The hotel in Koblenz was right alongside the river Rhine
On the first day we set off in the team bus at 7am on the 3 hour journey to the Continental factory in Korbach. When we arrived Benjamin Brochhagen (Benny) and Tim (Team Marketing Manager) helped to set up the bikes and get all of the team kit ready. For the next few hours Irina, Wolfram Kurschat, Dave, and I all worked hard behind the camera....it was especially hard for me because I am somewhat camera shy! However the photographers and the Continental team were all great and made me relax a little. I can still hear the photographer saying "Eins, zwei, drei" 'click' "Eins, zwei, drei" 'click'....... :0)
We then had a lunch break in the factory restaurant (which I especially enjoyed - they had great desserts!) before resuming the photo shoot in search of the perfect shot. It was a really fun day and I am looking forward to seeing the final advertisement. I hope to add a copy to the blog soon.
Wolfram accompanied by 'little' and 'large' the two in-house Continental models
Once we had all changed out of our riding kit we were then shown around the factory. It was amazing to see exactly how the tyres are made and just how much work goes into each and every one. On the Continental tyres it says 'handmade in Germany' and now I know exactly what that entails!
It was a hard day at the office!
The next day we had another early start, with Benny driving us (Irina, Dave, Robert Mennen, and me) in the team bus on another 2ish hour journey to the location of the team photo shoot. The sun shone all day but it was pretty cold and standing in shorts and a jersey left me feeling a little blue, literally....thankfully my blue lips can be turned pink with a little help from Photoshop!
After some portrait shots we then had a chance to have a quick spin on the bikes to where we would have some riding shots. As the sun set we finally packed up and had a team meal before heading off on the long 2 hour journey back to the hotel. However, it was longer for some of us than others.....in fact as far as Dave Weins knows it only took around 30minutes because he spent most of it snoring!
Some of the new kit
The next day was a little more relaxed and we were able to have a more leisurely breakfast before going for a gentle spin along the Rhine and in the forest at Koblenz.Benny and Dave at the German Corner in Koblenz where the Rhine and the Mosel meet
Afterwards Benny drove me back to Frankfurt for the quick (1 hour flight) back to Heathrow. After the end of the trip Benny had driven around 2000km! Thanks Benny......you did a great job :0) It was a fun few days and it was really nice to meet the team who were all super friendly. Unfortunately some of the team were unable to make it, including Alban Lakata who is currently racing in the Cape Epic - Good Luck Alban! - Kim Tofaute who is at the Taipei International Cycle Show in Taiwan, and Jeff Kerkove who is training hard in the USA.
A great view of Koblenz
Love reading about your team, it so interesting its really what id love to do.
ReplyDeleteHopefully see you at some british national races :) im gonna try my hand at some longer marathons this year, but think it will be a big step for me.
Annie
x
Hi Annie,
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know that you like the blog. Thank you for your comment. Yes, I hope to meet you at one of the races soon. You should definitely try a marathon...there are few better people to advise and support you than Jenn and Andy.
Best of luck for the season,
Sally