Pre Race Prep

Today the camera is out and working. Here are a few pix of the Newpark Hotel where I stayed for two nights. It's a pretty nice place except for the basement room with no elevator. What a PITA to get the luggage up and down the stairs.





Since I had nothing to do until noon, I went shopping for my "Forgive-Me-For-Going-To-Ireland-Without-You" gift for Ann. I did well if I do say so myself but I can't say what here and spoil the surprise. These are pictures of the Kilkenny Castle where the race will start tomorrow and the High Street shopping area. It doesn't look busy but it is with an enormous variety of shops and NO chain stores.






Then to the Lyrath Estate Hotel for registration, credentials, sticker application, meetings and cash purse disbursement for gasoline. This place is a stunning combination of old and new. As nice as the Newpark was I wish I'd been billeted here.




Out in the parking lot there was everything you can imagine going on. Race stickers were being applied to every vehicle. Brand new BMWs were being identified as official Tour of Ireland vehicles. Radios were being installed in each car. Arguments were taking place over who needed what bike to do their job. Nobody wanted mine and I was happy with it.


Here's my bike with its sticker applied. Can see the mistake I made?




This is a two-part sticker with the green background and the race logo and Press Pilot 2 on a separate adhesive sheet. I did not put the bottom of the white "wheels" even with the bottom of the green thus failing to create the proper bleed effect. Me bad. Every detail is important in branding.

This is the Irish Garda motorcycle patrol. U.S. motor police could learn a lot about conspicuity and proper safety gear from them. These men and women are all about safety and are totally professional on the job. Cool Yamaha FJR 1300s too.




Now it was time to meet my new mates and a fine crew they are. I'm working with Kevin, Steve, Pat, John, Mick and a couple who are the Time Board Crew, Theresa and Pat. These guys and gals are just like the folks I work with in states-side races. Lots of craziness before the race and after but total professionalism during.

I will be carrying a young novice photographer for a Dublin-based sports image agency. Steve has never worked a bike race, has never ridden a motorcycle and is about 25 lbs heavier than I am. We'll see how this is going to work out. Actually I like working with newbies. They're malleable. I just wish he was 50 lbs lighter. I'm not sure this bike is up to it.

We'll see tomorrow.