Tour Du Rouge Photos – Days 1 – 3

Bill, Wes, Felix and James relaxing on the ferry

Carlette and Greg (DRAFT) taking a ferry break

Carlette and James (DRAFT)

Fantastic Red Cross Volunteer

Alan, Eric, Felix and other TDR riders

Sondra (Greg’s wife) and Carlette at the TDR Start

Wes and friends before the start

Alan Bazard and Houston Mayor, Bill White (yellow jersey)

Felix, Greg and his son, Jacob before the start

Wes and Carlette at the Start

Group Pic TDR Riders

Carlette – don’t let the smile fool you, I’m nervous about the ride

Riders taking care of business

Draft Members and other riders at the Sunbelt Hotel after 95 miles

The calm before the start of the film – Attack of the Monster Mosquitoes

At least the bikes were spared from the attack

Tent but no mosquito netting

Swamp as far at the eye can see

Is that Bob?

Group Pic Day 1

TOUR DU ROUGE – Some Final Thoughts

While cycling through Beaumont, TX and southern LA now you almost forget the utter devastation caused by Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.  The beauty of the landscapes, the luscious open spaces, the quaint towns and friendly faces, the calm of the waterways, bayous and rivers make you believe the rebuilding is near completion. Yet subtle and not so subtle reminders of these disasters and the continuing rebuilding efforts were all around – submerged and overturned boats, damaged, unrepaired and abandoned homes and businesses, waterlines on homes, residents and businesses still reconstructing their lives, and Red Cross volunteers sharing their stories.  I then appreciated the joy and gratitude volunteers and townsfolk expressed to the riders for their commitment to the ride.  As we rode we had the opportunity to see the lives and communities the Red Cross served and continues to serve.  As I cycled each day enjoying the rest stops and assistance of the Red Cross volunteers traveling with the Tour, I began to sense the dedication the volunteers had to serving us was the same dedication shown to families and individuals in need of disaster and emergency assistance.   The American Red Cross Gulf Coast Chapters really do change lives.

 

Riding with DRAFT has been my treat.  These guys (Bill, Wes, Greg, Felix, DonaldJean, James and Darrell) have been my comrades, saviors, teachers and partners on this ride.  They know how to ride and they take care of each other and me.  The Tour du Rouge showed the stuff of which they are made and the cyclists they are.  But this is not new for them.  This was our first 6-day ride and because of our experience I’m sure it will not be our last.  We hope in the future that many other DRAFT members will participate in future TDRs.  It is a blessing to ride with each of them each weekend and it was a special blessing sharing this “1st” with them.

 

There is not enough time to share all of my best memories or moments and dos and don’ts of the Tour du Rouge, but here are a few.

 

Best decision:  Choosing to stay in a hotel and not be dinner for swarming mosquitoes, sand ticks and biting flies on Rutherford Beach.

Best moment: The adrenalin rush that overwhelmed me when we arrived at the Woldenberg Riverfront Park at the finish knowing that I had accomplished the most demanding physical challenge of my life.

Best Day of the Tour:  Day 3 when I completed my first consecutive 3-day ride averaging 87 miles per day (268 miles).  It was then I knew I could complete the ride.

Best memories: The volunteers (the traveling crew and the rest stop volunteers), without whom the tour would have been taxing and the days and nights long.  The nightly activities that entertained.  The LA cajun hospitality and food.  Being the top fundraiser of the tour with $13,888.  Dory Cayten, Tour Coordinator, who put her heart and soul into this ride making it better than we could have ever expected.

 

Do something that you have never done before that will stretch you and push you beyond your self-imposed limitations.  You’ll never regret it.

Don’t sit on the sidelines; get involved in public and/or community service.  The rewards are endless.

Do support your local American Cross Chapter because it truly is a service organization that is vital to your community in times of emergency and disasters. 

Don’t pass on a chance to cycle in the Tour Du Rouge in 2010.  You won’t be disappointed.

