November 4, 2022 - Bermuda 🇧🇲

Susie and I had a PB&J and coffee in the room and then I took the scooter to the triathlon communication compound and event center for a 10 am moto riders and cameraman meeting. The crew we work with call motorcycles "motos" and motorcycle riders "pilots".  So I am called a moto pilot. They also call meetings "calls". 

During the moto pilot call we reviewed general safety protocol and where the motos will be positioned during the races. They emphasized safety of the competitors above all else, cameramen were second in safety and moto pilots were somewhere down the priority list - just kidding.  

This race will be a little different in that they will have "static" video cameras positioned all around the race track plus 2 drone cameras. That was not the case for other triathlons my brother Ted and I have worked in Florida. In those events the moto cameramen provided the majority of video during the competition so we were expected to ride pretty close to the competitors so the cameramen could get good action footage. In this Bermuda event I will be primarily riding between packs of competitors and probably never in front of the cyclists. This is expected to be a highly competitive event so the bicyclists will be speeding more than normal. We may get closer during the running events. 

Susie stayed around the hotel today going to the beach and pool which she was not unhappy about. But she is going to join me tomorrow (Saturday) during more prep work at the compound and course. Myself and Ted's replacement (Moto 2) will do a few dry runs and test the communication systems. 

Today the tech guys installed battery powered audio and video transmission systems on my bike and in my helmet. During the race I will be able to communicate with my cameraman and both of us will be able to communicate with the race managers. The race managers will tell us if we need to reposition ourselves and warn us of any crashes or critical things to know. 

The moto 2 pilot is a Bermudian who has a 650 Honda, picture below. He has riden marshalls around during previous triathlons but this will be his first experience as a moto pilot for cameramen. 

The men's and women's elite main events take place Sunday the 6th. Rumor has it that the previous women's Olympics gold medallist Flora Duffy will compete Sunday. Everyone is very excited because she is a Bermudian. 

Communication side case installed on my bike

Communication case on the other side

Installing the rf receiver/transmitter

Moto 2

Some of the communication equipment 

List of cameramen and camerawomen in including 2 drone operators