Lance Armstrong and his Radio Shack teammates are currently training in Tucson, Arizona. At a press conference on day two, the Texan praised the area for its great cycling conditions. An unlikely rider will join the team for one day.
"Tucson is a real cycling Mecca. You have good infrastructure for roads, good climbs, nice flats." It's not the first time that Armstrong has been in the area. "In 2001 or 2002 I spent about two weeks on top of Mt. Lemmon, where we had weather similar to today and we hardly could get down some of the days," he said according to Kold News.
Armstrong had been racing the Tour de Tucson in 1997. But this time, it is not a race, although the Radio Shack group is large, with two dozen riders. "We are a big posse rolling down the road and the interaction with the traffic and the local people has been wonderful."
During the long days at camp, it is not only cycling that is center stage. Team Manager Johan Bruyneel offers his guys other activities for team bonding. "We'll be doing a game of paintball, maybe a soccer game or something and then we're going to do some mountain biking," Bruyneel said.
Bruyneel also wants to make the team approachable. "The fans can see us pass on the road, or if some of them want to ride with us, that's fine."
Fatcyclist gets to ride with Armstrong
Bruyneel even invited a blogger named Elden Nelson, who blogs under fatcyclist, along. Nelson wrote a mock resume to apply for a position as a rider with Radio Shack. Bruyneel offered the challenge that if Nelson would raise 20,000 USD (half for LiveStrong, half for World Bicycle Relief), Nelson would get to ride a day with the team.
Nelson and friends quickly reached the goal and he was invited to ride with Radio Shack. But it didn't stop there. Bruyneel put out a new challenge on his website. If 50,000USD were raised for both organizations by the stated deadline, "Trek Travel will donate one 2010 Paris Finishing Package to witness the finale of the Tour de France!! And yes, airfare will be taken care of."
On Wednesday, 100,00 USD mark was broken and Nelson will be the first fatcyclist on Team Radio Shack.