TOUR DU ROUGE Day 6 – The Adventure Triumphantly Ends

Day 6 and the best adventure of my life is now over. 512 miles down (518 for me) and no more to go. Thank you Lord. This post is a couple of days late. Celebrations, congratulatory activities, travel back to Houston and fatigue delayed the post. I’ll start by saying there is no substitute for the adrenalin rush you feel when you have accomplished an unimaginable challenge after putting in the work and effort necessary to meet the challenge. Day 6 was officially 79 miles from Gonzales to the Crescent City. Beautiful weather, knowledge that the end was near, exhilaration and a desire to get to New Orleans beckoned us to our bikes. Weary legs and minds ironically intersected with joyful hearts and anticipation as Alan briefed us for the last time on what to expect on the roads. He told us the previous night that we all would stop in Audubon Park for lunch – 5 miles from the finish – to gather before cycling as one to the finish at the Woldenberg Riverfront Park on the Riverwalk near the French Quarters. It did not matter how fast you got to the park, leaving before everyone arrived was not an option. We would cycle along the 23-mile long levee that bordered the Mississippi River which would eventually deposit us into Audubon Park. A prayer from Wes and we rolled out. The guys in the DRAFT crew, excl. DonaldJean, along with Alan, Eric and Dana started fast. Wes showed little effect from the sucker punch he took from the pavement on Day 5. I started out slowly, but after slow rolling for a few miles I caught my second wind and had no problems thereafter. Our group and several other riders went the wrong way. Fortunately, Alan realized the error after 1/2 mile; however, several riders went 7-10 miles the wrong direction before having to double back, turning a 79-mile day into a 90+-mile day. Turns out, there was a slight problem with the Tour Du Rouge signage. Unfortunately the right direction meant headwinds. We finally caught a tailwind before pulling into our 1st rest stop manned by the NO Red Cross chapter. What was strange to me about Day 6 was the route went back through a few towns we cycled through on Day 5 before finally heading to New Orleans. More rough roads awaited us. 2 rest stops later we picked up Kay Wilkins, COO of the NO Red Cross, for the trip down the levee. Alan, Eric and Dana agreed to ride with Kay @ 12-15mph. Kay, who had to brush the cobwebs off her 80′s vintage bike, did not yet appreciate the cycling shorts she purchased for the ride. She later admitted the she understood why we wore them. While the DRAFT crew joined Kay for a few miles, Alan said we could move on if we wanted. Alan said the levee speed limit was 15mph, which we found was easy to exceed. Our speed picked up and before you know it we were moving. The trip along the levee was relaxing and beautiful. On our left were stately homes, bustling businesses and schools and activity galore and on our right the activities along the Mississippi. The signs of Katrina did not seem obvious yet they lurked. On the levee, about 10 miles in we picked up a police escort who helped push our top speed to 25mph as he cleared the path ahead of us. After 7-8 miles, the police escort pulled over on the side of the levee and the officer told us we were “officially in New Orleans” as we sped past. I dropped after holding 25mph, but the speed demons continued on reaching 28-30mph. They pulled over about a mile from the park to wait for Felix and me so we could ride into the park together. Audubon Park, nestled next to the mighty Mississippi, was strikingly gorgeous and majestic, a perfect staging ground for our triumphant ride to Woldenberg Park. Lunch was jambalaya. As we gathered for the ride into downtown, the excitement was building. DonaldJean would ride the last 5 miles one-armed. Dory asked the top fundraisers from LA and TX to carry their state flags. As the top fundraiser overall and for Texas, I was asked to carry the TX flag. Though it was an extreme honor, the flag was way to bulky and tall for me to carry while riding. I knew I would fall repeatedly if I had to carry that flag. (Checkout the New Orleans Times-Picayune for May 9 Sec. B to see the flag bearers.)  So I relinquished the honor to Mel, another TX rider, who had the courage to carry the flag the 5 miles. 2 other riders carried the Red Cross and American Flags. It was a sight to behold as 54 riders decked in the Tour’s official jersey cycled slowly toward the park with a police escort in front and behind. Many who stopped to wave and cheer greeted us along the way. It felt like the end of Le’ Tour de France with the riders enjoying talking to each other, passing cheering people and absorbing the conclusion of a momentous event in the American Red Cross’ history and possibly their own lives. For me it was the end of an improbable journey, an achievement of a lifetime and the best time I ever had cycling. The final roll up the ramp on to the riverwalk brought relief and sadness the journey was over. Hugs, kisses, picture taking, champagne and congratulatory comments filled the air. The camaraderie was overflowing. The victory celebration was on. Red Cross officials expressed their gratitude for our commitment to the ride and for the Red Cross. The ModSpace’s regional director presented the Red Cross with a $225,965 check representing fundraising by the 8 riders and the company. What a tremendous gift! A final dinner celebration awaited us later that evening on the paddlewheel for a trip down the Mississippi. In the interim we were checked into the Hilton where I headed straight for the salon for a much-deserved pedicure and manicure for my overworked feet and hands. On the paddlewheel more speeches. Each rider was given a commemorative gift of the Tour. Dory, Tour Organizer, received a framed Tour jersey signed by all of the riders. I received a framed Tour jersey as the top fundraiser – $13,800+ to date. As the paddlewheel slowed to dock, I knew that the inaugural Tour Du Rouge bike tour was over and each of us would return to our homes with many stories to tell anyone who will listen. But not before a trip that night to the famed French Quarters and a flight back to Houston Sat. I’ve enjoyed sharing just a fraction of my story in this blog. Look for my last post later with some final thoughts on the Tour Du Rouge.

