24 Hours of Booty is Big

The 24 Hours of Booty holds a special place in my heart for I participated by riding alone in the first few years the event was offered to the public in 2002, 2003 and 2004. There were less of us out there then, compared to the now. The 2010 event totaled around 1,000 two wheeled riders who were carrying with them individual riding goals and/or personal memories of how cancer has come close to their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Most exciting of all is that the growth of this year's 24 Hours of Booty here in Charlotte has brought 1 Million Dollars to the Lance Armstrong Foundation and other Local Cancer Organizations. Plus, the event is now held in Columbia, Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia.

The Concept of the 24 Hours of Booty was put into motion a year before it went public by the inventive genius mind of Spencer Lueders, who thought it would be a good idea to ride around the Booty Loop for 24 hours by himself to raise cancer awareness. From that then, that cold lonely night we have the present now.

Hats off to this man for going forward with his original thought, raising monies in an effort to help the innocent and providing long rides for those wanting to reach deep. Getting a 'thumb up' and the stink eyes from Spencer makes me feel as rewarded as if Lance himself walked up to me and kicked me in the ding-ding.
The Heads of State representing the Official Bike Shop of the 24 Hours of Booty were there taking care of the riders' needs. In this case a rider decided to get some new cleats for his shoes in the middle of the ride. Just as the cleat swap was near finished, the unidentified shoeless rider asked if he could get his cycling computer programed before he went out for another lap.
"What? We don't do that", said the cover model of the July edition of Triathlete Magazine(Special Off-Road Issue). The stocking footed man standing there in full multi-colored futuristic looking kit asked, "Why not?" The model taking care of the rider's shoes simply shrugged and said, "I'm not sure, take a look at the sign over my shoulder."
"Oh, I get it. Never mind, I will do it later", the rider said.
Weldon, it was really nice to ride with your for a bit and thanks for the photo perspective.
You may remember this fellow from the 2008 Double Down Story.
It was really good to catch Matt's eyes and have him pull over to tell me a single story about the strategy of a Nation. Once again good man, your honorable career is recognized by me as part of the reality we are surrounded by. I think about you often enough to know that what you are doing is as real as it gets. Be careful and look for the smell of a wool blanket to give you transfer of authenticity.
Smiling rider, there were a lot.
Not quite as motivating as the 'thumb up' that Spencer gave me, but good effort.
Family rolling.
Here comes a direct drive rider fast, look out.
Hell yeah, go Kevin!
You can smile all you want to kiddo, your seat is too low.
Rocking the Eye Tunes.
#529 Stole Mark Cavendish's glasses.
The next few I took with the old big lens.

The light was doing nice things, especially on the right.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!


The expression on the face of this CMA icon is one I do not ever recall witnessing. He must have had a touch of a woody feeling all over.
Smiling girl,
with perma-grin.
The following drive side images were inspired by something Weldon told me while we were riding together on course.