Sheeper van leapfrogs ahead

Sunrise leap..



- from my iPad

Location:Eastern Illinois

Missed Michele - darn.

We knew we were very close but now conclude Michele must have been resting as we shot by this morning. We should have passed her 8 miles after TS37 but didn't see her.


- from my iPad

Location:TS37

Things that can go wrong, TS34-35

We ran into a text book RAAM problem last. Leaving TS34 there is a quite short but steep pitch 8 miles into the section. As luck would have it there was congestion prior to the hill. This then led to a line of support vehicles stuck behind a tandem that was having trouble. Enough trouble to justify (in their team's mind) a crew swap mid hill. Night time so stationary handoff and the subsequent stall rippled back through the queue. All this was too much for our rider who leap frogged the traffic jam, abandoning us (his mandatory support vehicle) at the back of the line. Eventually the sewer became unclogged and we retrieved our stationary rider at a T junction as he didn't have the correct direction. Good decision to stop.
This was taking place on narrow two lane undulating and windy roads. David immediately phoned back to Sheeper van to warn them to allow extra time to advance to the next team swap position - along the same route.
Alas, it was too late. When we eventually pulled off the swap it was 3:00am at least one hour later than planned. As a result the retiring team was out for 10 hours. - a long time indeed.
Any frustrations were mitigated by the ride over the Mississippi at Alton - a very cool bridge and symbolic for any west-to-east journeys.

- from my iPad

Location:Washington, Missouri

Quincy crosses Mississippi

- from my iPad

Location:Alton, Illinois

Everything back as it was

Van configurations are back the way they were Sheeper van arrived at hotel as scheduled and assumed the room.



We took in some dinner


No consensus on my first choice



then hustled to catch Quincy van



All this riding is doing something special to Bill's legs - they're ripped


- from my iPad

Location:Hermann, MO

Jefferson City

We are well and truly in Ozark vacation country. All very new looking buildings showing signs of robust economic vitality. Ozark lake is what justifies the activities. I'll suggest Lake Shasta on steroids. The local accents are very local, the music is very country. I was just putting down some finger lick in' goodness following a really solid 2 hours sleep.

Ken is sounding recharged..

New plan has the follow vehicle resuming normal service as soon as Sheeper van gets to this hotel. We'll grab Raoul and subject him to a double shift. Ken will get to stay at the hotel a double shift and then return to his mothership. Everything back to normal.

Tim and Eduardo did an awesome job getting to Camdenton (TS32), almost matching the ETA. Seriously rolling hills and the sun is hot, damn hot.

Rested and ready to roll.

- from my iPad

Location:Jefferson City, MO

Accommodations are ready

Using the RAAM web site to predict TS arrival times Ken, David and I launched the mini-van forward to the 'burbs of JC. Here we have snagged room 223 at the Best Western (next to a KFC!, protein tonight). RAAM location 33A-BR

Raoul Raoul you took my red duffel when you jumped ship this morning. Looking forward to your arrival here more than usual.


- from my iPad

Location:Jefferson City, MO