Opening Control

Thirty-six rider
Eastward into the high plains
Skies washed by light rain

Chris Kaiser's Bacchetta is rigged and ready to roll.



Last minute announcements included the news that water would be available at the first control. Mark Thomas objected. "I thought this was a self supported ride." John Lee Ellis admitted, "yes, we are getting soft."

There was a bit of rain that moved through before anyone was up. Radar indicates that rains are heavy out east around the Colorado-Kansas border, but promises to be spent before riders arrive.

Today's 251-mile stage includes controls at Byers and Cope, Colorado before crossing into the central time zone and Kansas, then controls at St. Francis and the first bag drop and staffed overnight control at Atwood. The official Last Chance Clock will remain on mountain time for all locations. Some riders may elect to ride further with many options in the towns of Oberlin, Norton and Phillipsburg for food and accommodations.

The bicycle industry was broadly represented by the equipment that headed out. The big boys of Giant, Specialized, Trek, Cannondale and Orbea are on the road along with the smaller players of Serotta, Lightspeed, Moots, Seven, DeRosa, Bianchi, Tournesol, Salsa, Davidson, LeMond, Bob Jackson, Rivendell and Principia. Less commonly seen rigs include an IRO single-speed fixed-gear along with tandems by Co-Motion and DaVinci.