My race ended today – Muscle fatigue in my quads from getting dehydrated on day 2 and then climbing mountains on day 3. On day 4 my quads locked up to the point that I could not get up the climbs in the last 100 miles today. I rode a total of 743 miles in the last 4 days. I’m disappointed to have to stop but I needed to be in Durango, CO by 12:34am EST tonight and since I could not get up the climbs after Mexican Hat, AZ we had to call it.
Do I have any regrets about this whole endeavor? No way! This was a great challenge for me and I’m very satisfied with my effort. I gave it 100%. We raised some money for two great causes and that’s always a good thing.
My crew did a great job and kept me going as long as I did. And thanks again to the sponsors who helped make all this possible.
I hope you have enjoyed following this “journey”. I know I did.
Congrats Mike! You’re still a badass in my book!
Comment by Francis Hamre — June 12, 2010 @ 2:20 pm
Nice try Mike. Thanks for attempting big things!
Comment by Michael Christensen — June 12, 2010 @ 2:22 pm
A fabulous effort . . . you did so very, very well! 743 miles is a tremendous distance! You’ve had a wonderful crew supporting you and hundreds and hundreds of people like Marcie and me cheering you on every miles of your trek! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Everyone is so very proud of you!!
Comment by Al Straatmeyer — June 12, 2010 @ 2:37 pm
Fantastic effort Mike. You and your crew did a fantastic job. Jenny’s philosophy is DNF = Did Not Fail. I agree whole heartedly. We were all behind you 100% of the journey. You have our admiration. Congratulations.
Comment by Peggy — June 12, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
Excellent job.
Comment by tony — June 12, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
You are an awesome incredible man to take on this challenge! Getting to Oceanside was an accomplishment you can be proud of…..not many even think about attempting what you did. I am proud to call you friend and fellow cyclist! Get some much deserved rest and we’ll see you soon.
Comment by Sue Christensen — June 12, 2010 @ 3:12 pm
You are an inspiration! I know that you gave it your very, very, best and we are all so very proud of you! Congratulations on your valiant effort, and sleep easy.
Comment by Mary Beardsley — June 12, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
I am so proud of you Mike!!!!!!!
Comment by Jean Snyders — June 12, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
Mike, you did more than any normal human could do, I’m proud of your desire to accomplish this feat. God Bless You.
Comment by Gary Poppens — June 12, 2010 @ 3:23 pm
Mike, we’re so very proud of you and the solo effort you accomplished. We can’t wait to ride with you again and hear first hand of your journey. Talk to you soon. Joe & Tina
Comment by Joe Stiller — June 12, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
Mike, You did great. The Aberdeen Area Running Club, The Abr Bike club and I all are very proud you and the dedication you put into your event.
Comment by Amy Blackstone — June 12, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
Mike, you took on such a tremendous challenge and with an open heart full of determination and took it head on with your usual gusto and zest for life. We are so proud of you and your crew for what you have accomplished.
You are truly an inspiration.
Rest up my friend.
Cathy Larson
Comment by Cathy — June 12, 2010 @ 4:10 pm
You did an awesome job. Still many people are envious of your effort and you are still a hero! You made us proud as we watched the progress.
Comment by Lisa Norberg — June 12, 2010 @ 4:17 pm
Dang Mikey! You are amazing! Dave and I enjoyed tracking you and the crew. We felt like we were “there with you” although without the pain.:) We are so proud of your journey! Rest up and Recover! love ya! Mary and Dave
Comment by Mary and Dave — June 12, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
Mike you have been, and continue to be my hero cyclist. I know how strong you are…so to see you call the game tells me you went way inside yourself to make the final choice to finish your ride sort of the finish line. I learned a lot from all the friends I sent your way who have done this before…they knew more than either of us…but they too are proud and respect what you did as a rookie. If this were easy everyone would do it…it is not and they do not. This is to cycling as Everest is to mountian climbing. Rest well my friend…love ya
Comment by Bill Wenmark — June 12, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
Hello, Mike…what a wonderful accomplishment! I fully understand you ‘gave it all’…for that I am extremely proud of your effort. Wow!
