Odin's Revenge Preperations

Odin's Revenge is coming up in *gasp* 2 weeks, and it's time to get my s**t together.  Last night I scheduled a bike fit over at Maplewood Bicycle to help ensure I'm fitted on my bike as best I can be.  I'm convinced after I took my road bike to them for a fitting there was an immediate improvement in my riding, and I'm hoping for something similar here.  I also will be swapping out the saddle I bought for my road bike with the one that came on my CX bike.  While it's been 4 months since I've been on the road bike now, I do seem to remember that saddle being way more comfortable. 

I also need to look into some accessory bags so that I can carry more than just spare tubes and a multi-tool on me.  A place to store food or extra liquid will be mandatory with 40+ miles between stops and from the sound of things, there won't be any convenience stores along the route (I'm spoiled with the Trailnet Bicycle Fun Club rides having their rest stops mostly at gas stations - I can always hop in and grab some M&M's or other candy and some soda to provide energy for the next leg).  If anyone has suggestions from riding DK200 or something similar, I'm open to suggestions.

The big thing I'm looking for now is a support crew.  My wife doesn't want to drag the kids out to Nebraska, but she doesn't want me to go alone.  If you're interested in an almost free trip to Gothenburg, let me know!  I will pay for the gas up there and provide my car, as well as pay for the motel room Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.  You cover your food.  Here are the requirements -

1) You have to be able to drive a stick shift (unless you want to take your car).
2) I plan on leaving St. Louis the afternoon of Thursday, June 28th and returning late Sunday night or in the wee hours early Monday morning (July 1-2), so you'll need to be able to take a couple hours Thursday and all day Friday off work if you have a standard M-F 9-5 job .  I'll try and make sure you're good to go for Monday.
3) You need to keep me motivated at the checkpoints to keep going.  Only reason to let me quit is if I have a major mechanical (flats don't count), crash, or you feel that my death is imminent.
4) At the rest stops, it would be really awesome if you can wipe my bike down, lube my chain, and check to see that everything looks good.  This isn't mandatory, but apparently my friends that were riding DK200 got this treatment, and I'm jealous.
5)  You need to be fun to be around.  I have to be with you for about 80 hours except for the 16-18 that I'll be riding this course.  I don't want the trip to be miserable.

This is what the course looks like.  Does it look like I could get help if something goes wrong?  I didn't think so.

Still reading, want to go?  Leave a comment here, send me a PM through Facebook, e-mail me, or give me a phone call!