 A TDL Synopsis |
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
 A TDL Synopsis
6/28/2009 3:06:27 PM
New pics sent in from Jason
They made it... and Jason earned permission to do RAAM again...
coming home...
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/27/2009 11:12:54 AM
From Mark Schaal, long time TDL member and supporter
"Way to go Liverators!!! Congratulations on accomplishing your missions... promoting organ donation AND finishing the most challenging bike race in the world! Now that you are "liverated" from your bike and car seats for awhile, enjoy some good rest and a lot of celebrating with your "comrades on wheels", family and friends. We are proud of you!
Mark Schaal
2005 TDL co-crew chief"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/27/2009 9:58:02 AM
Beautiful message from Mary Condella, relative of Liverators rider John Martin:
"Dear TDL Give Hope and TDL Liverators, riders and crew. Congratulations on a most amazing accomplishment. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have done to increase awareness for the need for and importance of organ donation. We know that it meant countless hours of practice and time away from your families to prepare for this race, not to mention the physical and mental battering your bodies took along the way. What you have done to try and improve the lives of so many is a great gift to everyone who knows the reality of needing an organ.
God Bless you All!!
The Condella Family"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/27/2009 9:37:11 AM
one last road photo from Jason, that's Tad and Jared, happy on one of their last rides.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/27/2009 9:32:52 AM
Really nice blog from Bob Carbonneau of the Give Hope team posted today:
"We made it! We crossed the finish line in Annapolis last night at 10:20 pm. It was a great feeling to have crossed the country with such a dedicated team of people. Our time of 6 days, 4 hours, and 48 (i think) minutes equals an average speed of 20.3 miles per hour! I has very happy with that accomplishment. I know that many of you were cheering for us from different parts of the country as you read our blogs. I thank you for that support. It was fun reading your replies and words of encouragement. it seemed as if our team was much larger than the 19 that came across the country.
Our team was a great team. The crew portion of the team took care of us riders. They were always focused on our safety and kept us in their sights every minute. I had the opportunity to have Lee, Kris, Dustin, Tony and Staci crew when Dave, Brody, Ryan and I were riding. Everyone of them did a great job. Lee was our crew chief and kept things moving down the road. Lee was that solid steady hand that builds confidence of those he is around. I was able to relax and enjoy the ride because I knew that Lee could handle any situation that might have arisen. Chris and Dustin were a great team. Kris drove as well if not better than anyone I have been with in my past RAAMs. He seemed to find the best transition points and was always focused on rider safety. Dustin was one of the best navigators I had seen. This was his first RAAM but to anyone that didn't know, it could have been his 10th. Staci stepped into the navigator/driver position like a natural. I enjoyed getting to know her a little this past week. Tony spent a couple of days on the road with the riders and a couple of days with the motor home crew. He is a great asset to any part of the team. He made many friends along the way.
Tony has been with me for all 3 of the RAAMs that I have participated in. In 2004, Tony suggested that we try this crazy thing and put together a team to participate in RAAM. Many of us didn't think we could accomplish such a thing but Tony knew from the beginning that we could. I rode with him in 2005, he was a crew in 2007 and again this year in 2009. I could not thank him enough, for if it wasn't his friendship and vision I would have never finished one RAAM much less 3! Again, THANK YOU TONY!
The motor home crew probably had the toughest job of them all. A RAAM motor home is a unique place. It is an experience in a of itself. It supports all of the team. It is where the pre and post ride meals are prepared, it sleeps the riders and motor home staff. It is where the riders shower after being on the road and it is where we get ready to take the race. All of the teams supplies are handled out of the motor home.
I want to to thank Jason and Kristen for all that they have done to form this team and raise awareness for organ donation. They are special people that the world needs more of. They brought us together and hopefully through there efforts raised awareness and money (please make a donation. Without out your donation this last week was only a race that we rode and ended last night. With your donation this last week has true meaning that will continue to help many people in the future).
Last and most important I want to thank my wife Kathy. I love her and am grateful for her support. I could not have asked for a better companion to help me through this life.
I am a little sore this morning but I would love to do a ride today around this beautiful city of Annapolis. Maybe I can find some cyclists around here....
Bob"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/27/2009 12:30:43 AM
Geoff McIntosh, Liverators, via voice mail, 10:20 pm PST/1:20 am EST
"We’re basically - the four of us, Dennis, John, myself and Lorenzo - are pretty much done, we’re going to meet the other four boys at mile 15 but we went through Virginia and Maryland today. We climbed a lot of the big hills in West Virginia and it was tough but it was really fun. We’re almost done!"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 9:18:02 PM
This article on TDL Liverator Ben Lefever was posted on RAAM's site (the photo mistakenly labeled Dennis not Ben!)
GO BEN!
Report Team Donate Life - Liverators
Ben LeFever (Team Donate Life - Liberators) was excited for the great weather, after riding through the torrential downpour they experienced lastnight. Team moral is high as they are close to the finish... happy to be done, lovin' the weather, lovin' the scenery.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 8:38:00 PM
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 5:32:15 PM
Just in from Jared E.:
"24 miles to the finish!!!!! Awesome moment."
Go GIVE HOPE!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 5:21:39 PM
Dr. Ray Thomason called in this afternoon, before getting ready for another night of riding.
“We are getting to do shuttles to our final drop and we will begin riding at midnight. We will have gone 3050 miles. We have 150 left. We should arrive in Annapolis in mid morning.”
“The crew has been absolutely terrific. The riders are all such solid, solid guys. It’s been such an honor to ride with these guys. My daughter Elizabeth and my sweetheart Liz are waiting for me, they’re already in Annapolis. The spirits of the team are high, we’re all very excited. It’s a very bittersweet ending – that it has to end…” The good doctor can’t go on for a moment, his voice is choking up. He pulls it together and continues.
“We rode through an electrical storm last night that our mothers and fathers wouldn’t have let ride through, We all should have known better than that,” he cracks deadpan.
“You can’t tell someone else who hasn’t done this how hard it is. We have never stopped moving. Tonight we’ll shuttle up [to the other team], we’ll do an 8-hour shift, then we’ll all ride together to the finish.”
Bittersweet indeed.
Go Liverators!!!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 3:08:51 PM
This just texted in from Jared Ellison [Give Hope]:
"Almost there. 90 miles left. Just entered MD."
GO GIVE HOPE!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 3:02:41 PM
Spoke to Liverator John Martin by phone, 2:54 pm PST/5:54 pm EST. He was someplace in West Virgina, Lorenzo was out on the road in front of the car, and the end seems so near but so far! He wanted to get one last blog entry in before things start getting crazy (ier) for the Liverators as they get to the finish. Here are his words:
"When the race started I dedicated it to my brother-in-law Frank Condella. My goal was to deal with whatever came my way with the same grace Frank has dealt with his disease: PKD. I hope that I have represented him well. I asked all of you to keep the mission of Team Donate Life going by talking to others about becoming an organ donor. Thank you for joining me on my journey and making it special. 500 miles to go, Annapolis or bust!
Love John/Jay"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 1:49:36 PM
Tiffany... Schmoozing the officials.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 1:04:58 PM
Jason just sent this in. This hardworking crew member is Janet Browning.
Go Give Hope - TS 49 is history!
Crew still going strong in the 11th hour! Only 4 time stations left!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 12:12:52 PM
Share the road!
Transitions, transitions
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 12:11:17 PM
Something smells....
Elliot waiting for transition.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 12:04:59 PM
Still practicing Mrs. California!
Top of Backbone Mountain.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 12:03:08 PM
Cyclist's dream!
Pennsylvania thunderstorms
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 12:01:32 PM
powering through transitions
Yeah, bring it on!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 11:55:36 AM
I guess it's not his turn!
Is she trying to start a fight? I see a smile behind that...
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 11:52:56 AM
Just texted in from Jared Ellison, Give Hope:
"Around 1:00 pm. In the home stretch. Just left Hancock, MD. Both 4-person teams will now rotate at each time station until the last couple, and then all riders will rotate until last 15 miles when we will all ride together. Yah-baby!"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 11:35:05 AM
beautiful west virginia river
lots of bridges
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 10:11:10 AM
Marcia Stoker, Tiffany Ellison and Kristen Weckworth, Give Hope crew extraordinaire!
Elliot, Jason and Tad in Maryland
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 9:29:04 AM
Give Hope rider Elliot Block via voice mail, 8:02 am PST/11:02 am EST
“Hey it’s Friday already! We’re in Maryland, a couple of 100 miles form the end of the race. Just went through the Appalachians: very green and wet and we heard banjos playing. We are almost there the finish line is in sight and we are having a great time.”
