Daniel's Thoughts on RAAM2008

In my mind the decision to stop at 2,198 miles at 02:20 somewhere in Ohio was simple though very painful. I did not believe that I was going to complete the race by 3 pm Friday. The many cumulative effects of my neck problem, including vision, nutrition and hydration and position on the bike leading to increased fatigue, were compounding with sleep deprivation to be overwhelming; meaning that to continue safely was impossible.

It had been a fantastic journey, with some amazing physical and emotional high and lows, and I did not want to destroy the memory of this, my body and my friendship with the crew in a desperate, potentially dangerous and fruitless struggle towards the finish.

The crew did a great job throughout. First and foremost, as volunteers they had all stepped up to make my participation in RAAM possible; for which I am immensely grateful. Before this race began I said to the crew that I hoped they would get as much out of it as I; seeing them work together and talking to them throughout the race and after I believe they have. For one they have certainly come to understand what an amazing event this is and to appreciate the fantastic spirit that exists between racers and teams from all over the world.

Together we have learned many lessons in RAAM 2008, at both a personal and technical level as they relate to a future racing campaign. Team management is paramount and I am grateful to Crew Chief Matt Zerafa for his enduring efforts to keep my race on track and for his words of confidence at my lowest ebb.

Of highs there can be know doubt that being sought out by two ladies, the first being treated for Leukemia and the second a sufferer with Neurofibromatosis (NF), as we passed though time stations in Kansas and Missouri carrying the message of MD Anderson’s Cancer Center stands to the fore. I am proud to have raced for Team “Making Cancer History” and hope that our continuing efforts in fundraising will have genuine impact on NF research, patient care, education and wellbeing at the Children’s Cancer Hospital and so in the lives of those such as our “Pedal Partner” Emily Parker who remains an inspiration to us all.

Finally, to the many sponsors that have supported this endeavor, I would like to say a huge thank you; your generous support makes everything possible!

Going well

The latest report from the team is they are doing fine, Daniel has just past TS35 although last night was very difficult and the most challenging so far. All the crew seem to be happy and enjoying themselves

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Neck support vs 2 under construction

Tornado Warning

The team took shelter during a Tornado warning today at TS31. They were joined by memebers of the 86 gear team and Benny Furrar from the solo race. It was a bit mroe excitement for the team. The team is now racing to survivve in the 2008 RAAM. They have to achieve 250 miles per RAAM day. This is a significant challenge given Daniels neck condition. Daniel is a true inspiration to the people who are witnessing thie heroic effort and fighting a good fight for MD Anderson Childrens Hospital. The team are holding up very well to the strain of life of RAAM pace, they rarely have time to sit down, shower, sleep in a bed or have a sit down meal. However the morale of the team has been outstanding and the team are working around the clock.

Daniel and the team are now heading towards TS33 at the time of this entry.

Daniels progress

This morning, Daniel arrived in Ft Scott, KS at around 1:oo. 

Seven hours later he has now arrived in Collins Missouri at 10.20

There is only another 1213 miles to go

Day 6

Who says you can't sleep on the job? Daniel having a 20 minute power nap - finding this an effective way of dealing with fatigue. He had a great day and recovered well after an extremely trying day for all yesterday.

Kansas Kan

Today Daniel continued to munch the miles in Kansas albeit at a slower rate than on previous days. The rising heat and humidity, a big change from yesterday's dry heat across the eastern plains of New Mexico, made the going tough on tired legs. Daniel arrived into Elkhart at 3.00 am having struggled with a blustery head wind over the last 20 miles. For the first time since the event began, we couldn't get a motel and so he slept in the RV. At 4 o'clock the lights went out on Daniel while his crew cleaned up and prepared for the dawn. At 7.30 Daniel awakened ate a quick breakfast and was in good spirits. He set off at 8.30am just as the temperatures began to rise above 70oF. The first time station was an 82 mile leg. The heat and fatigue took its toll early on and by Plains, Daniel had to rest for a couple of hours.

Two crew members changed out, Andy and J.D and the new crew arrived.They were are great asset to the team and will be missed. Thank you very much. The 4 ladies arrived today full of enthusiasm and energy!!! They are here now to help Daniel on the rest of his journey. They met Daniel at Time station 25

Daniel arrived in Pratt, Kansas just before 2 this morning. He is riding strong again with the sun setting and the temperature dropping. He is now heading towards Colwich, KS. He is expected there around one today.

Team and Daniel Looking Relaxed

The Team between TS 18 and 19 at Steve Fossett's Flying Horse Ranch. Daniel has a new neck brace on which is working well. He is in good spirits and still going strong.

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Day 3 - Photos from the road

Daniel still on the bike; another 45 miles before he sleeps. Yesterday he had to stop because the temperature was 106 at 7pm...tonight it will be down at 20.

Today's progress (so far):

ts:location/ miles completed / date / time of arrival / max elevation

12: Montezuma Creek, UT/718.9/11 June/01:22/4459
13: Cortez, CO/769.1/11 June/04:48/6175
14: Durango, CO/813.9/11 June/08:16/6478
15: Pagosa Springs, CO/884.1/11 June/14:12/7619
16: Chama, NM/934.3/11 June/18:04/7788
17: Antonito, CO/983.2/11 June/21:55/7907

20 minute power nap - only sleep in last 26 hours...

