Show Me The Tour

It would begin with a late, lost night in Branson and end with Jackie inciting a near riot in St. Louis. In between, were brushes with the law, diaper changes on sidewalks, quotes in newspapers, and an all-around great time. This was the Tour of Missouri - the cycling stage that Team Discovery (Lance Armstrong's team) chose to say goodbye to America. And after Jackie and I had traveled halfway around the world to see Team Discovery race, life went full circle, when it all ended here in St. Louis.

As Jackie, Murphy, Aubrey and I have discovered, half the fun (and challenge) of following a race like the Tour of Missouri, is getting to the race itself. Here are some highlights from our our travels and adventures. Today, the first of a three-part installment of "Show Me The Tour" begins - where else - in the City Of Lights.

No, we're not talking Paris here, but when we arrived late Wednesday in the Ozark Mecca known as Branson, we were surrounded by the neon albatrosse that is The Strip - think Vegas meets hillbilly. Watch this clip below, shot circa 11:00 at night after I've taken us to the wrong hotel twice, Aubrey is exhausted, and Jackie is losing patience - fast. Of course, I deserved all the grief I received.


Bright-eyed and ready for the hilly Branson time trial on Thursday morning, Jackie and Aubrey traverse a steep hill to claim a good viewing spot at the finish. (I promise I didn't make Jackie carry all of our bags everywhere we went . . . )




The uphill finish at the Branson time trial - an 18-mile race in which cyclists ride one at the time against the clock.




Jackie and Aubrey enjoy some shaded playtime a short distance from the race course. Typical of our Tour trips, we dined on a sumptuous lunchtime meal of cheese sandwiches, peanut butter crackers, Power Bars, and Gatorade. Aubrey opted to go for the baby formula.




Legendary American cyclist, Levi Leipheimer, who finished third at this year's Tour de France, posts the best time of the day!






Alberto Contador of Spain - winner of the 2007 Tour de France.





American George Hincapie of Team Discovery wore the yellow jersey (just like Aubrey's) and maintained his race lead with a great ride.



(Partial) family fun (Murph couldn't miss school this day) and all smiles as we enjoy the day. Aubrey's yellow leader's jersey received lots of attention during the day!


Unfortunately, when the day was done, the racing wasn't over. "We" were clocked 85 in a 65 zone. But thankfully, when the officer walked up to my window and caught an aroma of diapers, baby formula, and my sweaty cycling jersey, he was all too anxious to give us a warning and escape the scene. Thank you Missouri Highway Patrol.

Next up, the road to St. Charles. Watch for installment #2 of "Show Me The Tour" coming Wednesday, only on Roberts On The Run™.

Talk to you soon. until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff