Stage 6 - Victory! (pics and post below)

The horses are in the barn! Wow, what a finish.

The team gathered at Ray Charles' [Stu's] house bright and early Friday, having to readjust to the departure of Ol' Roy and the Goose. Mrs. Charles (a/k/a Royina, a/k/a Beverly) drove the new sag (a Yukon clearly marked with "Team N2N" door magnets), and shuttled the team to Dean's Stand for the final push-off.

At the first stop, MacGyver's bride [Susan] (along with her dad and his two youngest children) showed up for a surprise appearance. The excitement rose a notch. At the second stop, Mrs. Conrad [Beth] made another surprise appearance, substituting her usual day job for an afternoon assisting the sag. Mrs. Feelgood [Reagan] was with Mrs. Conrad, and though her appearance was expected, it added more spring to the collective team step to see the "shebosses" begin to arrive and prepare for the finale. [If you don't know about Sheboss (pronounced "she-boss") then you need to study your Trace history.]

At the next stop, the shebosses laid a final Newk's picnic spread that would have made Roy proud. The clouds began rolling in, making the final 21 miles a race against rain. After looking at a weather forecast a couple of days ago, we posted, "We started this ride in rain, and it may just be fitting to end it that way, too." Well, it did -- sort of. The rain was steady for about 15 miles, but as the team rolled into the last 4 miles, the clouds parted and the sun shown.

Ray Charles [Stu] assembled this pelaton, and he rode from the rear for 4 of the last 5 miles, watching his team approach the finish and surely thinking about how all of his planning had run with precision. Following a photo-op at the "Parkway Ends 1 Mile" sign, Mrs. King Air [Kimberly] drove past us headed to see the finish, and King Air [Scott] turned on an extra jet.

Approaching the finish was bittersweet -- it was the goal, but at the same time the end is something no one really wanted. But if it had to end, it ended in style. Mrs. Charles sagged the team from the end of the Trace all the way down the Natchez Boulevard to the Mississippi River, playing Jerry Reed's "East Bound and Down" as loud as the Yuke allowed. The other shebosses were there awaiting (with a shaving cream finish line), and the team began its celebration.

As we close out the 2008 Tour de Trace, a final thanks to The Bike Rack, Indian Cycle and Newk's, for their support and kind donation of supplies and food. Also, our friend John Noblin deserves many thanks. On the eve of the finale, some of our horses needed some serious adjustments, which he diagnosed and repaired. Thanks, John. Hope to follow it up with a new tour in 2009!

Stage 5 - The End Nears

[Stage 4 was just posted (below), a day late due to the lack of internet at the secluded Greater Kilmichael venue where the team stayed Wednesday.]

Conrad [Tim] is tired, enjoying time at home with the family, resting for the final push, and due at Ray Charles' [Stu's] house at 6:30 a.m., so this will be short.

The team pushed off early and enjoyed the cool weather that comes with that. During the noon hour, the team crested the hill heading into the (old) Craft Center and was greeted by kids, cowbells, and cheers that made the team proud (truthfully, the cowbells didn't make at least 4 team members proud, but I'm sure King Air [Scott], RoRo [Ronnie] and MacGyver [Joel] got a chill thinking about the maroon and white). As usual, Ol' Roy had spread the Newk's feast, but the well-wishers added to it with even more goodies. The team has enjoyed long lunches, but today's was probably a bit longer, for it isn't easy to leave the family you haven't seen in days to head back to the asphalt and heat for another 30+ miles. In addition, Conrad's horse suffered another broken leg (flat), this time the front one, and Bishop's [Keith's] chain decided to take a break, but the team persevered another 30 or so, ending the day at Dean's Stand, just south of the mile 74 marker.

It was a sad day, too. After today's run, the team had to say good-bye to Roy, who is headed back to Missouri after driving the sag and spreading the picnics. Ol' Roy IS part of the team, so we are disappointed he won't see us finish what we started, but he will get a phone call when we circle the Champs Elysee' (or even if we just make it to Natchez). He's been planning S2S for us (Savannah to San Antonio), but the team thinks Roy's dreaming a little too large. Regardless, we'll miss him tomorrow and hope he drives the 2009 sag, regardless of the route.

