Hey how bout some more ATOC tales? ATOC you ask? With all well-oiled machines there has to be acronyms, so here you go, Amgen Tour of California (ATOC).

Well, it is day two in the fabulous state of California and time to get this party started. The crew gathers in the morning for Inventory duty. Literally, we need to unpack a 24foot box truck that was driven from Georgia to California the previous week. Thanks Dolphin and Magnum, or for you readers that would be Will and Elliott. All the supplies on board will be distributed to the following crews. Elliott and the Start crew, Rob Bushnell and the Routing crew – ROUTING and SOUND GUYS ROCK ! Dan and the Expo guys, and my crew the Finish. The following is a mere sample of the items that we needed to make this ATOC a success and in no order of importance. Yes, I know I likely left some things out; these are ones that I remember.

Please note the following disclaimers and quotes first:
Quantities may settle during shipping and decrease with each city. Not all items were acquired by legal means. Every attempt was made to adhere to OSHA safety guidelines. Elliot and the Start crew has it. Chris said not to. Remember that you owe us. Yes, those belong to Medalist. Jimmy is the MAN ! No I do not recall seeing that item in San Francisco, it must still be in the warehouse in Georgia. Get with Larry on that one. You need how many? Easy on the Zip Ties we gotta make them last all tour.

1,500 trash bags – 30 to a box you do the math / 40 Trash cans / 20 Buckets – I have no idea what they were for, but thanks Home Depot / 120 Ratchet straps / 50 rolls of duct tape / A few hundred feet of rope / 160 cans of White Spray paint – for KOM, and K to go / 5 ladders / 10 EZ Up tents / 10 miles of extension cord / 40 Tripods – For Road Signs indicating KOM, Feed, etc… / 100 + Orange Traffic cones / Leaf blower / Power Saws, drills, / 2 Onsite job boxes / 10 Brooms (4 made it home safely) / Empty Gas cans – I have no idea about these however I do recall at the end of the race loading a full one onto the truck ?? / 1 – Time Trial ramp – Nice ramp Chris, to bad UCI didn’t allow the ATOC decal / 30 Grand Prix sings – still looking for 2 that didn’t make it home / Zip ties – over 40,000 if I do the math correctly / 4 coffins / Approx. 30 pieces of Coreplast – For truss work and meters to go signs / 88 banners /

Finish Crew only: 2 cases of Cheddar Cheese Combos / 2 cases of Clif Shots / 1 – Large box of Advil caplets / Various Key chains (You know what I mean)

OK, I am tired now so let me stop before I hurt myself. I leave you with a few pictures that slightly match the above tales. More details on the people, places, and pictures another day.