Houston

I headed to Houston on Friday to spend the weekend with RAAM soul sister Ingrid Hillhouse -- my first time in Texas! We had a lot of fun exploring the city, going to a few parties, (including one with country-western singer Robert Earl Keen, who is popular with the A&M grads), and of course some biking. Ingrid and I got a quick ride in on Saturday -- and I was able to do some MTB trail riding on Sunday while she ran a half marathon. (She is amazing.)

We had a great weekend and it was fun riding the mountain bike. I'd been going back and forth between picking up a mountain bike or cyclocross bike next Spring, (hard to decide which), and Shayne convinced me I'd prefer a CX bike. Riding the MTB proved he was right. (*sigh*. We won't tell him.) I never really got comfortable on the mountain bike, and the disc brakes took some getting used to. (I crashed once.) I was so concerned about alligator encounters on the trails, it was hard to concentrate on the bike handling. (Really, my imagination took over, and I swear there were alligators lurking on every trail. Hahahaha...) 

A great time in Texas.

Stefan's Race

Stefan chills out before the race. His crew is ready to go.

Post-RAAM talk continues as racers and crew begin to tell their stories of the race. For me, looking back, I have many memories and experiences that I'll fondly remember. One was connecting with other riders and their teams as we crossed the country together, including my Instagram pal Florian Oeser and solo male racer Stefan Schlegel. What a fun team!

Stefan was expected to do well in the race, with speculation he could finish a close second to Christoph Strasser, so I didn't expect to see him or Florian after the start of the race. On day two, after I ended my follow shift and drove ahead down the course in the errand vehicle, we passed Stefan on a climb. I was shocked to see him! I truly expected he'd be further along in the race. I yelled out to him and his crew as we passed, and they gave me a wave and a smile and a thumbs up. I thought all was o.k.

I later learned, while Ingrid and I were swapping shifts, that Stefan took a brutal fall coming down the glass elevator into the Borrego Springs desert. My heart just sank. I was scared and concerned and just sick with worry. (Ingrid ran into Stefan's crew at the Congress time station -- I was ahead in Prescott -- and Florian told her about the crash.) At that point, he had serious road rash and abrasions, and they weren't sure how the rest of the race would go. It would be another 2 days before I heard from Florian that Stefan was o.k.

The crash was caught on video, and I promised myself that I wouldn't watch it until I got home. I just couldn't bear to think about how close he came to serious injury. I've since seen the video, (part of which is posted below), and it's just gut wrenching to me. What's missing in that video is the death drop on the other side of the guard rail he slammed into. You also don't get a sense of the astonishing speed he was travelling as he made that descent, or the violent impact he made on that rail when he crashed. It makes me sick just thinking about it, and I'm so, so grateful he's o.k.

Stefan, Florian and their team continued on after the crash. No doubt they had ups and downs and a very tough journey, but at the end of the race, they came in 5th place -- 10 days, 14 hours, 32 minutes. Less than 36 hours after second place finisher Mark Pattinson. Astonishing. Congrats to my German friends. You are amazing.

RAAM Media One video - Stefan's Crash

Home Sweet Home

It's been a long break since my last ride, as the Race Across America consumed much of the month of June. I missed a lot while I was away -- especially the ending of the boys' school year -- but Mike did a stellar job at keeping things humming along in my absence. (Including taking care of our crazy dog, Rigby, Lord of the Rings, who developed an ear infection the week before I left for Oceanside.)

I didn't get a chance to get in any workouts while I was crewing RAAM -- there just wasn't a stitch of free time available. 16-20 hour days, with 3-4 hours of sleep... it was tough. I'm hoping I haven't slipped too far off the rails from where I was at pre-RAAM, and can rebound quickly. Coach Shayne is getting ready to ramp up my training plan for the season on Monday. Summer is here -- It's good to be home.