Tour Du Rouge – Day 5 – A Journey Draws to an End

Day 5 – 98 miles from Morgan City, LA to Gonzales, LA, outside of Baton Rouge.  446 miles and 5 straight riding days down -WOW!  It’s unbelievable to me what this group has accomplished, many who have never completed a multi-day (3+) bike ride.  The day was beautiful as we cycled along the levees and the Mississippi River.  The backdrops along the way we tranquil.  It got a little warm toward the end of the ride but most of the day was mild, with the wind from the waterways cooling the body as we motored along.  It appeared today that people were stronger than they have ever been since the beginning of the ride.  That certainly was the case with our crew, which included the 8 DRAFT members, Alan, the TDR ride director, Eric and Dana.  Eric, Dana and Alan mapped out the ride for the TDR riding the route and recording each and every turn, the condition of the roads and the sights to look for along the way.  Cudoes to each of them for the job they did on the route.   The DRAFT crew rolled today.  We averaged 17.9mph.  Everyday we have gotten stronger.   All of the training that we have done (about 8,000+  miles since 2/08) which I thought was still not enough, has been more than enough to get us through this tour.  For the day, we had a tailwind for 1st 35 miles then head and cross-head winds for much of the remainder with intermittent tailwinds.  We had stretches of roads that had more craters than the moon, one of which caused another crash today.  Wes went down hard right before lunch ripping holes in his shorts and jersey and injuring his knee and calf. Thank God for his helmet which was cracked in several places indicating that it indeed had done its job protecting his head from impacting the pavement.  We had 3 flats within 30 mins. Nevertheless, the day was great.  While I thought I would be dragging by Day 5 with pains everywhere, such was not the case.  The chamy butter is keeping me sane though and lathered up but the saddle is beginning to take a toll on my hind parts; a common complaint from many of the riders.  For the 5th straight day the volunteers both the crew travelling with us the those manning the rest stops along the way were stupendous.  The Baton Rouge and Lafayette Red Cross chapters provided the food and drink at the well stocked rest stops.  You didn’t want to leave.  Lunch was at the St. Joseph Plantation, in St. James Parish.  The grounds were beautiful with 100 yr old oak trees dotting the landscape.  The beauty of the grounds was tempered by the backdrop of slave cabins located around the property.  As an African American the stop was a respise, but also a time of reflection.  The reflective moment lasted but a short time as my legs reminded me it was time to hit the road before they locked up on me.   The lunch break meant there were only 38 miles to Gonzales, mostly in a headwind/crosswind, and 27 miles to the next rest stop.  By the time we reached the rest stop at the Motiva Refinery, I my legs felt like jello.  I thought the next 9 miles to the hotel would be excruciating, but only the last mile was.  A short massage and an Epsom salt bath help melt away the madness of what I’ve been doing for 5 days.  Dinner was cajun food, but I ordered a 12oz ribeye with baked potato.  Really good.  

