The Sweep Team has joined the "Teamsters"!!!

I'm sure you know the familiar faces of the Sweep Team or the Sweeps! For the past five weeks we have had the thankless job of being the last to arrive at each and every destination. On route along the way we try to pick up all the debris, etc. left by other bikers, being last on route we often come upon those with bike problems and we always offer to help (even if we are incompetent), take pictures of everything and talk to every stranger we see. Some think we do this just cause we are slow and want a reason to be last - but NOT SO! Often when we arrive at the hotel our fellow bikers are on their second glass of wine or beer, eaten all the snacks and used up all the hot water; but do we complain? NO - we simply love being sweepers.

However, we felt a bit threatened when Baby Tennessee took the floor one evening to show an old bike seat she found along the road and she thought perhaps it would be fun to see who could find the best "find" each day. As Sweeper #1, I had to object to this idea. I explained they were infringing on our territory and if everyone picked up items along the way, we could be out of a job.

We quickly formed a union and a few riders committed to not cross union lines! The Sweeps had Monday off (not from riding, just sweeping) because it was Easter Monday and our contract states that is a holiday. One day off the job and see what happens:

Lois, Linda and Cooper came up to us at a SAG stop and informed us that they had formed "Free Enterprise" and were taking over the sweep job cause they could do it better and cheaper! Amy said not to worry because her job (when not biking) is working with unions so she would take care of us. Shelley or someone said they wouldn't mess with Lois as she is an attorney and she makes all those attorney jokes ring very true. Personally, I think they will fail at their venture....the only reason they were behind us that day and thinking they could sweep is because every 10 miles or so Linda and Lois have to take a business call. I'm not sure what they think all the riders will do when they can't sweep cause they have a "conference call" at 1:00!

I'm sure this saga will continue - but I think the Sweep Team will prevail!!!!

Note tunnel/bridge height requirement - the van won't fit! What to do? Guides Carol and Linda have to take all the bikes off the van. Those bikers sagging walk the bikes through the tunnel, Linda drives van through, they put all the bikes back on top. As they finish up a car stops and a little old man asks "Whatcha all doin?"....Carol and Linda explains and the man kindly tells them that if they drove up the road on the right, cross over and go down a block, they could avoid the tunnel/bridge! I guess those two guides don't quite know EVERYTHING! I laughed so hard when I heard this story.

It's laundry day and no clothesline...perhaps the Best Western will consider putting up a line if they don't want their lobby used to dry clothes.

Meet the rest of my friends. Every 4th day Amy is a SAG driver. She always has good tunes for us at SAG stops and we really rock out no matter how tired we are. Amy is from Minnesota.

Cooper is another SAG driver every 4th day. She built our first "indoor" outhouses by opening up the car doors to use as bathrooms. Cooper resides in Oregon.

JoAnn K. resides in Oregon and rides my twin Madone sister bike.

Roberta lives in CT and is one of those riders who just keeps on going...not matter what!

So can you tell by this lengthily post that today is a day of rest and I'm doing nothing! I did my laundry last night - yes, lights and darks all in one load. I slept in till 7:30, laid in bed and watched TV till 8:00. I haven't seen TV the entire trip. Fell off the nutritional wagon and had a cheeseburger and fries for lunch! Our guides went to Sam's Club for a BIG shopping trip....mmmm all the goodies they willl be buying.

We be headin for the border the next couple days....we goin blow this state!

Ya'all come back now - ya hear me?