Since I don't get to join the tour until Grand Rapids, this is how I vicariously "participate" in the tour. So this is what I've learned during the past week...
- David Tietsma takes a LOT of photos, and better yet, posts them on flickr for us to see.
- Eritia Smit is the "fastest girl" on the tour, according to Joshua Krabbe.
- Gayle Harrison likes "Wild Life".
- Someone keeps forgetting to ask their hosts to turn off the sprinkler systems.
- Cynthia Aukema likes riding in a pace line, but doesn't want to be the leader.
- Seems like you can't avoid flat tires, but if -- no, make that when -- you do get one, odds are you'll soon have a half-dozen folks parked beside you helping. Good Samaritans abound on tour.
- Lots of folks write about not being in a race and wanting to slow down and enjoy... but still I keep reading about people who are so excited to be averaging 30-40km/h (18-25mph)
- Alarm clocks seem to wake up everyone else except the person who set them.
- SAG vehicles are often stalked with dropjes (no word on if they've got "double-zout" or not).
- It only took 6 days and already the tents are organized in "snoring" and "non-snoring" sections.
- Speaking of 6 days later... 10:30pm is now considered late. Even by the 18-25s. Some folks chose bed over fireworks due to that.
- ONE shopping trip to Costco by the cook staff runs $4000. No word on how many days that provides...
- McDonalds has wireless internet. But it ain't free. (no Starbucks around there, folks?)
- Root Beer Floats Rock.
- Everyone... Everyone wanted a photo of that "no fireworks" sign in Stevens pass. (Okay, maybe it really was the elevation sign...)
