Family Alive

This Friday we’ll be hitting the road again, incorporating a big 5-day stage race, the Nature Valley Grand Prix, with a trip to see my family in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  Here’s the preliminary details… (as much for ourselves as for you!)

• Friday, June 15th – our departure, EARLY.  LONG day in the car, thankfully Brian’s dad’s car with a DVD player and extra room, with 2 bikes on the back.  Hopefully, we’ll get into my friend Tami’s house before midnight. 
• Saturday – Spend the morning with Tami and her family, and then head off to Shell Lake, WI, my parent’s house.
• Sunday – Go to church at Salem, enjoy a little down time with my family.
• Monday afternoon, June 18th – Head to the Twin Cities to visit with my brother-in-law, Hal.  He’s flying out to Arizona to be with my sister, Anna on Tuesday.  We’ll miss seeing her:(  Stay with my dad in his new apartment in Minneapolis, his weekday home while he’s working at the University of Minnesota.
• Tuesday – No plans!
• Wednesday, June 20th – The bike racing begins!  Stage 1: St. Paul Criterium– 7:05pm, 60 minutes.
• Thursday, June 21st – Stage 2: Road Race in Cannon Falls.  5pm start, 7:20pm expected finish.  60 miles with 4 laps of a finishing circuit downtown.
• Friday, June 22nd – Two races today! Stage 3: St. Paul Riverfront Time Trial – 10:30am, 4.5 miles.  Stage 4: Minneapolis Downtown Classic (criterium) – 60 minutes on a 1.5 mile course.
• Saturday, June 23rd – Stage 5: Mankato Road Race – 12 noon, 86 miles with 4 laps on a finishing circuit downtown. 
• Sunday, June 24th – Stage 6: Stillwater Criterium (also known as "the toughest crit in the country") – 2:05pm, 60 minutes on a hilly downtown course that includes an incredibly steep hill, which they get to do over and over and over again.  I’m sure it will be almost as agonizing to watch as it will be to ride!
• Sunday evening to Wednesday morning, June 27th – Back to my parent’s house in Shell Lake for a few days of not doing much of anything.
• Wednesday to Thursday, June 28th –Travel home.  Not sure exactly where we’re driving when, but we aim to be home by Thursday afternoon for Analise’s ballet class at 4:30.  

If you want a pretty cool map that I’m working on getting to be highly inclusive of all important locations and information, check out what I created in Google Maps:  Our Minnesota Bike Festival Trip.

There’s still sort of an "if" about the race.  Brian’s waiting to hear final word, but we’re planning like he’s racing.  Should be fun!  I’m excited to watch him race with my family.  And very glad I’ll have my family with to help with both my lively kids! 

One last link… Here’s a fun video about the Nature Valley Grand Prix race.  It’s going to be really exciting, packed with pros and experienced teams.  We’ll be sure to keep you posted here!