World Champions – Again

Backstage before receiving their gold medals, I snapped this photo for Twitter.

A year ago, I was driving through Western Nebraska when the BMC Racing Team won the world team time trial championships in Ponferrada, Spain.

This year, I was actually on-site in Richmond, Virginia, to watch the "sweet repeat" (as I headlined it on Facebook). Yes, "They Did It! Again!" (as mentioned on Twitter) made for a nice trip.

There was all kinds of chaos in the celebration - and none of it was seen on TV.

In The News: World Team Time Trial

Look closely and you might see someone you might recognize (besides Taylor Phinney).

Opening Presents

Julia and one of the custom pillows from Santa.

I will let Olivia explain the "hand-on-the-nose" gesture happening here.

Veronica made this amazing poster for me.

Olivia was clearly happy with this present.

The opening of presents was clearly the highlight of the day.

Bob Cullinan sent a calendar featuring some of his amazing photos.

Sponsor Shoots

Taylor Phinney is first up on the sponsor shoot front
at the BMC Racing Team camp.

Busy Saturday Outdoors

Lauren and her unusual head gear were soaring high (with help from a ladder).

The weather this month has been unusually mild, with afternoon temperatures in the low to mid 50s. Saturday was no exception and we took full advantage of it by getting outside.

In addition to a few games of kickball and throwing and kicking the football around, I also asked Emily to help clean the gutters. This led to some nice photo opportunities (see below), as well as Lauren going halfway up the ladder before chickening out and heading back down.

There was also a bit of dress up taking place indoors, as Veronica went through my BMC Racing Team wardrobe to become Taylor Phinney. Yes, she said she was dressing up as Taylor Phinney. If he only knew...

Veronica started with my Oakley glasses and a BMC Racing Team podium cap.

She eventually donned all kinds of BMC Racing Team riding gear.

This massive promotional elevator from Aksarben Cinema was a nice thought
and gift from Uncle Jon and Aunt Bridget. But it didn't fit through the basement door.

Which princess is behind this character from "Hotel Transylvania"?

Veronica had her own scary dude.

Here is Lauren's favorite guy from the movie.

Emily had a little fun after she was done cleaning the gutters.

Veronica also got a little time in on her bike.

This is what was left of that elevator cutout after Julia and Olivia broke it down.

We also moved Aunt Jean's organ, with some help from Uncle Neil.

Trip To Boulder

I traveled to Boulder to facilitate Taylor Phinney's pre-Olympic press conference.

The Busy Day

This was my first glimpse of Taylor Phinney this year.
So today was an incredibly busy day. I'll only hit the highlights here because I'm short on time. But overall, it will go down as one of my most productive and most enjoyable road trips of all time. (Others: Tyler Hamilton ESPN.com interview in Boulder, 2008 trip to the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and the 2008 Tour of Britain).

Church at St. Anthony's was certainly memorable. They asked visitors to stand before mass. I acted like I didn't hear them. (I also ignored the people looking at me.) I later wondered what they would have done had I stood up.

The velodrome session at the Home Depot Center/ADT Events Center (or whatever they call it) was awesome. I've seen photos and watched webcasts of the track, but had never been to the facility. It is awesome. And USA Cycling does a great job of not letting you know that volleyball and basketball courts are located on the infield and time is rented out to youth teams. It was quite a sight, watching one of the world's top track cyclists (Taylor Phinne) spin around the track while a bunch of parents cheered on their kids, not knowing the "Michael Jordan of cycling" was in their midst.

Other observations: The banking is really steep. Track racing is cool to watch. Roger Young is the best at what he does when it comes to training track riders.

My one regret on the day: That I didn't get a photo of a surfer dude walking down the street upon my arrival in Marina del Ray. The beach was less than 100 meters from the street, yet I didn't take a moment to check it out. Yep, now I regret it. I'm also going to miss the 60 degree temperatures when I get back to Omaha.

These guys were in front of me on the way to Marina del Ray.

NFL playoff games are on early on Sunday nights in California.

Taylor and his father, Davis, being interviewed by Nick Heil.

Yep, basketball and volleyball courts are on the infield.


Some of Greg LeMond's jerseys and bikes are on display.


A tribute to the Olympic velodrome is also on display.