EDT       Location                      Time Elapsed

18:14    Camdenton, MO           6 days 02:53

21:49    Jefferson City, MO       6 days 06:28

07:18    Marthasville, MO          6 days 15:57

11:04    Mississippi, MO            6 days 19:43

13:24    Greenville, IL               6 days 22:03  2,103.1 miles

Collins, MO to Camdenton, MO

This section is a constant roller coaster - one roller after another after another.  When Mark went through, it was also Saturday and the traffic of weekend revelers heavy, but accommodating.  From the extent of traffic, gas prices do not appear to be hindering the number of cars on the road.  There are many magnificent condos and yachts in the resort area around Lake Ozark. 

Mark rode strongly through the rollers and mid 80's heat, arriving in Camdenton Time Station 31 at 18:14.

As Mark continued on to the next Time Station, the RV stayed at the Sleep Inn, although with WiFi upload (in the room no less... luxury!) and rider laundry, the Sleep Inn was more of a Nap Inn.

At Camdenton, Mark had covered 1,854 miles (2,983 kms) with elevations from 857 ft up to 1,100 ft.

Camdenton, Mo to Jefferson City, MO

Exiting Camdenton was a large flashing sign for drivers: Bike Race/Race Across America.  Traffic to Osage Beach was really weekend heavy and much of the route was along a freeway. The route seemed to have a lot of microwave towers at the tops of the climbs ... hmm must have been set by Lon Haldeman whose routes seem to have an intrinsic design affinity for towers.  Two publicity Mini's bowled along with humungous cans of Red Bull on their roof, a hot commodity in the Follow Vehicle. 

Mark climbed to Jefferson City to Time Station 32 situated at the Capitol Building and surrounding gardens.  This made a beautiful and elegant setting to greet the riders.  Mark sailed through just at dusk, with the skies turning shades of rose.

Mark going through Jefferson City Time Station

John Welch joined the crew today for the final week.

 Mark completed 1,912 miles in Jefferson City.  Elevations started this stage at 1,000 ft and ended at 600 ft

Jefferson City, MO to Marthasville, MO

Night fell as Mark left Jefferson City and crossed the Missouri River.  The evening was calm and he and the Follow Vehicle followed a narrow, relatively quiet rode alongside the Missouri River.  The RV stopped to wait for Mark in Tebbetts at the local volunteer Fire Station (a particularly nice waiting place as the RV could be turned easily).  The night was filled with the sounds of crickets, frogs and other wailing noises from the marshes nearby, along with the barking of a worried dog across the way.  The moon is nearly three quarters now, and with the stars gave a soft light as we waited for Mark who was cycling strongly. 

After the quiet route along the river, the road turned and started a series of twisty rather steep climbs, five exceeding 100ft.  They are so sharp that the rider disappears from view of the Follow Vehicle for a couple of seconds.  Mark climbed very well.  At one point, a group of young people on ATB's surprised Mark and the crew, coming up suddenly alongside and then riding along with him.  John Welch had to stop suddenly and wait as several deer on the side of the road ambled across.

The RV met Mark for the night around 3:00am Race Time.  Luckily there was a Trail Head in the small village of  Treloar just off the main route, so we did a crew exchange, put Mark to bed, cleaned up the bikes and changed tires and tubes, and dozed off for a couple of hours while Mark slept.

Just before Treloar, Mark was no longer holding the straight line he usually does and was wandering a bit. With no warning, Mark's front wheel flipped to the right and the bike veered sharply.  Mark immediately regained control, but he had probably momentarily dozed off on the bike and woken up just in time to regain control. 

Time to sleep.

Shift change at Treloar

(While cleaning the bikes, the day crew, Rob, Dan and Ken, mentioned a Best Burrito Across America contest that was ongoing and will supply details later.)

Day dawned clear with favourable winds and Mark cycled on to Marthasville a short distance away.  We discovered there was a route change due to flooded roads near St. Louis.  Luckily at Time Station 33 in Marthasville, the RV was able to get two copies of the route change, one for the Follow Vehicle and Mark and one for the RV.

Reviewing the St Louis detour directions

Leaving Marthasville, MO, Mark had cycled 1,987 miles.  Elevation varied from 700ft to just under 500ft.

The Follow Vehicle...

The Follow Vehicle is the key vehicle.  It follows Mark everywhere.  It is the basic support vehicle and contains Mark's day and night clothing, food, medical supplies, gallons of water and Gatorade, bicycle parts, pump, spare bike, night lighting, and GPS as well as actual route books, and food and drink for the crew.  It is manned by three crew members - one set for a 'day' shift and one for the 'night' - 12 hour shifts that generally run 3:00 am to 3:00pm.  During the night it must follow the rider; during daylight the rider can be left riding alone  for short periods while the vehicle gets gas or does other errands.

Franz and Charlie took great care in the Follow Vehicle design. Franz is a bit of a builder and so suggested a visit to Home Depot for a sheet of plywood, carpeting, plastic sheeting etc.  Charlie invested in a chop and table saw, electric screwdriver and other tools for the build.  Franz developed a design that includes a plywood floor resting on plastic (to protect the rental vehicle from damage), with the floor cut to fit the van shape, with a removable section to fully fold down the third seat should a bed ever be needed.  It is covered in carpet for comfort, an area to lie down if needed, and to easily slide the cabinets and other items.  Franz also designed shelving to frame the plastic drawer units Charlie had wisely purchased to hold all Mark's clothes, and custom shelving along the interior sides of the van for gallon water containers, coolers, food, and other items.  An aisle down the centre makes everything handily available from the interior of the vehicle.  The week before RAAM, they spent cutting and building, with Charlie's right arm doing much of the screw work.  Impressed, one of the RAAM officials in Oceanside took pictures.

Marthasville, MO to Mississippi River, MO

The first 20 miles were narrow and winding, and the colours so warm in the morning light.  The RV did a little more leapfrogging of Mark and the Follow Vehicle and in Wentzville at 8:30am had an emergency call from Rob.  Can you pick up a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich for Mark?  Luckily Pete's, a great diner there, supplied the sandwich as well as some enormous cinnamon buns for the crew.

Mark was just flying along, feeling strong and riding with a bit of tailwind.  Near St. Louis there was a long detour to avoid the flooded SR C.  (The RV can attest to the flooding as the navigator said 'left' when it should have been 'right'.)  Over the detour course, Mark rode with triathalon cyclists who were being shepherded by police along the course.  The detour also called for transporting the RAAM cyclists along the freeway and dropping them off some 8 miles from the Mississippi.

Mark's parents and brother were at Time Station 34 at the Mississippi River, one of the most significant time stations.  Once riders reach and cross the Mississippi, it is tremendously uplifting emotionally.  Mark looked great crossing the bridge.

To the Mississippi, Mark has ridden now 2,056 miles.  Elevations today are 400-500ft.  He is almost home!

Mark enjoying the view as he crosses the Mississippi River