed. This means that I lost my navigator to the two pick up crew and my man Keith joins Steve and Steve in the sweep crew.
I know we're all looking forward to the early (*7am--not early) start tomorrow!
We have three Ford vans, and two F-250s. Sounds good enough, but when you load them down with eight days worth of signs, sign stands, and sandbags, (and other assorted crap) you end up hoping for about 100 more horsepower. Sadly, it never arrives.
And these vans. The high-water mark must have been when Dodge sponsored the Tour de Georgia and the advance trucks were Sprinters, and they were just fantastic. The switch to panel vans came the next year when Dodge dropped their sponsorship. It's never been the same.
This year (and they tell me in years past) there are three vans. The main Routing van is piloted by Rob and assisted by Sabra; the secondary van (and my previous post) is piloted by Mark with Terry riding shotgun. These two vans set out 4 (if you're lucky) hours before the race starts to set out all the course arrows and UCI mandated technical signs. This is really glam work.
The wrinkle is in the third van. This van's first priority is picking up the traffic advisory signs that have been out for a long while alerting the local driving populace to the fact that on race day, there are going to be delays. Sadly, I'm guessing that we're going to have people complaining about delays; signs seem to do no good.
The final truck (*This year* we have two) is a pickup (two, due to the fact that the race organizer could not unfuck themselves enough to rent a full-sized bed pickup truck) these guys are tasked with picking up all the signs that the first two vans put up. This year, due to the error, we have two pickups--short bed. This means that I lost my navigator to the two pick up crew and my man Keith joins Steve and Steve in the sweep crew.
I know we're all looking forward to the early (*7am--not early) start tomorrow!
Friday, May 14, 2010
California: Achieved
The hardest part of any tour, really is just getting there. After that, the days in the race blend together--one start looks sadly like another, one finish just like the day before. The work is the same, too. Wake up early, hit the road, put up (or take down) signs. The variation is limited.
Getting there, on the other hand--that's tough. The Amgen Tour of California calls the west coast home...Our crew is 8, and a mix of east and west coasties. Us easterly brothers had early wake ups (except Keith) of 4am or so and flights that departed at 7am. Our westerly bros had fairly normal days, except that they drove to Sacramento in the middle of it
My trip started out well enough, I was plenty early to Newark, and found the lounge with an hour to spare. Aside from some catering-related delays we made Salt Lake City with about 30 minutes to spare, and happily, my bag made the trip to the new gate too, which meant that I had clean skivvies in Sacramento. It did preclude getting food, sadly, which is why I just ate for the first time at 8pm California time
There's a palpable sense of anticipation here, helped along by the fact that the race has laid siege to this Holiday Inn (thank god I'm on the executive level...oh the masses), so you have a large gathering of like-minded individuals all in the same place. It's like a bizarro furry convention except that the idols being worshipped are typically skinny euro dudes with shaved legs and skin-tight clothing. Also, they don't seem to be staying at this hotel.
I did see Sherwen (FYI: @paulsherwen) and Liggett (FYI: @philliggett ) here earlier, so I can confirm that cycling royalty are in the house.
It seems like the day's travel has worn out the R&S crew, half are in bed, and some are driving cars around this part of California looking for parking. Tomorrow promises to be an excellent day of packing and repacking crap in vans, and then driving. Welcome to the tour!
Getting there, on the other hand--that's tough. The Amgen Tour of California calls the west coast home...Our crew is 8, and a mix of east and west coasties. Us easterly brothers had early wake ups (except Keith) of 4am or so and flights that departed at 7am. Our westerly bros had fairly normal days, except that they drove to Sacramento in the middle of it
My trip started out well enough, I was plenty early to Newark, and found the lounge with an hour to spare. Aside from some catering-related delays we made Salt Lake City with about 30 minutes to spare, and happily, my bag made the trip to the new gate too, which meant that I had clean skivvies in Sacramento. It did preclude getting food, sadly, which is why I just ate for the first time at 8pm California time
There's a palpable sense of anticipation here, helped along by the fact that the race has laid siege to this Holiday Inn (thank god I'm on the executive level...oh the masses), so you have a large gathering of like-minded individuals all in the same place. It's like a bizarro furry convention except that the idols being worshipped are typically skinny euro dudes with shaved legs and skin-tight clothing. Also, they don't seem to be staying at this hotel.
I did see Sherwen (FYI: @paulsherwen) and Liggett (FYI: @philliggett ) here earlier, so I can confirm that cycling royalty are in the house.
It seems like the day's travel has worn out the R&S crew, half are in bed, and some are driving cars around this part of California looking for parking. Tomorrow promises to be an excellent day of packing and repacking crap in vans, and then driving. Welcome to the tour!
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