2008tourgeorgiastage7

2008 TOUR DE GEORGIA

STAGE 7

Carol and I were late for the start of this stage. I was running up the road as the announcer was counting down for the official start and I was 250 meters from the line when the riders launched. Why was I late? Well I had a good excuse...

At the end of the Savannah stage we met some local cops milling around a police motorcycle. I was admiring the new bike and mentioned how long I had been looking for a police solo saddle. Harley does not sell these to civilians and they are difficult to find. A couple of the cops gave each other a funny look and the one called "Bird" said he just happened to have one that I could have. We were swapping information for shipping when his lieutenant saw our zip code. He recognized it and said he was going to be close to us over the weekend. Our meeting on Sunday was timed just so that we were a few minutes late for the start. But the new friends made and the new seat for one of my motorcycles made it more than worthwhile. Like I have said before... Sometimes the bicycle racing is just a very small part of a Tour.

The race started in light rain conditions and their were more flat tires than I could count on my fingers and toes. I believe it was something like 17 flats in just the first couple of laps. The Mavic folks were earning their keep. As the race progressed the rain did stop and the course dried up to allow for safer and faster racing.

BIRD IS THE COP WITH HIS ARM AROUND CAROL

SCOTT PASSES OFF THE SEAT TO ME IN BUFORD