DAY 0
Getting ready to go
Distance: None today Climbing: none Winds: 
Weather: Terrain:

Today's Report:  Boy, driving across the country this trip was exciting to say the least.  We were just ahead of the storms in the midwest as we stayed in Cedar Rapids on our way out and when Karen and I went for a ride, the river was up to the bike path in many locations and over it in one other...but as you probably know from the news, Cedar Rapids was underwater a couple days ago...along with lots of other towns in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.  Jim and Jeff were driving out a day behind us and they raced through the mountains around Boseman just ahead of a snow storm that could have closed the passes for a bit...but we all made it unscathed.

What a hectic day...as usual on day 0.  Our crew and I got here a day or two ago and have been spending the fast moving hours preparing for the onslaught of riders.  We spent the afternoon Friday after we arrived preparing the vans, getting stuff sorted for the SAGs, and finally we did our staff prep/training at dinner.  On Saturday, we were able to get in a ride, albeit a cold windy one, to get our legs turning after the long drive out before opening for business for early registration and bike assembly in the afternoon. 

Sunday's rush to get bike's put together was a little less hectic after getting almost half the bikes done on Saturday, but having 3 mechanics assembling bikes and Jeff doing a quality control check made the bike assembly process go smoothly.  Plus, having Karen, Barb, and Debbie taking care of all the registration details made the day go off without a hitch.  The great news was that all the bikes showed up on time and only one set of luggage that I know of didn't make it.  Hopefully, they will find those bags before we leave tomorrow.

We've come from all over the world to ride across the north...tomorrow we ride...the adventure begins.  But before we could turn a wheel, we had to do orientation Sunday afternoon.  During that session, we talked about how we do business and really pushed the safety aspect of the ride.  We will ride in the elements, on open highways, and in conditions where most people wouldn't even take out their bikes...but we'lls press on.  Everyone's anxious to get started...tomorrow we turn the pedals.  See you then.

 

PHOTOS AND SUCH

IT REALLY HAPPENED:

"Riiiiing...oh, bet it's for me!"

Bill and Kevin for some reason have the same bike, the same bike shoes, helmet...and they are the same size...plus, they are roommates.  On the way to bike assembly, Bill put his shoes on the handlebars but by the time he got to the room, he'd lost one along the way.  Barb told him she knew where he could find a replacement.

"When I introduce myself, should I just start off by saying I'm an old guy that leaves stuff laying around everywhere."
"You could, but that wouldn't single you out much."

"Our bags are somewhere."
"You mean they are not here?"
"That's about the size of it."
"You're right, they are somewhere."

"I'm the boss in our house." 
"Why are you riding this ride?"
"I'm on this ride because my wife said we were going ride across the country." 

"I came on this ride again because last time I didn't get a full milkshake in Victor, WY." 

"Tomorrow will be my longest ride ever!"

It takes the staff a couple days to get to know the riders as everyone just seems to have the same blank face until after the start of the ride.

John wanted to get a jump on the "Flat King" title...2 before the end of bike assembly is definitely a good start.  During the post bike assembly interview, he stated he'd dreamed of this title since the last time he'd ridden with us...now it is within his grasp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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