European Trip: Random Thoughts

Random thoughts while I watch the women's cyclocross world championships:

• I've seen the movie, "Salt" twice now (both times returning from Europe on Delta) and really liked it. I couldn't remember how it ended until I saw it the second time.
• You always miss the little things in Europe: microwave popcorn (though I brought some this time), being able to watch more than two channels on TV that are in English, Walgreen's (for photo developing).
• They didn't make me take my shoes off going through security in Paris. Hmm.
• Always like catching up to Dr. Max Testa and hearing his stories of races gone by. If I headlined a story, "Were Hampsten and Alcala Poisoned Before '87 Tour Stage?" would that get your attention? That was an interesting story, to say the least.
• I learned a new trick to get my own empty row on European flights – board last. So, instead of sitting in the row I was supposed to, I 1) checked to see who I was supposed to be sitting next to; 2) looked for an open two-seat row. There was one – all the way in the back. At first, I was worried the seats wouldn't recline (they don't always), but they did. So I made myself at home back there. Another nicety of sitting in the back? Having the restroom right behind you.
• I don't normally like Delta, but "Nemo" (real name Alexis) took care of me. She was the flight attendant who left stuff on the seat next to me while I was sleeping so I wouldn't miss it. She even offered me ice cream as we were landing because I had missed it. Here we were, less than 10 minutes from landing and she's offering me ice cream.
• Team Type 1 has a bus? http://yfrog.com/h2vdhqj You had to know that was coming, but it's a physical sign of how much that team has stepped up.
• Have you heard the Jacksons' song, "Can You Feel It?" I heard it on an 80s radio station online and couldn't recall it from its original release. But I liked it so much, I downloaded it. In two days, I've listened to it 75 times (as of this writing).
• Why did my apartment smell like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies when I came home? And where is my iPod? I know I had it on the drive home from the airport.

Back In California

Host housing in Redlands, Calif., is first class.
So I'm back in California for the third time this year. This time, it's for the 26th annual Redlands Bicycle Classic. The four-day stage race is one of the longest-running events on the National Racing Calendar.

This is my third time at this race. In 2008, I was here with Rock Racing (which won the race overall). Last year, it was Team Type 1. This year, Fly V Australia.

On the flight out of Omaha, I was nearly bumped. But flying through Phoenix had its benefits, as a snowstorm in Denver all but shuttered that airport and stranded travelers nationwide. Surprisingly, when I boarded my flight to Ontario, Calif., (not Ontario, Canada) the plane was nearly empty.

The other interesting aspect of my travel Wednesday was running into the Azusa Pacific basketball team. Coincidentally, I had watched highlights of the NAIA school losing by one point (the potential game-winning basket was waved off) to Dallas Baptist.

The airport in Ontario, Calif. seemed strangely empty.

BMC Training Camp: On My Way

A final photo to show the scene in Omaha the night before my departure.
So I left early Wednesday for my first trip of 2010, headed to California for the BMC Racing Team's training camp.

I have been to Santa Rosa, Calif., three times previously: all during the stages of the Amgen Tour of California. Here are my memories of each trip:

2007 (working with Toyota-United):
First memory: that the press room was about a seven-block walk from the finish line. To this day, this is the farthest I have had to walk from finish line to press room at any race. Ever. I will also not forget how packed the stage finish was for this race. How packed? I had to use my whistle to cut a line nine-deep at the finish line just to get across the street. And I also made the mistake of not being on the right side of the street (one I have never made again) for the finish of the race. Course marshals cut off access to crossing 45 minutes before the race arrives. I didn't know that and got stuck on the side of the street opposite the media tent.

So I was left to try and look over the heads of people as the peloton zoomed by for the first of three laps on a finishing circuit through the downtown streets. After the first pass through the finish line, some people left – apparently thinking the race was over. Oops. Good for me, though, as I got to work my way up to a spot about three-deep from the barriers. This was the year that a massive pile-up ensued and I seemed to be the only one who took a time on the gap between the crash and the leaders. It proved to be a moot point in a situation that has since become known as "The Levi Rule."

I also recall staying that night at the "Pink Flamingo" hotel, where I got sick overnight. I was a little concerned I would not be ready to work the next day, but everything worked out and I have yet to get sick at any stage race since (knock on wood).

2008 (working with Rock Racing):
A post-race autograph session is my memory of this year. It was a bit cold and damp after the long, tiring stage. But the Rock Racing riders didn't complain one bit as they signed autographs for about an hour after the race. (The crowds were huge.) This also marks one of the most memorable stages for me for all the wrong reasons. While I was walking back from the media room, cutting through a parking garage and mall, when I received a call that my Uncle (Arch) had died. I was stunned. And I also couldn't talk at length to the person who broke the news to me because I was in the midst of a bit of crisis management related to the autograph signing. It was not a good day.

