Silver City , New Mexico
Tour of the GILA powered by SRAM
May 1st - 5th, 2013.
UCI America Tour / NRC National Racing Calendar.
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GILA was my first tour ever with a professional cycling team. I had joined Optum Pro Cycling in April and was asked to work GILA as the men's team mechanic. A few weeks before the tour I had possession of the team car. I took off at noon from Los Angeles to Silver City, NM. 700 miles in one day. It felt a lot like Rat Race (the movie). Literally, that was my only reference to Silver City.
The excitement of working with a pro team was enormous. It really was a dream come true for me.
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| Arizona Black Top |
I reached Silver City at midnight and meet Bob Gregorio a.k.a Bicycle Bob. Optum's senior mechanic. The
following day we began tuning the race bikes, TT bikes, spare bikes,
gluing a dozen or more tubular tires, swapping cassettes, washing wheel sets, vehicles and
trailer.
A lot goes into making these festivals happen and the behind
the scenes people are rarely talked about. The soigneurs are preparing
bottles for the riders and bags for the feed zones. The directors are
planning their strategies and analyzing each stage prologue. The riders are physically and mentally
preparing themselves to race for a podium number in a world renowned race.
It's all a Big Deal! and only possible if everyone is pulling together.
The operations of repair and maintenance are repetitive so, that it can be a natural flow.
It's figuring out the most efficient system and thorough technique to maintenance, repair and clean.
We strip the bikes and wash everything by hand and reassemble it under the awning.
We fine tune each Race & TT bicycle along with preparing extra wheel sets in case of emergency.
Bicycle Bob gives each bike the quality-tune approval before it is stored away.
Our bicycles need to be meticulous so that our riders can feel completely confident.
If there is any adjustments needed we are informed right away.
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| Robert Gregorio a.k.a Bicycle Bob |
THE RACE BEGINS
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Pro Continental Teams
- Novo Nordisk (USA)
- UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA)
Continental Teams
- 5-hour ENERGY presented by Kenda Racing Team (USA)
- BISSELL Pro Cycling (USA)
- Bontrager Cycling Team (USA)
- EKOÏ/Devinci Pro Cycling Team (CAN)
- Jelly Belly P/B Kenda (USA)
- Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
- Team Jamis – Hagens Berman (USA)
Elite Teams
- BMC Development Team (USA)
- Canyon Bicycles (USA)
- CashCall Mortgage (USA)
- Hagens Berman Cycling (USA)
- Landis – Trek (USA)
- Stage 17-Cylance (USA)
- Team Rio Grande Cycling (USA)
- Trek Red Truck Racing pb Mosaic Homes (CAN)
- VRC/Get Crackin’ (USA)
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Children's Downtown Criterium Race |
Throughout the whole entire race I was itching to jump on a bike.
I wanted to climb Pinos Altos and Descend at 50mph.
After watching the peloton fly holding an average speed of 25-30mph from the passenger seat.
I wanted to experience it for myself and explore the town.
I was not the only one craving a ride. Bicycle Bob got his kit out and off we rolled out together.
The morning of the time trials was below zero. I could not feel my fingers and toes.
I was very impressed and shocked to know the conditions in which these riders have to compete in.
The wind chill factor felt razor sharp and these riders were basically naked.
Yep, Luckily once your pedaling and hauling ass your body works up heat.
The local city newspaper had writers interviewing teams and spectators.
I was stoked to be interviewed.
Thank you Silver City for taking interest in my duties.
I will never forget this tour. I could not have dreamed of such a journey. The people I meet were all individually special and all the things that I learned made me a better mechanic. The experience was incredibly rewarding. Optum Pro Cycling is an up and coming pro team with a prosperous future ahead. I hope you enjoyed the pictures too.