Just got off the phone with the current crew on board and Kevin is moving along! He had to stop a couple of times due to inclement weather. We had some nasty storms last night here Ohio- severe thunderstorm warnings with heavy rains, hail, and lightning. This allowed him some time to sleep when he stopped the first time. Even with these stops he was able to put almost 6 hours on Jim Rees. His shoes were soaked from the rain so he just switched to SPD pedals and his SPD sandals for a good chunk of today.
We are updating Kevin with your comments through each shift and it really picks him up if he is having any low moments. He is in good spirits most of the day and night. When temperatures rise and it gets hot in the afternoon he gets irritable but still alert. This is usually when we get him a hotel room to shower, eat, and nap for 1 1/2 hrs.- 2 hrs. He really wants to get 20 hours of riding in before sleeping and is managing to do that efficiently.
The thing that really stands out is his awareness and mind. Most of these solo racers have difficulty with their thought processes at this point in the race. Kevin continues to crunch numbers in his head, often asking for stats on who is behind him, how far away, and what each segment looks like in regards to the terrain and mileage. He keeps wondering where Gottwald and Popp are. Gottwald is a Cat 1 time trial specialist and road racer. He flies through many of these sections but spends a lot of time sleeping. Many people have noticed it's like the tortoise and the hare. Rees is trying to break the British RAAM record of 9 days, 17 hours. I spoke to his crew and they are great folks. Jim plans on maybe sleeping 1 hour only today and staying on the bike until he gets to Annapolis. Kevin and Rees have had a couple of social moments on the bike when Kevin passed Rees. This has happened twice and seemed to be quite an emotional moment. Here you have two guys that have been pushing their bodies and minds to the limits and covering thousands of miles. The comraderie is amazing! Before Kevin started RAAM he mentioned Rees and how much respect he has for him. Check out his story at http://www.teaminspiration.org.uk/
Kevin is a working man riding with some elite ultra-cyclist that do this for a living and he holding his ground. Phil jokes about seeing Kevin at work with a tie. Once Kevin puts on his Chain Reaction kit he evolves into Superman and dances on the pedals. His ultimate goal is to be the top American, anything extra is icing on the cake. Things are working out and we have about 500 miles to go. Keep your thoughts coming and wish him well. The West Virginia mountains are coming up!
Troy- crew
We are updating Kevin with your comments through each shift and it really picks him up if he is having any low moments. He is in good spirits most of the day and night. When temperatures rise and it gets hot in the afternoon he gets irritable but still alert. This is usually when we get him a hotel room to shower, eat, and nap for 1 1/2 hrs.- 2 hrs. He really wants to get 20 hours of riding in before sleeping and is managing to do that efficiently.
The thing that really stands out is his awareness and mind. Most of these solo racers have difficulty with their thought processes at this point in the race. Kevin continues to crunch numbers in his head, often asking for stats on who is behind him, how far away, and what each segment looks like in regards to the terrain and mileage. He keeps wondering where Gottwald and Popp are. Gottwald is a Cat 1 time trial specialist and road racer. He flies through many of these sections but spends a lot of time sleeping. Many people have noticed it's like the tortoise and the hare. Rees is trying to break the British RAAM record of 9 days, 17 hours. I spoke to his crew and they are great folks. Jim plans on maybe sleeping 1 hour only today and staying on the bike until he gets to Annapolis. Kevin and Rees have had a couple of social moments on the bike when Kevin passed Rees. This has happened twice and seemed to be quite an emotional moment. Here you have two guys that have been pushing their bodies and minds to the limits and covering thousands of miles. The comraderie is amazing! Before Kevin started RAAM he mentioned Rees and how much respect he has for him. Check out his story at http://www.teaminspiration.org.uk/
Kevin is a working man riding with some elite ultra-cyclist that do this for a living and he holding his ground. Phil jokes about seeing Kevin at work with a tie. Once Kevin puts on his Chain Reaction kit he evolves into Superman and dances on the pedals. His ultimate goal is to be the top American, anything extra is icing on the cake. Things are working out and we have about 500 miles to go. Keep your thoughts coming and wish him well. The West Virginia mountains are coming up!
Troy- crew
You are an inspiration to us all! A true sportsman and exceptional athlete. Keep dancing on those pedals and you'll be having Maryland Crab before you know it.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work, Kevin! Steady as you go. I need to be away from my laptop for half a day on a family trip. Too bad there's no RAAM coverage on anything I'll be able to follow during the drive. Can't wait to check back in on your progress later this afternoon. You've got fans aplenty out here rooting you on!
ReplyDeleteKEV!! One of Gil's comments on the RAAM website seems to have disappeared, but it's worth mentioning: You've come SO far from that "Mother ... of ... God" moment you had back in the early days (was that Mount Cheaha?). You've continued to get stronger, you've surpassed many goals and YOU'VE GOT THE END OF RAAM 2009 IN YOUR SIGHTS!!!
ReplyDeleteLisa M.
KEVIN....You are "THE MAN"! That is Superman. I have a new found respect for you and your unbelievable willpower. Even though you've got some serious climbs ahead you're on the downhill side. Look ahead, the bright light is not an oncoming train, but the end of a great journey for you. Keep on dancing on those pedals my friend. Brian
ReplyDelete