RAAM Crew: The A Team

Top: Ingrid Hillhouse, Lindsay King, Mike Deitchman

Middle: Dex Tooke, Joni Tooke, Kati Bak

Bottom: Sonya Souza, Jeff Faillers, Tam Cronin

Our RAAM crew is comprised of nine members total -- all coming together from across the U.S. and Canada. Our crew includes two of my fellow VanderkittenVIP teammates, Kati Bak and Lindsay King, (so between Joan, me, Kati and Lindsay, the kittens are well represented.)

Mike Deitchman, (Joan's husband), is our crew chief; Paramedic Jeff Faillers is our medic and bike mechanic; Sonya Souza is our PT/message therapist flying over from Hawaii; and Ingrid Hillhouse is an ultramarathon runner, who crewed the Oregon RAAM Challenge with me. Ultracycling Hall of Fame candidate Dex Tooke, (who has completed RAAM himself and has written the book Unfinished Business about the endeavor), and his wife and former RAAM crew chief Joni Tooke round out our crew, bringing extensive experience and knowledge to the race.

Three is our magic number -- Our crew teams will rotate in three shifts of three people among three vehicles -- Mike/Ingrid/Lindsay, Dex/Joni/Kati, and Jeff/Sonya/Tam. The three shifts are 8 hours long each, and rotate from Follow, to Errand, to Sleep vehicle. Each vehicle/shift has a specific role and challenges, including sleep, (which may only be 4-5 hours, depending on where we are). We will not be traveling with an RV, as some teams do.

We'll be spending 18 days together, beginning Friday, when most of us fly into the San Francisco area to assist in driving vehicles and equipment down to Oceanside. The race doesn't officially begin until June 10th, but there are many pre-race tasks and obligations to fulfill. The countdown is on...

RAAM Crew: Shifts

As mentioned above, crew members will work in groups of 3 and will rotate through the vehicles in 8hr shifts. The 3 different shifts are:

Follow Vehicle: This vehicle/shift drives immediately behind the rider at their speed whenever permitted by the rules. (There are several sections and certain times of the day where direct follow is not permitted. The Follow vehicle then provides leap frog support.) The people in the follow vehicle are responsible for navigating the rider through the course, providing nutrition to the rider, providing gear/equipment to the rider, (dealing with flat tires, clothing changes, medical attention, etc.), and helping to motivate the rider through 2-way radio, or external music system. The night follow shift, (which I'm on), will also help orchestrate the rider's sleep breaks (2-3 hrs/night).

Errand Vehicle: This vehicle/shift does errands for the entire crew -- stocking up on supplies, buying hot meals for the crew, doing laundry, grocery shopping, etc. As time permits, they also help the follow vehicle with navigation by leap-frogging the rider and helping to mark turns, as well as provide encouragement for the rider from the side of the road. They also step in to do direct follow for short periods of time as needed, to allow the follow vehicle to get gas or orchestrate shift changes, etc.

Sleep Vehicle: This vehicle/shift is the sleep shift -- occupants either sleep in the van or find a nearby hotel to take their sleep break. They are then responsible for getting to the next crew exchange point at the next shift change.

(Note: Jeff, Sonya and I are on the following schedule, based on Eastern Standard Time. Follow: 9pm-5am; Errand: 5am-1pm; Sleep: 1pm-9pm.)

Crewing RAAM will be difficult, and at times exhausting -- emotionally, mentally, and physically. It requires a steadfast commitment to teamwork -- which I'm confident our crew has. I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of this adventure!

Pre-RAAM Prep

I leave for California on Friday for our pre-race prep for the Race Across America. I've procrastinated just a bit... but did manage to get the schedule ironed out and squeeze in a vet appointment for Rigby on Tuesday. A few people have asked, "What is the Race Across America? And are you riding?" -- And the the answer is, "NO", I'm not riding part -- I am a crew member for solo rider Joan Deitchman. (Crews support the rider 24/7. More about our crew in a later blog post.)

In a nutshell, the Race Across America is the world's toughest bike race. Solo riders have less than 12 days, (and relay teams have 9 days), to ride 3,000 miles coast to coast, from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland. It's a non-stop journey that takes the rider and crew members across deserts and mountains and endless plains, though unpredictable weather, and in some cases, intense traffic conditions, (where drivers are less than hospitable towards cyclists). It's not a ride for the weak. There are many websites that explain the race in detail, (check google!) and there is a great documentary titled Bicycle Dreams that chronicled the ride in 2009.