370 miles down; 74 miles to go.

Stage 4 - Separation Day

Day Four was Separation Day; it was not a day for boys. Headwinds, crosswinds, heat, the accumulation of miles without rest, and miles of rough “grey rock” roads made for a day to grind it out. Though it was not a day for boys, Team N2N is stocked with men, so they persevered for 86 grueling miles, bringing the end close enough to begin firming up plans for the victory lap around the Champs Elysee´ (well, okay, Natchez, but we may close our eyes and pretend). Ray Charles on a Bike [Stu] found a gash on his tire after today’s ride, but The Bike Rack/Indian Cycle’s goody bag included a fresh tire (thanks, guys), and MacGyver performed his second successful surgery of the week.

The reward at the end of the 86 miles was another feast, this time prepared by the Wolfe Creek hunting camp’s resident chef, Jan. Conrad [Tim] has remarked that he may be the first person to ride a bike 444 miles in 5 and a half days and gain weight. This team is well nourished.

Tomorrow (today by the time you will read this), the team travels through The Bold New City – or is it the Crossroads of the South? Whichever, the team spins through Jackson and Ridgeland tomorrow, heading into a familiar stretch of the Trace that served us well during our training sessions. When Ol’ Roy told us the Goose’s first stop Thursday was going to be River Bend, several team members’ ears perked up, for that was the destination for the very first team training session.

Ray Charles has selected the stop formerly known as the Craft Center as the venue for Roy to put another picnic together. We hope to see some sights for sore eyes (and thighs) during the noon hour at the Craft Center.

The weather man in Natchez does not sound as nice as the weather men in Tennessee, Alabama and North Mississippi were. He is making noise about storms on Friday, but he is not going to rain on our parade. We started this ride in rain, and it may just be fitting to end it that way, too. We’ll see. 289 miles down; 155 to go!

Stage 3 – N2N Goes to Hollywood

Okay, it wasn’t really Hollywood, but it sure was Media Day for the team. While the team finished packing the RV to depart Sheffield, Alabama, Dr. Feelgood [Charlie] was giving a telephonic interview to the Madison County Herald, a mere warm-up for the television interview he gave his hometown station following another (now) famous Roy Picnic at the Trace’s Tupelo Welcome Center. Yep, that’s right, Dr. Feelgood made the 10:00 evening news, accompanied by some nice footage of the entire team riding in a pace line. Ol’ Roy had spread out another Newk’s feast (if you haven’t tried their brownies, you don’t know what you are missing) for the team, but before we could enjoy it the crew had to give another interview, this time to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (on page A2 in today's paper). [Dr. Feelgood was unanimously elected Team Press Secretary today; please direct all questions and press requests to him. Miss 103 is exempted; they booked a Wednesday morning interview with King Air before this ship set sail.]

Enough of the Hollywood thing. They don’t call Mississippi the Hospitality State for nothing. When we cruised into the Trace’s Tupelo Welcome Center around 1:00, you would have thought Mayberry was throwing a parade for Sheriff Taylor. The aforementioned Daily Journal photographer was snapping pictures and the hometown boys’ families lined the roadway to welcome the team to the All-American City. Following a couple of interviews, the team enjoyed the Newk’s dinner on the grounds.

It is good to be home in Mississippi. As we headed south out of the All-American City, Dr. Feelgood and Ray Charles pedaled their bikes down memory lane. Memory lane includes the creek where, as high school boys, Feelgood and Ray did what high school boys do, the tract where Dr. Feelgood used to ride a tractor sitting on his granddaddy’s lap, and the mud pit where Dr. Feelgood stuck his 1980 Chevrolet in the mud.

Lest there be any doubt, we knew we were in Mississippi when Dr. Feelgood’s and Ray Charles’ moms spread out homemade dishes that included all the fixin’s – and two homemade desserts. We’re pedaling lots of miles and burning lots of calories, but these Mississippi moms are not letting the tanks get empty.

