Tour de California!

[creekster]

I am psyched tonight. I just received notification that I have been assigned to be a Course Marshall for the start of stage two in the Tour De California. The Stage starts near my home and I am very pleased I get to help out. I get trained in February. I'll report if there is anything that comes out of it.

[SteelBlue]

Very cool! Does this mean that you can score us Californians front row access to the start on that day? :D

[creekster]

I'll let you know. If I can, I will gladly do so.

[bluegoose]

I was planning on coming to your stage in Martinez. That would be a very cool place to be a volunteer.

I had also considered trying to see the first stage over in Marin County. Any chance you're going to be able to sneak in 2 days?

[creekster]

Only one day for me. Although the Marin stage should also be good. I will let you know what info I get after the training.

[bluegoose]

They just posted the route details on the Amgent website. Its pretty well done, complete with maps, satellite photos, elevation grids and road description.

Creekster, once you have a chance to check it out, any chance that you will be able to identify the best place(s) for us out-of-towners to catch the most action? I am totally unfamiliar with anything down there outside of highways 4 and 680.

BTW, any chance that those that go for the tuesday stage get together for dinner with the families?

[creekster]

I should be able to track that information down. Once I have been 'trained' (feb 7) I iwll post what ever usueful info and insights I have.

Dinner sounds good. When it gets a little closer let's see hwta we can put together.

[bluegoose]

Dinner sounds good. When it gets a little closer let's see hwta we can put together.

Creekster, you've taken typos to a whole new level. You're a maverick, a pioneer, a god!!!

[creekster]

Sorry about that. I really hate to type. I guess I am to typing what Grapevine is to syntax.

Btw, I really have no idea what my duties as a Course Marshal will be. For all I know, Course Marshals are required to clean-up after any spectator's dog that has an accident. If it turns out to be something like that, let me down easily.

[Archaea]

Course Marshall's customarily are responsible for other referees and support locales.

They are there to enforce rules.

Congrats, esteemed advocate and head field marshall, in my best Sargeant Schultz accent.

[bluegoose]

Any update from our in-house Grand Marshall on the finer points of the upcoming Tour?

I am still hoping to come down for the stage, although my schedule is starting to muddy itself up, so I hope it still works.

[creekster]

Sadly, due to the demands of work, my schedule has fallen apart the last week or two. As a result I was unable to attend the orientation meeting last night as I am out of town this week. My freind attended and he was going to pick up my written materials. Bottom line, I have no information but hope to get it when I return home on Saturday.

Amusing story: I was very annoyed that I had to miss the orientation so I e-mailed the volunteer coordinator and explained my predicament and expressed my strong interest in still pariticapating and asked if there could be second orientation. She was nice, told me there was no chance of a second orientation and that if my frined got the written materials and I just showed up on race day that everything would be fine.

Being the goober that I am, I then responded by peppering her with two or maybe three hundred questions, such as where, where do I park, what time, where do I check in, etc., etc.

Clearly trying to calm me down while letting me know I was being a goober, she wrote back saying "Don't worry, just show up on race morning and once you get your special vest and your shiny new whistle I am sure everything will be fine." Sooo, I can tell you that I get a vest and a whistle, and that's about it. I still plan on doing the Course (not Grand) Marshall thing, but I still have no real info.

Btw, I am embarrassed to admit that I am no racer or even an impressive or strong rider. My cyber image vastly exceeds my pudgy and weak-legged reality. That's not to say that I don't love bicycling, becasue I do, but I am no specimen, having more in common with the sort of person that rides a beach cruiser with a basket and a bell than with somoene riding a CF dura-ace equipped roadie (Arch?). I ahve enjoyed people thinking of me as a fast rider, but if we actually meet at the race, I just wanted you all to know that I iwll not be hdiing behind the fat guy; I am the fat guy.

[Archaea]

I ahve enjoyed people thinking of me as a fast rider, but if we actually meet at the race, I just wanted you all to know that I iwll not be hdiing behind the fat guy; I am the fat guy.

Ditto here.

Il Padrino knows me and can attest, I'm an out of shape non-athlete. Sometimes my dogs like me though.

[bluegoose]

I think that pretty much goes the same for anyone with a wife, kids, job and a church calling. Or at least someone who cares about these things.

Once college is over and the bills start rolling in, there just isn't enough time to fully invest into becoming a competitive athlete.

So I'll continue with my mediocre riding (which I greatly enjoy) and stay in tune with internet message boards, where everyone (including myself) is just a bit stronger, fast and sexier than in real life. Its good for the ego.