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 9:21:40 AM
Jared Ellison, Give Hope, texted 2:48 am PST/5:45 am EST
"Just headed out for another shift. Getting close. Littl sleep. Starting in Grafton, WV. Everyone is really tired. Crunch time!!!!!"
Jared Ellison, Give Hope, texted at 5:09 am PST/8:09 am EST
"WOW, I think I just had the most bittersweet moment of RAAM 09. It was very early on our last day of the race. We were all VERY tired from a long week of racing and sporadic sleep. We had just taken over frm our other 4 racers at 5:30 am. Elliot was the first rider out and immediately took us into the Appalachian Mts. I was now ready for transition midway of the climb. This is the bitter part: tired and sore legs, no warm up and start climbing. OUCH, it didn’t take more than 30 seconds for me to get past the bitter part because as I looked around my breath was taken away (NOT because of the climb) The road I was climbing was a tunnel of green trees and shrubs. The day light was slowly rising as steam was slowly lifting off from all the trees. The air was warm and peaceful. This was a GREAT moment that was finished off with Tiffany hanging out of the follow vehicle telling all off the encouraging words I needed to hear. Ride on!!"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 7:34:33 AM
Liverators rider John Martin called in about 6:00 am PST/9:00 am EST:
“We went through Indiana yesterday. It was one of those really good days when you have a tailwind and the temperature is under a hundred. Everybody had a great day, we did 240 miles. Scenery was just beautiful, reminded me very much of New England. But check off Kansas and Missouri as two states I’ll never go back to,” he said.
As we talked his squad was racing to catch up with the others for a transition. “We’re somewhere in Ohio and game planning how to attack the hills in West Virginia.” John said the riders will leave the RV and ride ahead to weave into the rotation and give the others a break.
As luck would have it, John and his squad had nice dry weather, but “We transitioned with [the other squad] in Ohio and as we started to leave the thunder and lightning began.
We handed it off to our teammates and they got doused.”
“We’re starting to pass the solos,” said John, an awe-inspiring experience he said.
The rigors of the Race caught up with John a bit early yesterday.
“I almost got dehydrated,” he said. His teammates pulled him off the rotation for a while to get him rehydrated and back in cycling mode. It was a new experience for Martin, but he laughed as he recalled how the team figured out how to treat him.
“Geoff McIntosh [out on the bike] was calling out instructions” into the car window. “If you bonk you’re done! If you bonk you’re done! So eat!” So Martin ate and also took electrolyte tablets, washing them down with Gu juice, to get back into the swing of things.
“I want to thank my teammates,” said Martin. “I missed the first four pulls.” But he’s fine now.
“We all had such a relaxing fun day,” after that, said Martin.
He had a few special messages for his friends and family watching him race: “With the prayers of Molly Garvey I know I’ll make it back.”
And “I’m looking forward to cowabunga with Jack and Kellen.”
Hang in there John, you are doing a fantastic job!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/26/2009 12:15:50 AM
The note below is from Jason's mom Helena Weckworth (RAAM Crew 2005):
"I read your Blog and I think your strategy will work for your Team! You have that competitive fire now.
Thanks for letting me have a little part in RAAM for the TDL Teams. It certainly is not same as experiencing RAAM first hand like in 2005 but it still creates the same excitement but without the stress! Though we can't be there in person, we can experience the race again through you and Kristen, and after all is said and done, I don't believe your dad would be here today if it was not for your wonderful gift of love. Every year this Race across America reminds me of how fortunate we are to have such a great son who gives more than his all to a very worthy cause. We thank God every day for you and Kristen, who has done the same for another family! So... go get to that Finish Line for all of us!
With Love, Mom"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 10:17:28 PM
Pics sent in from Jason and Kristen.
Jefferson City, Mo
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 10:15:40 PM
The beautiful Clark Bridge crossing the Mississippi from Missouri to Illinois.
Some roads seem way longer than others. That's Jared Ellison
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 10:12:34 PM
From Kristen [Give Hope crew chief]:
"The employees of KFC in Athens Ohio were happy to serve our resident beauty queen as we passed through on our way to Grafton West Virginia for rest before our next shift."
An awesome husband and wife team! (Jared & Tiffany)
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 10:07:22 PM
Climbing put of some big valleys.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 10:01:13 PM
Tad, rolling into TS- 42
Jason, in the rolling hills of Ohio
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 9:58:23 PM
Terry Box, MD of the Liverators called this in at about 5:35 pm PST/8:35 pm EST today:
"The last 24 hours have been definitely sort of a RAAM-24-hours. Our other squad on the Liverators had a fellow get really dehydrated during their shift last night, had to pull him off the course. As a consequence our best laid plans to meet up with them had to be altered very urgently. And instead of having a nice rest period of 2-3 hours we had to move with no sleep, and get on the road at about 1:00 am in a very, very fatigued way. As you can imagine that was a bit of a struggle but as the day wore on the team rode stronger and stronger, got out of Missouri across the Mississippi River into Illinois at the Pirallis? Bridge, which is an incredibly beautiful, modern, multi-span bridge between Missouri and Illinois Then got on some extremely narrow, no-shoulder roads in Illinois which were hair-raising as far as close encounters with vehicles. It was a very challenging day.
Then the 4-man squad we had relieved around midnight or 1:00 am picked us up at 11:30 Since we had to go on such short notice they gave us a 10 hour shift rather than 12 which was very welcome. As a consequence we got to sleep for 3 consecutive hours for the first time during this event, and we feel much better and refreshed!"
GO Liverators! Go go go go go!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 4:47:18 PM
This article was posted on UC Davis Health System's intranet site today:
Health system cyclists again pedaling to raise awareness about organ donations
June 24, 2009
Just as Lance Armstrong has gotten back on his bike after taking a break from racing, several UC Davis Health System cyclists also are back in the saddle after a year's respite from one of the most grueling rides in the world. UC Davis members of Team Donate Life are again pedaling in this year's Race Across America, the 3,000 mile bike race from Oceanside, Calif. to Annapolis, Maryland that began on June 20.
The team is shown above at the starting line in Oceanside.
Team Donate Life is using the race as a platform for educating the public about the lifesaving benefits of organ donations. This year's participants include Lorenzo Rossaro, chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, who's riding for a third time; Dave Stoker, a Cancer Center programmer who's also riding for the third time; and Lee Smith, a manager in Information and Communication Services who's working as a support crew member for the second time.
The cyclists are relay-racing in a non-stop, 24-hour-a-day pace over mountains, across deserts and through the windy, rolling topography of the Midwest, hoping to finish within about seven days.
Team Donate Life got its start when Richard Perez, professor and chief of transplant surgery, called one of his live kidney donors, Jason Weckworth, and asked him to participate in the 2005 race. Weckworth had donated his kidneys to his father and Perez wanted him to help demonstrate how quickly donors can return to normal and healthy lifestyles after transplants. Weckworth is also again pedaling in this year's race.
To find out more about the Team Donate Life effort, or to get daily updates about the cyclists in their race across America, visit http://www.teamdonatelife.com.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 4:26:01 PM
Jared Ellison, Give Hope, texted this in about noon PST / 3:00 pm EST today.
OK, so this blog is about Solo rider Paul D. As I was just riding I was thinking about my next blog. I was going to tell everyone about the Massive lactic acid build up in my legs and butt that are causing great soreness then I quickly came up on a solo team, (rider Paul D). As I passed him I told him ‘Great job’ and to keep going; he made some nice comments back. Well let me tell you how rough he looked. I had previously spoken with his team and they said how much he is struggling and having hallucinations. He really wants this. He had a pole with a cushion and towel built onto his bike to hold his head due to fatigue. Well…..my little lactic acid or lack of sleep is nothing!! The solo riders are studs and they inspire me. Thank you Paul for your hard work and inspiring me to push harder. YOU ROCK.
Jared
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 3:50:20 PM
Crew Chief Virginia Nunez-Brock FINALLY got her massage.
“We pulled a little tough one today, but I had the most amazing massage from Cynthia today.” Then she adds, “I guess it was it good because I fell asleep.”
The Liverator crew chief had just gotten off a long shift and was heading for some rest. The teams are at the toughest part of the Race now, where physical fatigue, lack of sleep and the stress of the constant hustle are catching up with them. The finish line still looks so far away.
“The emotion is just hitting and it’s getting harder and harder to stay focused and stay positive,” she said, while calculating out loud some of the upcoming shift changes and transitions.
I told her how many people are following them and hanging in there with them (albeit in easy old cyberspace), and I could hear her smile come through the phone.