The odd head gear seems to be working

Committment...

There are sore necks and there are SORE NECKS !!!! Eric Thiede (support team) has devised this contraption to try and pull Daniel's head back...it seems to be working...he's still cycling at 20mph but is having to take many more rests than anticipated due to the pain. Kirk, the other half of Team Making Cancer History (and founder member - he has done RAAM in a 2, 4 and 8 man team) had to stop the race earlier today due to medical problems...I will write more about Kirk when I have more information. Kirk's team has been in contact and they have a neck brace used by Shanna Armstrong, a previous winner of the Women's RAAM. Margaret and JD are driving back to time station 14 to get the neck brace from Kirk's van...hopefully this will work. Amazingly Dan is in very good spirits and enjoying(!) the experience! I will say no more...

Link: http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/subwebraam/blogx.php?N_webcat_id=86 - follow link and put "Rudge" into the ""Search On This Blog" to find him!

RAAM Climbing Stats

If you are wondering why it sometimes takes a long time to get from one timestation to another then have a look at this (click on graph for larger version) :

Day 2

Dan riding through Monument Valley

300 miles today, Daniel was going to try to make some more distance, cycling at one point at 25mph with a strong tail wind, but at 6:30pm with the temperature at 106 and Daniel having spent more than 24 hours awake it was decided to take a break and sleep a little longer tonight to build up some strength to attack the next 300 miles uphill.
With blisters on his hands and a very sore neck he was quite happy to stop and sleep.


Today's progress:

07: Cottonwood, AZ /23 /09 June 23:41 3349ft
08: Flagstaff, AZ /19 /10 June 04:22 6836ft
09: Tuba City, AZ /16 / 10 June 10:28 4832ft
10: Kayenta, AZ /15/ 10 June 14:38 5721ft
11 Mexican Hat, UT /14/ 10 June 17:20 4187ft

700 miles completed...only 2300 to go! :)

Day 1 - 400 miles in 26 hours

A lovely morning in Oceanside, everything calm. The race started at noon, Daniel is in good spirits. The first 40 miles is done without a follow vehicle, for safety reasons - to allow the riders to space out a bit. After the first twenty the support vehicle can "bunny hop"; thus being able to give the rider water etc and then moving on to a spot further up the route. The next few days will be tough as Daniel and crew head into the desert.

Daniel made terrific progress, arriving in Prescott, AZ, having completed 401.4 miles in a race time of 1 day, 1 hour and 57 minutes. Having coped well in the cool overnight conditions, Daniel arrived in Hope Arizona at 9.00 am east-coast time with 284 mile complete. However, the rising sun in the Arizona desert meant for a tough end to the first day. The 6th leg, included the big climb from Congress into Prescott, AZ, completed in the heat of the afternoon sun. Daniel had to grit his teeth and fight the 3000' ascent into Prescott overcoming the physical and mental fatigue of a tough first day. In Precott, a motel room was obtained to enable him to shower ,eat some rice and chili and have a well earned three hour sleep in a cool, room on a proper bed. His progress to date is shown below. The next two sections take him to Flagstaff, (490 miles), both will be taken overnight on day 2. Daniel Rudge’s Progress (RAAM 2008): 7th in Age Group Time Station Location / Position / Date Arrival Time 1 Lake Henshaw, CA / 20 / 08-Jun 18:51 2 Brawley, CA / 18 / 08-Jun 23:58 3 Blythe, CA / 23 / 09-Jun 06:07 4 Hope, AZ / 22 / 09-Jun 09:00 5 (344.9 miles) Congress, AZ / 18 / 09-Jun 12:52 6 (401.4 miles) Prescott, AZ / 13 / 09-Jun 17:20 Stay Upto Date by Checking: http://stats.raceacrossamerica.org/2008/reports/overview.html

Pre-Race Day

We had a beautiful evening to end a long and hard pre-race prep, packing, loading, inspection, photo shoot, drive the first part of course, stress about the details day. It was a needed time to relax one last time before tomorrows race day start!

Arrival in San Diego

Mette, Margaret and Daniel arrived in San Diego yesterday (Thursday 5th June). All is well and they had a good uneventful trip - big thanks to Mette and Margaret for sharing the 1400 mile drive. The remaining members of the first support team (Matt Zerafa, Eric Thiede, JD Hasenbank, Colin Grant and Andy Breckwoldt) arrive this evening.

Now the serious stuff begins...

Oceanside is buzzing with teams. Yesterday Daniel met Jure Robic (3 time RAAM winner and favourite to win again). Daniel reports that he looked fit and well rested, Daniel will hopefully see him along the route :).

Team inspections are tomorrow, Saturday, at midday.

50 hours to blast off (at a measured pace)!

Packing the Car

Packing up the car completed. Off on Tuesday - Margaret, Mette and Daniel driving to Oceanside, hopefully arriving on Thurday.