Well the car is loaded and the bikes are all cleaned and tuned up ready for the trip to Hayward, WI. I am as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof. I always get the butterflies before any race but this one is worse than a road race due to the shear size of the participants.

We are leaving at 10 this a.m. or so if the guy that I am going with shows up on time.

Actually the process of registration and preparation is the hardest part.

First you drive to Hayward, stop at the motel and drop off most of your gear, then head to Telemark to register, then drive back to Hayward and take a short spin, then eat then sleep, if possible.

Get up at 5:30 and head to the start line to drop of your bike so you can get a good start. You don't want to start at the end of 1800 riders. Everyone turns their bike up side down on the road to mark their spot.

Go eat breakfast, head back to the motel, load a plastic bag with cloths that you will need at the end of the race, dress in racing clothes, drive to the start line and try and find a parking place, walk to the starting area to drop off your clothes bag with your number on it, they will transport it to Telemark so after you shower you can change.

After you shower and have a few beers, get on a bus that goes back to Hayward to pick up your car and then drive back to Telemark to get your bike which, of course, you couldn't take on the bus, then you head back to motel in Hayward to rest a little before you go out and party.

Cool Right? Hmmmmm I think maybe professional help might be in order here.

That's it - see you on Sunday, with luck, I'll be in one piece.