I don’t think I have talked much about the ride and riders.  But I wanted to give you some facts about the Tour Du Rouge.   This is the inaugural ride.  There will be others, so stay tuned.  There are 59 riders – 5 women and 54 men.   Hopefully, next year we will have more women riding. The oldest rider is 67 and the youngest 25.  Ironically, the average rider age is 45.  15 volunteers travel with us, including spouses and relatives, a photographer/vidoeographer, 2 bike mechanics from Sun n’ Ski, a Red Cross communications director, 2 ModSpace PR, doing everything from driving trucks, manning rest stops, dragging 40lb rider duffles, keeping us hydrated, and meeting every need the riders have. We have riders and volunteers from all over the U.S. – NY State, Houston, Canada, California, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Washington State, Pennsylvania, and Alabama.  The lunch and rest stops were manned by 50+ volunteers from the cities through which we travelled and Texas and LA Red Cross chapters (Houston, Beaumont, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans) .  The welcome mat was out in each town we rolled through.  The tour has been documented in still pictures and video every step of the way.  The average day for most riders is about 5-6 riding hours and 1-2hrs for stops.  There are several who are much faster.  I will burn approx. 30,000 calories in 6 days.  Other riders will burn more or less depending on their size and metabolism.  The tour logistics are amazing and it took 2+years to plan the ride.  ModSpace is the title sponsor but there are 10-12 other sponsors for the ride.

Tomorrow is the end. The celebration in New Orleans.  80 miles and we are done.  6 days would have passed quickly.  I thought I would say it could not come fast enough.  But I have truly enjoyed this odyssey and would do it again in a heart beat.  The angst I had before the ride waned by Day 2.  I now have cycled more miles in 5 days than I have ever imagined I could do.  It is an achievement of which I am humbled by yet proud of.  I’m thankful for the safety of the tour despite some serious injuries and for the opportunity and health to participate.  The Red Cross is a vital service organization in our communities and I hope this tour hightlights for you how important it is for you to get to know the folks at your local Red Cross.   They are there when you need them.  Onward to the Crescent City.

Tour Du Rouge – Day 4 – The Odyssey is Nearing the End

Day 4 and we are over the hump day.  Before I start on Day 4 let me say this. If U want to lose 10lbs. in 6 day; get toned thighs, calves and behind; get a 2-toned tan on 40% of your body; have racoon eyes; drink real sodas not diet, burn 30,ooo calories; sweat like the Kentucky Derby winner after the race; eat all you want; suck nasty energy gel from a package going 20mph; sit on a saddle the width of a note pad; roll past every kind of road kill downwind, alligators included; get bitten by monster mosquitoes; take a bath in 50 spf from head to toe; get stung on your head by a bee; ache in places on your body you never knew existed – I HAVE A VACATION FOR YOU!  

Cyclists are a peculiar bunch. They will wash their bikes before they wash their bodies. Curse at the road when they hit a pothole, not b/c they hurt but b/c their bikes may be damaged. Chase down a group of cyclists 1/2 mile up the road to show their bravado, despite the fact they have 400+ more miles to cycle. Drink pickle juice straight – no ice. Spend $500 on a cycling kit (matching jersey, bibs, socks and shoe covers) but only $10 on the outfit they put on after the ride.  Find joy in the Porta Potty and wear tight shorts that make their behinds appear bigger, not smaller.  Peculiar they are. 

Now to Day 4.  345 miles down and 177 miles to go.  Another milestone for me.  I can’t believe how good I feel. No behind issues – that chamy butter works wonders.  Legs hurt a bit but I stretch a lot and last night I used the old staple my Mom and grandmother talked about – Epsom salt.  I soaked for 30 mins.  What a blessing!   

The starring actors and actresses in the Rutherford Beach horror flick still had the remnants of there film debuts all over their bodies.  Yet they were undaunted and ready to ride again.  77 miles to Morgan City from Abbeyville.  But before we left we had a hardy real breakfast at Cafe Marie’s – french toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, maple syrup, grits, you name it they had it.  To boot we had a gospel song and prayer that sent us off with the Lord in toe.  The day was head winds and cross heads but we were rolling at 18-20mph.  Unbelievable I still have the energy to roll that fast.  No bonk today. We had 2 serious accidents today breaking our 2-day safety record.  One concussion and 5 riders, one in the DRAFT group, who hit huge rocks and then each other.  DonaldJean, a DRAFT member, broke his hand but will ride on.  The other 4 had various injuries but will continue also.  20 miles out we went to Avery Island to visit the Tabasco plant.  Try the new chilpote sauce it is good and hot.  We roll on from there and had lunch at the Franklin, LA courthouse.  25 miles later we rolled into Morgan City and had dinner at the Morgan City Art Gallery.   We listened to zydeco by Waylon Thibodeaux – really good music and had some slamming gumbo and bread pudding.  It was the best food yet.  I’m now sitting at the Holiday Inn blogging.  A good day despite the crashes.  Best thing only a few mosquitoes.  Take care.  98 miles tomorrow.  The longest day yet.  They say we will have a tailwind going north.  It took us 8 hours with rest stops for our 95 mile day and I expect us to take 8-9 hours tomorrow.  It doesen’t matter b/c we only have 2 days left.  Can anyone say champagne on the road into New Orleans on Friday.  Peace.

