Tour of California Stage 0
Posted on 16. May, 2010 by Jordan in Jordan, Pro Wrenching, The Gear Movers

Garmin Transitions ProTour Mechanic Tom Hopper Getting the Bikes Dialed!
Ever wanted a behind the scenes look at what goes on at a top level pro cycling race in the United States? Look no further! A lot of websites ask for athlete and race related content, what about the fun times that is had by all the support staff in the pro peloton? There are mechanics, sougniers, directors, logistical staff, chefs, bus drivers and many more important people that help each pro team to get through each day and keep the race running behind the scenes!

SRAM's new Aprila Motos and their sweet custom chromed racks!!
I will be spending this week with the Garmin – Transitions Pro Cycling at the Amgen Tour of California. Talk about the real deal! This ProTour level team has it all. We are totally set up with almost 25 staff members for only 8 riders in the race. This large discrepancy means we have our basis covered and every t is crossed and i is dotted, we are dialed!

Rockstar Fly V Australia Director Ed Beamon, apparently too busy to chat with me...
It is now day two of prep before the race and my legs and feet are already done. Standing in parking lot for more than 12 hours a day while running around doing odd jobs from working on bikes, washing bikes, cleaning cars, setting up radios, applying vinyl stickers to rental vehicles and eating burritos! Thats right, we are sponsored by Chipotle, its pretty sweet!

The Fly V Australia mechanics truck and a bike getting unpacked...
Too many words to put into this quick blog right now, so lets let the behind the scenes pictures tell it all…

Fly V Australia mechanic Chris Davidson

Garmin Transitions Chef RV. This bus is for cooking food for the riders only!

Food all over the chef RV. The guys will be eating very well this week!

The mechanics side of the Garmin Transitions Team, nice setup boys!

I worked on these spare bikes today, ready to go for stage 1!

Tom Hopper checking out the new trainers for the TT bikes, kinda cool idea - LeMond Trainers...

USA National TT Champ Dave Zabriskie's new custom TT rig, this thing is dope!
Ben and Nicole go to Moab!
Posted on 05. May, 2010 by Ben in Ben, Nicole, The Gear Movers
So, it was Nicole’s Birthday this past Sunday. She and I got to escape for the weekend thanks to my parents. We drove up I-70 late Thursday afternoon; dropped the kid’s off in Wolcott where my mom and dad were ready to endure a full weekend of chaos. They even took the puppy! We were alone, finally!

The set for the Movie: "127 Hours" About Aron Ralston who had to cut his own arm off after getting stuck in the rocks in Moab
We rolled into Moab and on up to Sandy Flats campground around 7:30. We noticed signs for “127 Hours” – What’s that? Then we saw camera crews, a full Hollywood set-up… later found out it was the filming of the movie about the Aaron Ralston story – the guy who had to cut his own arm off after getting trapped in a canyon on a solo mission. Bonus.
We woke up the next morning – weather was iffy – but it held out long enough for us to ride Slickrock….

Nicole Duke riding the Moab Slickrock

Nicole Duke, posing in Moab, I would say the only time she wasnt hammering me into the ground!
…what a wonderland!
Then the rain came – we hid in our pimped out van for a few hours the reaped the benefits a gnarly storm cloud can have on a sunset!

The Beautiful Moab Sunset
Ya, that’s not a fire.
The next day was a beautiful one – and we cranked out the Porcupine loop – I love this trail and all its wonderful views !!!

On your birthday, can it get any better than this?
Happy Birthday Nicole!!!

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