ToC - Prologue: Sacramento - 2.4 miles

A view of the course with the State Capitol in background.
A Garmin-Slipstream rider, I can't remember who... These were the only pictures I took all day, too busy otherwise.

For the non-cycling enthusiast, I will try and explain a few things as I hope to shed some light on why cycling is so exciting. Today's Stage is an individual time trial. Meaning, each rider goes out on the 2.4 mile course through the streets of Sacramento FULL GAS. It's the "race of truth", the race against the clock. These short prologues do not typically decide who will win the overall, but they do establish the pecking order. Sprinters and specialists against the clock will be the front runners, but they may not be able to hold the pace once the road turns up. So today should be exciting to see each rider head out on their own and see how they stack up to the rest of the competition.

Above is what I wrote before leaving for ToC. So if you see a short blurb from any future updates, it's because I set them to automatically post. Hopefully I have time, and don't feel too tired to update each day.

Today was not a typical day as a Course Marshal because today we just stood in one spot and did crowd control. It was fairly simple as most people were courteous, but the debate came between whether or not people were allowed to cross the road or not. The local county mounty said no, which I didn't disagree with, but as the old saying goes, "Why did the chicken cross the road?". If anyone looked at the course online, there was a down and back section then it opened up a little on the surrounding streets and then circled back. I was on the section 'back' from the tight U-turn around. So of course people either wanted to be in the middle of the median or on the far opposite side. Of course no one listens to the police or some dude holding a flag and blowing a whistle. We finally came to a consensus that people could cross the road, as long as no one was coming. Duh?!? It was all good, until Lance came out, of course. I shouldn't really say that, but the people were in such a tizzy to see him on the 'down' and 'back' section that watching them run around like chickens with their heads cut off was quite funny. Hmmm, I think I've done the same thing at other races I've seen him at..... I guess the pot shouldn't call the kettle black!

It was a long day but pretty cool. I think I scared John Murphy, a local Atlanta rider, when I yelled his name when he was warming up. He rides for the OUCH p/b Maxxis team and a good kid, fast too. I also ran into another friend that is out here for a few days from ATL. Small world. Tomorrow we check out of this hotel and won't stay in the same one for two nights straight until we reach San Diego. Living out of a suitcase, I love it....! Oh, I guess I should mention that Fabian 'Spartacus' Cancellara (Swiss on team Saxo Bank) won the Prologue and Lance came in 10th. I didn't know that myself until I got back to the hotel. It's just like when we followed the Tour in '04, you actually know more when you are at home than when you are actually there. But it's definitely not the same experience! I'm pretty glad to be here. Til next time, ciao.

Tour of California

Click on the jersey to go to the Tour's official website

The Tour of California is now the premier cycling event in the US, especially because the Tour de Georgia did not get sponsorship this year and is no longer on the schedule. So this year one of my cycling teammates posted a note on our message board asking for a last minute volunteer. They had a cancellation and needed another Course Marshal so I accepted! It's a "paid" position, although not a lot, but enough that it covers most of my expenses. I'm not sure what the details are quite yet, but I have heard from others that you are there to make sure the peloton is safe as well as the spectators. I believe I will have my own vehicle and will "leap frog" to different points along each Stage and help navigate the rolling circus! I head out tomorrow for Sacramento and the Tour begins on Saturday there. I will try to post pictures and commentary, but not sure how often or if I will be able to at all.

This is going to be fun, stay tuned!

Gobble, gobble and stuff

Still not a whole lot to report these days, other than the fact that I am officially looking for a job...... With the housing/real estate/banking/insurance/retail/tiny toy train makers market dried up, I have found myself without gainful employment for the first time in my life. The really good thing is that something else always comes along that either fills the void, or could become a long term solution. The short term solution has me working with Jason, my brother in law and best friend. He is a Registered Land Surveyor and his employee, Chris, is out with a shoulder injury. So now I'm his rod holder/bag bitch/grunt, but that's fine (for now) he pays me!

We had turkey dinner at Amy's house with the Dyer's, Brunner's, and Nana Joyce with Madison. Oh, and Uncle Reid too! It was very nice, although not so much without my parents being there.... But we weren't feeling sorry for them cause they are in New Zealand and Australia for the month, on two different cruises. Ahhhh, the rough life! But they were missed, see you both soon.