GO GO GO GO GO!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 3:37:06 PM
Maria Leyba and Sharon Stencel's scorecard for Give Hope Crew Chief Kristen Weckworth.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 3:25:21 PM
Maria and Sharon here (Transplant Center Staff and Crew Members of 2005)....Wanting you to know we're having RAAM crew envy and withdrawals over here while keeping up with the blog and TS stats!! Wishing we were there with you all!!! Lol minus Missouri & Effingham, IL of course :D We remember Missouri being an adventure in itself...Things must get better every year as we don't recall Budweiser handoffs at TS-34!!! We send our love and are so proud & cheering for you all!! Tell Lorenzo we said GO GO GO GO GO!!!!!!
PS. Please tell Kristen we are loving her scorecards!!!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 2:54:59 PM
Sent from Jason a few hours ago:
"Crew going strong! (Tiffany)"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 11:22:10 AM
This post, titled "Encouragement and Hope" was posted yesterday by Ric Perez, MD. Ric is a two-time RAAM rider, a transplant surgeon and the chief of transplant surgery at UC Davis Health System, and the founder of Team Donate Life. (for more on the history of TDL please visit here: http://www.teamdonatelife.com/history.html).
"We are following you here at the Transplant Center as you approach the Mississippi and beyond. Your determination and grit, both riders and crew, is an inspiration to us all. We are with you in spirit (and online) as you approach the rolling hills of Ohio and the Appalachians.
Be encouraged that 3 patients have received organ transplants here since you started the race on Saturday. Each has a story of hope for the future.
Go TDL!!!
Ric Perez"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 11:13:37 AM
Texted in from Jared Ellison - Give Hope - at 11:11 AM PST/2:11 PM PST:
"Hi all, we just went through Indiana (beautiful countryside) and we have now peopled our way into Ohio. Sun is out and it's another hot day. Still pushing!! Hello to my kids! I miss you and love each of you. You keep me going."
Jared
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 10:48:03 AM
sent from Jason about 10:45 am PST/1:45 pm EST
Kermit cruising...
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 10:41:06 AM
Spoke by phone to John Martin of the Liverators about 8:45 am PST/11:45 am EST
“We’ll be on in about an hour. You know that feeling, when you feel kind of nauseous? It's from two days of going through the heat." The reality of the Race is sinking in. "The race really starts at the Mississippi. Missouri killed me, we were going through the Ozarks, the thunderstorm and lightning just came out of nowhere – you knew something was brewing – usually you always have time – but this thing – it was so intense," said Martin.
They all took their turns riding through the incredibly rough weather.
“Dennis Spencer was going at about 35mph riding, comfortable, strong” when he was hit by the winds coming ahead of the storm and “he literally stood up and said ‘oh my god I can’t believe this,’” said Martin. “It probably took him about two minutes just to transition. Then Lorenzo [Rossaro] goes out all bundled up and [after his first five] he goes, ‘give me five more, give me five more!’ He kept yelling 5 more!” said Martin laughing. “We took him out after about 10 miles. Then I went out in the thunder and lightning storm and I got drenched.”
However it’s not all grueling rides. Martin said he appreciates the way the RAAM route planners puts the riders through the most beautiful parts of the country. “Going through the rest of Missouri was great, going through the corn fields, the wheat fields,” he said with enjoyment.
Then he handed the phone to Geoff McIntosh. I asked him how he was feeling. “Been better,” said the big Liverator. “I got a little tummy ache yesterday, I almost threw up a couple times but I held it down. Nice cleansing storm came through, the temp went down 20 degrees, but then after it was right back up to 100. We’re still moving, the other foursome we have, they’re really rocking it; they’re doing really good.” He sounds wiped and he knows it, but won’t give in. “I’m holding it together.”
“Please say hi to Colby and Wesley,” he says, his two sons back in New England.
Hey guys, your dad is doing a fantastic job out there.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 10:21:07 AM
Nice post from Bob Carbonneau [Give Hope] who rode through the night:
"Our part of the team took the race at 01:44 this morning in Illinois. Jason, Jared, Tad and Elliot had done a great job finishing Missouri and starting to conquer Illinois. We sped through the night and ended up in Greensburg, Indiana at 11:24. The team performed great. This section was particularly special in that Staci came with us as navigator. She did a great job keeping us on course and ensuring we were ready for our transitions. She is a natural at crewing. We rode hard through the night and are now in the RV heading to the next transition time station to start our final push to the finish. Everyone is riding strong."
Bob
GO GO GO GO GO!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 10:16:08 AM
Sent in by Jason W. about 9:45 am PST/12:45 pm EST
Ready to ride but forgot the shoes!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 8:26:00 AM
Sent in from Jason W. about 6:30 am PST/9:30 am EST:
"Strategizing at Greensburg, Indiana" with Jared Ellison.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/25/2009 6:20:27 AM
Texted in from Jared Ellison 9:45pm PST/12:45am EST last night:
"Last 20 miles of the day. Soaking wet, ready for a shower and try to get some sleep. Next 36 hours will be the last, big push to get to Annapolis [in] under 6 days. It may be close."
|
|
Pastures of Heaven
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 8:56:43 PM
that rider giving the low 5 to the MO fans with with the Chris Horner-like grin and the caption asking who it is would would be Salinas' own Dennis Spencer. Denny, I hope you got one 'o them cold buds too! Great pics -- Go TDL!!!
|
|
Mark Schaal
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 8:49:06 PM
WAY TO GO TDL riders, crews and home team!
It has been great to "follow" (certainly easier on the computer than in the van, though not quite as exciting) our TDL teams and the RAAM race... thanks to all your blogs and pics. I can't believe the riders and crew have the energy left to do this on top of everything else! And special thanks to Jocelyn and Helena for your dedicated efforts in keeping us connected and informed! My prayers are with you riders and crew to stay safe and "alert" while you hammer on through the last two nights and days.
Go TDL Liverators and TDL Give Hope!!!
Mark Schaal
2005 TDL co-crew chief
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 8:18:03 PM
These photos sent in from Jason tonight. Wondering what Kristen's scorecard for Jason is looking like...?
Nothing but hot chicks and beer at TS-34. A woman drove up next to me near the Mississippi River and gave me a Budweiser out the window!
Hey... I'd like her to crew for me! Oh, she does...
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 8:14:26 PM
sent in from Jason
Elliot - getting ready to cross the Mississippi!
Getting ready for the day shift in Jefferson City
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 8:02:33 PM
Just got these 17 incredible race photos from professional sports photographer Kim Morris who is a friend of Terry Box's [Liverators] and traveled with the team for a while as they passed through Missouri. All my comments about the graciousness of Show Me State residents are being baked in a humble pie.
Here's what Kim said:
"Maybe you have heard from Terry Box today or someone else on the road about the photos I was asked to send you. Terry wanted me to do so, I ain't afraid of Terry, but I've learned the hard way not to piss off Lee Anne." [Terry's wife].
Thank you Kim Morris! (if you want to see more of his great work please visit: http://www.kimmorris.com/).
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 8:00:04 PM
courtesy of Kim Morris (http://www.kimmorris.com/)
Transplant surgeon and recipient Terry Box, MD.
Terry Box, MD.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 7:58:45 PM
courtesy of Kim Morris (http://www.kimmorris.com/)
Stephen Thompson
Stephen Thompson
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 7:57:28 PM
courtesy of Kim Morris (http://www.kimmorris.com/)
Stephen Thompson
Stephen Thompson
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 7:55:42 PM
courtesy of Kim Morris (http://www.kimmorris.com/)
Ray Thomason on a night ride.
Ray Thomason, MD from SLC.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 7:53:23 PM
courtesy of Kim Morris (http://www.kimmorris.com/)
Geoff McIntosh from Roche.
Lorenzo Rossaro, MD from UCDHS
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 7:51:51 PM
courtesy of Kim Morris (http://www.kimmorris.com/)
Ben Lefever from Roche.
Geoff McIntosh from Roche. Note the bandages.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 7:50:44 PM
courtesy of Kim Morris (http://www.kimmorris.com/)
Ben Lefever from Roche.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 7:46:05 PM
courtesy of Kim Morris (http://www.kimmorris.com/)
unknown TDL rider
does anyone know who this is?
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 7:08:45 PM
Texted in from Jared Ellison, about 7:00 pm PST/10:00 pm EST
"Just crossed the Mississippi River. Leaving MO and now in IL. Nighttime is upon us; temperatures are still warm and humid but a great night. We will go to the town of Effingham, IL, should arrive around 12:30 AM. The riding is good!”
[goodbye and good riddance to Missouri!]
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 7:01:31 PM
Texted in from Jared Ellison, about 4:54 pm PST/7:54 pm EST:
"Working our way through MO. Pretty area, very humid. People here do not like cyclists. We have been called many choice names and we have been given many choice hand gestures. Keep on pedaling!!!"
