Sent from my android device.

Sent from my android device.

The most common questions you hear are “Where are we?”, and When will they be here? (meaning when will we be riding again).

Although, we have been given this great opportunity to ride our bikes across this great country, the majority of the time, we have no clue where we are. 50% of the time we are riding at night, the time that we are in the RV we are usually sleeping and when we are actually riding, a lot of the time is spent looking at the white line, reviewing the route trying to prevent from getting lost, which leaves very little time to actually SEE the country.

I can only tell you what hurts on me, but I feel very fortune now.

Of course my butt is sore, but not that bad and I don’t have any neck, arm, wrist, or back pain.

The messages have kept the my legs loose, but what hurts is starting to ride.

The first few pedal strokes causes significant pain in the muscles, tendons and joints which lasts about a minute. With Lonni and I exchanging riding every 20min, the pain is quite frequent.

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Sent from my android device.

Sent from my android device.

Sent from my android device.

When crewing for RAAM, one of the largest taks is to stay stocked with supplies and provisions.  Not only does the crew have to think about food prep in the support vehicle where they rest and recoup, but also the follow vehicle which can never take itself away from the rider except just long enough to obtain fuel.

We go thru 13 states in less than 9 days and shop at least twice a day.  We shop frequently for a few reasons:  with the time of year, we have to stay stocked with ice to keep the riders cool; meals need to be prepared fresh and crew and riders are more likely to eat something purchased within the last 24 to 36 hours; and finally, understanding that no support vehicle has unlimited storage space.

Keeping all that in mind, we spend a lot of time in Wal Marts across the US.  Consistency is key when trying to develop a routine…Wal Mart fits this need as 98% are open 24 hrs which means the bathrooms are almost always available (nice when u r tired of trying to find a tree, bush or rock).  Quick access to ice, water, food, basic tools for emergency situations (bolt cutters when the bike lock is broken and wont come off) is nearly always guaranteed.  Store management is very friendly for  temporarily camping out in vehicles of all sizes making the well lit parking lots safe places to wait for riders and make team exchanges.

13 states = a lot of time spent in and around WalMart.  Thanks for your hospitality.

~sara

Anyone who participates in races, knows that a big factor on how you might finish is who shows up. If you’ve been keeping track of where all the teams are, you will notice that we’re not ahead of most of the 4 person teams. We knew that, and had our own goals and were planning on riding with “intent”.

But, if you look at the category that we are in. Four person, Less than 50 (age), mixed, there just happens to be one other team in our category. When we reviewed the competition, there was no way that we could compete. They only had one female (we have two), and together, they have probably have 10 RAAM races under their belt. So we didn’t’ think we even had a chance. But, if you look, we have been just behind them (T416). Yesterday, we actually caught and passed them, but then they switched to their young (35 age) rider who then blew by us.

So with the toughest hills coming up, we are strategizing to see if we can pull out a win. Wish us luck!!!

TS 41/42 Friday 3/49 EST