Joan is an experienced ultracyclist and has competed in RAAM before, finishing second among the women riders two years ago. She has an impressive record in ultracycling and is also a VanderkittenVIP, (which is how I got to know her). I'm excited to be a part of the adventure!

Trailer from Bicycle Dreams, The Race Across America

Tornados, Spiders, Snakes

RAAM crew buddy Dex Tooke posted a photo on Facebook of a black-tailed rattlesnake he came across on his ride yesterday -- which was rare for him, as his route in Texas is diamondback territory. The snake gave me the shivers. Normally, I'd say I'm only afraid of spiders, but that snake was chilling, and I'm hoping we don't encounter many during RAAM. When Joan asked the crew what concerns we may have on the upcoming ride -- or what we aren't looking forward to -- my only concern was tornados. (And of course this video of Nico Valsesia's ride last year, (at 1:32 in the video), played into those concerns.) Eesh. In addition to tornados, I'm adding snakes to my list. Thanks, Dex.

Bone Tired

I'm home from the weekend's RAAM Oregon Cyclng Challenge in Portland/Hillsboro, Oregon. Joan Deitchman did terrific and completed the race in good time -- without taking a sleep break during the entire race -- 400 miles (396.2) in 30 hrs, 45 minutes. A great, strong ride by Joan.

Oregon was beautiful, and Portland is a great city. It was nice to see lush green pastures and forests after the long New England winter.

Crewing was a challenge -- and not all of it was positive. I need a few days to clear my head. The best parts of my weekend were spent with fellow crew member Ingrid Hillhouse, who I absolutely adored. The two of us, (of our 3-person crew), worked non-stop all weekend with almost no sleep at all. As far as grading our efforts as crew, I'd give us an A.

Getting Ready for the Weekend

Just a few quick rides this week: Monday's workout around Marblehead Neck was unremarkable except for the fact that I got my second flat since Saturday. Fortune was on my side, however, as I parked at the lighthouse, near where the flat occurred. Just as I was coming up to the lighthouse, considering whether to take a third loop of the neck or end my workout, a piece of glass grabbed my tire and made the decision for me. Today's ride was without my Garmin, as there's just too much on my mind today and I took off without it. (I have laundry to do, a house to get in order, and pre-trip tasks to complete.) That's ok. -- No Garmin, No Rules. I'm guessing I got in about 35 miles on my ride to Magnolia. It was a gorgeous day for a ride along the coast -- and worth skipping the household chores for.

I'm getting ready to head out to Portland, Oregon early Friday for RAAM Oregon Challenge. The 400 mile bike race will give me the opportunity to meet two other RAAM crew members, Ingrid H. and crew chief Mike D, and learn many of the tasks I'll be covering during June's Race Across America -- including driving the follow vehicle, navigating the route, tracking nutrition, prepping food and hydration, and working with the radio communication system, etc.. Exciting stuff -- I'm looking forward to the weekend!

Team Nanook RAAM 2014 Crew

It's another bitter cold day today, (inching up into the 20's), and I'm not having the best week. I missed a few of my workouts this week but have been spending some time in the studio -- so at least I've been somewhat productive.

I also finished reading Unfinished Business. A blow-by-blow account of Ultra Cyclist Dex Tooke's Race Across America in 2011. It was Dex's second attempt at RAAM, (he DNF'd in 2010 after a time miscalculation), and his detailed account of his 2011 successful crossing is quite amazing. Dex and his wife/crew-chief Joni are joining Joan Deitchman's crew in June, and I'm thrilled to be spending time with both of them on our cross-country journey.

In addition to Dex and Joni, there are seven other crew members on the team -- three of us are Vanderkitten VIPs, including cyclists Lindsay King from Toronto and Kati Bak from Iowa. (Joan is also a VKVIP, so the kittens are well represented.) Also on board: Mike Deitchman, Crew Chief; Jeff Faillers, medic/mechanical; Brooke Alexander, message therapist/PT; and endurance athlete Ingrid Hillhouse. Joan is going to have a solid crew behind her.

