YW's bike race thread

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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:53 pm

Hi All,

As many of you know, I have been training for a HUGE bike race for nearly 18 months now ( http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1096727#1096727 ). Well, guess what? My race is in just a couple of days.

There have been a lot of people here at Eater who have been really supportive of me during my training. This has meant a lot to me, especially in the harsh winter months when I did not feel like training at all and was forced to ride on a trainer.

So, since there has been so much interest in this, a few of us have figured out a way for you to be updated as to my progress WHILE the race is still going on.

TheGreatOok is going to be with me at the race, acting as my support crew. He will be arriving once I am about 200+ miles into the race. During that time, he will also be in contact with Professor So and So via the telephone, passing along updates as the race progresses. Feel free to post in this thread as well, and I will eventually get your messages about once per hour and ten minutes via TheGreakOok.

The race begins this Friday (Sept 26th) at 6:00 AM central time zone here in the US. Ook should be arriving around 8:00 PM that evening. That is when updates to this thread should begin.

As far as I am concerned, this race will not begin until 10 PM, Friday evening. Traditionally, it is the evening hours that sees the most riders dropping out. My plan, for the time being, is to just take it easy during the daylight hours... to be as patient as possible. The predicted high temp. is supposed to be about 88 deg. F. That is pretty damn hot for me. I am from the North where 88 degrees was the hottest that it got all summer. I tend to dehydrate fast and easy in these temps so my focus will not be to go fast, or even to keep up with others, but instead, to stay as hydrated and as well fed as possible, and then spend my evening playing catch up with anyone that may be ahead of me. The predicted low temp that evening is about 60, which is perfect for me.

I want to thank Ook in advanced for all that he has offered to do. This is going to be a massively long race, about 31 hours or so. That means that he will be up all night, and until the race is over Saturday afternoon. That is a lot to ask of anyone. He volunteered. I think that speaks highly of the caliber of people that you will find here in this community.

Baiting Guru Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 11857 Location: UK

Go on mate, give it all you have, we'll all be rooting for you, keep those cranks turning and I'm sure you will do yourself proud Thumbs up

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:05 pm

Good luck for the weekend then, tactics seems okay to me, gotta work when the conditions are right and sit it out when they aren't.
Bottled water only and bring your own bottles, I had a bad ride once due to someone handing out water that my guts didn't like.
Is there a way we can follow this on radio/tv? Internet? What is it called, I've been meaning to ask that a long time now, so I can do some searching.
31 hours on a bike! That gotta hurt when you climb down. Easy does it, getting there is important, getting there first is optional only when the legs are fine.

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:06 pm

Best of luck, YW. it's a huge challenge, but you've trained for it, so I am sure you'll do well. Very Happy

And nice one, Ook. Smile

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:08 pm

As to distract YW, be sure to tell him that Jenna Jameson is over at his house. Well, that might not distract him. That might get him moving as fast as he can.

Good luck TWAT.

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:12 pm

all the best YW
its a bloody tough thing you are doing and you will
finish that race

go for it

clapping

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

Good luck with the race. It all seems too much hard physical work for me. I'll give you armchair support.

Have fun Wink

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:42 pm

Ahh the cycling tortoise strategy, slow & steady during the day, peddling your little heart out in the cool nighttime air right past your competition...very clever, I like it! Cool

Good luck!! Beat those suckas!!

*** BANNED *** Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 2021

Good luck mate. Thumbs up

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:50 pm

Have a good ride. Use lots of sunblock. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock, SPF 85 is the one I use. I'll keep my fingers crossed and wish you a flat free experience.

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:48 pm

Good Luck, YW!

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:53 pm

Well glad to help, should be fun. I was hoping some others might come too, but whatever. Can't wait for the festivities to start, and I will keep Prof updated as long as he isn't drunk.

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:08 pm

I would have loved to be there but the tyranny of distance makes it impossible Sad

So, best of luck, YW Thumbs up

@ Ook, hope you can stay awake for the duration Cool

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:23 pm

You will do great, I just know it. Wink

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 7103 Location: Yes

Just remember whenever you think the going is getting a little rough, you can draw inspiration from the fact you will never be as stredded as some...

Good luck!

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:31 am

Good luck YW!

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 18313

Good luck with the race, YW!

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:14 am

I don't think we have a icon for sending yourself on safari - Good luck!

Very Happy

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:52 am

^^You are forgetting he is getting me to travel.

419Eater is my life Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 281

Best of luck. What race is this, and where is it located?

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:01 am

maxx, there's more info in the link that YW posted and in the race's own website. From the latter, the quick facts include this:

Quote:

The Race Across America is one of the most respected and longest running annual endurance events holding legendary stature the world over. It is one of the pinnacles of sporting accomplishment, globally seen as the highest rung of the ultra-endurance sports ladder. Since 1982, RAAM has a rich and storied history standing as a monument to human endeavors.

The Race Across America is an event so staggering that merely to finish is, for most, the accomplishment of a lifetime. RAAM inspires everyone that it touches. A monumental race contested with the utmost of sportsmanship and zeal. Truly, RAAM is larger than life. A breeding ground for champions, a testing ground for elite riders and a shining example of the strength of human spirit.

2008 General Race Information - the 27th Edition
* Start: Oceanside, CA - The Oceanside Pier. Women June 7th, Men June 8th, Teams June 11th.
* Finish: Annapolis, MD - The City Dock. June 17th - June 20th.
* Route: More than 3,000 miles across the United States.
* Divisions: Solo and Two-Person, Four-Person, and Eight-Person Teams.

Baiting Guru Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 2922

Good luck!!! Very Happy

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:04 pm

Good luck YW may your tires never go flat and your legs never tire.
Oh ya I hope you have somewhat of a comfy seat on the bike. Very Happy

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:38 pm

Thanks for the warm wishes everyone. I appreciate them. Well, I am headed out the door now. I will not be on Eater for about a week but check this thread on Friday evening and Saturday morning for update. Also, I would love to hear from you guys during the race, so go ahead and post here while I am out on the course. Ook will be able to relay messages to me.

See you guys later.

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:44 pm

Good luck you twat.