2009 (working with Team Type 1):
Cold, wet, damp. Those are easy words to describe the stage. Thankfully, Team Type 1 had Joe Haddad and his motorcoach to help keep the riders (and me) warm after the race. I recall Phil Southerland and Fabio Calabria, after being excused from riding the finishing circuits, riding up to the bus. Fabio was so cold he crashed trying to hop a curb. It was a miserable day. By the way, Rock Racing won the stage (a completely unexpected result) and we (then Elevation Sports & Entertainment) did not have a PR person to facilitate the finish line and post-race protocol.

Bike Ride With Bob Schrank

Bob stopped twice during our ride to check his blood sugar.
Team Type 1 Development Team Manager Bob Schrank stopped in Omaha this morning as part of a local appearance (which thankfully I did not have to coordinate).

The best part about his visit was the opportunity to get a quick bike ride in. It was my pleasure to show off part of Omaha's trail system. We headed south toward Bellevue and got about a 15-mile ride in.

Like every rider on Team Type 1's developmental squad, Bob has Type 1 diabetes. He was also captain of the squad that finished second in the Race Across America. So riding 15 miles is hardly even a blip on the radar compared to pedaling more than 2,000 miles across the country.

Meetings (and A Morning Workout)

The conference room where I spent much of Wednesday and Thursday.
Milwaukee - Plenty of discussion, lunch and a nice dinner filled my day on Wednesday. I was able to catch the final outs of the World Series at the dinner. I enjoyed a macaroni-and-cheese-and-chicken dish, plus a piece of pepperoni pizza off the sampler appetizer tray.

Wednesday morning began with a walk down 13 flights of stairs (I was staying on the 16th floor and the workout facility was on the third floor) and 30 minutes on a very cool workout machine with a TV built in. (Sorry, no pictures.)

Joe Eldridge and Phil Southerland each brought
little guns (that shot harmless rings) to the meeting.

It wasn't very exciting at times, as you can see,
but we did accomplish quite a bit.

On The Way To Milwaukee

A tram goes between terminals at the aiport in Minneapolis.
Milwaukee, Wis. - My first trip to Wisconsin since 2003 promises to be a busy one. It's always a rush to get to the airport (no, I don't arrive two hours early) and I usually find myself scrambling to get everything packed. Deciding what to take for what essentially amounts to a two-and-a-half day trip can be tough. And the other consideration is Northwest's $15-per-bag charge - meaning that I have to have room to pack my "sleep machine" in my suitcase on both ends of the flight.

In the interest of saving time, here is Tuesday in pictures (and some words):
A bird's eye view of some of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes.

The plane's shadow is cast on an enormous cloud bank.
I really thought this was a cool part of the flight between Minneapolis and Milwaukee. As we neared Milwaukee, we began traveling over a massive cloud ceiling. It was almost as if we were traveling over a floor or platform of clouds. What was even cooler was the fact that it was brightly lit by the sun - and knowing that everyone beneath the clouds was not seeing the same late-afternoon sunshine.

What is also bizarre is the little ring around the plane (click on the photo to enlarge it). It's almost as if we were in the "sights" of something larger. Weird. When we finally descended through the cloud ceiling (which was probably about 1,500 or 2,000 feet) it wasn't as bumpy as I would have imagined.

The team trucks for Timex (left) and Team Type 1 outside Team Sports.

Inside, a giant poster of the old Saturn Cycling Team
(that's Harm Jansen leading).

Girls, you remember Tom Schuler (from my conference calls).
Here, he poses with "Mr. Twinkie" - another star of the calls.

A photo of the Tour of Americas, featuring Schuler (looking down at left).

Marco (left) and Matt eat wings at a smoky little tavern.
Boy, I love wings! Not. So when I heard we were going to a place that "has the best wings in Milwaukee," you might as well told me we were going for Chinese or Indian. But I toughed it out. Unfortunately, this little place was crowded as heck and we stood for an hour before we got a table.

Then, the smoke started driving me crazy. But I did try some of the "naked" wings that weren't so spicy. Thankfully, Matt Vogels ordered a chicken sandwich - which cleared the way for me to order one. I also helped myself to lots of free popcorn. Jen, our server, enjoyed a nice tip and was probably glad to see us leave after all of our special requests.

Check out all the clocks in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency.