roadragedave: Team Camp Recap

So to say that this weekend was absolutely great would be like saying pizza is "alright" or that the victorias secret model you see on the goofy commercials of their's is "cute". UNDERSTATEMENT! Anyway, Camp went off great. The team is a great group and I am more excited to get this season kicked off than I thought I would be. Not to mention that I return home to the remains of a snow storm which is still blessing us with it's always enjoyable cold front. Yay for 30 degree riding.

Back to team camp. Friday night we headed to Rich's house for team dinner and movie night. The were kind enough to have some photos of the kit's well be riding in and needless to say, they rock! It turns out we have a new sponsorship from Barkley Advertising out of Kansas City. Needless to say this is a GREAT addition for the team, and just gives us all more reason to make a huge effort this year to make things work and to be successful. George and Craige joined us for some great lazagna (thanks Rich) and some killer salad and bread.

Saturday
Saturday was an early wake up for a very VERY busy day. We finally got the entire team together considering we had some slackers coming in a little late in the evening. We headed out for a ride, met up with a few others at Rich's and headed over to Georges to meet up with George and Craig and Vito. In the end, I think we rolled out with almost 20 people, so it was a great chance to chat, and get to know each other. Although it was raining our intended 3.5-4 hour ride turned into a 5+ hour ride due to George wanting to ride up Saluda. God bless that bakery there considering all I brought along on the ride was a GU and water. Whew for sticky buns. After dropping a few others off on the way back to town we got a chance to open our legs up coming down the mountain. That coupled with George's "You guys feel like doing some paceling work?" it was a great time, and I think everyone is still in shock from not only getting to meet George and Craig and some others, but to also have the oppertunity to ride and talk with them and realize that they are in fact REAL people that are where many of us hope to be one day... one day...

Now onto the interesting part of camp. Not to downplay the ride, meeting everyone and getting to talk to everyone, but saturday night was a splendid time. After some AMAZING pizza (I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant) we headed over to the Hincapie store to set up for our little meet and greet. After PHOTO's were taken people started showing up. Handi catered in some rocking good indian cuisine and simply put, it got dominated although by the end of the night my stomach didnt enjoy it as much as it did when I started eating it. I have to say, the feeling at the store was something to remember. Although I knew people were excited for the team and everything happening around us, this was the first time I had the chance to step back and look around. To say people are excited is an understatement. THE CITY, as well as some HIGHLY important people want to be a part of what is happening with us, and without a doubt, this team is moving in a incredible direction; success. To everyone thanks! Especially, George, Rich, Shane, Steve, and Christina O'Neil Maddox from Headstrong. I dont know whether any of you have realised yet, but WE and by WE i mean me, and EVERYONE involved with the team are more thankful than we can describe. It's an honor to be part of what is happening here. Thanks for making something great! And thanks for letting us be a part of it.

sunday
Sunday was a rough wake up after a 10:15 movie of I Am Legend, which although crazy, was an alright movie. Although Shane continues to argue with me. We headed out on a CRAZY windy ride and to say it was tough is an understatement. Although we were told it was only going to be a 2-2.5 hour ride, I expected the worst, and packed some extra num nums for the belly that was oh so deprived the day before. GOOD THING. Turns out we put in a little over 3 and had two flats. I guess my bike heard the word that in a month it is getting replaced with a new bigger better buzz lightyear to it's woody the cowboy, and decided "hey, you know that big ring thing you have... nadah, SAY GOOOODBYE!!!" becuase 10 minutes into the ride the chain wouldnt stay on the big ring. AT ALL, which is not fun when ritch gets a peppy pill in his legs and starts hittin it pretty good in 20+ mph wind.after everyone headed out Shane and I headed to dinner at Brixx which ROCKS MY SOCKS off, and after some good conversation, and story telling, we headed back to finish up in style, lounging on the couch and watching Graham Obrey's movie The Flying Scottsman. He's a girl. Geeez.

Overall I couldnt be happier (except to be back down there instead of waiting 10 days) and the team and support is world class. The guys are great and Im looking forward to rocking out a crazy tough and strong season. Thanks again to everyone. You've put me in a position I have never been in, one that is expecting success, and is providing us with more than enough of everything to be successful. THANKS

Here are some pics from the weekend and a Full Roster for the team:

Ben Gabardi- Jackson MS
Tyler Carnes- Chesapeake VA
AJ Mayer- Cohutta GA
Ty Manger- Griffen TN
Nick Housley- Atlanta GA
David Hutton- Greenville SC
Evan Wynn- Ashville NC
David Talbot- Chattanooga TN
Shane Weaver- Greenville SC
Rich Hincapie- Greenville SC
Steve Carpenter- Chattanooga TN