We are contacting various riders and their sponsors to ask them to bring a few extra things with them so we can have an auction and send all of the proceeds to the hurricane victims, most likely through the American Red Cross. The original plan was to do something for Team USA, but the situation with the people in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and other areas has to take precedence now.

[Even though other teams and other riders have worn the various leader's jerseys and won other stages of the 2005 International Tour de Toona, the team holding all the cards at the end was Health-Net Maxxis, lead by veteran pro Scott Moninger in yellow.] We were all about the overall win on GC, ... The team focused on that win and second to that was the stage win - we just wanted to control the race.

Amtrak offers riders a cost-effective way to travel throughout the country.

Bring back dueling, I say. Drive-by sword fight.

Riders accompanied the horse. They talk to the kids, bring gifts and answer questions. It was the most talked about and circus-like event yet. Have you ever heard of a horse in a hospital room?

We want to give as much as we can back to our sponsors and benefactors,