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February 26, 2006
CSC Training Camp Part 2
Well it has been over a week since I was at the CSC training camp and I am still giddy over it. On Friday, we woke up and went for a run. We did a little over 3 miles but had a few hard hills mixed in. When we got back to the hotel, we cleaned up and went for a walk around the hotel. We bumped into Ivan Basso in his full CSC kit. It was totally cool. As we strolled out back, we discovered 30 Cervelo P3 Carbon bikes lined up. Each had an FSA carbon crank and carbon chain rings. Each bike had the name of the rider on it, Basso, Peron, Lombardi, Schleck, and Sastre.
Shortly there after we saw the riders getting ready for their training that day. The storm clouds moved in and all the riders started complaining about the weather. It was comforting to know that even the Pro's bitch about poor weather.
While the riders were getting ready, a couple of us guests huddled under a doorway watching the scene unfold. Next thing we knew Bjarne Riis steps out to survey his team. He does not say much, but his look, his piercing glare says it all. With a nod of the head, a few quiet words, Bjarne has his team mounting their bikes and heading out for the days ride.
We hopped in our car and headed out to follow the team on their ride... As we headed out, the team swooped by us and it was just a cool site. We then got caught at a stop light and who whizzes past us and parks themselves directly in front of, but Carlos Sastre.
As we headed out of town it was cool to see the riders spread out across the road. It was pretty clear that riders would group themselves around their closet buddies. Soon we got off the busy roads and hit the country roads. Immediately the team stopped and all of the guys had a 'Pee' break (quiet funny actually). Soon they got going again and we just cruised with them as they warmed up. After following for about an hour, we decided to head back to the hotel so we could get outfitted with our own bikes from Cervelo. On the way back into town we hit a local restaraunt for pancakes, which were great.
More later...
Posted by kermisch at 10:16 PM
February 17, 2006
CSC Training Camp
Currently I am in Solvang, CA gearing up for a training camp with Team CSC. CSC is in CA getting ready for the Tour of California that starts on Sunday (2/19). CSC, the company has flown in several of their clients and guests to meet the team and ride with some of the riders. I was able to bring Kris along and so far we are like school children in a candy shop.
As soon as we got to the hotel, the first thing we saw was a Cervelo bike box out in the hallway. We then saw a few people with CSC hats and gear on. We met some guy who works for Intel who is here trying find a showcase for some new technology and he feels that the cycling environment would be an interesting environment to test it in. He is also getting ready to do his 8th Ironman in South Africa.
As we were settling into our room, we decided to head back out and check out the hotel. As we were walking out, we saw Carlos Sastre, one of the best riders of the team walking out of the elevator. I just about fell over. Carlos is one CSC's best climbers. I am just going crazy and can't wait until tomorrow morning.
As we drove into Solvang, we came over some serious hills. For a boy from Minnesota, they were mountains. I think I am going to get my ass kicked tomorrow, but whatever. I am psyched to be here and only wish I could share my excitement first hand with P&G. They are the only one's who will really get it.
Posted by kermisch at 12:36 AM