Mike Across America

The 2009 RAAM started on June 17. I’ve been following it on the RAAM website – raceacrossamerica.org – and I’m totally amazed! The rider I’ve been following all year – Scott Luikart – had to drop out after 392 miles!! He suffered a calf muscle injury that kept him from being able to pedal his bike. This has got to be such a disappointment for him. After all the months and months of training/planning/fund raising/etc. to have a “freak” injury take you out – just like that. I really feel for the guy as I put myself in his place and I just feel really sad. Scott’s only 1 of 7 riders who have had to stop the race for one reason or another so far. The race is not even half over yet!  This race is not something to be “trifled” with. All those who  start are as prepared as possible and yet only 50-60% of the starters finish it. This makes me more determined than ever to train harder and smarter to be as prepared as possible. Because anything less then your absolute best will not do. But isn’t life that way. We all get pretty complacent from time to time and then when some problem comes up – are we as prepared as we should be? Be ready in all your commitments – your best is all you have.

My son  Ben, Josh Dachtler and I traveled to Dickinson, ND for a H.S. graduation on May 29. We used to live in Dickinson (1989-1997) and its where I started my cycling career. Teddy Roosevelt National Park in Medora, ND is just 40 miles from Dickinson and is an excellent cycling location. From the park entrance in Medora you can ride into the park 8 miles do a beatiful 23 mile loop and then ride the 8 miles back out to Medora. During this 39 mile ride you are constantly climbing or decending. On Saturday, May 30, Brian Beattie from Bismarck, ND drove over and he and traveled to Medora and rode into the park – did 2 loops and rode out. After restocking ourselved with food and drink, we rode back into the park did another loop and rode back out. All toll we rode  over 95 miles with over 6,000 feet of ascent in 5 hours and 13 minutes. The next day my good friend Craig Pool from Belfield, ND met met me in Medora  and we drove into the park and rode two loops (44 miles) . I restocked on food and drink and road another loop and out to Medora as Craig drove my car out to his car in Medora.  I reloaded with food and drink and rode another 23 flat miles along W. River Road to get in 100 miles in 5 hour 35 minutes with over 5,000 feet of ascent. So my two day total was 192 miles with over 11,000 feet of climbing. I did’nt have any physical (or emotional) problems and I’m looking forward to my next training experiment of two 200 mile days back to back over the 4th of July weekend. Stay tuned.