Tomorrow the team heads to French Camp, and beds in the Greater Kilmichael area. Internet does not reach tomorrow’s venue, but the Stage Four post will arrive later Thursday.

sweet home mississippi

Team N2N crossed the border mid morning, enjoyed lunch in Tupelo where Hollywood Pound waxed eloquent for the WTVA Ch 9 cameras for the 10pm newscast. French Camp or bust tomorrow.

Cruisin thru north Alabama

Check out this video of the team on the road.

Tennessee River

Team N2N crossed the beautiful TN river before logging the last 10 miles of the day. The Goose with Roy at the wheel was a welcome site. After stopping at the hotel for a shower, we had a great night at Rigatoni's.

rockn & rolln

Team N2N left Columbia, TN, and we found it a bit rocky but weather was much improved. Headed southwest for Alabama, chilly but good sunshine, one blown tire, two bridges out, but we were headed for TN River or bust.

Stage 2 -- A Chamber of Commerce Day

When Ray Charles on a Bike [Stu] planned this trip, if he had a better day than today planned, he wasn't thinking clearly. The weather was chilly early, but it was shirt-sleeve-cool all day long with bluebird skies.

Stage 2 opened with a surprise birthday Cliff Bar (with candles and all the trimmings) for RoRo [Ronnie] in honor of his 42nd. After RoRo successfully blew out the candles (and MacGyver emptied the RV's guts at the Luv Truck Stop), we started the trek with a 40+ mph glide down what we are told is the longest, steepest hill on the entire Trace.

Today did present more long, grinding hills than any of the Team expected. In fact, Day 2 presented more challenging hills than Day 1, catching most of the team off guard and creating much conversation among the team.

When you plan for everything on a six-day bike tour, you hope some of the planning goes for nought. Today wasn't the case. Following a photo-op in a canyon surrounded by a waterfall and streams, Conrad knew the hacking and coughing his horse was doing wasn't a good sign. Once the problem was identified as a flat, though, MacGyver [Joel] executed the repair with precision and ease. He had the flat repaired in, well, no time flat.

Other landmarks for the day included the site of Meriwether Lewis' grave, a good-bye to Tennessee (and a hello to Alabama, which coincided with the making of a new friend at the State Line who had just left a Rock and Roll Festival in Helena and was driving his motorized bike to North Carolina), and the crossing of the Tennessee River. After seeing multiple turkeys yesterday, only one showed today, along with another pair of deer.

Roy the Driver thinks we are all crazy (himself included) for embarking on this tour, but I don't think he'd trade the experience for anything. When we pulled into the stop the Team had designated as the lunch site, we found that Roy had already set up a picnic table and spread it with all the fine fixin's that Newk's sent with us (and that is a lot of good food), and surrounded it with soccer-field chairs. Tomorrow night is pasta night at the place where Dr. FeelGood grew up, so the Team is eating well.

The Team logged about 77 miles today, and looks forward to entering the Magnolia State tomorrow. Surely there won't be as many hills as we've seen the last two days.

(We hope to get some photos posted soon.)

Uphill Battle

I never knew the Rocky Mountains extended into northern Alabama but I do believe we climbed them today. Of course the skinny boys had no trouble climbing the mountains but the big fella did. Oh to be a skinny boy. Riding bikes all day gives you plenty of time to think about the important things in life. I think my new life goal will be to become a skinny boy. Those guys seem to enjoy life, especially time spent climbing the Rocky Mountains. There were several points in which my speedometer was showing 6.5 miles per hour. I have seen women pushing shopping carts going faster than that. I yearn for the Ms. Delta these days. The thought of no inclines for hundreds of miles does my heart good. The good news about an uphill is that it is always followed by a downhill. Skinny boys generally become jealous of big fellas on the downhills. My advice to them is stay skinny.

Thought a lot about uphills battles today, like the one families like the Natas go through. Thinking about their fighting spirit somehow inspires others to want to fight too. It is one incredibly awesome experience to be able to ride for Tony's Room Foundation. Got a picture of little Tony tied to my handle bars. Sure has kept me going. Thanks to everybody who have pledged to Tony's Room Foundation. Please help these families who are in the fight of their lives. Thanks Tony for teaching us how to fight the uphill battles.

