Well, I got my work assignment as a Race Marshall for the Springfield end of the Clinton/Springfield stage (Wednesday) of the Tour of Missouri this week. At first I was freaked out as it is in a rather ... uh ... depressed ... part of town, but I've decided to embrace it and would like to invite you all to join me for a festive gathering in this historic section of Springfield, Missouri. Just across the tracks from the famous (former) Frisco Diesel Shop, I'll be attempting to keep traffic trapped in Garrison's Convenience Store "A Neighborhood Place". From what I observed the short time I was there taking pictures, the clientele was mostly bikers -- not cyclists, but motorcycle riders, but they are brethren, right? Just west is Vaughn's Drive-In, an old-fashioned ice-cream type stand (the pink building). Their sign showed that they were having some sort of special. Directly across the street was Hair One Barber Shop (I don't have a photo, but you can catch part of the sign -- maybe Levi Leipheimer can stop in for a hair replacement). Across and to the west is Big D Loan & Gun -- a fine pawn establishment. I haven't checked, but there might be a deal on a bike in there! All in all not a bad location. A fast straightaway, so we won't have to hang long and can still catch the finish downtown (if we hurry). So come on! Hang with me, my Dad and my boss's husband Harold. Please ...

https://www.tourofmissouri.com/

Bob

Got a Harley t-shirt? Could be useful.

Good Luck,
Alan

I'm CCW, should I bring my Glock?

Bob,

Take along a few of your Paramounts, just in case multiple mechanicals occur just in front of you. That way you can provide the Discovery Team with the vintage steel they need to complete the race.

I do, but the official Race Marshall shirt is this lime green thing (which should make a good target). I'll wear a Harley skull cap.

Yes ...

Well, I only have the one and I'd be afraid that if I gave it up they would only use it until they caught up with their team car and they they'd toss it in the ditch.

Bob

Don't panic over the bikers - if they decide to watch, they'll be amazed at how fast a man can go on a bicycle. And if you mention the distance they're doing that day, said bikers will be completely aghast and unbelieving.

Trust me. I put up with this from my own brothers every weekend. All I got to do is mention the usual 40 mile Sunday morning when I meet them at the local watering hole Sunday afternoon, and they look at me like I came from some other planet,

We won't go in to the reaction the day they saw me in riding kit and realized that I shaved my legs . . .