It seems like every year, The Sea Weasel pulls out all the stops. This year was no different. Record Heat Wave, World XC Champ taking the win and Specialized putting 3 of 5 guys on the box, including my boys Taberlay and Plaxton,….couldn't have gone much better?

Now you might ask why is a team manager even blogging…good question..one that I asked myself, but none the less I will oblige. This was the first year I haven't raced the Otter in the last six year's. After taking the Semi Pro XC in '08, I decided to pull the plug and take a different route by managing the team and running the US CUP series marketing. So instead of training rides, recovery and nutrition, this year I was hob knobbing with the big wigs, drinking beer at hospitality tents and stuffing my face with extravagant finger foods and planning where to go sing some karaoke in Monterey.

Manager meetings, talking with UCI officials and press interviews were the order of the day, along with making sure that the series went off without any hitches. My only "rest" on the weekend, was when it was time to do the lead moto honors for the men's Pro XCT race. I've got to say this is by far the best seat in the house. For those two hours I'm not answering e-mails, taking calls on the celly and certainly not blogging! As a racer, its something that really makes you appreciate how legit these riders are, once you spend the intimate time out on the course with them, side by side.

The action that goes down in these races is really something we are trying to bring to the public, hence why I'm doubling up with a helmet and hand cam while doing the moto. To watch the race on Sunday was a real treat. Riding side by side with Sauser and not even breaking a sweat is about as good is it gets, and watching the race unfold on the remote parts of the course that no one else see's, you almost feel like your cheating everyone back at the start finish.

All in all it was a great weekend. I met some new faces, caught up with some old friends and everything went according to plan.

Till next time..

"The Red Cowboy"