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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Daniel Kalal on October 25, 2015, 04:38:46 PM

Title: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: Daniel Kalal on October 25, 2015, 04:38:46 PM
The International Linemen's Rodeo is held in Bonner Springs, Kansas.   The competition is intense.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/images/stateKS.png) Kansas
 
Most the crowd seemed to be connected to one of the teams and is highly  knowledgeable about what's going on.  I found I could ask anybody  standing next to me about details and they always knew the answer and would  always take the time to explain things to me.
 
They've got a forest of poles to work on.  It's quite a facility.   There are teams from all over this country and (I was told) from nine other  countries.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo013.JPG)
 
I don't know how many events there are, both individual and team.   Some events (the pole climb, for instance) are mostly about speed, but  mostly the other events involve some routine task that must be completed  perfectly and under the clock.  Any safety infraction will add penalty  points, and (as I was told) the competition is of such a high quality, that  any infraction will knock you from the running.  For all of the events  there are also categories for apprentices, journeymen and masters.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo002.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo003.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo006.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo007.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo009.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo030.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo032.JPG)
 
Select your egg carefully.  Your egg is carried up in a basket, but  on the decent, it's in your mouth and must not break.  Smooth and  steady beats fast and rough.
 
 (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo015.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo012.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo018.JPG)
 
 (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo022.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo004.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo005.JPG)
 
That's the rescue event (below, left).  A full weight dummy is  lowered to the ground in a harness
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo024.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo017.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo036.JPG)
 
There's a lot of pride here.  The U.S. Army is represented by the  Army Corp of Engineers.  You'll see different types of equipment used  on the same events.  Talking to one crew leader, he told me that that  was one of the benefits of the competition--to see other ways of doing  things.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo016.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo026.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip19/photo020.JPG)
 
I am impressed.
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: oldbike54 on October 25, 2015, 04:42:27 PM
 So am I Deke  :bow:

  Dusty
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: cruzziguzzi on October 25, 2015, 04:46:22 PM
How doggone cool is that?

I didn't even know it was a "thing".

I wonder - are there plumber's rodeos and do we even want to see one if there are?


Todd.
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on October 25, 2015, 05:14:01 PM
  Those guys are all pole ish.
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: Guzzistajohn on October 25, 2015, 05:37:35 PM
Petty cool, that would be like porn for Steve Walker :laugh:
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: sib on October 26, 2015, 06:53:28 AM
Would be nice to hold a Guzzi tire changing rodeo.
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: oldbike54 on October 26, 2015, 08:46:13 AM
Quote from: sib on October 26, 2015, 06:53:28 AM
Would be nice to hold a Guzzi tire changing rodeo.

  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 Actually that is not a bad idea , and maybe a clutch replacement event also  :grin:

  Dusty
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: sib on October 26, 2015, 02:19:42 PM
Quote from: oldbike54 on October 26, 2015, 08:46:13 AM
  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 Actually that is not a bad idea , and maybe a clutch replacement event also  :grin:

  Dusty
I'd compete in the one-handed blindfolded clutch cable replacement category.  I have experience there.
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: boatdetective on October 26, 2015, 03:37:59 PM
Yes, but are the wires live? That would be one way of weeding through things.
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: sib on October 26, 2015, 04:01:26 PM
Like the parachute packing class:  no makeup exams.
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: smdl on October 26, 2015, 09:49:12 PM
Quote from: oldbike54 on October 26, 2015, 08:46:13 AM
  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 Actually that is not a bad idea , and maybe a clutch replacement event also  :grin:

  Dusty

If there is, I'm not competing...    :tongue:

Shaun
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: oldbike54 on October 26, 2015, 09:51:05 PM
Quote from: smdl on October 26, 2015, 09:49:12 PM
If there is, I'm not competing...    :tongue:

Shaun

 Wait , haven't you been practicing ? :grin:

  Dusty
Title: Re: not Wichita linemen, but, nearby [mostly photographs]
Post by: Daniel Kalal on October 26, 2015, 10:02:06 PM
while I was in Mandello in the shop on the lower level of Agostini getting the Stelvio packed, I watched two mechanics tear into a Stelvio to get to the rear main seal.  They had the swingarm removed and the tranny taken off and the rear engine plate removed in the time it might take some of you to do an oil change.  Not much talking between them, but wow, they were really efficient.  I noticed the fuel tank was removed, but the side wings were kept in place.  They didn't touch anything that they didn't need to touch.

Anyway, whatever Guzzi rodeo you might think of; these guys would win.