Gabcast! Dave Towle Speaks. #27

Hey there race fans. I just got back from California, got to go by the AEG office , which is always cool, and than visited the good folks at Amgen. Bob Roll was there, and he gave a hilarious talk to the Amgen cycling club. All of the folks at Amgen are super into the race, and are behind it for all the right reasons. If you think they’re sponsoring the biggest race in the history of American cycling to sell more EPO, you are certifiably crazy. They sure do everything first class there, and it was a nice way to get ready for the race. I’m flying out on Thursday, to emcee along with my friend Dylan the “Meet da Pro’s” night at Clifs headquarters in Berkeley.

If you were planning on seeing me at McClane (now Merco) in Merced, you should still go, but I’m not. Todd Gogulski is their new man. I can’t say I’m that tore up about it.

I will however, be at the Central Valley Classic. The promoter Mike Shoemake is one of the best promoters in the sport. He makes Fresno seem like another stop on the Amgen Tour for me. Fresno should be awarded a AToC stage, actually, the CVC club is one of the strongest in the nation, and they have really strong cycling community. Mike treats all the racers extremely well, and at the end of the day, I hope to see huge fields and happy racers when I check back in with the NRC in early March.

I’m so stoked for the AToC it isn’t even funny. I have a lot of friends who make this race a big focus, so it’s going to be extra special this year. Jeff Roake was at the Amgen meetings as well, it was good to see him, and we seem to be right on track to pick up where we left of after a great last year.