Tour Du Rouge – Day 3 A Day to Remember

I’ll start off at the end of Day 2 and say “My momma didn’t raise no fools.”  I must be prophetic.  I knew staying on the beach at night in LA was not going to be a good idea, which is why I asked to stay in a hotel.  Good thing.  While I and 4 others kicked back at the Lauberge casino & resort in Lake Charles 20+ volunteers and 50 riders were actors in a sci-fi horror show on the Rutherford Beach, the Day 2 overnight.  Let’s call this film – Attack of the Monster Mosquitoes (Biting Flys and Sand Ticks).  The attacks started as soon as we arrived but they were abated by the wind off the Gulf.  That would soon not save them.  We took off for the hotel after I showered.  2 ModSpace PR folks drew the long straw and got to drive me, Greg and Felix to Lake Charles, in an air conditioned vehicle.  Though we got lost we were safe from the attac.  They say they have a story to tell.  While the group was at dinner at ShayShays.  The mosquitoes and friends were back at their strategic planning location in the swamp planning the attack.  When they got back from dinner the sun was setting and the wind was dying down.  The cots were lined up under the tents and the 100,000 mosquitoes and friends were awaiting nightfall.  As soon as the sun went down the attack started.  Whether you had a blanket, sheet sleeping bag or other you were part of the show.  While we were driving to Lake Charles, by the way we got lost going 37 miles, 2 1/2 hours later we arrived at the hotel, Greg received a call from Wes “Lord Jeasus, Help, please come get us.”  The next day when we arrived back at the beach refreshed from a good night sleep, you saw people with welps all over their bodies.  Folks lamented the night with no sleep.  Later we would here more stories about the slapping and cursing that occurred all night long.  People literally walked the beach because they could not sleep.  I felt sorry for them but I warned Dory our coordinator about sleeping on the beach.  A lesson learned.

Day 3 started off slowly because most had no sleep – 95 miles to Abbeyville, LA.  Long, long day.  It was windy – head & cross heads, bad roads most of the way and hot.  However we stayed at about 18-20mph except on the rough roads. We saw every manner of road kill including dead alligators (babies and big ones.)  Wes was stung by a bee but we perservered.  I bonked (ran out of energy) twice the last time 9 miles from the end.  The hotel was a blessing for many – a hot bath and a bed, food and drinks.  What a treat!  77 miles today to Morgan City. 

268 miles down and 243 to go.  I’ve never done 268 miles in 3 days.  That is a victory for me and a new milestone.    I’m thankful we had no accidents again on Day 3 and we are ready to go.  Take care and keep praying.

