Last week I was in Boise, Idaho for team exergy's first camp of 2011. It was unbelievable. The new kits are amazing and every day I suit up I feel like I'm an astronaut ready to giver. Here we go!
On Wednesday Jan 27th, Quinn and I got picked up by Gary Allen in Portland. Gary has been a supporter of the team for the last few years and is none other than the brother of Mark Allen, KONA World Champion! BAM! We had lots to talk about throughout the +7 hr drive. On the way out of town we stopped by the Castelli warehouse and met some of the staff. Quite an operation. CastelliUSA is based in Portland and since I first opened my new kit I can't believe how comfortable + sleek + ridable it is. There is a reason why Castelli is the top brand in the world.
The first evening we had a little meet and greet at team business manager Dave Beck's home in Boise. We did the 'round-the-table' where you from and what you look forward to. This is also the home where a few of us will be living once we move to Boise full-time in March. I can't wait to get back to town and get all situated.
The next morning we met at service course (the team's management and equipment headquarters). We started the day with a great meeting discussing rider expectations, contract and travel details and the year's schedule. I mostly did a lot of listening, not asking too many questions. Of course as a reward for making it through the business-end, we finished the meeting with the unwrapping/opening of all of our new gear! That means that all those boxes, which are now full....got to get opened! BAM! Green eggs and ham! You name it, we got it! Castelli sweater, Smith racing and casual glasses, Hammer products, Castelli winter ware, Smith casual ware, Bont shoes and Speedplay pedals. Below Eric Barlevav and Matt Cooke (2008 Interview) check out the new Smith racing shades as Tad Hamilton (Director Sportif) looks on; Scott Cross (Team Manager) is busy on the phone making plans for the season as usual.
Quinn strikes a pose next to our new F1 Felt bikes. They'll be ready for team camp in California starting February 12th. I can't wait to sprint and descend on them carbon spaceships! No one else in the world has their Felt frames yet (no retailers or anyone) so a big shout out to Felt bikes for helping us get out on the road as soon as possible. Thanks Felt!
Here are all the team's products, well displayed right at the entrance of service course. Look at that crank! Peanut Butter and Jam! (On a Canadian tangent now....Bubs, Lahey)
Service Course in its entirety.
For the next two days, the team managers rushed us around town. The list of errands included bike fittings @WN Precision, a visit with team seigneur Mark Dauenhauer, a schedule meeting with Tad, a photoshoot with McManus Photography @Modern Hotel & Bar plus a stop at Foot Dynamics to meet Jeff the foot doctor. Jeff uses bladder technology to cut down on possible errors associated with foam-crush based molds. Therefore he used the machine pictured directly below as opposed to the vacuum machine to the right. He also heated up the Bont shoes to make sure we got my big toes in da boots. Bont heel cup = money. Sprinting here I come! Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the majic of Foot Dynamics.
After a big photoshot, we took off for dinner. Smash burger was on the menu, then......
GO-KARTS!
It was fast, it was fun and damn I've missed sliding on all four wheels
On Friday I met our team mechanic, Bruiser (his real name is Chris). The Williams wheels also came out of the boxes that morning so there were lots of fast things to check out. The new Williams disc is unlike any disc I've ever seen. I'll get a picture at training camp. Also pictured below is Scott Cross, one of the team's managers. He is based in Ventura, California so we will be going down to his neck of the woods next week.
Some Hammer products and ProHelmet gear brough back from the photoshoot. Team exergy is part of ProHelmet's bike safety advocacy program which takes the community's youth from non-helmet wearing vigilantes to helmet wearing little rippers. Follow along with Boise youth cycling community with the Byrds Cycling Team.
Speaking of Boise's youth cycling community, introducing Byrds founder and team exergy business manager Dave Beck. Emiliano of Heybuckshot shoots the service course in the background.
Team Trailer
Sponsors
Remi McManus (2001 U.S. Elite Road Race Champ) checks out the 2011 gear
Tom Coleman (WN Precision), Scott Cross, Kai Applequist (rider) & Dave Beck
The caravan. The Mini has 4 bucket sets!
The third day of camp featured as the main reason behind this camp. We met all of the sponsors and got a chance to hear more about their respective companies. That is why it was slated as Sponsor Education Camp. This has never really been done before and it allowed us riders to ask questions about the products so that we can better answer your questions when we see you at the races. So if you want to know more about K-edge (designed specifically for World Champion and Boise's own Kristin Armstrong) just ask! The camp ended with a big night out on the town. Dressed up in the best shirt I had, I mingled with sponsors from exergy development group, explained how the peloton works and discussed the races that I'm most excited about this season.
The biggest and best news from team camp is of course last. Instead of spilling the beans though, you have to check out the details here!
Team camp in 13 days now! Time to rest up a bit and get in some high quality training in before the spring season starts, ie: my next vacation is May 9th-19th.
Ride your bikes! Post comments! Ask questions! Let me know if you like the musical additions or anything else you would like know about bike racing.
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