Friday October 31, 2014
Driving into the Paddock today, felt like arriving late to a good party. The rest of the countries were already setup, the majority had bikes impounded, and the U.S. Team was just getting the first opportunity to crack open their crates and begin bike prep.
However, everyone went to work quickly and by the afternoon, riders were gearing up and doing some final bike testing on the practice track adjacent to the Paddock.
The Paddock (Parc Ferme) is located at a soccer stadium a few miles south of town. It’s a very modern and nice facility that looks to have just been recently built. The irony is that it doesn’t appear we will be using anything other than the parking lot. Originally, we were told the opening ceremonies would be held in the stadium but we’ve now been told there will be a parade downtown in the city center of San Juan, very similar to what was done in Morelia Mexico in 2010.
The temperatures dropped significantly today. It would be nice if the cooler temps held through next week during the race. Earlier this week we were walking tests in near 100 degree weather. This morning, everyone was running around in sweatshirts and there was a lot of cold wind that wreaked havoc in the pits by destroying a lot of shade canopies.
Today was also the “Admin Inspection” for the entire team. This refers to the registration process which involves a lot of exchange of money, forms, and paperwork. Tomorrow is the team’s Tech Inspection (sound test and bike inspection) and then impound. The majority of the rests of the countries have already impounded their bikes.
Although walking tests has been great, it was good for the riders to finally get to their bikes.
Nick Burson's girlfriend trying to find a way to stay warm. I never thought anyone would be trying to stay warm just a few days ago.
Alex Dorsey and team.
Zach Osborne's RockStar Energy Husky is one of the best looking bikes in the pits.
The Womens Trophy Team (Rachel Gutish, Amanda Mastin, and Sarah Baldwin).
The GoFasters.com team, Alex Dorsey, Josh Knightand Travis Coy. Another cool thing they've done this year is organize the pits by Team.
After a few hours of bike prep, it was time for the entire U.S. Team to go to Admin Inspection (registration).
A view inside the stadium where the Parc Ferme resides. Too bad there isn't a grass track inside the stadium......now that would be cool (and a good use of a soccer field).
Admin Inspection
Pretty cool company....Josh Knight, Jeff Fredette, and Taylor Robert.
This is a photo on the wall of what the stadium looks like. It's a pretty nice facility.
Zach Osborne and Kailub Russel handing over money in the final step of the admin process today.
Josh and Jeff Fredette, finishing up paperwork and getting their transponders. It's been an honor to be around a legend such as Jeff the past few years.
A view inside the stadium. I'll bet that grass would rut up nicely with a good turn track
It was then time to buy Tires and Bibs. Josh worked all summer, saved his pay checks, and just dropped more cash on these tires and bibs for 6 days of racing, than he spent on his '96 Ford Ranger beater truck.
How many tires and bibs can you fit in a rental car......apparently this many.
I've got to admit, it's pretty cool being here together.
Cody Schafer is a 2 time ISDE veteran, but was interested in learning a few tips on using this style of tire changer.
Taylor Robert's bike and mechanic Anthony. Taylor's bike is beautiful!!!
Chris Bach's Honda.
The Kelley cousins.
Paul Krause doing some prep. Not his first rodeo.
Cory Buttrick and his dad putting finishing touches on his Beta.
Jeff Fredette doing some clutch work.
The KTM Six Days edition bikes. At first I wasn't sold on the graphics this year, but they're growing on me and the KTM Six Days bikes are always works of art.
Thank you for the sweet Red/White/Blue bar padsFasstCompany Flexx Handlebars. All the U.S. riders running Flexx bars have these.
Nick Burson's Beta 300 looking good!
Taylor Robert and mechanic Anthony ready to go do some testing on the test track next to the pits. Notice how clean and pretty his bike is?
Trophy Team member Thad Duvall.
Kailub Russell
Mike Brown's Husky 501 looking good.
Women's Trophy Team member Rachel Gutish getting ready for some bike testing.
Travis Coy and Brian Garrahan doing final prep.
Alex Dorsey
Nick Burson
Nick Burson
Team Go Fasters.
Thanks for the support Burt and Troy at "The Tugger".
Me and Josh
Rachel Gutish and Dad.
RIP Kurt Caselli and Nathan Woods.
Remember that pretty picture of Taylor's bike? This is after a few minutes on the test track.
Josh getting ready to do some final testing and shake out some of the nerves.
The test track was right next to the pits. They had watered it enough to make all the bikes a mess, but it's very evident from the non-watered sections how incredibly dusty and rutted these tests are going to become.
One of the Kelley's
Alex Dorsey
Andrew Delong
Kailub Russell
AJ Lehr
Charlie Mullins
The KTM Factory Mechanics look on, wondering how much more work the riders just created for them.
Rachel Gutish
Paul Krause
Grant Baylor
Michael Pillar
So as I was walking back from the tests track, worried about all the mud just created from a few minutes, I heard some power washers. It turns out these Argentine's have thought through a few things quite well, and had these bike-washing stalls set up. Taylor Robert's mechanic had his bike looking tip-top shape before long.
Josh taking care of his bike after the test track.
Andrew Delong
One of my favorite pics. Can anybody guess who's bike this is from? Jeff Fredette, 34th and last ISDE. Amazing.
I love these new Kurt Caselli Foundation markers for the team. They not only look good, but help remind the team of Kurt. His presence is everywhere and on the entire team's mind.
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Ven 31 Oct - 16:13
afin de favoriser la récupération. Cet après midi ce sera encore des recos, puis les vérifications administratives en fin de journée. 
