Now that RAAM 2012 is over what do I feel? Tired and stiff. That’s it. What emotions? None. I have been emotionless reference RAAM since the thought of doing it appeared in my mind one year ago today. During the past year the thought of doing RAAM felt like another day at the office …
Read More
Steepest Climbs 1
The hardest climbs are about to start. That is right, the toughest climbs are not the Colorado Rockies but the Appalachian Mountains in Maryland. Not as high by any means but much, much steeper climbs. RAAM saves the toughest for the last of the race. We were down to three riders for part of the …
Read More
The Crew 1
Team Hope consists of 12 crew and 4 riders. The crew consists of 5 drivers, 3 navigator, 2 bike mechanics, 2 EMTs, 1 chef, 1 physical therapist, and crew chief. The Crew has a really tough job, maybe tougher than the riders. They get no more, maybe less, sleep that the rides whose only job …
Read More
The Mighty Mississippi 1
1,900 miles later Team Hope is in Jefferson City, MO and about to cross the might Mississippi River. How time flies when you are having fun. At the end of my shift today Kevin, our ER person, asked me if I was having fun. I said “this is not fun, however, it is satisfying and …
Read More
Ford, Kansas 1
Hello from Ford, KA. Half way to Annapolis. It seems like yesterday that we left Oceanside, CA. Maybe that is because this 7 day adventure is like one long day. Lots of steep climbs from Oceanside through the Rockies. Wolf Creek Pass out of Durango, CO, elevation 6,500′, is the highest at 11,000′. Alex and …
Read More
Updates from Rudy 1
2007 Blue Planet Runner and Global Messenger Rudy Van Prooyen is in the midst of an 8,000 mile trek back and forth, up and down across the USA. As a break, he is crewing for Team Hope in RAAM. He has been driving one of the support RVs, and like all the team and crew, …
Read More
KTVU News pieces 0
The Bay Area’s KTVU News ran three pieces on my effort (or my craziness) the day we left Oceanside.
Read More
The First Shift 15
At 1pm today Alex and I started the race and had the first 5-hour shift. We biked together for the first 10 miles. After that, the plan was for Alex to go solo for another 15 miles, until we got out of the congested area, where we could meet up with the vans and start …
Read More
Today Is Here 0
We are loading the RVs and vans with bikes and gear and heading to the starting line. The crew has done a great job staying on top of the myriad of details. All of them are volunteers. Most of them gave up their vacations. All of the are giving their time and energy , and …
Read More
Tomorrow Is Here 1
RAAM 2012 starts at noon tomorrow. 14 crew, 4 cyclists, 2 RVs, 2 vans, safety inspections passed, official RAAM photos taken. Team Hope is ready to ride. Larry and Janet Cornell my good friends from Portland, OR, Lisa Nash Blue Planet Network CEO, Adrian Sedlin, my cousin, his wife and three children came to the …
Read More
