Still here

There have been some small technical difficulties around the fieldwrench offices over the past weeks. Mainly my device to move pictures from my camera to the internet has gone missing so I don't have a ton of pictures to go with right now. I just wanted to let the world know I'm still here. Currently here is Bend.

Here has also been nice. Our hosts added a cat to the house this year so I have even more helpful animals around.

That plus the combination of Back Porch cold brewed coffee by the growler and a few ocean rolls (far right) have kept spirits hight.

As for bike racing, my pictures don't yet exist so I had to steal one from the internet. Photo credit to Velownews.

If you're a fan of the Where's Waldo books you can look for familiar faces.

Did you spot them? That's Ryan Miller on the front right of the pack. On the left, through the trees, Burke and myself in the car.

Hopefully more pictures will reach the internet soon, both from BC and Bend.

 

 

 

 

 

Relaxing

While relaxing before Gastown tonight I bring you two pictures courtesy of Winger Studios (www.wingerstudios.com)

Proof of my enjoyment of warm champagne. Steve's mom is in the background.

Use of profanity is not allowed at our host house. Violators pay me $20. For his fine Staz made me this.

 

Delta 2013

After packing up in Madison we slept for a couple of hours before flying back to Seattle so we could drive to BC.

Highlights of the trip included this automatic shoe shine machine. For only a dollar! Sadly they didn't have red polish for my running shoes.

On the drive up (in the Sprinter van), we saw this wounded Sprinter. Hopefully it's not going to spend too much time on the trailer.

The reason for such a long travel day Saturday was so we could make it back for the Delta road race which, as you may recall from this time last year, Steve Fisher won. There was defending to be done.

This year's race was also UCI sanctioned which attracted some top riders from the US and Canada.

Adam de Vos (Canadian) was one of the local favorites.

However there was also the sign to encourage everyone else.

iPad photo taking was very popular on the course. I was only able to catch a couple of these amazing photographers.

Priceless.

Almost as priceless as....

Steve winning again! Riding away from a 10 man break at about 250 meters, Steve repeats on the top step of the podium. This means two very good things: 1) Steve gets UCI points, which I'm told are a good thing to have 2) I got to enjoy the last few ounces (sorry canada: milliliters) of warm Champagne from the bottom of the bottle.

They gave Steve a pimp cup for winning the race. As true pimps do: he got straight onto that green drank.

Followed quickly by the Hagens Berman social media machine jumping to action to spread the good news to the world.

 

 

 

 

Live (on tape delay) from Madison, WI

The newest adventure brought to you, by me, and to me by USA Cycling took the HB crew to Madison for the 2013 US Amateur Road Race Championships.

There was even a sign at the airport.

With a smaller crew (4 riders) and longer trip we travel a bit lighter than usual. This means once again the hotel parking lot is my workshop. Thankfully there was a nice breeze.

I had to trim the aero extensions on Colby's TT bike about 1.5 cm to make sure it was legal for the race. If you want to read more about why this was necessary please visit www.youtube.com and watch cats riding Roombas instead.

I promise it is much more interesting.

Jon and Alan had previously watched that very same video and are now texting each other about how great it was.

Breakfast early on day 1 before the U23 road race. The counter in our hotel kitchen was packed with stuff. Mainly the 3 aeropresses (2 pictured)

Coffee was much needed since the airline failed to load our bags onto the first plane in Seattle, so we got them in Madison at around midnight. But the stuff arrived in time for racing, which is really all that matters.

And this is serious US National racing, as you can tell by everything having that logo.

Shimano neutral service. They have nice blue cars.

Out in the fields of Wisconson, playing bike racing.

Riders got some encouragement from some junior riders pre riding the course. Silent encouragement.

Our hotel was nice, but it did objectify the guests slightly. We were stored in room 211.

Room 213 was reserved for people who are really bad at finding their room.

Day 2: time trial. Colby our only rider in the TT, so while he was warming up we got to watch the Tour.

Also a change to scope out the tinyest TT bike ever. I was told that many of the parts were custom including the electronic shifting. This must be a fast child's bike.

Colby ripping up the TT course.

and speeding. (Police were unable to catch him)

Bikes getting washed before the road race Friday. Our hotel had a bike wash area in their parking garage. It was very considerate.

Not to mention enough room in the fridge for some water.

Not to mention it was next to a liquor store.

That was also a coffee shop. True one stop shopping.

Road race plans getting laid out for a nice ride in the sun.

(sun)

Usually all the guys numbers are in sequence so I know when they are having issues (the numbers are read on the radio). Since we had a random assortment of numbers I had a cheat sheet going.

Midwest cycling fans lined the road course.

But much like any race, for me it ends the same way. Packing bikes to fly home.

Next stop: Canada.