[For whatever reason residents of the Show Me state are notoriously ungracious to cyclists in general and RAAM cyclists in particular, often going as far as posting nasty signs on trees along the route, trying to crowd cyclists off the road, and of course giving plenty of hand gestures].
|
|
Mary Condella
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 5:45:24 PM
Hi Jocelyn,
Thanks so much for keeping all of us informed. You are our link to our loved ones and we appreciate all that you are doing. Please pass along our thanks to all the crew. You guys are awesome! Best, John Martin's sister, Mary
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 3:30:51 PM
Got this message from John Martin [TDL Liverators] about 2:15 PM PST (5:15 EST):
“We just went over the Ozarks - it was beautiful. I just rode in my first thunder and lightning storm, and was going downhill like 30-something-miles-per-hour and fearing for my life. But other than that it’s been a wonderful day. It started out very hot, something like 100 degrees so the thunderstorm was actually very welcome.”
John is a fun guy, always cheerful, always has a story.
“Yesterday when we were in Kansas, a little girl asked for my autograph at one of the time stops – it was at a 7-11 type of store. She asked me if I was a racer and I said ‘oh yes’ [so] she handed me a pad and a pencil and I signed my name and where I was from. She said to her mother, ‘You know just in case he wins I want his autograph.’ Her mother turned to her and said, ‘I don’t think he’s going to win, dear.’ That made me laugh for the rest of the day.”
The camaraderie and rivalry among the riders is coming through strong:
“We’re having a lot of fun. Geoff told me that he told you that I stepped it up for a media car or race official and that is SO UNTRUE. I was just GOING FAST.”
You rock John!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 1:03:09 PM
12:45 PM PST, Update from the Liverators:
Crew Chief Virginia Nunez-Brock is on the go, too busy to talk much. But competitive to the core, she wants to know how far behind Give Hope they are [a few hours]. Her strategy for keeping the shifts fair among the squads – having each side ride from 2 to 2 – “seems to be working out,” she says. “Life is good!” Then she hands the phone over to Geoff McIntosh.
“Those boys are rocking it,” he says immediately, speaking of TDL Give Hope. But so are the Liverators.
“We just got back out a little bit ago, seems like 100˚ with the humidity. When you’re riding it’s not bad, but when you get back in the van it’s like a water faucet that goes off,” McIntosh says. “Last night was tough, there were flats but there were headwinds and it was definitely not fun. Now we’re in the rollers. It’s up a hill, down a hill, up a hill, down a hill.” But he prefers those, because flats are "boring", on the hills at least you get to go downhill sometimes. John Martin from Roche was out riding as we talked.
“Each rider is doing about 5 to 7 miles each, riding for 13 to 17 minutes,” says Geoff.
Then he breaks off for a second. “A [RAAM] media car just went by and John Martin just sped up about 4 miles an hour!” The van around him explodes in laughter.
Anything to break up the day. “We got out here at 2:00 pm, and we got a long way to go,” says McIntosh.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 12:27:05 PM
This just in from Terry Box, MD, TDL Liverators, at 12:20 pm PST:
“Our squad just came off a little while ago, we’re just driving down the road and I’m feeling pretty good right now.” The team was passing the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri as we spoke on the phone. “We got four people out on the road in basically the foothills of the Ozarks. They just started their shift.
It’s going well,” he said. “I think our performance is excellent. Geoff McIntosh who got hurt the first days is riding every day.”
RAAM is a new experience for Box, but one that he is relishing.
“It’s always in motion, it’s just chaos, just moving chaos. You never really stop unless you don't know what you’re doing - that’s when you make these little blunders. Until you do it, you don’t realize just how intense this experience really is.”
“Today was our first real experience in the Midwest with this 88˚ and 88% humidity. We’ve been a little bit ahead of where we thought we’d be but the Ozarks are going to slow us down a little.”
But Box and the Liverators don’t mind. “We’re very happy [with our time] it’s just an ongoing adventure, everybody’s having a good time. We’re getting there.”
Box promised to get some Liverators’ photos sent a bit later on, so stay tuned!
Go Liverators!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 10:43:39 AM
Texted from Jared this morning:
"OK, since it is so dark out, and I am pedaling into my 13th hour…I am envisioning that to my right is the beautiful Pacific ocean… and to my left are the beautiful Sierra foothills, and then I get SMACKED in the face with some type of HUGE Kansas bug that brings me back to reality. RAAM…..GOTTA LOVE IT!"
Check out Jason's Journal in the blog list for more from Mr. Ellison and some great pictures.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 10:40:51 AM
From Tad "True Grit" Rogers [Give Hope]:
"I got back on the bike to ride the hard state of KS it was over 100 and I was just being sick so it was even harder. So we are going back on the bike around 3pm it's going to be a hard day as that I'm still not feeling that good but I will do what I can to help the team talk to you all later."
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 10:38:11 AM
Jason Weckworth, about 9:45 AM PST, from the lobby of a Motel 8 in Jefferson City, MO
“Last night we got in to Yates Center, Kansas about 1:45 am – exhausted. We had just finished about 14 hours. The challenge now is the heat. There’s heat wave warnings throughout the cities we’re going through. It was 98˚ going through Kansas and it just about killed us.” And the riders were buffeted by heavy crosswinds as well. “Finally when the sun went down it was easier,” he said.
The teams have been taking longer shifts than is the norm on RAAM. “The reason we’re doing longer pulls this year, is the crew is just wiped out.” He doesn’t know why the crew is so wiped out this year – he hasn’t experienced this on his last two RAAMs - but maybe because the team is going so fast, and transitioning so quickly, the crew doesn’t have enough time to really rest.
When Jason’s half (Elliot Block, Jason Weckworth, Jared Ellison, Tad Rogers) pulled into Yates Center, the other guys (Bob Carbonneau, Brodie Pollard, Dave Stoker and Ryan Robinson) took off. “They seemed pretty fresh. [But] our motor home crew were all sleeping! They were out, they were sound asleep. So Tad and I jumped in the RV; I drove for the first 50 miles, and then Tad drove the next 50,” before they finally pulled over into a parking lot in El Dorado Springs to crash themselves. “Marcia finally woke up at 8:00 am,” and woke everyone else up, Jason said.
They’re strategizing how to get in under that six day mark. Give Hope is right on the border of being able to make it with the average MPH they’re currently doing, but the heat is not helping.
“We’re going to try and see if we can do shorter durations between our team and the other, well – we’re just going to try and speed it up,” says Jason, a bit at a loss for what else they can do. They’ve been giving 100% already. “The heat is brutal,” he says. “It’s noon and it’s already 87, with almost 100 percent humidity. We’ve got a lot of lactic acid, we’re just sore.”
He puts me on hold to take a phone call from Bob Carbonneau with the team currently riding, then comes back. “It’s going to be too much for them to go more than five hours in the heat,” he says. “We’re going to split the distance and do shorter durations, our challenge is doing a long enough duration so that the crew can sleep, right now they’re only getting about 4 hours because it’s taking so long to drive ahead."
It’s going to be another rough day. But Bob also told Jason that the terrain is lightening up a little, so they’re just going to push hard and try to maintain their pace.
Issued by The National Weather Service
St. Louis, MO
11:22 am CDT, Wed., Jun. 24, 2009
... HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT SATURDAY...
THE HOT AND HUMID AIRMASS WILL REMAIN OVER MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS AS A LARGE AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE WEATHER FOR TODAY. HIGHS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE LOWER TO MID 90S ACROSS THE REGION WITH DEWPOINTS IN THE LOWER 70S. THE COMBINATION OF THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL CAUSE HEAT INDICES TO REACH AROUND 100 DEGREES DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS.
Tad Rogers, Jared Ellison and Elliot Block chilling at the Motel 8 in Jefferson City, MO.
What they are riding through today - the red zone.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/24/2009 9:23:11 AM
Update from Elliot at 7:52 am PST today:
"Yesterday through Kansas was a very long, hot day. Temperatures in the hundreds, crosswinds; very, very difficult. In some ways harder than riding through the Rockies, and not a whole heck of a lot to look at. But we’re going to cross the Mississippi River today when we take over, and we’re just going to keep on moving on."
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 11:38:26 PM
Great message posted from 2007 RAAM TDL'er Adam Abildgaard of Grace Valley Church in Davis, California. TDLGV set the RAAM record for Team Donate Life in 2007. It's no secret that TDL Give Hope is in a friendly rivalry to beat TDLGV's stunning time of 6 days 2 hours and 56 minutes. Nice thing is, in this endeavor all are winners.
"Hello from Davis and all of Team Donate Life Grace Valley. Everyone here is watching the race and praying for you all that are out on the road and assisting with the most crucial support. This part of the race is when you need to stay on it!! Don't let lack of sleep, legs that are about to pop, sores where we speak not, the riders vehicle that is drenched in sweat, GU, and other nasty fluids and many other things that just happen stop you guys from making great time and a safe race. Hey watch out for the deer on the Adirondack Mountain descents. Go go go go go go!!!
