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USPS Pro Cycling Team in Solvang, CA

We get our share of "celebrities" in the Santa Ynez Valley but usually I could care less. Having the US Postal Service Pro Cycling team holding a spring training camp in your hometown is a whole other story.

I got the chance to take the ride of lifetime.  Below are the pictures with the story at the end.  Select a thumbnail image to get the full image.

 Dan

The Riders
Roberto Heras and Me!Lance signs Mike's shirt.Roberto Heras on hisTrek bike.Lance on bike ready for ride.Roberto Heras on hisTrek bike.Lance signs a picture.George Hincappie gives an interview.Lance poses with a girl (her sister ran away).
The Setup
Spare bikes lined up by USPS Team moving van.Team car ready for ride.Spare bikes lined up by USPS Team moving van.Some USPS team members.
The Bikes
Lance's red, white, and blue bike.Signature with bike for mountains behind.Me and Lance's bike (holding my bike off to side).Lance's bike followed by all the other teams bikes.Lance's red, white, and blue bike.
The Ride
USPS Team ride on Santa Rosa Road.That's Lance right off my left (he looks a little worried).Lance and Roberto Heras take the lead through Buellton.USPS Team ride on Santa Rosa Road.USPS Team ride on Santa Rosa Road.USPS Team ride near Pea Soup Andersons.USPS Team ride on Santa Rosa Road.USPS Team ride on HWY 246.
The Swag
Danish National Jersey I wore on ride with Lance Armstrong signature.Por Daniel, Roberto Heras (left) Johan Bruyneel, USPS Team Director (top)My Texas Flag jacket signed by Lance!Lance's Book, Its not about the bike, signed by Lance.

The Man
Who's got the climbing legs?Heras on his Trek.
 

January25, 2003
Solvang, California

I got set for a Saturday morning ride wearing my Danish National Championship Jersey (CSC-Tiscali Jakob Piil) which is a red and white Danish Flag (Solvang is Disney-like replica of a Danish town).  I went by the hotel the team was using as a base for their spring training camp. I got to see all the team setup, the bikes, mechanics, and then the USPS team riders came out. I got Johan Bruyneel, team director, to sign the back of my jersey.  Just as he finished Lance Armstrong came out and I got him to sign the front.  He was cordial but seemed focussed.

I had heard they were riding out Santa Rosa Road so I got ready to ride.  Lance was the first to leave so I followed him out as they waited for the rest of the team.  I figured they would drop me quickly so I rode out in front of the group and pulled off the road and took a few pictures. Then jumped on the bike and caught the end.  I pulled alongside and took a few more pictures.  Since they were just spinning I tried to pass the entire group.  A couple of riders yelled break away.  I got in front again and tried to take a picture or two.  I had an expensive digital camera AND a cheap disposable one (held in my mouth the first couple of miles).  Once we got onto Santa Rosa proper I pulled on to the back of the pack.  There were a couple of other stragglers.  The pace was about 17-18 mph.  Just as we passed Sanford Winery an olive skin Postal rider pulled beside me.  It was the Spaniard, Roberto Heras, who is one of the great climbers and has won the Tour of Spain. We rode a mile or two and I finally got the nerve to say “Hola, como esta?”  He looked surprised but immediately said “Muy Bien, y tu.”  We chatted in Spanish (mine very weak) and then he asked if I spoke French.  I said a few phrases and then he asked if I was American.  We rode and spoke together for another half hour, him in broken English and I in gringo Spanish.  We spoke of his recent marriage, his baby girl on the way, his home in Barcelona, ages, work, and a little bit of cycling.  Just like you would meeting any new cyclist on the road.  Roberto was as friendly and modest, as he is an awesome climber. At one point he asked to borrow my LOUD blue sunglasses and pulled up through the pack to ask how he looked.

I made it up the first couple of hills without too much trouble.  I got dropped on the next big hill but caught up on the downhill.  I’m glad they weren’t pushing the pace.  I caught up and just tried to breathe for a bit, Roberto came along side me and said “Still here?”  I got dropped with a couple of Posties on the next big hill.  The Posties got back on but I still was pushing.  A couple of guys had dropped back to take a leak and were pulled back by the team car.  I tried to get in the wake but couldn’t accelerate fast enough.  I had almost caught back up by the time they reached the last hill on Santa Rosa.  They flew up it and I was spent.  They went left on HYW 1.  I got to the top finally and the team car was waiting there. For me?  As I got close they flew off.  I guess they were just checking to make sure they had everyone.  I gave up and went right towards Lompoc and home.  I had gone 26 miles with an average speed of 17 mph (top speed 35 mph). It was the ride of a lifetime!

I went back Sunday morning and got pictures with Roberto who signed my jersey "Por Daniel".  I also got Lance to sign his book and a jacket I have with a Texas Flag on the back.

 Dan

PS I'll also admit I went through their trash and got some US Postal Team issue tires that they had discarded, at first for a souvenir but since they are $55 tires and have little wear on them I think I'll put them on my bike..

 

Here are some links with others pictures (similar shots as mine):
 At Lance Armstrong Page
 On Australian Cycling Page

More on Lance in Santa Barbara County.

I emailed some questions to a local radio station that was interviewing Lance on Monday (1-27-03).
My Questions: 1) I know you guys rode Figuero Mtn on Friday how does it compare
to Tour stages. 2) Have you tried Aebelskivers.  3) What was the strangest thing you have had
someone want to autograph while you were here.
And I closed by saying "Thanks for making cycling cool".

During the interview they asked all my questions.  They changed
it to "Dan saw you on Figuero Mtn on Friday and wanted to know how it compares to the stuff you will see on the Tour".
He said it was 10 miles and comparable to the stuff in Europe.
"Dan also wants to know if you've tried any Aebleskivers."
He didn't think so but Lance said he'll check it out.

They also asked what was the strangest thing he ever had to autograph.
He didn't know.

At the end the interviewer said "You're making cycling cool."

You can hear the entire interview at  Radio Interview (it's 7MB wma file)

Dan