Tour de Trace's Stage 1 is in the books

Right on schedule, at 5:40 a.m., the Grey Goose arrived on Honeysuckle, already manned with MacGyver [Joel], Bishop [Keith], Ray Charles on a Bike [Stu] and Roy the Driver. Despite a 500 mile ride to Jackson from Missouri the day before, Roy reported that he was so excited about driving the Goose that he had been up since 3:45 a.m.

After picking up RoRo [Ronnie] and Dr. Feelgood [Charlie], The Goose headed to the Hills of the Northern Trace at 6:30. Just before 1:00, the Goose landed at The Loveless Cafe and picked up King Air [Scott], who showed no signs of fatigue from yesterday's 13.1 mile Music City 1/2 Marathon. After everyone put their battle armor (and raingear) on and took advantage of some photo-ops (thanks to Conrad's sister), the pelaton headed to the hills, raindrops a fallin'.

We had read how much fun it is to fly down the Trace's final hill into The Loveless Cafe (when you are riding north). I'm sure that's true, but when you are headed south that hill is not as much fun. Fortunately, most of the other hills didn't compare to The Loveless Hill (although the Baker Bluff Hill came mighty close).

The weather was wet at times, but turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Temperatures ranged from 59 to 65, and the overcast skies were welcome as the pelaton fought through the hills.

While the weather seemed to keep the Sunday afternoon riders off of the Trace, the turkeys thrived in it. We lost count at 16, including one Tom that was disrupted from his hot pursuit of two hens when Ray Charles On a Bike and Roro went sailing between him and his prize. By the time the rest of the riders came upon him, he was a gobbling away. A couple of deer showed up, but it was clearly an afternoon for turkeys.

Today's trail also featured two waterfalls, including about a 30+ footer at the end of the day at the Fall Hollow stop. The Team knocked out 52 (and some change) miles today; 392 +/- to go.

Team n2n hits the Trace

This is "Mrs. Conrad" [Beth] reporting...the team left from the Loveless Cafe at approximately 1:30 today. Conrad [Tim] reported that it was raining, but "not too bad". I am certain that Conrad will report himself this evening...and he possibly won't be the only one...so check back tonight.

Scot and Caroline at Country Music 1/2 Marathon

Warmed up the legs today in Nashville. Scot and Caroline joined 35,000 other runners who participated in the Country Music Marathon. We ran the 1/2 marathon. Lots of fun. Bands played every couple of miles. Amazing to see that many people running down the streets. Didn't see the Kenyans. Those guys are pretty swift. Found out that the stories about the hills were not a myth. Hope the Goose brings a road grader to shave off the tops of some of these hills. Looking forward to joining the fresh legs tomorrow.

Tomorrow morning The Goose is Loose

'Tis the night before N2N, when all through the house, Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse; The bikes are packed in the RV with care, In hopes that morning will soon be here; The riders will soon be nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of The Loveless Cafe dance in their heads; Tomorrow at 6 the Tour begins; Hopefully on Friday in Natchez it ends

In memory of Tony Nata III

*Here's the Pledge Form*

Your donation to a good cause is welcome! (Pledge form on next post)

Shop at The Bike Rack, Indian Cycle & Newk's!!

A huge thank you goes to our friends at The Bike Rack, Indian Cycle, and Newk's for the donation of supplies and fuel!!!

Buy in bulk

Larger jar was cheaper so I will have plenty to share.

Unfortunately graduation was last week at the Tupelo School of Natural Massage. Next class doesn't start till mid-May so they won't be able to accommodate us during our stay in T-town. Remember, Stu's family might see this so be careful of any comments that you may want to add.

Pasta Binge after Ridgland Century

You can never have too much gas

No matter how old the station, when you see gas, fill up, don't pass it. If Dr. Feeling Good is around, he does a great job of checking tire pressure.

N2N Proving Grounds - Ap 12, 2008

N2N Prologue - Ridgeland Centry Ride Ap 12, 08, -proving grounds for membership - if you can ride 100, you can ride 444

A beautiful Sign

Don't stop spinnin till you see this one, then get up wind of Goree and follow your nose to the river.

April 22, 2008

5 days and counting until Stage One begins.