The 2008 USAC Bill Woodul Mechanics Clinic.

Cycling technology is in a state of constant change, striving to best what has come before. As with the athletic side of this machine/culture it is very competive, but there is also a great comradely amongst those who dream, design, fabricate, build, assemble, maintain, and love these machines. I was very fortunate to be one of the 55 mechanics who gathered to attend the 2008 USAC’s Bill Woodul Mechanics Clinic in Colorado Spring at the US Olympic Training Center the past 4 days. I’m only beginning to digest the full experience, so much was shared. Of course there was the class/clinic side of this gathering where we were schooled by the clinics 10 very experienced instructors, but also the coming together of like minded people with such great respect for not only the machine but each other.

The instructors did an incredible job of organizing a curriculum, test and time line to set a pace and stress level very similar to what, would be race mechanics would be facing at an event. The days were packed with clinics, all over the training center. Some were indoors in class room settings and others were out side “labs” to compare it to a college science class. The clinics ranged from the pure mechanical and functional, to the operational side of a race and of race team, to the wrights of passage of professionalism. All were steeped with the experience and personality of each presenting instructor.

Always looming in the back of the mechanics minds was “the test” a 100 question multiple choice, open book, test that encouraged debate late into the night. It was really awesome to see everyone huddling together, in discussion and debate. It did a wonderful job of creating a “one for all and all for one” team atmosphere, evident on the last day when all 55 mechanics received their license after passing the test.

We also had a great time, it took a short time to crack the ice but once everyone was comfortable with the setting, some really great personalities came out. As one instructor said a couple of times “there isn’t a ‘that guy’ in this group”. I made several new and grew other friendships. To sum it up on a blog is impossible. It was truly an experience I am proud to have been a part of. I’m really looking forward to see what the future will bring for everyone who attended, the sport and the machine.