During this years Jayco Bay Criteriums, Jono and I were lucky enough to be asked to be the neutral spares mechanics for SRAM. This was a fun and eye opening event for us. It was really well organised by SRAM and gave us the opportunity to work on some bikes under race situations.
Every morning, we went to the days stage and set up the caravan and banners bright and early so we got the best position on the course. Generally SRAM had the best exposure of any brand on the day so that made us feel pretty good. After this we got out our 17 sets of neutral spare wheels which consisted of SRAM 40, 60 and 80mm wheels. These were available to any of the riders in the support, womens or mens races, and they sure did need them.
Everyday we changed about 20-40 wheels between the three races. Also we dealt with mechanical faults and riders with no mechanical faults who just wanted a lap out. On two occcasions we changed a chain in under a lap, so we were quite proud of that. But lots of the time we just got to watch the racing from the best seat in the house.
Many of the bikes to begin with were in pretty terrible condition and it was quite astonishing to see some guys in the pro race rock up ten minutes before the start with bent derailleur hangers and cracked carbon rims. Some of these guys may know how to race, but they sure can't look after their bikes!
It was a very exciting four days and the team we had consisting of Aaron, Paul, Jono and myself had a great time and I personally learnt a lot more about the top level domestic race scene. I also fixed Baden Cooke's bike before the last stage where he won which was awesome.
Every morning, we went to the days stage and set up the caravan and banners bright and early so we got the best position on the course. Generally SRAM had the best exposure of any brand on the day so that made us feel pretty good. After this we got out our 17 sets of neutral spare wheels which consisted of SRAM 40, 60 and 80mm wheels. These were available to any of the riders in the support, womens or mens races, and they sure did need them.
Everyday we changed about 20-40 wheels between the three races. Also we dealt with mechanical faults and riders with no mechanical faults who just wanted a lap out. On two occcasions we changed a chain in under a lap, so we were quite proud of that. But lots of the time we just got to watch the racing from the best seat in the house.
Many of the bikes to begin with were in pretty terrible condition and it was quite astonishing to see some guys in the pro race rock up ten minutes before the start with bent derailleur hangers and cracked carbon rims. Some of these guys may know how to race, but they sure can't look after their bikes!
It was a very exciting four days and the team we had consisting of Aaron, Paul, Jono and myself had a great time and I personally learnt a lot more about the top level domestic race scene. I also fixed Baden Cooke's bike before the last stage where he won which was awesome.
