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.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
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.
Monday, April 28, 2008
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.)
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.
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.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
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 endsThursday, April 24, 2008
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!!!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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