Las Vegas to Chicago

I don't think I can top Derrick's post about racing against Lance, but we did have a few more funny experiences to report on after the race. We met Vince and Peter after Derrick's race and were going to try and meet them for dinner after we went home and got showered. Peter told us to meet him at a certain casino and we would find the cheesecake factory restaurant. So, Derrick and I both famished after our races went out to the strip in Vegas and drove up and down it to find parking and or the restaurant. Finally we parked and walked through a huge hotel and casino, seeing drunk people everywhere and even a lady in a wheel chair with puke right beside her, the smell was horrendous. Finally we find the restaurant by 12 am and it is closed. So we didn't get a chance to meet up with Peter, Vince and the Steven's gang, but sure saw everything we needed to on a trip to Las Vegas. Derrick and I then had to settle for some fast food, Mexican style as that was the only thing left open on our way back to the house.

Next morning our flight to Vegas, we get up after 4 or 5 hours sleep, both ride the trainer for an hour and then start packing. Flight at 12 noon, it's 8:30, I'm thinking we have lots of time. Wrong.......First off the bike bag zipper breaks, Derrick tries to fix it until about 9 am, then we start thinking we better go to Walmart and by some duck tape. Derrick looked by Keith's (host housing) bike stuff and sees some tape. He didn't want to take it, but he figured this might save us our flight. I then hold the bike bag together why Derrick using bright silver duck tape to tape the sh*t out of the bike bag. Okay 9:30, got 30 minutes to get gas and get to the airport. Gas........this was a long wait as well and Derrick almost lost it on the cashier who was taking her time to explain to the guy in front why he had to prepay. Unfortunately the guy didn't understand that if he put 30 $ in and only ended up pumping 20$ they would credit his credit card.

We got to the rental drop of at 10 and that went smoothly, but then had to take the shuttle to the airport. 90 minutes to spare and I look at the US airways line up and think, this is never going to happen. Stood in the line for 40 minutes, and then get to the computerized check in. Doesn't work and then the assistant there is telling me I have to wait at the desk and pay for the bike bags. Wait and wait again, by the way never, ever, ever, fly US airways with bikes. I'm not sure if all the airlines have gone up since July (last time I flew with bikes) but US airways charges were ridiculous. I tried to deal with them, but they said people were watching them, it was kind of creepy, "we are always being watched by someone here, I'm sorry mam, I would love to help you out, but I could loose my job." So 400$ later ($100 each bike bag, each way) plus 15$ for each luggage bag we have about 15 minutes to get through security and board the flight.

Obviously we made it and then Derrick and I aren't even sitting beside each other. He is sitting in the middle seat across from me as I am sitting as well in the middle of my row. I saw another couple easily ask someone to switch so they could sit beside each other, so I thought I would give it a shot. So I asked the lady on the outside of my row, she says, "sorry, nice try, I'm not sitting in the middle over there."

Derrick is sandwiched between to older business men on the flight. Next minute I here is voice speaking to the men, "I just got to put on my pantyhose so my legs don't swell". I lost it in my seat, I couldn't stop laughing. Derrick was putting on his compression socks in front of the guys. They just kind of looked at him funny. So that was our flight and fortunately are bikes made it with us and everything went smoothly went we got to Chicago. We were pretty wiped on the flight and slept the entire time. I guess the take off was delayed by almost an hour, but both of us were asleep with our mouths open, probably drooling, so none of that concerned us. What I don't get is some how are flight was still on time when we landed. I guess the pilot can put on the SUPER jets when they are late and make up for an hour by flying much faster. Why can't they just fly at that speed all the time, then the flights would be shorter, wouldn't this make more sense??

We just finished preriding day 1 here this morning in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. I think I kind of strained a muscle in my calf at Vegas, after my leg buckled a few times when is was numb. Took some advil and I figure it should be okay. Course out here looks to be a good one. We'll have a little race report up tonight. Wish us luck.

NCE