Cyclingnews TV   News  Tech   Features   Road   MTB   BMX   Cyclo-cross   Track    Photos    Fitness    Letters   Search   Forum  
Home

Recently on Cyclingnews.com


Mt Hood Classic
Photo ©: Swift

Wrenchin' in the USA: The Chris Davidson diary 2006

Leaving his post from a 'Shimano MTB guy' to a SRAM/RockShox/Avid/TruVativ fella will form the basis of wrencher Chris Davidson's new gig, where he has been contracted to work for Ford Cycling in 2006.

However, some things stay the same. One of those will be his informative diary contributions on Cyclingnews, where you'll often receive the inside scoop on all things tech.

Sea Otter Classic - California, USA, April 6-9, 2006

Dipped in S*%t!

Howdy Cyclingnews readers,

I've chosen to lump the last two days of reports from Sea Otter into one.

Ford rider Kelli Emmett
Photo ©: Chris Davidson
(Click for larger image)

The main theme remains the same from the previous reports - mud. This place is not drying out, despite some better weather. The mud has been taking a serious toll on riders clothing, shoes and bikes. For the STXC our riders taped their shoes to ensure that they would stay on with all the mud and running. After the STXC all of the bikes needed new brake pads, cabling and housing. The mud is starting to polish frames; crank arms and saddles, and anywhere else where it can get between two surfaces with some movement. One of our brand new saddles looks like it has been hit with a power sander.

Mel Myers hit her knee in the TT and is giving it a break for the STXC and the XC, due to some serious swelling.

Tyre selection was a big issue on Sunday morning. The XC loop was 19 miles and the pro women were doing two laps. That’s a really long race, especially with the conditions and the fact it's early-season. The girls all opted to switch to a tyre with a little more tread, but hopefully not enough to pick up too much mud. Kelli Emmett got an early flat and started chasing, then she had another crash and suffered a bent derailleur hanger. Not a really fun day. The winning time for the women was about three hours - that’s a lot of suffering.

As I headed to the airport on Sunday I just wanted to get somewhere where it wasn’t cold and wet. If I was starting to crack with the weather, I can just imagine the rider’s Sea Otter experience; going max each day in really disgusting conditions - full props to all who rode.

Next up is a NORBA, the first of the year. It’s held in Fontana, California, which is a new venue, so it will be interesting. It's four weeks away which gives me just enough time to completely overhaul and rebuild everything.

I just pray that it isn’t raining in Fontana.

See you there,
Chris Davidson

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Chris Davidson

Images by Jason Sager/jasonsager.com

Results