Chatter Boxes

Here's a video I took of the race in Jefferson City. A lot of people have asked if John was participating in "The Race" (referring to the Tour of Missouri). This video proves that we are in fact just spectators.



We made it home safe and sound (albeit a little soggy) on Saturday. John and Chad rode about 40 miles from Sedalia to Clinton, MO in the rain. It was quite the accomplishment and I've very proud that they stuck with it despite the weather.





Carrie - look away from the screen - you're not gonna like this!

Here's a snake on the path.



Check Katie's blog for more pictures. Thus concludes the great Bike Tour of '08. Thanks for checking in.

There's been a slight change in plans. We're now in Sedalia, MO after spending yesterday in Rolla, MO (John's College Town). We're living like nomads as we follow different stages of the race. John and Chad rode into Rocheport Wednesday afternoon after riding 25 miles from Pilot Grove. Here they are riding into town. Yesterday we started the day in Rocheport, MO with some shopping and breakfast and made our way to Rolla, MO to see the finish of Stage Four. Here's the current leader (in the yellow jersey). Christian Vande Velde of Team Garmin. The big finish We made our way that night to St. James, MO where we stayed a the Valley View Cabin surrounded by fog and rain. We had a great big breakfast at Diana's Diner in St. James and ventured up the hill for the "King of the Mountain" (first biker up the "mountain" gets the most points). The bikers raced by our blanket on the shoulder of the highway and we loaded up the car to get to Jefferson City, MO to see the finish. We're now in Sedalia, MO in this historic hotel. Katie and I will drive home tomorrow and John and Chad will bike along the Katy Trail.

It's the beginning of day two. The boys are probably still sleeping. I haven't heard from them yet this morning. Last night the plan was to spend a lot of time swinging on the front porch swing at Aunt Polly's (The B&B).



Check here for the play-by-play on Day One.

I'll try to keep this post updated today but I'm not sure how much internet access we'll have. Today is a short bike ride (just a couple of hours) to Rocheport. We should all be there by lunch time. We're staying here tonight.

Today begins the great bike tour of 2008. John and his friend Chad are biking along The Katy Trail to see different legs of the Tour of Missouri. Garmin is the title sponsor of a bike team (who from here on out will be referred to as "the professionals" - at least by me. John will probably use the more respectful title of "Team Garmin"). This same bike team participated in the Tour de France. John worked on the GPS product used by the professionals.

Here's the plan:
Day One - John and Chad will bike from Clinton, MO (The start of the second leg for the professionals) to Pilot Grove, MO - that's 61 miles for those keeping track at home.

Day Two - Pilot Grove, MO to Rocheport, MO. Katie and I will meet them there after a grueling 2 hour ride in a car with air conditioning and cruise control. The wives are all about making sacrifices to support our husbands.

Day Three - We'll drive to Jefferson City, MO to catch the start of the third leg for the professionals.

Day Four - This is a rest day in Rolla, MO where I will get to see John's alma mater and frat house (I'm honestly frightened about this particular activity). We'll decide whether to see the start, middle, or finish of the professional race. Kim and Katie drive home (4 hours this time - Phew! I hope we can make it!). John and Chad bike From Rocheport, MO to Boonville, MO (No - I did not make up that name. That's the real name of the town).

Day Five - John and Chad bike from Boonville, MO to Clinton, MO where they will reunite with their four-wheeled vehicle and drive home...tired, sore, and happy.

I asked John to send updates on their progress and will post those updates here. Check back often to see how they're doing.

Trip Journal:

Journal Entry #1. "The time is 11:02am. Just finished watching the race start. Chad and I are headed to the Clinton Community Center to park the truck, change clothes, and hit the trail. Final Destination – Pilot Grove, MO 61 miles. Chad’s supply of gummy bears is holding up so far."





"12:19 pm - Journal entry: Brutal Headwind" (said out of breath and gasping)

"12:35pm - Wind less now. More trees. Total distance so far 5.5 miles."

"1:09pm - Tried to stop for lunch at Calhoun. Both the 'Jug Town Feed' and the 'Whistle Stop' were closed. We will continue on to Windsor."

"2:33pm - We just finished eating in Windsor. Country Fried Steak, homemade *something* salad, mashed potatoes and gravy. Back out on the trail after a rest." (The cell coverage is limited so he kept cutting out - I think this is close to what he said. I listened to the message several times and couldn't figure out what kind of salad they had - but I'm pretty sure we can all live without that information.)

"3:19pm - We’ve gone 25 miles so far. We are coming up to Greenridge. The head wind is back. However we did cross over the highest point of the trail so supposedly it’s all downhill from here. We met four bikers just outside of Windsor that are following the race too. They’re celebrating their 60th birthdays together."

"7:25pm - Kim I NEED SOME INSPIRATION! We have 3.5 miles to go. Oh, there's a tunnel coming up - I didn't know it was there. Chad says he wants to sleep in the tunnel."

"8:02pm - We're here. Phew. We're staggering down the street looking for the best pizza ever made. We look like we're drunk (I assure you they were not!). The word on the street is that the Casey's Station has the best homemade pizza (I think it's because so many people bike to it that after 61 miles on a bicycle - gas station pizza does taste like the best pizza ever.) Aunt Polly's is great (that's the B&B they're staying in tonight). She has beds."

This will only mean something to the locals.

It's offical. I've gone from this...



to this...



I do feel different.