A day in the life

I am really starting to enjoy the change from bike racer to manager. I think...

Today at the Tour of Ohio my day started at 5:00am. I get up and shower, getting dressed in standard manager wear: shorts, sneaks and logo polo shirt.

Then I clean the dorm rooms and kitchen. These kids eat more than a small country. It is absolutely amazing. After that I gather the water bottles and head over to the dorm kitchen to get them washed. I am good at sweet talk and get that done.

Then I clean out the car, fill the tank and plan the day's transfer to the stage and route. At about 7:30 I head to each of the rooms and wake up the riders. There are 9 in all for this race and that takes some time as they just dont want to get out of bed. I have to do this again. After a while all of the team meets in my suite and we head over to the chow hall to get them fed.

I had already filled out the meal vouchers for all of them and they eat under while I watch: not too much and not too little. Then when it is time, I make a subtle hint and we head back to the rooms.

Yesterday I get them kitted up and drove the car behind them for an hour or so for a nice recovery ride from the drive. Today, I just make sure they are getting dressed while I fill up 50 bottles of Cytomax and water, plus Cokes and food. Today is a long road stage and they will need it.

I then load up the car with bike and riders. This is not easy. Each athlete is on a different clock and has a different plan for their morning; the trick is getting them on my plan. Not easy.

We drive to the race where I hand out radios, make sure the officials are on board and get them to the start. Once that is all set I get in the car and drive in the caravan. This is a little tricky as we are the second car in the line and have to fight to keep this spot. That might mean a few dings in the paint (sorry Ellen!).

After a few hours of excitement, the race is over. I then have to drag these pour kids into the car kicking and screaming as they just want to sit and talk about the race. This is fun but there a lot of days left and they have to eat and go to bed.

Back at the college I unload the bikes and get them washed. Then laundry, wash the bottles and make lunch. Get the riders off for naps and try to catch up on some stuff. I call the girl, email the sponsor and buy a bottle of wine. No news on whether I will share it.

After that trip, I meet the cat 2 rider from another team I am trying to steal. I make some secret deals. It could work.

After that, I make dinner. As luck would have it, one of the riders likes to cook and he helps. Then, clean up, get them ready for bed and then in bed.

I stay late, email the sponsors and book the expenses. Send some notes to the promoters and try to get to bed around 1am. A few hours later, the alarm rings.

I think racing was easier.