It sounds like this year's RAAM women's race is going to be an exciting one. To date, seven women are racing in the under 50 category, (already the largest field of women ever, with the possibility of more entering), representing 5 countries. (Joan is representing home country Canada.) Also riding this year, (in the 50+ category) is 6-time winner Seana Hogan. It's going to be quite an adventure.

Be bold... Live life fully... Have adventures.

Riding with Tim as we finish up Day 1 of the Undefeated

As I continue to iron out my plans for the summer, I can say without a doubt I'm most looking forward to riding with my friend Tim Brown. It was three years ago, on February 3rd, 2011, (the same day Will turned 12), that Tim lost both legs and an arm to an IED blast in Afghanistan. Tough stuff. His life was forever changed that day in February -- the day he defied death -- as it does for all of our wounded warriors. I don't know anyone with as much focus, grit, determination and courage as Tim. I saw his undeniable strength in action as we climbed Torrey Pines near the end of our Undefeated Ride last October -- and he has reminded me every day since not to take my own strength and ability for granted.

Lately it seems like every time I send him a text message, I'm catching him at an airport heading off somewhere. (The minute he reads this he's going to laugh and nod his head). Whether he's on a mountain bike trip with Ride to Recovery, or competing in the Melbourne Marathon, (where he claims his time was "crap"), or flying out to Crested Butte for a weekend of skiing, you can be certain that nothing is going to slow him down. He truly lives life to the fullest. It won't surprise him to know how much I admire him, how he inspires me, and how much I value our friendship.

When I first learned fellow Vanderkitten VIP athlete Joan Deitchman was forming a crew for her solo effort in the 2014 Race Across America, I called Tim to hear what his thoughts were of me possibly joining Joan's crew. RAAM is one of the most grueling endurance events in the world, and the opportunity to participate with Joan is an exciting one. (While I won't be on the bike in this event, being a part of a RAAM crew is no easy task.) Tim completed the race last year as a member of an 8-man relay team with other wounded servicemen from Walter Reed Bethesda, and knows firsthand what is involved and how tough it's going to be. He expressed his full confidence that I'd be up for the challenge, and hearing that meant a lot to me. I'm thrilled to be joining Joan's crew.

RAAM will now postpone the plans Tim and I made to get together in May, (I had planned to head down to Maryland for some training rides), but he's coming up this way in April for the Boston Marathon with Team Achilles Freedom. (Yaaaay!!) I'm hoping we can ride together while he's here, if the snow ever melts, and I'll try to get down to Maryland this summer. We have an Undefeated EOD ride to train for!

Filling in the Calendar

RAAM Oregon Cycling Challenge

A lot of puzzle pieces are coming together as I work out my ride schedule for the summer, juggling the boy's ambitious plans, (football conditioning, swimming, sailing, SUP), and Mike's running goals. (A half marathon!)

First up is an indoor cycling event on March 1st called Pedal to End Cancer, which coach Shayne Gaffney is organizing at the P2 cycling studio at B&S Fitness. I'm trying to convince a few North Shore Cyclopaths to join in, but so far no one is ready to ride. (Ahhh... we're a fair-weather team.) If anyone is interested in joining me, let me know! Info can be found here: Pedal to End Cancer.

In other cycling news: I am flying out to Portland, Oregon on May 9th to crew Joan Deitchman's RAAM Oregon Cycling Challenge, May 10th-11th. It's a 400 mile race as a prelude to the Race Across America, (RAAM), in June. I will get some crew training done during this event, learning how to direct follow, leapfrog, navigate and communicate with the rider, all in preparation to crew Joan's solo RAAM ride June 6th-24th, with the race starting June 10th. (I'll post more about this later.)

I'll be home from the Oregon Challenge on May 12th, in time to ride the Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association on May 18th. It's going to be a busy summer -- and looking ahead to May and June is keeping my mind off of the brutal winter we've been having. I hear we're getting another storm Tuesday... although at this point, I'm no longer paying attention.