Monday, February 23, 2009

TT Solvang

I must admit....the days got jammed and the internet was not so available the last few days, so I am writing this retrospectively...enjoy!

Yet another beautiful day brought us into Solvang for the same time trial course as in previous years. I don't know if it was the predictibility of the event or the Lance effect....but again the crowds for the TT were staggering!

We assembled with masses of CHP motors and local motorcyclist volunteering their efforts to perform lead outs....running 50 yards in front of each cyclist around the course. Each motor and car had the cyclist name on a sticker placed on the windshield to let the crowd know who was coming up.

Our duties started toward the end as we went out with Floyd Landis and shot some side on with him as we rotated with TV to capture his efforts. It was interesting to watch his methodical breathing as he rode...very calculated it seemed.

A short time later Doug clicked off images of the remaining cyclist in a very populated horseshoe bend just before the small climb while I sat roadside and did my usual public relational duties chatting with some really nice locals who had ridden mountain bike with Floyd years ago!

And...as we have done the past three years....chased Levi down the hill as the final rider to shoot him secure his third TT victory in Solvang! Comm 2 was very generous this year allowing us to get in with Levi and TV down inside to the last two turns before the finish. We were trying really hard to get a side on shot, but TV took every opportunity that existed for that footage. I felt like Earnhardt trying to get a peak inside as we both were competing for the same shot and at the same time not interfering with Levi's line or wind. We did go through the finish and like a flock of vultures....photogs surrounded Levi as he stopped inside the fence to take in his victory! I sat there and observed the feeding frenzy from 10 feet away...the crowd went nuts as you can imagine....and he was enjoying every minute!

Shortly after the photo frenzy, Doug got his gear off the bike and I made my way over to Buellton about 3 miles away for our overnight stay...time to do laundry...fun.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Floyd Landis and I competed in the same mountain bike race last year.

Well, just to clarify.....
Floyd competed -
I was just a participant :)

100 mile race.
He finished in 8:18 (24th place)
I finished in 11:29 (110th place)

http://tinyurl.com/agkjxr