Adam and all of TDLGV. 2007"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 11:13:35 PM
Is this how Give Hope crew chief Kristen Weckworth maintains order?! Nice!
... pics sent in from Jason
Tad's scorecard (from Kristen)
Jason's scorecard
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 8:40:31 PM
From Bob Carbonneau about 7:08 PM PST:
"My last two RAAM's taught me why Dorothy wanted to leave Kansas...hot, windy, and humid. This morning Brody, Dave, Ryan and I learned to enjoy Kansas. We had a great ride across northern New Mexico and into Kansas. The road was smooth, flat and fast. It was one of those rides that cyclists dream about. The crew Tony, Dustin, Lee and Chris handled our night time transitions with perfection. They kept us motivated and ready to race. I am having a great time riding and looking forward to the next shift. The entire team (crew and riders) are doing a great job and representing Team Donate Life well."
Thank you Bob!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 8:38:40 PM
Finally they are getting a break! Texted from Jared about 8:25 pm PST:
"Sun is gone and we are now riding in the black of the night. My legs finally feel good. This is the best I have felt all day. 48 miles left for the day and I am going to hammer it all the way. Loving the night."
The pics and captions were sent from Jason.
Jared... Tired after 10 hrs in the heat. At least it has cooled to 83 degrees.
Heading into night transitions... What day is it, though?
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 8:22:08 PM
Texted from Jared Ellison at about 6:45 pm PST:
"Still in Kansas. Doesn't look any different than it did this morning.....Yee-Haw"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 4:44:24 PM
From Jared at about 3:45 PM PST:
"We are cruising across the middle of Kansas; it’s 100 degrees. It’s straight and hot. Me, Tad, Elliot and Jason are doing five miles each. We’ve been going since about 10:45 AM, we’re going to finish up in Yates, Kansas. And of course we filled up our stomachs at the Mcdonald’s." Not sure if that was a good idea, he said, kind of as an afterthought. That's the legendary Time Station in Pratt, Kansas, owned by Steve Strecker, that gives RAAM riders and crew free food during the Race.
"Today’s been tough, we were really hoping to cruise through here faster; some cross winds, a little bit of headwinds; then you ride through in 100 degrees. The heat, the crosswinds – you peddle and nothing really changes. [But] today our group is doing about 285 miles.”
It’s not all monotony though. There’s also the camaraderie with the other teams on the road.
“There’s been a really good, friendly competition going the last 3-4 days with a group on recumbent bikes – Team RANSs – to the degree that [after leapfrogging every] 30 or 50 miles or so, when their team went by when Jason was riding they gave him a moon; and of course when we went by them after a transition we returned the favor! You know when you’re going through Kansas you gotta spice things up."
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 1:42:23 PM
Received these posts earlier today, didn't have a chance to update.
One thread in each - these guys are whipping down mountains at 40 mph in the dead of night; or climbing up 10,000 feet for 287 miles; or hitting the highest, toughest peaks around but already focused forward to the plains where they can really get up some speed - and they all say they are having fun and it's an awesome experience. Go guys! You are inspiring!!
Jared Ellison (Give Hope) from 8:33 am PST – “I’m standing in Plains, KS. We are getting ready to transition and spend the day in the middle of the flatlands. We had a really good day yesterday - went through the Colorado Rockies and also New Mexico mountains. Ended up Jason and I bombed down the last 12 miles from about 9500 feet. The two of us went together really had some fun zipping down the hills in the dark about 40mph [!]. Everybody’s having fun and doing great.”
John Martin (Liverators) about 9:30 am PST– “We’re heading to Kansas, finally. Hope we catch a tail wind. We’re done with the climbs. Our group did the 10,000 foot peaks, 287 miles of climbing. [!]. My cool experience of the day was passing over the Rio Grande,” on a really narrow bridge he said.
Geoff McIintosh (Liverators) 10:56 am PST – “We made it through the mountains last night. We did the peaks in Colorado, we did the highest peak in New Mexico – Eagles Nest – that was tough – but we all did great on it – we climbed and did awesome - it was really fun. We’re heading out to Kansas today. We’ll be on the plains; hopefully we can get our average speed up a bunch of miles an hour. [!] Everyone’s surviving and doing well.”
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 1:12:37 PM
Liverators’ Crew Chief Virginia Nunez-Brock called in about 11:30 AM PST today.
“We’re 45 miles into TS 22, in Elkhart, KS. When we were in Flagstaff, Terry Box’s and Steven Thompson’s bikes needed some repair. This wonderful bike shop stayed open so that they could take care of it – not only that - they only charged $8 to fix it!,” which was ridiculous she says since it took quite a bit of time. The store is Single Track in Flagstaff AZ, 575 West Riordan Rd., http://singletrackbikes.com/ and go give them some support if you’re in Flagstaff.
Then “We were in Chama, NM, TS 16. We couldn’t stay, we wanted to move forward but the riders needed a shower. These two owners, Wendy and Ray Baca, of River Bend Lodge graciously offered to let the riders shower for free; I thought that was kinda of cool."
[the riders "didn’t want to get their massages when they were all yucky."]
Virginia has been on shift for 24 hours. ““I haven’t been able to download [pictures from her camera]. 24 hours on, 12 off. The crew is tired. We have to drive 5 hours of the 12 hour shift just to get there [next transition].” So Nunez-Brock switched the schedules around a bit to make things more fair. “Now we’re on 12 hours off 12 hours. Right now we’ve got everybody well-rested. It’s just from experience; it’s just learning what’s working,” she says.
Meanwhile, watching the Liverators ride has been thrilling she said.
“Lorenzo just flew down the Rockies. [And] Stephen Thompson’s descent into Sedona - it was just spectacular to watch – it was fun.”
“It’s been made easy because of all the people doing what they got to do. You got [crew members] Charlie Humphrey and Neville Hansen that are so perfect at doing the transitions, they‘re so good at taking the riders on and off, they study the map and figure out who should do what pull - maximizing the potential of all the riders. That helped tremendously going over the Rockies last night.”
Nunez-Brock is also grateful for the support they’ve received from her company, Roche Pharmaceuticals, as they pedal across the US. Roche is a major supporter for the Liverators, and many of the team members are affiliated with Roche as employees or providers who treat patients with Roche products.
“Roche reps across the country have tried to be as supportive as possible,” she said. The best part? There’s going to be a big party at the finish, hosted by one of the Roche reps closest to Annapolis. “He’s hosting a crab, hamburger and hot dog barbecue at his home right on the water for both teams. He one of the reps that sell Pegasus, for hepatitis C – that’s the connection between the providers on the team – they’re people that treat hepatitis C.”
The crew chief also appreciates the camaraderie between the two TDL teams, something she finds great, considering that they’re competitors!
“Last night Lee Smith [Give Hope crew member] called me on my cell. When you go through this TS [he told her] ‘I want you to be really careful, there’s tons of deer in the TS’. That was just really great.” [she said they saw tons of deer in the time station but didn't hit any!].
Nunez-Brock mentioned that Geoff McIntosh who had been injured a few days ago in a mishap is doing great. “Geoff – he showed me his bandages. What’s wonderful is that we’ve got Lorenzo [Rossaro, MD] changing his bandages during transitions.”
I asked the busy and tired crew chief whether she had gotten a massage of her OWN yet, from team masseuse Cynthia Wilson. She kind of ignored me, instead giving lavish praise to Wilson. “It has really been helpful to have the masseuse along,” she said, of Wilson who comes from New Hampshire. And no, Nunez-Brock hasn’t gotten a massage yet although Wilson offered. “I might get one during the next transition,” she said before she went off to her next task.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 1:07:58 PM
pics from Jason at 9:30 am PST today.
Tad is back! Nice...
Elliot Block giving Jocelyn an update by phone.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 7:54:52 AM
Some crew don't like to be photographed... By the way, that's Marcia [Stoker]
Morning routine... Jason W. getting ready for the 12-hr shift
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/23/2009 7:47:53 AM
Elliot Block called in at about 7:30 AM PST from the plains of Kansas:
“Basically we had a great day of riding yesterday through the Rockies, we went through the highest elevation on RAAM, 10,250 feet, feeling good, and passed the 1/3 point. We’re going tot pass the 1/2 point today. We’re going to do 286 miles today and we’ll still be in Kansas when we’re done. I haven’t been able to get on line so I haven’t been able to view the messages you’ve sent me.
This is great, crazy but great.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 9:56:49 PM
Jared Ellison eating and waiting for his next shift.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 9:55:11 PM
From Jason about 9:45 pm PST
Did Jason actually say that he didn't need sunscreen over the Rockies. That was dumb.