Tour Du Rouge Day 2 – The Odyssey Continues

I tried to post on this blog times from my cell both times the I touched the wrong key and lost the blog.  Kinda like how Day 2  started yesterday. Wes and I got lost going to the start which was 2 miles from the hotel at our title sponsor’s offices – Mod Space.  I’m directionally challenged and apparently so is he.  We went in  a loop around the highway a few times and finally made our way back to the hotel to start over.  It added 5 miles to our 81 mile day.  Nevertheless and thank God the weather was perfect for cycling – overcast skies, 70 degress and a tailwind – Hallelujah. Our destination from Beaumont was Creole, LA – never heard of it before.  It is a very, very small town along the Gulf of Mexico in the middle of swamp land and apparently off a beach – Rutherford Beach where we would camp out that night.  After the safety meeting we were off.  By the way, I forgot to say I was on 2 news stations in Beaumont talking about the ride and fundraising for the Red Cross.  Move over Lance Armstrong, there are 2 cyclists in Texas; just kidding.  I digress.  With a tailwind it was difficult to keep our intended 16-18mph.  Too much temptation to go faster rather than conserve energy for the day and days ahead.  Although we only avg. 17 mph we were over 18 most of the day.  Legs were a bit weak at the end.  The ride was easy though only one hill, a big one – the expansion bridge near Pleasure Island, probably taller than Kemah Bridge for the Houstonians reading this. We had the option to SAG over if we did not think we could make it, but you know me and the DRAFT crew we were not going to let steepness beat us down.  Some powered up the hill, James, Bill and Darryl trying to get that king of the mountain jersey.  I just wanted to survive and make it to the top without my legs burning.  I accomplished both and the descent was way cool – 32mph.  At the bottom was a rest stop manned by Red Cross volunteers  from Beaumont.  They all have just been fantastic.  A quick break and off to the lunch break.  The next 20 miles were cycled right along the GofM.  You could see the oil platforms.  We stopped for lunch at mile 57 at the Apache facility where Lake Charles Red Cross volunteers and the Apache employees treated us royally.  I truly feel like Im on a pro race tour.  Onward to Creole – 25 miles.  One more stop to get on a ferry and through the swamps.  About a mile out we could see the tops of the tents the RC had set up for the overnight.  Needless to say I did not stay in the tent.  I don’t get alone well with mosquitoes which had been having lunch on the riders and volunteers all day.  They are bad.  I had no intention to be dinner and breakfast.  A quick shower and we (4 others) were off to the Hotel – the Lauberge Hotel in Lake Charles.  Luxury and good food.  Thank God.

Day 3 is 95 miles long.  This is the test and hump day.  Wish us luck.

Tour Du Rouge – Day 1

1 day and 82 miles down and 5 days and 429 miles to go.  I’m pumped and filled with energy.  But it is just the 1st day- this is a cake-walk the 1st day.  Catch me on day 3 and I probably won’t be so enthusiastic.  The Tour Du Rouge, TDR as I will a call, it kicked off this morning with enthusiasm and excitement among the 120 riders, the numerous spectators and 2 dozen or so Red Cross volunteers who would accompany us during the tour.  60 of the riders were just cycling the full 6-day tour while 60 participated in a 1-day ride , just the 1st leg of the tour from Houston to Beaumont (82 miles).  The weather was almost perfect with overcast skies and mild temperatures.  Houston’s Mayor, Bill White, joined the ride from Houston to the first rest stop in Dayton, Tx – 27 miles from the start at the Humble Civic Center. The Houston Chronicle covered the start so look for me/the ride in the paper on Monday.  My crew (Bill, Greg, Wes, Felix, Darryl, James, and Donald Jean) and I developed our plan to go 16-18 mph (talking speed) a few days ago.  We intend to execute it to the letter if we expect to make it 511 miles.  Out of the shoot, one of the TDR riders went down 12 miles from the start.  His injuries were pretty serious, head gash and knee gashes.  Greg, a physician’s assist., stopped to aid him as did others.  He was transported to the hospital for treatment.  Believe it or not this guy just wanted to know how he could get back on his bike and ride.   Turns out he got stitched up and met us at the hotel in Beaumont.  He’s not going to let a head injury or damaged bike keep him from riding.  I would have done the same thing.  You can’t train for months and let a little head injury stop you from riding.  The rest of the day was great except for the 2 flats I had and the 1 or 2 mechanical issues others in the crew encountered.  We were joined in our group by several others on the tour so we had a lot of people who shared the load throughout the day.  We stuck to our game plan and but for the rain which started about 5 miles from the hotel in Beaumont.  The Red Cross volunteers were amazing throughout the day as were the many volunteers who greeted us at the several rest stops along the way.  Tonight the group goes to Gladys City for dinner and fun.  I won’t be joining them though as I’ll spend some time with my best friend and god child who live in Beaumont.   I’m still pumped but need to rest up for tomorrow.  81 miles to Rutherford Beach in Creole, LA.  A night on the beach with misquitoes, humidity, the open air, a cot, a shower truck and God only knows what else – Can anybody say alligators – WHAT FUN and we then get up the next day and ride 95 miles!  This will be the longest blog posting as my energy level decreases so will the blogging.  Until next time.

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