It's summer here!

G’day!

It’s been a long time since I’ve updated this little corner of the internet, but it’s been a long time since I’ve done something this exciting!

Just to catch you up. I finished up last season with a couple trips out in Bryce and Zion, followed by another fantastic season in Vermont. There were truly the best colors I’ve seen in my four years out there. It’s safe to say the highlight of my Vermont season was the Trek dealer trip, with several dealers that I’ve known for years, including Pat, from Penn Cycle. It was a special trip for me, and a great way to end the guiding season. After that I ventured west for the third annual Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge. It was another successful event, with one of the best teams Trek Travel could possibly have put together to execute it. After that, it was a very welcome flight back to the Upper Midwest.

 

Fast forward three months. I’m in AUSTRALIA! The Tour Down Under kicked off on Sunday with the Down Under Classic and Trek Travel is here! After guiding at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Tour of California, and Tour de Georgia, it’s great to be here for Trek Travel’s first foray into Australia for the Tour Down Under. South Australia is buzzing with Lance-mania. I’m a huge fan of Lance and have an incredible respect for everything he’s done, on and off the bike, but I’ve never gotten that caught up in the craziness that seems to follow him around. That said, it’s hard not to get caught up in it here. I was there at the end of July 2005 when Lance rode into retirement down the Champs as Tour de France champion, and it was pretty special to see him announced with Team Astana at the Tour Down Under!

 

Trek Travel’s trip started off with quick introductions on Sunday before kicking off with a bang! Straight to the team introduction in Rymill Park before heading into a VIP viewing area at the start/finish line of the race. The teams ripped off 30 laps in just over an hour and we were there for it all. What a way to start a trip, watching the pros pass 30 times finishing with an exciting win by local boy Robbie McEwan!

 

There was no slowing down on Day 2! After a morning bike fit, we headed out into the Adelaide Hills, through the vineyards up to Mount Lofty, one of the highest points in South Australia. It was a crystal clear day and we had incredible views into downtown Adelaide and out to Glenelg and Henley Beaches. It was a beautiful day, although a little on the warm side (topping out near 100 degrees Fahrenheit). After a great warm-up ride, the highlights continued. There are a number of reasons that I love working for Trek Travel. First is the bikes we get to ride. It’s hard to complain when you’re riding the same frame that Team Astana rides. The second is our race trips. Because of the relationship that Trek has with Team Astana as the bike sponsor, Trek Travel gets a few fringe benefits. One of the greatest is our team access trips. Yesterday was a rest day between the Down Under Classic and the kickoff of the Tour Down Under. We had the opportunity to go to the Hilton Adelaide, where all the teams are staying for the duration of the Tour, to meet with team representatives from Team Astana. Our contact there is Jared Melzer. This guy can get anything done for us. He’s a great guy to know, and a great guy to call a friend. After a brief introduction to the Tour Down Under, he brought out Ben Coates. Ben is the Trek liaison to Team Astana (and Lance Armstrong). Ben brought out Lance’s bike for the TDU. This bike is truly special. I’ve seen a lot of cool bikes in my day, and this one made me stop and say wow. 

After a photo session with the bike, Ben took some time to talk about the bike, about what the team is riding, and answered every question thrown his way. I think the most interesting thing he said was that Lance auctioned off the bike that he rode in the 2005 Tour de France for the LAF, but would never sell this bike. It means that much to him, and I can see why! After Ben, Jared brought out a couple riders from the team, Jose Luis “Chechu” Rubiera of Spain and Michael Schaar from Switzerland.  Rubiera is one of my all time favorite riders. He’s incredibly genuine and personable. This is the fourth race I’ve guided that he’s been a part of the Trek Travel access package (starting with Discovery at the Giro in 2005). Last year he told us that it would be his last year of racing – that he was looking forward to going home to Spain to spend time with his family. He has, however, spent years riding on various teams with Lance, and when Lance announced his return, Chechu committed to one more year riding with Astana. He and I have one thing in common; we both think that the Giro d’Italia is the most beautiful race in the world. Michael was also part of the Trek Travel access program last year at the Tour de Georgia. He’s probably the only guy in the pro peloton taller than me. Trek builds him a custom seat cap so he can ride a smaller bike, and I want one! The highlight of the night, however, was when the man himself Johan Bruyneel came out to say hello. This was my first time meeting him, and was left with the impression of a very personable guy, full of smiles, gracious with autographs and photo ops. Trek Travel provided copies of his recent book for each of our guests that he signed for everyone. Everyone left the evening with stars in their eyes.

 

Today we woke up and headed north to One Tree Hill, where Trek Travel guests got their first taste of the Tour Down Under race course. Just 10km into the ride we tackled the first King of the Mountain of the Tour Down Under. After a 45km ride some rode back into One Tree Hill to watch the first sprint points of the race, and others took another crack at the KOM to watch the peloton crest the climb! We reconvened in One Tree Hill to watch the race pass again two hours later. It was Lance Armstrong’s first day back into a UCI race, and it was great to watch him sitting comfortably and safely at the front of the peloton. Time will tell what his season will bring, but it’s fun to see him back on the road, and bring Trek Travel guests along for the ride. Some of our guests have been to pro races before, but some haven’t, and seeing the looks on guests’ faces the first time the pro peloton flies by, with a sound that is better than any other and a rush of wind and color. There’s nothing like it, and I love watching people see it for the first time because it reminds me of the first time I saw it. Have I mentioned there’s nothing like it? There’s nothing like it.

 

It’s hard to believe we’re only three days into the trip. With five more days of incredible riding planned and exciting racing coming down the pipe, Trek Travel’s Tour Down Under trip has the fixings to be one of the best trips I’ve ever guided! More to come as the week progresses!