Just before the last mountain climb of the Rockies
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 9:43:16 PM
Just in from Jason, somewhere near Sesame Street in the Rockies:
"Me and Kermit, after 12 hrs of the Rockies... Ready for some sleep."
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 9:33:59 PM
Thanks to Kathy Carbonneau for mailing these in! By the way, the tall guy in the photos is Bob Carbonneau.
Lower photo is Prescott, Arizona Time Station.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 9:08:14 PM
Dave Stoker on a climbing transition.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 9:07:11 PM
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 9:06:13 PM
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 8:51:01 PM
This in from Dr. Ray Thomason at 6:45 PM PST:
“We are in an RV going to [town in] New Mexico where we’ll meet the other half of the team and start riding at 2:00 AM. We rode across the Rockies, went across the Continental Divide. Tomorrow we will descend into Kansas. We are a third of a way there. We are just having a blast! We have a gourmet chef who is cooking our meals; we have a massage therapist who gives us a massage at the end of the day, to make up for the crappy sleeping arrangements in the RV.”
Dinner was:
“Pork tenderloin and wild rice, mixed with pistachios and cranberries.”
“It is gourmet,” said Thomason. All cooked by fellow rider Dr. Terry Box’s wife LeeAnne. “Her birthday was Monday the 21st,” he said. “We all kind of celebrated her birthday to the extent she’d let us. It is just a gift to be with these people.”
“It’s just been a great time,” continued Dr. Thomason. “Geoff – he is riding the strongest of all of us. He is just an animal. Everybody is riding to the best of their ability. We all have different machines, we all have different abilities but everybody is taking what they have and pushing it through the utmost. Going through eh west is just beautiful, the panoramas – they are just breathtaking. We are just trying to enjoy what we are seeing and the experience. That’s the thing that is so impressive about these people - the attitude.”
Dr. Thomason finished up on a high note. “We’re getting really good treatment and we’re trying to give it back.”
Thanks Liverators – you seriously ROCK and you deserve the special treatment 200%!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 5:34:45 PM
Got this message from Geoff McIntosh at about 12:40 PM PST today - guess he wasn't really hurt after all!
“Just gearing up for our next day of riding. Yesterday was very, very hard day. We did a fair amount of climbing. Went up to Sedona, which was absolutely gorgeous. I did a nice climb there. Today we have actually have the Rockies. We’ll go to the highest elevation which is almost 11,000 feet which should be crazy. I’m a little nervous about the climbing, but that’s what they usually stick me to. I’ve got a nice gear ratio for that, an 11/28 on the back of my cassette - it’s a really great climbing gear I can just spin it out.”
|
|
Pastures of Heaven
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 1:29:53 PM
Just spoke with Dennis, the Liverators are getting ready to climb. They're looking forward to some descents because lately "nothing's been flat". Everyone is feeling good. Geoff is riding like a wildman despite the bandages and road rash...
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 12:22:25 PM
From Jason: "Kristen and Jason still happy in NM."
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 12:20:13 PM
From Jason: "Lots of waiting on long roads in RAAM." I believe this is Elliot Block.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 11:52:28 AM
From Jason:
"Yoga on RAAM? Somebody give Tiffany a bike to ride!"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 11:47:59 AM
Elliot Block waiting for transition on the road near Chama, NM.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 11:36:53 AM
John Martin, just called in from Pagosa Spings, where his half of Team Liverators is waiting for the other half so they can transition.
“We’re in Colorado – Geoff and I were laughing yesterday – we were in Arizona – now we have to get across the country in 6 days. Lots of climbing – a grind”, says Martin. But the journey is filled with unexpected events and beauty.
John was riding at night through Colorado and saw “One of the longest shooting stars I’ve ever seen in my life. Oh my god this is so cool,” he thought to himself. “Then I rounded a corner and almost hit a cow. So one right after the other - two really cool experiences.”
Martin is adjusting to the rigors of the race. “I feel really strong, I found my niche, I’m a nighttime rider. Although this morning I went – ‘oh I’m tired’.” But he’s looking forward to another long haul on the road, going over Wolf Creek Pass. “We’re all going to be together doing that.”
It will be another day of grueling, grinding pulls and short rests in the van. “At the end of a pull, you just get to feeling - I don’t want any more GU, don’t give me any more protein bars,” nothing tastes good any more.
But he’s feeling pretty good. “We did 240 miles yesterday between the 4 of us and that was a lot of climbing included. I woke up this morning I had absolutely no idea where I was [just that] I’m in Colorado. Hey, I get to ride my bike in Colorado on a Monday morning.”
And his spirits are good too: “Thank everybody, it’s been great reading the blogs. Enjoying all the messages, Karin [John’s wife] has been keeping me updated. It was great to hear from Molly Garvey.”
Martin gave an update on Geoff McIntosh who took that bad spill. “Geoff [McIntosh] is good. We rode him hard early, he wanted to ride, he felt like he hadn’t contributed enough.”
And finally, John had a message for his boys, Kellen and Jack. He’s seeing a lot of cool things he wants you to see. But first he has to finish. “There’s only one way back,” he says, demonstrating his commitment to the journey.
Thanks John!!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 10:22:51 AM
Nice photo of Lorenzo Rossaro, MD, out on the road. (Liverators). From the RAAM website.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 10:21:45 AM
Here are some pics of the teams at RAAM Start, from the RAAM website:
The Liverators
Give Hope
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 10:19:09 AM
Here is the scoop on the tire blowout from the RAAM blog:
Tire Blowout for Donate Life!!!!!
"Team Donate Life broken down with a back right tire blow out 20 miles past Tuba City. We pulled over to help this team out and get them off the road to change the tire. They road very slowly and made it to a pull off about quarter mile down the road. Here is a picture their tire."
They also uploaded a typical RAAM roadside scene!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 10:05:10 AM
More updates from Jared Ellison's blog:
"Traveled to Pagosa Springs in RV last night. I slept about 4 hours (could still use more). beautiful morning and getting ready to race. We will do another 250 miles today. Lots of climbing into the CO rockies (over 10k elv.) Team is working hard and i am looking forward to a great day. Tad is still sick so Elliot, Jason and i will do extra miles (gotta love it).
Love all the support and messages from home. Please check out other TDL Syn. blogs for great info and lots of photos.
i'll check in later."
Below is a photo of Tiffany Ellison at the RAAM start with team members from both Give Hope and the Liverators.
|
|
Allison Gardner
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 10:04:15 AM
Thanks for posting the picture of Bob!! Hes not very good at posting :) Lots of love from the family in AZ!!!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 9:53:10 AM
some updates from Jared Ellison's blog if you didn't see them:
Wow.. what a day of racing. started at 9am after a total of 1 hour sleep. Jason, Elliot and I raced until 8pm. I raced 95 miles and averaged 23 mph, i am happy with that. Tad is out sick and as I had been told, RAAM gets crazy, well after a car fire, hospital and stiches, today one of our support cars had a tire blow and leave the wheel (see photos on RAAM site under 8 person teams).
What a day, and i loved it!
I need to sleep now so i can be ready to race in 8 hours.
I miss my kids like crazy and i love the messages they send me. SEE YA!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 8:53:36 AM
This just in from Jason Weckworth:
"We’re in Pagosa Springs, we’re getting ready to transition our team with the [other side] in the next 5 miles. It’s so much fun, it’s a blast. We wanta break 6 days, unless we just crap out, if we get out of the mountains today, we’ll make it. We’ll hit the highest peaks today. Tad Rogers is really sick. He rode about 20 miles yesterday; Jared Elliot and I each rode about 80 miles yesterday. I think he’s got the flu. [But] We had the best time, had a big long descent going down, it was a blast! Jared and I just did a pace line for the last 12 miles."
About the car blowout:
Kristen had been at the hotel resting with her crew; "they were coming back to meet us, the back wheel just blew out. Luckily they didn’t crash..." They couldn’t figure out how to get the spare wheel unlocked, something we had never considered during planning. Tad finally directed them through it, they got it down and fixed. The riders weren’t delayed at all. But it delayed the rest of the crew from getting sleep. "Crew members Lee Smith and Kris Tritz had not slept since the start of the race until Saturday and they finally got to a hotel at 5 am this morning. It’s hard because at the very beginning of the race that first day nobody sleeps." If you get into a rotation at the start where you don’t have a chance to sleep, it’s hard to catch up
Having the RV is really great, said Jason,, the riders are getting some good rest. Although TDL had RV's in its first race in 2005, the team didn't use them 2006 or 2007 RAAMs, so this is a good change. "The combo of the RV for the riders and the crew going off to the hotel is really good," said Jason. "The only challenge is we have to stay out long enough on the course so they can get enough sleep,” [They need to stay out for 12 hours so the crew can catch at least six hours in a motel before getting on the road to catch up]. But that’s hard when the route is all climbing.
