Photos: The Wrenching Confessional

Colin Meagher

They are the unsung warriors of the race scene. Under challenging conditions, working a sixteen-hour day is not at all uncommon. The racers may be the most visible aspect of the race scene, but the pulse that makes it all go 'round is undoubtedly mechanics wrenching behind the scenes. The crazy thing is how under the radar they are despite this dedication to making it all happen. It's not just a job, after all; it's a lifestyle.

Most folks just show up at the race venue and gawk at the array of pro race rigs set up in the expo with little or no idea at all of how much time and effort is required to do a set up, and--after the fat lady sings--the tear down. Consequently, neutral tech support and dedicated team rigs alike are often inundated with outrageous requests from non-sponsored racers who expect not only instant service on their clapped out three-year-old rigs; but express little or no gratitude for the service that they get from these stressed-out and over-worked race veterans (Um, hasn't anybody ever heard of the six-pack thank-you?). Loaned out tools get ripped off. Mother Nature occasionally gives them hell. Rigs get broken into. Racers just get broken. Tech zones are organized along the lines of a third world refugee camp. The litany of what they put up with would be enough to try the patience of Zen master.

And yet, through it all, they--more often than not--maintain a smile and a cheery wit, albeit at times it's a tight-lipped smile and there's a bit of frost in that "cheery" wit. But there's no doubt that some things, pure and simple, get under their skin. Presented here, are fourteen genuine gripes from the wrenching life…

Reader Comments

Posted Fri Sep19, 2008, 2:55 AM — By ck in nebraska

The wrenches get to work on the best most up to date bikes on earth. They get to travel around the world to some very cool places. Who would want that job? I would! The rider is just one part of the big picture. A top shelf wrencher is worth their weight in gold. Give them many thanks.