Little Rock, AR

The ride to Little Rock started off like most other days, except that we were treated to an amazing breakfast in Hot Springs before hitting the road. We were a bit concerned about the weather, but since it was out of our control we put our rain jackets in our pockets and crossed our fingers for no serious storms.

I started out riding with a large group, but it broke apart after a bit and I found myself with my favorite riding trio - Jen, Jody and me.

Jody of course kept the ride interesting. What should have been a quick trip into Little Rock became a series of mishaps involving Jody. It started with her flat tire, later as we were much closer some how her seat got loose and we stopped for that, and then just as it seemed we would reach our destination without further complication we stopped again for a bug in Jody's eye. This was only a problem because the bug happened to attack her good eye, so she really couldn't see much. From that point on we managed to ride the rest of the way to the church without any other problems.

We all got cleaned up and headed downtown for some fun since we had a day off. There was an event on the riverfront and started the night there.

It was all the crawfish you could eat. I of course had none and Jody wasn't so sure about them either, but cleaned her plate to be polite.

We were all quite hungry by this point, so we left the event and found ourselves a restaurant for some good dinner. We watched as the torrential downpour hit Little Rock and then made our way to a local piano bar. The music was lacking and the night was coming to a close, so we packed up our van and went to our gym to crash.

Hot Springs, AR

Since I'm so far behind the posts up until CBUS at least will be mostly pictures...

The ride to Hot Springs was a favorite for me. It started off very muggy, but the view was pretty amazing even under the grey sky.

Shortly after our brief stop to take pictures the skies opened and the humidity broke. The rain felt amazing at that point. By the time we reached our destination we were pretty much drenched, but since we had plans to hit the hot springs later we didn't mind too much.

We headed to bathhouse row to enjoy a dip at one of the hot springs places. It was pretty much like a really warm swimming pool.

I was bored after about an hour and decided it was time to walk around the street some more and do some shopping. Jen and I found some fun critters (hermit crabs with very fancy shells). Unfortunately, we couldn't get one because it probably wouldn't survive the trip with our group caring for it...

We capped off the night with a trip to the waffle house. We'd passed a few and had been craving it for a while, so our time to enjoy it had come.

Arkadelphia, AR

The day had finally come...the ride for world health olympics.

It started off like any other day. Tango was on support so everyone was on their best behavior in the morning since they know we mean business. Sarah Voss happened to be the very first rider to walk out all packed and ready to go, which was a first for the trip. She said she knows Team Tango is serious and she packed the night before to avoid our wrath.

We had a particularly good breakfast including some amazing donuts provided by the church that put us up at the last minute. The team hit the road and i hit the oven. It was not just a special day because of the olympics, Bryce was also celebrating his birthday and that meant cake was in order. I put my pillsbury skills to work and baked two cakes before speeding off to get ahead of the group before lunch since I was driving the lunch van. About 3 miles before the planned lunch stop I finally passed the front group and parked the van just in time for them to roll up for some grub.

They headed out on their way from the lunch stop to get to Arkadelphia to prepare for the games to come. Once everyone had arrived, naps and snacks were had and the opening ceremony was set for 3:30.

The games would consist of 5 events testing all aspects of the riders abilities - athleticism, coordination, salesmanship, teamwork and coordination.

The day started with the wheelbarrow relay race. Each rider would be wheelbarrowed to a bowl of water, drink the entire bowl with a silly straw and wheelbarrow back to their teammate. Team Rice Water Stool took the early lead. Their enthusiasm was unparalleled by any other team in the competition.

The teams at the start.

Team Rice Water Stool on fire.

Libby have a lot of problems with her silly straw.

Following the intense wheelbarrow races we took things down a notch for the artistic portion of the games. Each team was asked to create a bike from playdough and then sell the final product to the judges.

The winning team with the red giant bike.

Team Rice Water Stool's work (my vote for winner, but I was overruled)

We brought back the action with a water balloon toss.


My camera decided to die for the fourth event - dizzy bat. Pete protected riders from the fence as they staggered back to the start line. By the end the scores were tight and it would all come down to the final event - the pie eating competition.

Each team was given a pie to eat together. The person eating could not touch the pie and the first team to finish would be crowned the winner.

Team Rice Water Stool had fallen behind the lead, but would not go down without a fight, and the final event would bring them the win.

Way to go Team Rice Water Stool.

All the competitors were fantastic and rewarded with a delicious BBQ of hamburgers (prepared by yours truly and Justin), pasta salad, fruit and two delicious cakes!

Magnolia, AR

Another state line today! We were right on the border and expecting to hit the sign as we passed out of town, but sadly we never found it.

We did however find some of the friendliest people. When a few riders stopped along side the road to change a flat this officer came to make sure everything was ok and then proceeded to call media people in the town of Stamps and Magnolia to let them know about our arrival. He was also more than happy to pose for a few photos.

You may or may not remember my mention of a surprise from an earlier post (heading from Ranger to Fort Worth) Jen and I were in the trail van and figured it would be fun to plan a little event for our next mail drop and support day. We made a quick stop at Dollar General to see what we could send. Then we packed it all up in a box and secretly shipped it to our next mail drop. Here you can see some of the preparation.

The package arrived right on schedule and was sitting on the table in Magnolia when we arrived at the church.

In addition to that box I also received two amazing packages. Emily and Jes sent me all kinds of important items I need for the trip. The safety glasses will be perfect for rainy days and perhaps the O.R. in the future. And who doesn't need candy!

Finally after much anticipation the entire team arrived and it was time to open the surprise package from Team Tango. The box was full of components of the competition to follow in Arkadelphia. Katie was definitely the most excited.

Since we would be on support the following day without a kitchen we Team Tango-ers decided to do some prep when we had the opportunity. Justin made some delicious looking pasta salad and Jen and I decided that rather than lose all the stale bagels to the garbage we could make them into bagel chips. We made A LOT of bagel chips. This is just a small sample...

By the time that was finished it was way past our bedtime!

Texarkana, TX

I have a special little treat today. You get to join me for our 94 mile ride. I documented every 10 miles of it just for you.

Quick meeting to go over the route. Everyone was still a little testy from the windy day before. Brian just after saying "Andy, no jokes today, just go through the route."

First 10 miles completed. Tail wind keeping our speed up.

I was near the front so I shot this one behind me.

Still speeding along after 20 miles.

Now at the back of the line after my pull.

Rest stop ahead at mile 29.

water stop.

quick pic when we saw one of the wind mill pieces being transported by a truck. The thing was huge.

Back on the road now 40 miles in.

I was towards the front of the line again.

still speeding along.

Sarah leading the line.

another 10 miles down the road.

Sarah still pulling.

and the people behind me, including a sweet thumbs up from Jen!

Are we there yet? ...no.

Hello New Boston.

I was up front, same people behind me, but my photography skills appear to be getting worse.

Almost there...mile 80!

At the back of the line again.

so close!!!!

Good old Walmart as we get to Texarkana.

We're here!

Hello host!