Today is a big climbing day, says Jason. "We only have three riders because Tad’s out. But we’ve been doing tons of training on hills. Climbing’s my favorite part of RAAM! I can’t wait for the descents!"
GO TDL!! You guys are just smoking hot!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/22/2009 5:52:21 AM
Sent in from Kristen Weckworth early, early this morning:
"Bob is a maniac in the Colorado mountains! What a gorgeous morning."
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 11:03:50 PM
Just heard that one of Give Hope's vans had a tire blowout. Kristen's car apparently. No crash, everyone is all right, but scary. The RAAM media van helped out. Thanks to Kent Mulkey for the text.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 6:37:19 PM
Crew member Staci Smith has an incredible story. She received a kidney transplant from Kristen Weckworth in July 2008. “It hasn’t even been a year yet. It’s great, I feel fabulous. I had 3 hours of sleep last night…it’s been so exciting.” Along the RAAM route she’s the official organ donation and transplant ambassador. She passes out cards about TDL and organ donation in stores along the way and is proud to tell people that TDL stands behind its mission. The team is composed of riders and crew who have donated, received, or other wise been affected by the need for a transplant.
That’s why Smith came along on TDL’s RAAM 2009 adventure. “I was diagnosed in 1995 – I went on dialysis in 2003, grudgingly, and it was just so amazing having this come about the way it has – my sister talking to Kristen’s sister…The energy of what I have now compared to what I had before is just incredible. I am so honored to be part of this whole thing and to share with people so that lives can be changed and lives can be changed.”
Then she jokes. “And I had to bring Kristen’s other kidney along so she’d have both.”
Now Smith is sharing driving and navigation duties for TDL Give Hope.
“The significance to me is that I couldn’t be out here last time. I was talking to Kristen and [casually] said I always wanted to drive across country.” Kristen said, here’s your opportunity! “I just believe by grace that I’ll be able to be here and help.”
Thanks Staci!
You can read more about Staci’s and Kristen’s incredible story here: http://ourtransplant.blogspot.com/).
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 6:36:49 PM
Just heard from Dave Stoker, from Give Hope: “We’re sitting in TS 10 waiting. We’re flying – everything is in our favor right now. My first climb was really hard because I started the race at mile 23 and right into the climb. I climbed for a couple of miles and my chest was killing me basically.” He said that even though he was just starting he threw himself into it 100%, that’s just the nature of it. “Up to my first transition all my miles were climbing; all my miles were uphill.”
But then they got some downtime, their first real break, in Borrego Springs. “There were purple silhouettes of the mountains – it was awesome. We showered, changed, and got burritos. This is the life,” Dave says he thought. “It’s the most comfortable race so far” he adds. This is Stoker’s third RAAM, and the first he’s had an RV to stay in.
“We picked up the race at 4:00 am – in Blythe to Prescott – the stars were just incredible. The Milky Way is bigger than I’ve ever seen.”
Dave could have kept waxing poetic but someone suddenly walked into the RV with hot pizza and he had to go.
|
|
Pastures of Heaven
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 3:54:21 PM
To say the first 24 hours were challenging must be a bit of an understatement. Hope the rhythm goes well, the crew gets some sleep after their bbq, and the wind is at your back this evening!!!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 12:47:40 PM
From Jason:
"While Lee was getting gas, I snuck next door and picked up some beef brisquet BBQ Sandwiches for awesome crew! But none for the riders! I've learned from past RAAMs..."
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 12:46:00 PM
Jared Ellison called in at about 12:15 pm PST from his van on the road:
"At 9 am this morning Jason, Elliot, Tad and myself left Prescott, Arizona. Tad is in the follow vehicle; he has flu symptoms and is throwing up. Jason and Elliot climbed up to the top of Haywood Canyon. I was lucky to be on the tail end of that and took a 12 mile descent from the top: winding, twisting corners, passing so many cars, bikes, recumbents. It was lots of fun." Ellison says he was averaging 35-40 mph on the way down.
"Right now we’re at Sedona AZ, Red Rock. The three of us [will be] taking on the hills." They are letting Tad rest before throwing him back out on the road.
The team knows how many people are rooting for them. "We love the messages, it’s very encouraging to know that everyone is following us" from so many outlets, says Ellison.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 12:37:01 PM
Just heard from Virginia Nunez-Brock who is crew chief for the Liverators, and TDL RAAM crew member from 2007. She's on her 24th hour awake and is sounding great:
"I’m enjoying it tremendously. I’ve got such a great crew. Everyone is so joyful!" She particularly wanted to mention her co-chief Brian Hill who is doing a fantastic job in his first RAAM, says Nunez-Brock.
One bobble on the road: "The whole Flagstaff thing – you can’t take an RV from TS6 to TS8...it might be a little tough to transition."
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 12:16:59 PM
This just texted in from Jason on Give Hope
"Just came through TS-7. Jared flew down a 12 mile descent. Recumbent crashed behind us but is OK. Back to climbing...Stay tuned."
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 11:50:18 AM
From Kristen about an hour ago: "A minute after Brodie got on his bike he got a flat. The rest of the team jumped in and transitioned until we caught up. Yeah teamwork! Crisis diverted. :) "
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 11:46:28 AM
What the well-dressed RAAM rider is wearing this season:
Boston Red Sox cap
Team Donate Life Shirt
Snazzy Boxers
Blood-soaked gauze
Baby blue socks
Nice fashion statement Geoff!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 9:49:58 AM
From Liverators rider Geoff Martin about 9:30 AM PST:
“I took a spill, I got six stitches in my arm, I got road rash on my hip and leg, but I’m going to attempt to ride this afternoon. I feel OK, actually surprisingly better than I thought. But my two arms are wrapped up and it’s really hot and it feels wet underneath there.” Yuck.
Here’s what Geoff says about the accident, which happened when he and Dennis Spencer were transitioning:
“What happened was, we were in the desert, it was flat and we had a tailwind that was crazy. Dennis was riding before me and he was going so fast - 35 mph on the flat. I was having trouble clicking in [his shoes to his pedals] – I pushed down really hard and my foot just went through. Dennis looked back and said I was like a pole vaulter – catapulting off the bike.”
Spencer kept riding and ended up doing a 14 mile pull.
McIntosh feels bad about his bike. “My front wheel is messed up [he’s got a replacement]. I hurt it a little last night, makes me sad.” He also had to take off his aero bars, because of the position of his injuries he can’t rest on them.
Still, he’s looking forward to getting back on. “I was climbing well yesterday, it was fun. I can’t wait to hit the Rockies.”
“Happy father’s day to my dad and all father’s out there.”
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 9:28:27 AM
From John Martin (Liverators)at about 8:20 am:
“We got into Blythe about 2 this morning and did a quick shower at the hotel the crew were staying at, and are getting ready to roll. We ate breakfast. I’m lying on a massage table, one of the crew members is a massage therapist. I was looking up at palm trees and blue skies and if I could block out the fact that I was in a Days Inn parking lot in a not so great area I could think I was in a spa.”
“We got stronger at the end. We saw the sign that said 79 miles to Blythe and we all said ‘Yeah!’ It’s pretty cool to go through the desert at night,” says John. It’s quiet and peaceful and when you stop, and turn off your lights, you can see the stars. He’s enjoying experiencing the things that 'you don’t see in your life normally' and is thinking about his boys "Jack and Kellen. They’re great, they were with me yesterday,” says John. “You see things – and you think that oh Jack would love this, or Kellen would love this.” He’s planning on coming back for vacation but "not on a bike".
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 9:09:33 AM
From Jason at about 7:00 am:
"We just arrived in Prescott, Az. TS-6. Breakfast at Denny's! Then a nap, then Starbucks. The team should meet us here in about 4 hours when we take over.
We helped Team Type 1 put out a car fire at 5:30 am! They lost that car! But the riders continued as we gave them water and directions! This is a crazy race.
Tad has been sick and throwing up for about 3 hours. Not sure if it was the Motor Home or the fact that he went out too hard the first day... Very common for rookies!
1st day of RAAM is very typical..."
Jason's empty plate at Denny's. Took about 30 seconds to clear he says.
Jason getting ready for last ride before TS-3 and a 10 hr rest
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 9:02:20 AM
From Tiffany Ellison (Give Hope): "Ok, so after a long three days I crowned the new Mrs. California last night jumped in my SUV and caught the Team with the help of my dearest friend Sheryl. Whew...I woke up this morning in the RV to the sound of Janet yelling we need more water there is going to be a forest fire. Another Team had car troubles and their car caused a fire on the side of the road. So in my sleepy haze I grabbed all the water I could and started pouring. We actually put it out. I'm in Arizona in a Walmart parking lot now having pancakes and bacon. I LOVE a good adventure!"
