Major Jason Bryan’s Tour de GA experience with Team Slipstream

May 10, 2007 - May 10, 2007 - Meeting the Team.

This was my first attended cycling event. Admittedly, I only became a cycling fan as a distraction from the monotony of deployment and separation from my wife and two children. I distinctly remember monitoring the Brasstown stage from Iraq last year. I watched from VeloNews.com’s Live Update Tracker, using a wireless internet connection in the housing area. Around midnight (in Iraq), I remember continuously tapping “Refresh” to make sure I had the latest as Floyd Landis and Tom Danielson battled on the climb. With Popo leading out for Tom, I felt sure he’d take it, but Floyd prevailed. As subtle as it sounds, that was an important moment. Getting the opportunity to attend in person a year later was very satisfying.

Friday, 19 April. Stage 5, Tour de Georgia.

I was excited to see the race and elated about the invitation to visit the Slipstream-Chipotle team at their bus… but also a bit nervous about the caps and t-shirts (with the 101st Airborne logo) I bought for the team. Being given the Argyle Kit by Jonathan Vaughters was nice and I wanted to return the favor with a token of appreciation, but I felt vulnerable. What if they didn’t like it? Would JV scoff at the gesture? I felt the potential for disaster, like bringing a bucket of chicken to a vegan potluck. I took a final deep breath, stuffed the gifts in my backpack, and headed for the summit of Brasstown Bald.

I wanted to get a feel for the climb up Brasstown Bald, but I wasn’t confident enough in my climbing skills to try it on a bike. So, I walked up the mountain instead of taking the bus. There were several recreational cyclists on the morning ride up Brasstown Bald. Some were quicker than others, but all were suffering. One kid– probably no more than 13 or 14– looked strong and easily climbed past some other struggling cyclists. One of them muttered something about memories of youth as the kid sailed by us. I pressed forward on foot as they pulled aside for a breather on one of the steeper portions of the climb. I remember thinking that stopping seemed treacherous; I couldn’t imagine trying to start again on that incline. Several minutes later, I caught back up with the kid; he had pulled over just short of the summit. I asked him if he was alright. He told me that he felt a lot better after puking, then pressed on to the finish. I crested shortly after the kid, doubtful that I could complete that climb on a bicycle.

I linked back up with my party, they took the shuttle. My mountain cherpa for the day was Todd Abercrombie, manager/mechanic of Adventure Cycles in Oakwood, Georgia, and his daughter, Chelsea. Todd was a big help to me in Iraq, hooking me up with tubes and any emergency tools or gear. He is also a seasoned Tour de Georgia veteran, so I welcomed his perspective. We milled around the expo area, about 400 meters below the finish. Different vendors were giving out free stuff, so I filled my pockets with stickers, pens, t-shirts, tire levers, mints, and anything else I could grab.

Having a host like Todd soon proved beneficial, as he linked up with a group from the local club. Todd treated me like a celebrity, introducing me as “the guy who wrote the articles for VeloNews about biking in Iraq “. I was pleased to find that almost everyone there was familiar with the articles– at least they acted like it. We settled in on the steepest switchback before the finish. Several fans were chalking support for their favorite riders and teams. I was pleased to see the argyle a number of times along the climb… and anxious to visit the team bus.

We climbed to see the finish and get a fantastic view of the Blueridge Mountains. At the top, we did the usual… photos in front of the finish line, panoramic shots of the mountains, etc. when suddenly Floyd emerged from a sedan. He was decked out in a very nice suit, obviously there for business. I got a few shots of him just before he pulled away and headed back to our seats to wait for the race to arrive, excited about how the day was shaping up.

Soon, the road was filled with fans and the energy intensified. We monitored race radio and live updates from our cell phones, echoing any new report. Bob Roll and Phil Liggett walked through the crowd signing autographs, taking photos, and chatting with the fans on their way to the finish. A very fit Santa Claus was in the crowd, clearly thinning out from his spring training program. A fan was running and skipping around wildly, making bull horns with his fingers… then, encouraging others to do it with him. The crowd would cheer the charging bulls with each passing. Not quite L’Alpe d’Huez, but not bad for Georgia.

State Troopers and motorcycles signaled the approaching race and suddenly Levi Leipheimer hammered past, alone. Shortly behind was Christian Van de Velde and the race leader, Brajovic. The peloton was shattered and the race continued in small clusters for half an hour. The Slipstream guys came solidly through the field looking strong, and tired. I felt no envy for professional cyclists.

After the race we returned to the team bus area. The Slipstream bus was easy to find… a huge black tour bus with argyle trim… fit for Dave Matthews himself. I nervously approached, prepared to be sneered upon my gift presentation. First, I needed to find my contact, Bryan Smith. He was the guy who sent me the team kit and the only guy I had spoken to other than a brief e-mail from JV. I asked for him, but he was not there… he was riding the mountains with a sponsor. I boldly asked for Jonathan, prepared to introduce myself, thank him for sending me the kit, and leave. Instead, Jonathan was very cordial and I was pleased to find that he was expecting me. I was immediately introduced to a number of people, including team owner Doug Ellis and several members of the staff. I tried to remember names, but it was impossible; the moment was overwhelming.

Then, I was invited onto the bus. The team was flopped on couches, still in their team gear, exhausted. It was the worst possible time for a social call. A meet-n-greet after a stage is one thing, but after four plus hours in the saddle concluded by one of the toughest climbs in the United States was just not the best time for pleasantries. I stammered, speechless. I could only hope the guys were too tired to remember anything I said, because I don’t think any intelligent thought was spoken. I opened my bag and began handing out the caps and shirts. They liked them and put them on. One of the guys said something like, “that’s awesome, I haven’t worn a clean shirt all week.”

The gifts were a great ice breaker and the guys were very cordial. Mike Lange asked me if I had any socks to go with my team kit. I told him, no, and he handed me a pair from out of his bag. In later conversations with the team, I found that he rides with the same selfless style.

Someone suggested a picture, so we all went outside. In a moment of stylish vulnerability, JV even donned a shirt. Our meeting closed with the normal thank you’s and I left the bus ecstatic. I called my wife and then ran the three miles to my truck at the bottom of Brasstown Bald.

A few hours later, I got a call from Bryan Smith. He wanted me to join him the next morning for a ride with him and a sponsor. I agreed… and wondered what I had gotten myself into…