the BIG ride {day?}

Ok I must admit that I am getting a little confused on who is where and what beach and/or bridge came first and when they crossed what and where they stayed each night. So here in no particular order it some random pictures that I snagged off Steve's FB album.Getting ready to cross a bridge.

(I don't know why this particular picture is so small)

In the bike shop, getting more tubes. Apparently they have had MULTIPLE flats each!

The first major injury on the trip. And from what I understand he wasn't

on the bike when it happened.

Flat #2...... soon followed by flat #3 and #4

Cruzin' in the bike lane.

The Tammany Trail

Park rangers for the Tammany Trail.

Bachi Ball on the BEACH!

Well I don't know what they did yesterday (Thursday) but I know that today was an easy day (only 60+ miles) and tomorrow will be the same. Kent will be home, safe and sound, tomorrow - I mean, EARLY Sunday morning. His plane doesn't even get in until 10:30pm tomorrow. It will be after midnight before we get back to the house!

the BIG ride {day 3} & {day 4}

Ok I think the guys are getting tired. Cause I haven't recieved any pictures lately, but I thought I would at least give you the low down on their course.

DAY 3

Opelousas > Krotz Springs > N. E. Baton Rouge > Denham Springs > Hammond

DAY total = 106 miles

TRIP total = 277

Day 4

Hammond > Covington > Slidell, LA > Gulf Port, MS > Biloxi, MS

DAY total = 95

TRIP total = 372

On the ride from Covington to Slidell they took the Tammany Trail. An old rail road track had been removed and the path was paved over, it was a nice smooth ride.

Normally they average 15-18 miles per hour, there was one point on their ride that they were riding 20-24 mph with the wind was at their back!

All of my "day" information that comes from the spread sheet that Coach gave me before they left. Some of their exact routes may have changed. I don't get a town by town from Kent, just the final destination each night.

Kent can check the blog comments while out on the road.... so let him hear you cheering!!

He's over half way there!!

the BIG ride {day 2}

Lake Charles > Jennings > Crowley > Branch > Opelousas

DAY total = 92

TRIP total = 171

Today's trip was fun, but not as scary and eventful as the day before. They were on the bike for 5.5 hours, but the total time it took to get from point A to point B - 8+ hours.They met a rice farmer (twice) and he showed them his farms. They also met a number of other interesting people. However since Tue ride is longer, I think they are going to try and limit the number and length of visits that Kent, I mean, they have.I'm sure there are several of you that are wondering what in the world would possess three mature, adult men to try such a crazy stunt....... well I'm not sure, other then the bragging rights to say that they did.

The idea started last summer, after Kent and Coach, seen in these picture wearing the yellow, rode in the "Hotter than Hell" 100 mile race. Coach's wife's family was having their family reunion in Panama City, FL this year, so they decided that it would be fun to RIDE their bikes to FL the week before the reunion. AND so....... the BIG ride was born.

They have mapped and planned and thought through this trip for months. We weren't sure if Kent would be able to go, due to lack of funding.... but GOD who is ever faithful, once again provided for our family enough $ so that he could go.

Oh and BTW - no they are NOT riding back..... Kent flies home on Saturday night!

the BIG ride {day 1}

On Sunday we dropped Kent off in Fannett, TX where he met up with the rest of the crew. Sunday they drove 20 miles (simply because they didn't get started until 2pm) to Port Neches.

Saying farewell.........

THE SHIRT

THE CREW

LOADING UP

from Port Neches > Bridge City > Orange > Sulpher, LA > Lake Charles

Total 60 on the bike.

The first day had several trial and error moments, as the crew learned how to scope out the road a head. There was one moment (6miles) were they were forced onto an INTERSTATE that included a BRIDGE! I think there lives flashed before their eyes more than once on that stretch of road. But they made it safe and sound!

4th weekend

June has flown by and I feel like July will be gone before I finish this Post!

We moved in and had a week in the house with the girls, and then they headed off to OK to spend time with Gram. Kent and I spent the week getting ready to start support raising. :)

We went and got the girls after our week of bliss (and theirs too) was over and headed to Lubbock to see family and friends. After staying for over two weeks, and probably over staying our welcome ;P we headed back to Waco, for a whopping 48 hours before we headed to Houston for some more Family time!
While there we were able to go to the Houston Space Center...... I would totally recommend it, just not on a MAJOR holiday weekend and not during the STAR WARS special Jedi Training day!

**PAUSE**

Here is were I take a moment to brag on my WONDERFUL sister-in-love. SHE works at NASA in Mission Control on the console for the Space Station. (You know... those cool people that sit behind all those nifty gadgets and say stuff like "space station one, come in space station one..." on the movies, only it is not that cheezy!

YES she is AMAZING!!

**PLAY**

So we also spent time at the pool, cooking and eating AWESOME food. We took family pictures at a cool park on our way to see the fireworks.

My AWESOME little Bro. took us to his office building, so we had a bird's eye view of the fireworks display and we had the comfort of AC and cushy office chairs. We had LOADS of fun playing around with glow sticks as well.

Sunday was my Dad's birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! - That morning the girls and I took Kent to the "drop off" point for his BIG 600 mile ride (More on that in the next few posts). That evening for Dad's gift, Mom and Bro took us to the nicest restaurant I have EVER been to, while sister-in-love stayed back with the girls.

To Finish off the weekend, we stopped at the BLUE BELL factory on the way home, took the tour and sampled the ice cream. (I can't wait to try the new flavor.... Nutty Chocolate YUMMY)

ALL in ALL it was a GREAT weekend!! Next post.... details on the "big ride"