John Rozell
Comment by John Rozell — June 12, 2010 @ 5:27 pm
Mike, congratulations on qualifying for, and then participating in RAAM, an event few people ever consider doing in the first place. What an achievement for you and your team!
Comment by Diane McGrew — June 12, 2010 @ 5:44 pm
Mike and crew–extended congratulations to you all!! We are so proud to call you a friend Mike! Listening to your body is the right thing–you put it all out there and we couldn’t be more proud you. Anxious to hear all about it.
Bryan and Melissa
Comment by Brinkman's — June 12, 2010 @ 6:10 pm
Mike, congratulations!! 743 miles in 4 days is huge. Can’t wait to hear about it and get a chance to ride with you.
What an awesome accomplishment.
John and Laura
Comment by Zumhofe's — June 12, 2010 @ 6:37 pm
What a journey that you and your crew experienced from beginning to end that so few people would even think about doing. Rest & Recover I know there’s many more miles in your future, you deserve to have the wind on your back for all your rides!
Bismarck friend, Leon
Comment by Leon Essler — June 12, 2010 @ 8:01 pm
Mike – great job! Congratulations to all of you – what you did is more than most of us would ever attempt. Take care of yourself. What an experience.
Rick
Comment by Rick Weber — June 12, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
Gallant effort. This will just make your finish in Annapolis next year all the sweeter. What I discovered in 06 is that the only way to train for RAAM is to do it until you get it right (07&08). I know you had more obstacles than just the heat and cramping but you will find solutions to keep them at bay. Feel free to email me, I’d be happy to share everything I know. Best regards, David Donkey Jones
Comment by David Jones Solo RAAM 060 — June 12, 2010 @ 8:26 pm
Mike
Knowing you and your crew I know there was no way to continue. When your body is done there is nothing you can do. Take heart in the accomplishments to get to this point. The training, the fund raising, the testing, and the attempt. Nothing is achieved without trying and taking chances. I am sure you are not done. I am impressed with your effort and i know i will be impressed by your accomplishments in the future.
Comment by Brian Beattie — June 12, 2010 @ 8:35 pm
Enjoyed following your training and ride this week. It has been inspirational. Well done.
Comment by Denns Olson — June 12, 2010 @ 9:12 pm
Mike: We are all VERY proud of you!!!! The miles you raced is more than most people could ever do in a lifetime! God bless your efforts, and I’m so thrilled to hear you have listened to your body! South Dakota is VERY honored to have witnessed this journey with you! ENJOY rest and family and friends time:)
Comment by LeeAnna Stacy — June 12, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
Being a winner is having the courage to start. You did awesome. I am proud to know you. Crew — ya done good.
Comment by Cyndie — June 12, 2010 @ 10:21 pm
Great job Mike! Your an amazing person to put you mind, and body to such a task! God has given you some great skills that you use a 100 percent of!
Comment by Greg Thornton — June 13, 2010 @ 7:28 am
Mike, sorry you had to give it up, but at the same time am amazed at your efforts. You kept all cyclists in South Dakota buzzing and you raised money for great causes. Thanks for taking us along on the ride!
Comment by Kevin Brady — June 13, 2010 @ 7:59 am
Mike, what a wonderful accomplishment! You are totally amazing to have done what you did. Not too many people can say they have done what you accomplished. Rest up and get healthy.
Carol Gould
Comment by Carol Gould — June 13, 2010 @ 11:17 am
Mike, proud of ya,you did what most people don’t even think of doing. All your efforts,hard work training etc. is all proof of your character.Glad to know you as my neighbor and friend. Now get back here and get ready for that next race.
Comment by John Gadbois — June 13, 2010 @ 12:08 pm
Congratulations Mike, on completing your RAAM training ride. Next year you can use everything your learned to help you complete the race successfully. Hope to see you September 4th at Port Byron.
