If anyone is thinking of making a vacation out of this, I absolutely recommend the experience!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnat23/...7594545771467/

I had printed out route sheets from the website, had reservations at hostels everywhere, drove the entire way by myself! I'd pull over, wait for the helicopter, cheer the boys, get back in the car, and try to go around them to catch it again.

I met *so* many people along the way: some new (lots of hardcore roadtripping fans!), some familiar (Bob Roll gave me his promotional backpack when I explained that my camera batteries had died), and I even stumbled upon THE post-party at the end of the race, where I got to shake Levi Leipheimer's hand and flirt with T-Mobile.

I really want to go again for 2008, but I will likely be taking some college classes and am not sure if I can get away for the entire week. Please, someone, go so that I might live vicariously through you!

-- gnat!