I've ridden with him and he's a unique guy. I think he's trying to...actually I don't really know what he's thinking. It really doesn't seem to make a lot of sense but he has specific ideas how the game should be played and it's his game (at least this race). As far as the roads go, some of them are pretty horrible but it depends on what you are used to. The worst sections are in Death Valley and between Baker and Kelso. The later being particularly bad. I'll post a pic later this afternoon to give you an idea. It's like they poured rocks in the asphalt when they laid it and half the asphalt has worn away. I'm not talking pebbles, I'm talking rocks. Or, the rocks were knocked onto the road and melted into the pavement. Otherwise the roads aren't too bad. If you are familiar with desert roads they are on par with most desert roads.