Bike Dude, as Alex calls me, and Little Will, as he calls his brother.

They can be so sweet to each other..... most of the time! They are so much fun, really.

Stephanie and a Little Turkey, asleep from tryptophan!

Jason has the contract from the USFS to repaint the lines bordering private land and Wilderness property. 8 miles, almost done, in Towns/Union Counties and 8 more to go in Clayton next week. As you can tell from Jason, the paint gets all over us, so that's why I'm in the jumpsuit! Straight up, and straight down. We can only get about 2 miles/day and it's not easy work.... But it pays! Thanks J!

Old, leftover vehicle on the Jackrabbit Mountain mountain bike trail with Lake Chatuge in the background.

My 'new' ride! Gary Fisher HiFi Carbon Pro. I'm glad I waited 10 years to buy a full suspension bike, they've come a LONG way. It weighs about as much as my hard tail, if not less, and it rides similar to it without much "bob" in the rear end. It was a demo bike and I got it for almost half price, but you can't tell it has many miles on it and it comes with the full lifetime warranty, which was the most important thing to me. So while I'm looking for a job to pay for it in 12 months, at least I'll have something to keep me occupied and not going stir crazy!!! Ciao, all!

Bye, bye summer

Wow, time sure flys by, quickly. Where did the summer go? I can't even think of what I've done, other than ride and work...... I guess sorting through my pictures, I came up with what is below. I guess I don't have much else to blog about. Hope everyone is doing well!

PDK Good Neighbor Day - Aerobatic show
Will's christening.
The boy couldn't keep his mouth shut during Father Wise's sermon, but that was OK he's only 3 months old!
The two Godparents with Amy, Jason and Will.
And of course I had to throw in a recent picture of Big Brother Alex. I bought that shirt last summer about this time!

Dual Sport riding at the Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky. Almost 200 riders raising hell through the woods!

Since the deer know they are safe on these grounds, they were out and about every morning and evening. Sadly though, they all looked malnourished.

Clark, shitter was full

After 3 months and $3,000, my disposable basement bathroom is now complete! I say disposable because I plan on just tearing my house down in a few years. But, I get to take the shitter with me! Now my buddy Matt has a place all to himself when he visits! Enjoy!

What's a living room without a place to take a crap?
Mom persuaded me to add the shower, "just in case" I don't tear the whole place down. And, it didn't really cost that much more.
This is the Saniflo Sanibest shitter. It is a self contained unit with a grinder and ejection pump all-in-one. Instead of jack hammering the floor to install a sump pump, this little guy does it all for you. It of course hooks up to the sink and shower. It does make some noise when it ejects, but it's a pretty convenient setup for about $800, toilet included. And, I can disassemble and take with me!

All I need is a shower curtain and a bar of soap!

A closeup of the tile border in the shower!

SOLD!

We sold the first house I built! You can go back to see what the house looked like during construction, but here is the final product! I am proud to say that it all came together very "easily" and is a SOLID home. We were very fortunate to get a buyer right at the end of the construction process, and they are really nice people to boot! As Jason Morris said, that is worth a lot and I can agree. I like home owners that are realistic and flexible. There WILL be things that happen to their new $800K home. But we are here to back it up and resolve the issues, if they arise. So anyone that reads this (Google search: Morris Brothers Atlanta, Morris-Brothers, Jason Morris, Matthew Morris, Morris Brothers Homes, Morris Brothers Houses) you are buying a great home from guys that actually care! (I have had a few 'hits' from people searching my previous post! Feel free to contact me.)

Family Room with built-in bookshelves
Study with diagonal designed stain grade coffer ceiling

Master bedroom with vaulted and coffered ceiling!

Master shower with seat, shampoo niche, body sprayers, dual shower heads and towel racks on the shower doors!

Master jacuzzi tub with Briggs and Stratton engine. Ok, maybe not a gas engine...!

Rear yard with privacy fence and Magnolia Underdeck system blocking the rain underneath the deck.

Proud Uncle, again!

Yesterday my little sister Amy gave birth to a healthy 8lb 8oz, 20" boy named William Lance Henson (Will). Momma and baby are doing great! Poor brother Alex is NOT going to be happy with the new addition..... He hates it when either of my nieces play with his Dadda, or even the dogs. So he is in for a rude awakening soon. That's all right, he'll get used to it, eventually! Here are a few pics: