Team Topeak-Ergon Basecamp
Eddie O'Dea - Topeak-Ergon Racing
by Eddie O’Dea
The 3 day gathering in Sedona, AZ was part training, part team building and part photo & video shoot. The plan was for the US based team and staff to work with photographers and videographers from the both Germany and the US while getting in some training rides, but why not add some fun to the plan. A contest was held via Facebook to find to riders to join us. Michelle Zebrowitz and Alan Jacoby were selected from the many entries. Then add in Dejay and Fuzzy of the Niner-Ergon team and party crasher George Wisell of Bike29.com and you have the 2011 Team Topeak-Ergon Basecamp.
Courthouse Rock
Namrita and I flew in from Atlanta on Sunday after competing in the Cohutta 100 the day before. We packed our bags and bikes until nearly midnight only to wake at 5:00 AM to head out. Undeterred by fatigue from the race and travel, we immediately built up our bikes and went for a ride around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.
Day one consisted of shuffling from my photo or video shoot to the next from 9:00 AM until sunset at 7:00 PM. It’s fun work actually and there’s so much technical terrain to play there is never a dull moment. Portraits, grips, tools, pumps, gloves, etc all needed to be shot along with action scenes. In between we’d ride up, down and over slickrock or just soak in the amazing views Coconino National Forest has to offer. That evening at dinner I nearly fell asleep in my plate.
Tuesday started early with a sunrise shoot at Cathedral Rock, a truly amazing place. The way the first light of the day descends down the spires of red rocks is magical. It’s no wonder many believe it’s a spiritual vortex. Dave, Yuki, Namrita and I raced back and forth along rock ledges, then up and down washes. Yuki and I took turns pushing the limits of traction with the Continental Race King tires while they stuck like glue to the slickrock.
Around noonish Michele, Alan and George arrived on the scene accompanied by Dejay, Fuzzy and party atmosphere that seems to follow those two. Photos and video continued as we tried some group descending maneuvers. Dejay managed to crash directly in front of the camera. I hope Venture Visuals releases the slow-mo footage soon.
Climbing the Slickrock
In the afternoon we regrouped at the hotel and went off on a ride. Our group included all those mentioned above plus our Germany photographer, Tino Polmann. He mounted up a Niner with flats, yet had no problem hanging at the front of the group regardless of the terrain. He can shoot and ride. We played around on Made-In-the-Shade and Slim Shady before attacking the Templeton Trail. Dejay and Yuki both cleaned the all switchbacks though they were too fast for any photo evidence. I, on the other hand, became too focused on the cost of failure (i.e. the 20 foot drop over the edge into cacti) and did not clean said switchback. The trails were certainly loose but fun.
Yuki rips the trail for the camera.
Wednesday, the final day, was another early morning at Cathedral Rocks. I’m not much of morning person, but two sunrises in a row there is not so horrible. Yuki, Dave and I knocked out the photo and videos expediently knowing we’d have some time to ride if we could wrap it up. Around 9:30 we were on our way back via pavement when we spotted some singletrack. The trip back took just a little longer than planned.
Cleaning the switchbacks.
After some breakfast and a nap I joined a growing group made up of he Basecamp group, some guides from both Absolute Bikes and Bike & Bean, plus a few others including the legendary and humble Joe Murray. We hit up the Highline trail, up the Templeton switchbacks, the Mystic Trail, Broken Arrow over to Chicken Point, then down Llama to Bell Rock Pathway which come right back to the hotel. 4 hours of incredible views, super technical trails and good people.
Michelle & Alan living the dream.
All in all, the camp was a huge success. We captured a load of pictures and video, had some great rides and made many new friends. Many thanks to everyone involved: Team Topeak-Ergon, Topeak Inc, Ergon International, RTI Sports, Venture Visuals, Tino Polmann, Team Niner-Ergon, Sedona Bike & Bean, Absolute Bicycles, and all those that made this camp possible.