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 9:00:44 AM
The crew works incredibly hard on RAAM. The riders just have to ride (not that it's easy). But the crew - they do everything! They drive, they take care of riders, they get people fed, they fill up water bottles, do laundry, empty trash, haul bikes on and off the vans, and a thousand other tasks. And they get even less sleep than riders! Go TDL Crew!
RV driver Marcia Stoker catching a bit of R & R with a book.
Tiffany Ellison chilling in a Walmart parking lot in Arizona, after traveling through the night to catch up with her husband's team, AFTER she crowned her successor for Mrs. California. TDL spirit ri
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 8:54:19 AM
Elliot and Jared in the morning.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 8:45:39 AM
Liverators rider Geoff McIntosh returned to the race and his team at about 1:00 am this morning. He had "Six stitches in one arm and just rashes [road scrapes] all over his body, and white gauze all over him," said teammate John Martin. "Hopefully he is going to ride with us today."
Geoff is in the RV being evaluated by the doctor and nurse who are part of the crew. No doubt he'll be back on the road soon.
The rest of the Liverators really picked it up when they lost Geoff right at the beginning of their desert leg. "That was the cool thing that happened yesterday," said John Martin. Down a rider, the remaining three kicked it into high gear. They had planned to make next Time Station by 2:00 am and they did it despite the challenge.
Go Liverators - you are tough hombres!
Geoff McIntosh after his crash. Lots of gauze!
|
|
Janet browning
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/21/2009 8:38:43 AM
Message from newby crewmember Janet. So far the last 28 hrs have been with eyes open (except 1 hr of shut eye). I've made 100 pbandJ's, helped put out a potential forest fire with one of the vehicles, helped with a car sick rider and was almost left peeing on the side of the road in Nowwhere, Arizona by driver.
|
|
Pastures of Heaven
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 11:41:56 PM
Way to go TGH! Liverators, love that tailwind, fly all night111
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 11:28:08 PM
Update from Jason: "We are just having a blast, we’re doing 7 mile splits, everyone is doing awesome. All 4 of us are doing a 7-mile shift. Everybody’s feeling strong and doing great."
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 11:15:40 PM
Elliot Block waiting for transition.
Tad, after his last sprint... 60 miles until we trade with the next 4 riders and take a 12 hr rest.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 11:10:39 PM
The first dusk for TDL Team Give Hope.
Jared Ellison studying the map for the next transition.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 10:27:12 PM
********** Accident for the Liverators **********
Just got this update from Jason Weckworth: "Geoff McIntosh crashed, they were in a transition, he was trying to get out of his clips, he went over the handlebars. Right now he’s in the ER with Neville and Maggie [Liverator crew members]. He’s got cuts [on both arms and one leg] but no broken bones, he’s going to take a few stitches. Unfortunate for the Liverators." But Jason is confident that Geoff will be back on the road soon. He was so motivated to do the Race, says the TDL team captain.
Hang in there Geoff, we're with you!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 8:45:40 PM
TDL Give Hope is about to blow through TS 2 in Brawley, CA. For those of you who had trouble with the GPS tracking for Give Hope, it's working now, so check 'em out. Here's the link for the GPS, you will have to cut and paste: http://www.untamedadventure.com/advzone/Adventure.aspx?a=29
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 8:37:38 PM
Here's an update from on the road, just received from Jared Ellison:
"This is Jared Ellison, Team Donate Life Give Hope. Elliot, Tad, Jason and myself are cruising through [just] after Borrego Springs on the flats out here near the Salton Sea. We have great tailwinds, Each rider is doing about a five mile sprint, and leap frogging with each other. We’re averaging about 35 to 40 mph on our sprints, because we have such great tailwinds."
Go TDL!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 6:10:22 PM
Through the TS at Lake Henshaw!
1 Team Donate Life - Give Hope 06/20/2009 20:34 0 54.5 23.53 23.53
1 Team Donate Life - Liverators 06/20/2009 20:34 0 54.5 23.36 23.36
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 5:05:26 PM
This is Give Hope rider Tad Rogers demonstrating the correct way to spend time between pulls - sleep!
Transplant surgeon AND transplant recipient Terry Box.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 4:54:10 PM
Parade start.
Around the 8-mile mark.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 4:35:02 PM
Jason W., the owner of Bonk Bars - another Jason, and Jared Ellison? At the start...
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 3:09:05 PM
From Kristen: "This guy met Jason at the Davis century and came to Oceanside today to watch TDL take off! He's from Thousand Oaks."
A TDL friend from Thousand Oaks, who did the Davis Century with Jason.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 1:44:22 PM
Kristen Weckworth says: "Energy is high and I can't help but feel emotional in the moment...wow!" Sent @ 1:30 pm, 1/2 hour before the start.
Team Donate Life at the start - sent by Kristen.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 12:50:37 PM
Crew chief must be the most difficult job in RAAM...
Crew chiefs Kristen Weckworth (Give Hope) and Virginia Nunez-Brock (Liverators) share a hug before setting out on their grueling mission.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 12:46:34 PM
Give Hope rider Brodie Pollard is all smiles right before the RAAM 8-person start.
Liverators team member Raymond Thomason, MD says goodbye to family and friends right before starting his trek across the United States.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 9:55:41 AM
“We had a great day today”, said Jason Weckworth speaking yesterday evening via phone from RAAM start in Oceanside. “Officials told Carolyn Chandler (former RAAM employee) that our two teams were the most organized.” The TDL teams passed inspection with flying colors and not a single problem.
“We had dinner and talked about race strategy. #1 Rule: Be nice!,” said Weckworth. “Everybody was just so excited because RAAM is so difficult. We’re having a really good experience. I’m jazzed.”
TDL has two 8-person teams this year: Team Give Hope, and the Liverators.
Jason is captain of Give Hope and the team is going to attempt to break six days in the grueling cross-country race. “We’ll have to go 21 miles an hour average,” he said seriously.
Weckworth has ridden “almost 5000 miles since January. I’m down 27 lbs. since September.” His extreme training regimen has also increased his VO2 max (the maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and utilize oxygen during incremental exercise, which reflects the physical fitness of the individual) by a whopping amount, from 47% to 62.8%.
Weckworth says TDL is better prepared for RAAM 2009 than any time in the past (TDL has had RAAM teams in 2005, 2006 and 2007). “We’ve learned so much from all the previous RAAMs. Not so much physically, but the logistics, the personality types, knowing when to keep your mouth shut,” he laughed. During a pre-race meeting, Weckworth cautioned team members, which include many RAAM newbies, that they will make wrong turns, annoying things will happen, and they should just go with the flow. Most important? “Never, ever yell at a crew member.”
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 7:48:52 AM
Adjusting the bikes and bike racks is always a challenge.
Ready to hit the road.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 7:41:41 AM
Yes, he's going to ride across the entire US!
A final team dinner. They're relaxed and ready!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 7:38:48 AM
still more pics
Packing up the vans is an art.
TDL Liverators crew chief Virginia Nunez and friend.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 7:36:19 AM
more pics from Jason
TDL Team Pedi Cab.
Fantastic crew members, the heart of the Race effort.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 7:28:33 AM
some pics from Oceanside on Friday, June 19th, sent by Jason.
TDL Crew Chiefs Virginia Nunez (Liverators) and Kristen Weckworth (Give Hope) go over the RAAM instructions
Crew member Lee Smith (left) and other TDL crew ready the vans. Lee Smith also crewed with TDL during RAAM 2007.
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 6:28:25 AM
Lorenzo, of course. Will happen on Monday, and you guys rock!
|
|
Lorenzo Rossaro
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/20/2009 6:07:34 AM
Jocelyn:
Could you contact UC Davis PR office and let them know Lorenzo Rossaro and Dave Stocker, starting today their 3rd Race Across America, the toughest ultracycling event in the world (3000 miles in less than a week) and raise awarness about organ donation. Thanks.
lorenzo
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/19/2009 11:34:05 PM
Pic of Kristen Weckworth and Staci Smith. Kristen donated a kidney to Staci, and now Staci is crewing for TDL Give Hope. Awesome story!
|
|
Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/19/2009 11:22:38 PM |
A TDL Synopsis
6/19/2009 11:22:39 PM
Hey, the teams are in Oceanside and doing great! "We've learned so much from all the previous RAAM's [TDL has participated in], says TDL leader Jason Weckworth. "Not so much the physical, but the logistics," as well as dealing with personality types, knowing when to keep your mouth shut, and being kind to one another.
Here are some pictures from today, stay tuned!
|
|