Mike Across America

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.

Mike has left Tuba City, but we got a few shots of him on his way up to Flagstaff (the toughest part of the course West of the Mississippi). Looking good powering up that mountain!!!

Waiting for Mike to come around the hairpin curve, Karen and Dick are so grateful to be here with Mike on his journey.

Each hill is harder than the one before. Climbing is relentless, but he is as tough as it gets.

What better way is there to tour America than in support of a friend aspiring to fulfill a dream? Here Rich and I sit in some of the most splendiferous wilderness this country has to offer awaiting Mike’s arrival as he ascends the STEEP mountain switchbacks into Flagstaff, AZ. His effort is valiant ~ his performance awe-inspiring. Thank you, Mike for inviting us to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure: your first RAAM. You da man!!

In the words of Tom Petty, “I’m gonna get back up … and climb that hill again.”

Yesterday was hard. Mike had to deal with heat, relentless climbs, and some dehydration. We rolled into the Congress Time Station (391 miles) around 2:15 am, and Mike was feeling a little disoriented and lightheaded. Add to that lack of sleep and asking your body to do things it’s never done before…and it’s amazing he’s still upright. He is one tough guy.

He slept for an hour and a half (as did the crew), got some calories, and woke up feeling better. After leaving Prescott Valley, the route climbed to 7000 feet crossing the mountains on winding narrow roads into the town of Jerome. The climbs were pretty tough, and he stopped to eat several times before reaching the summit. But once he reached the summit at 25.2 miles (and got a leg massage), he started flying down the hill.

3 miles down, his front wheel malfunctioned and started making a screaming noise. We had to change bikes, and he made his way safely to Time Station 8 in Cottonwood, AZ (482.9). Whew!

We’re now on what the route book calls “the toughest section west of the Mississippi River.” All positive energy (prayers, encouragement in blog comments, FB posts) will certainly help on this side of the Mighty Mississip.

on the road again!  Took a few hours off to catch some zzzzzzzz’s and we’re ready to get going  and support Mike.  He’s doing great!   Very hot and dry here. Looking forward to some cooler temps this evening

How many days have we been doing this now???  The days are just blending together

Nancy   says hi to friends and family.  We’re having a blast! 

We’re a little behind on the blogging – what with trying to get a little sleep and spotty cell signals … who needs sleep anyway?

As you can see from the photo, Mikey got started this morning around 1130 and has made it through Time Station 5. It’s hot hot hot today, so he should be taking it a little slower, I hope.

The first Follow Van crew (me, Karen, Josh) tried to get a little sleep last night – along with the RV crew and Rich and Rhonda … 2, 3, 4, 5 hours … whatever we got, we were happy. We haven’t quite figured out the “shift schedule” yet, but that will all work out in the next day or two and we’ll probably settle in a little better.

Right now, we’re just focused on getting Mike through the desert. Currently, in the Follow Van we have Dick, Kallie, and Ben. They got off to a rocky start this a.m. with some light bar malfunctions, but their flexibility, leadership, and good nature prevailed. They gave Mike enough provisions for an hour, sent him on down the road, and got it fixed. All good. Way to go, guys!

Mike’s in for a long hot day today, but things are looking pretty chilly for a ride through the desert tonight on our way to Flagstaff.

We’ll keep you updated as we can – for up-to-date Time Station results, you can check out http://raceacrossamerica.org.

Until next time…keep sending us all that good energy out there!

We’ll try to get some pix posted soon.

Jenny

It’s Jenny, Josh, and Karen again…still on the road with Mike in the desert. It’s actually a pretty cool 79 degrees. We are 10 miles from Blythe, California, where we will be at Time Station 3.

We’re in total follow mode and communicating with him with a P.A. He just told us he’s a “4” out of 5 with a heart rate of 110. He climbed some mega hills on this leg.

Josh (our driver) is mesmerized by watching Mike’s legs … thinks Mike looks like an alien in our headlights. Karen is crawling all over the van to retrieve whatever Mike needs at every stop. And, I (the navigator) am blogging when I’ve got 10 miles of straight road instead of turns in the road. We probably need some sleep. Mike’s been at it for 14 hours 16 minutes.

P.S.We saw a snake and a mouse (and Josh thinks he saw a dead opposum) along the road.

Until next time…

Here we are finishing up day 1.  Mike is looking good and doing great!  It was hot here in the desert high of 107 today.  Whew, that is HOT!

Stopped at checkpoint #2 and guess what we found?? STARBUCKS!!!!

Nancy says “we are having a BRAWL in BRAWLEY!  Wish you were all here!