This song is over

 In order to keep the dream alive and compete in RAAM in 2013 I needed to extend my qualification that will expire in October 2012. Finishing Race Across Oregon as a solo rider would do that.  I failed in that endeavor.  There were many aspects of the race both related to crew and rider that I wish had gone differently, but it all amounts to the same result.  Only 130 miles left to ride, and 13 hours left to ride it, but it just couldn't get done.

With my DNF at RAO my RAAM dreams are most likely dashed.  It would seem that perhaps the window of opportunity for me to compete in RAAM will close without me getting to the start line in Oceanside.

 This blog will be on hold, remaining here to bear witness to what might have been.  Who knows what the future may bring.  If RAAM becomes a possibility for me again you'll see it here first.

Thanks for sharing the journey to this point.

It's been awhile since I posted here, but rest assured, I am busy working toward RAAM 2013. A priority lately has been working to extend my RAAM qualification, which is due to expire this coming October. To that end, I am competing in Race Across Oregon as a solo racer this coming weekend. I will need to finish that race within the 48 hour time limit to give me another two years of RAAM qualification. RAO will be a challenge for me. I rode 378 of the ~530 RAO miles in a two person mixed team in 2010, but riding solo is a whole new game. I don't feel as if I am adequately trained, but I rarely do. There is a saying among ultra cyclists that it is not the X miles but the 6" between the ears that makes or breaks you. I know I should be in better shape. I don't know how much of the problem is just the aging process, and how much is just not doing the work. But I'm hoping that toughness of the 6" between my ears will make up for the softness of my physical fitness. Today I spent preparing the support vehicle. I wired flashing lights, attached signage, wired a feed light and placed storage drawers. We had a team meeting tonight and went over details. Ready or not, the time is rapidly approaching to start the pedals spinning. It will be my most difficult RAO, but my most important. On paper it's tougher than Furnace Creek 508. About 25 miles longer with 5000 ft more climbing, yet still the same 48 hour limit. I think it's easier though. It's not as mentally tough to ride, the scenery is much less intimidating. You feel as if you're moving along, not the endless horizons of Mojave Desert or Death Valley. It's just a long bike ride through Oregon's hills. That is all it is.

RAAM

The 2012 Race Across America started yesterday for the women and the 60+ men. Today it started for solo men.  I am following the progress closely, and in contact with Janet Christension's crew.  A big part of me wishes I were there. It would have been great to be crewing but I did not know I had the time available until late.  Best of luck to ALL the competitors!

I haven't forgotten

I've just decided that without renewing my RAAM Qualified status there isn't much use for this blog.  So my priority right now is getting this old body back into shape to ride bike.  Race Across Oregon is in late July.  I need to be able to ride 530+ miles with 40,000 ft elevation gain in less than 48 hours.   So....I haven't forgotten about updates here, just busy taking care of bike business.

Some words of wisdom

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."  -T.S. Elliot

I attended a local screening of the RAAM documentary, "Bicycle Dreams" tonight. Since I own the DVD and have already seen it I went mostly to "rub elbows" and observe just how a screening was presented.

After the screening there was a question and answer period with RAAM Director Rick Boethling. The group of around 200 paid close attention to the movie. When it was over, before Mr Boethling could take the stage, a member of my social bike club stood up and addressed those in attendance. He pointed out that I had gained RAAM Qualified status and had me stand as he listed my achievements and introduced me. While I appreciated his gesture, I felt a bit uneasy. I know, as well as most of the people in crowd, and the RAAM officials, that there is a huge difference between being RAAM Qualified and being ready to ride RAAM.
Rick Boethling pointed that out as he stepped on stage.

A few folks came up to me and wished me well.

If my friend were going to say something I just would have preferred something along the line of "Kevin is hoping to compete in RAAM in 2013, he's right over there"

I did come away with some ideas on how I will put a screening together in the next few months.

moving forward, ever so slightly

I've been in contact with Stephen Auerbach, the director of the RAAM documentary "Bicycle Dreams". Looks like we've reached an agreement where I'll be able to present this great movie as part of a fund raising event for my RAAM challenge.

I've been working on a handout to give to potential donors and supporters explaining what I am planning to do, and how we might partner to provide benefit to both them and me.

Still a long way from making this happen, but it is moving forward.

Getting mentally around this thing

I continue to work on details to allow this adventure to happen.


I've got the DVD of Bicycle Dreams, I've watched it many times. It never ceases to inspire me.

Bike Dreams

Looks like the Bike Dreams movie promoters will be bringing Bike Dreams to Portland in May. That will cause me to rethink plans a bit, but flexibility is a good thing to practice.

In the meantime I keep running across these little nudges toward mentally accepting the challenge ahead.

The thought for the day.

A birthday party

Over 50 people showed up in Salem tonight to help celebrate JoyRide's first year in business. It was a good evening and it was nice to see the public support as well as the support of other local businesses who donated door prizes.

Something I did not expect was the attention I got. I was introduced to the group with a brief description of my crazy goal. There was a reporter from a local newspaper in attendance, and she spent a bit of time talking to me, snapping a few photos and scribbling wildly on a notepad.

I didn't know I was so interesting. ;-)

the switch flipped

A few things happened today that caused me to decide I really need to ride bike.
I've been somewhat baffled why I couldn't get motivated to begin working hard on a bike.

As of tonight, I'm ready to go.

I hopped on my rollers tonight and pedaled hard. It was just what I needed.

Friday I will be going to JoyRide's 1st birthday party. JoyRide is a good friend of my RAAM effort, and there are some good door prizes beside! Come on out Friday night and join the fun.

Is someone trying to tell me something?

I've gone to Panda Express twice in the last few weeks and got a fortune cookie each time. The first fortune amused me:



Tonight I got this one:



I'm beginning to wonder if someone is trying to tell me something. ;-)

determination

DETERMINATION!

I came across these two YouTube videos today. Both are powerful examples of what a person can do if they don't give up.





Never, never, NEVER give up.

Pat and Vanna

I was invited by JoyRide Cycling Studio to participate in their "JoyFull Living" speaker series tonight. It was an honor to be selected as their lead off speaker in the series.

To lighten things up a bit I opened the presentation with a version of "The Wheel of Fortune" game show. A friend volunteered to play the part of Vanna White, and a darn fine Vanna she made! I stumbled through the Pat Sajak role. Our "contestant" did well, never missing a guess as to a letter that would be available, but was as dumb as a post when it came to solving the puzzle, having had to expose all the letters before venturing a guess. ;-)

It was a fun way to get it going.

I managed to fill my time slot with stories of bike riding and ultra cycling events. I did finally tie it together with the importance of setting goals and following through.

I was happy with the night, especially since I was presenting it on two hours sleep the previous night, and never having the chance to see the powerpoint in it's entirety, or make a trial run through it. Not so much procrastination as it was spending a week in Southern California riding bike and coming home to a busy work schedule.

I'm glad it went over well.

With winter conditions setting in you might consider visiting JoyRide and giving one of their classes a try. They are good folks that understand road cycling needs.

moving forward

I just spent a week in Southern California riding bike. I rode through Oceanside, the starting location of RAAM. I also cycled Montezuma Grade, AKA, the Glass Elevator.

Yup, I know, so what?

The biggest news was that while riding around down there I was approached by three people who offered to be crew members. One has several RAAM crewing experiences under her belt. Another is a pretty decent bike mechanic.

I also had a couple offer financial support.

I've also had a response from a caterer whom I had approached about a fund raising dinner.

It's all part of the process of getting this adventure moving.