Comment by Wayne Donohue — June 13, 2010 @ 4:59 pm
Congratulations Mike, on completing your RAAM training ride. Next year you can use everything your learned to help you complete the race successfully. Hope to see you September 4th at Port Byron.
Comment by Wayne Donohue — June 13, 2010 @ 4:59 pm
Way to go Mike! We are proud of you and what you accomplished!
Comment by Jay & Sarah Hutton — June 13, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
Mr. Mike, Apostle Velo, thank you for including me in your journey.
Your guts and go go are like none in my circle, proud to know and admire you.
On your wheel one day soon, Bruce
Comment by Bruce Burnes — June 13, 2010 @ 7:01 pm
Hey Mikey!! You are so awesome and it was an honor to see you off in Oceanside and follow your journey!! We are glad you listened to your body (and crew). Take some time to rest up and you can start training for next year!!
God Bless you all!
Comment by ANNNNNNNNNN — June 13, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
Awesome job Mike! RAAM is an amazing challenge. Will there be another attempt? Thanks for taking us along on the ride!
Comment by Nancy — June 13, 2010 @ 8:46 pm
Mike, I’m sorry you weren’t able to finish but you gave it a great effort. It was fun to watch your progress. Congratulations on a great job!! All of us at SHME are so proud of you! Diana
Comment by Diana Bigge — June 13, 2010 @ 8:52 pm
Mike, congratulations on your ride. Like many, I was addicted to your blog and could not get enough! You made everyone proud. Thanks for letting us come along on something bigger than you ever imagined. Three cheers to your awesome crew. — Jan Seeley
Comment by Jan Seeley — June 14, 2010 @ 2:42 am
I’m so proud of my best buddy Mike Dunlap, he gave it everything he had in the RAAM race! He went until his body could no longer turn the pedals! I see why they call RAAM the “Worlds Toughest Bike Race” Although Mike did not finish this years race, I know he will someday be back and beat this beast of a race. Mike raised a lot of money for Sanford Research & the Dick Beardsley Foundation, for that I will be forever gratefull! Your a GREAT man my friend!
Comment by Dick Beardsley — June 14, 2010 @ 2:51 am
Great job Mike!! I want to thank-you for your interest and helping me once again want to be a part of this journey. Thanks so much and may God Bless you as you continue to bike for such great causes. Congratulations!! Great job crew!
Comment by Denise Van Zee — June 14, 2010 @ 5:37 am
Unbelievable effort! I can’t imagine spending even 1 day in the heat and the mountains. You have inspired so many and you should be really proud of your accomplishment. Can’t wait to hear details at camp.
Comment by Kay Sanborn — June 14, 2010 @ 6:04 am
Hey Mike – you gave it your best shot and I know you are disappointed….We are very proud of you and what you have accomplished…It makes my 1 1/2 hour daily walk seem like nothing!!! See you soon – bob and val
Comment by Val Westhoff — June 14, 2010 @ 7:23 am
Congrats on a great effort. I am sure you are disappointed, but there is not much you can do when dehydration comes along. I admire your effort and commend you for the many months you spent preparing for the race.
Dan Landes
South Dakota State U.
Comment by Dan Landes — June 14, 2010 @ 8:21 am
Congratulations on an amazing achievement.
You are, and continue to be such an inspiration to me and so many others. Thank you for taking up this incredible challenge for two important causes.
Comment by Silvana Dereski — June 14, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
Mike, You are awesome!! What a ride–743 miles–wow!! You gave it a great shot and rode it smart! You listened to your body and stopped when you needed–we know that is not an easy choice. You had a great crew to help you through your journey. You are an inspiration and we are proud of you!!! Now, enjoy your well deserved rest! – Love, Melody & Steve
Comment by Melody & Steve — June 15, 2010 @ 4:20 am
Great ride!! We are proud of YOU.
Comment by Cody and Ken — June 15, 2010 @ 3:46 pm