Daniel has finished, he was able to walk and talk and seemed more or less the same as 12 days ago...dare I say it I think he gained some weight!!! Alice has been feeding him at 15 minute intervals and he looks great on it! He consumed 93,000 calories on RAAM...
So now he's selling the bikes, buying a boat and moving on...
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Dan has the bit between his teeth and has been cycling since 5am with one aim, to finish today. It looks like he'll make it somewhere between 9 and 10:30. The RV has arrived in Annapolis with some of the crew, we'lll make our way to finish line and greet them when they come in. Happy Birthday to crew member Anne for today. I have a strange feeling celebrating the race and celebrating birthdays may be put on hold until tomorrow.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Communication with the crew is dwindling as they concentrate on the matter in hand and as the cell coverage is patchy at best. A text message this morning was the only contact in the last 18 hours. Daniel is cycling well, still in the foothills before the Appalacians. Unlike some of the other racers who are in "zombie" mode now through lack of sleep Daniel is acting as normal, chatting etc.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Day 10
Daniel is going well although he's feeling tired at the moment...surprisingly enough. He started strongly this morning, has had a bit of a dip but has had a rest and some food and is on his way again. I noticed on some other racer's blogs that now that the heat is on the sleep is greatly reduced until they finish on Saturday/Sunday or Monday. Daniel is going to continue as usual tonight and tomorrow night, he wants to finish in good time but more importantly in good shape. He has just over 500 miles to go. The Appalacians are coming up tomorrow. One advantage, going through this tough section is that he has done most of it before when he cycled in an 8-person RAAM team in 2007.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Day 9 - 1am
8 1/2 days in and still smiling
Avoiding saddle sores! Daniel has stopped for the night, planning on the usual 5-6 hour break. He started the day feeling low both physically and mentally. The combination of Hammer Electrolytes and good crew "chat" has meant he has gone from strength to strength during the day, starting the day in recovery mode from yesterday's "crash" and finishing with a 20mph climb up as hill...as you do. He sounded great, the crew has been reading him all the comments from the blog and it has really spurred him on. He's feeling very confident about the next few days...and as he says he only has 700 miles to go.
Day 9
Mile 2198...
Daniel took an extra rest and photo session stop at mile 2198 around 13:00(EDT) - the mile at which he stopped last year and which has been ingrained in his mind ever since. He's feeling 100% better than 24 hours ago but still having a recovery day, readying himself for the mountains.
I found this on the RAAM Blog:
"VIC’S RAMFICATIONSA (very) QUICK CHAT WITH DANIEL RUDGE
June 25, 2009
By Vic Armijo
RAAM reporters learn to be opportunists. I hadn’t seen Daniel Rudge holding still long enough to talk with him since New Mexico. So this morning when I found him he was stopped behind a road construction crew, I jumped out of our RAAM vehicle and walked up to him, tape recorder in hand, and asked if he’d had any problems so far. “No no no, no problems at all, he answered, “Took a bit of a bad turn yesterday, in terms of three days of heat had really taken its toll. I had to take some down time. I took an additional two hours on top of my usual four hour, five hour sleep break. It’s taken a really big toll. Hopefully today’s a bit of a recovery day before we get to some really big hills.”
Right about then the road crew let traffic through. I bid him good bye and while I stepped back into our air conditioned Toyota, he rode off into the 93 degree heat and 70% humidity. “Recovery day,” eh?"
As the race becomes more and more of a mental and physical challenge the crew's role becomes more demanding. They have to continually talk to him from the follow vehicle to keep his spirits up and look after him more as well. It is to be expected that having cycled over 2000 miles one may not be acting quite as quickly as normal! The crew are doing a fantastic job but I have feeling that taking photos may not be up there on the critical list...
I found this on the RAAM Blog:
"VIC’S RAMFICATIONSA (very) QUICK CHAT WITH DANIEL RUDGE
June 25, 2009
By Vic Armijo
RAAM reporters learn to be opportunists. I hadn’t seen Daniel Rudge holding still long enough to talk with him since New Mexico. So this morning when I found him he was stopped behind a road construction crew, I jumped out of our RAAM vehicle and walked up to him, tape recorder in hand, and asked if he’d had any problems so far. “No no no, no problems at all, he answered, “Took a bit of a bad turn yesterday, in terms of three days of heat had really taken its toll. I had to take some down time. I took an additional two hours on top of my usual four hour, five hour sleep break. It’s taken a really big toll. Hopefully today’s a bit of a recovery day before we get to some really big hills.”
Right about then the road crew let traffic through. I bid him good bye and while I stepped back into our air conditioned Toyota, he rode off into the 93 degree heat and 70% humidity. “Recovery day,” eh?"
As the race becomes more and more of a mental and physical challenge the crew's role becomes more demanding. They have to continually talk to him from the follow vehicle to keep his spirits up and look after him more as well. It is to be expected that having cycled over 2000 miles one may not be acting quite as quickly as normal! The crew are doing a fantastic job but I have feeling that taking photos may not be up there on the critical list...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Day 8 - update
I spoke to Daniel before he got back on his bicycle to cycle the last 20 miles to the Mississippi. He was feeling better but feels that his body simply cannot cope with the intense heat, hour after hour. He can't take in enough fluid to stay hydrated. So the plan is to stop early (I think they have stopped as I write at 23.25(EDT)), to start early with the same 4 hours sleep 5/6 hours off the bicycle and hopefully regain all his strength and be totally hydrated. To avoid the same dehydration levels of the last 12 hours he has decided that, as they have some time in hand, he'll take a "siesta" tomorrow for around two hours as extra time, so not eating into the planned 6 hour break. His thinking is by doing this he'll be fit and ready to attack the Appalacians which are the toughest part of the route, without making it difficult to reach Annapolis by 3pm (EDT) on Monday 29th.
Only 961 miles to go!
Only 961 miles to go!
Day 8
Dan has been having a tough day, 3 days in the heat have finally taken their toll. During the last section from Washington to the Mississippi Daniel has been feeling increasingly "flat" and his speed has been decreasing. In order to avoid any major problems he has stopped 20 miles short of the Mississippi TS and is having a rest/sleep until the temperatures drop and then they'll continue to the timestation and probably rest up early for the night, stopping before then. He will lose some time but hopefully it will give him a chance to fully rehydrate and get those pedals turning once again. It looks like the temperatures will ease off a little as they continue east.
At TS 32, Jefferson City, MO 8am(EDT)Daniel is due to reach the Mississippi River this evening, this is the second cut off point. He has until 3pm (EDT) tomorrow, Thu 25 to reach this point.
Yesterday the new crew, Alice and Steve arrived complete with bike bits to fix the damaged bicycle from Dan's bump the other day. Jay has fixed the damage and Eric reports that the bicycle is as good as new!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Day 7: 3pm June 23 - 3pm June 24 (EDT)
Dan is cycling well at the moment, the hip injury from yesterday is not slowing him down (and has been downgraded by Crew Chief Eric to road rash :) ), but the temperatures in the 100s are making it tough. Drink! Drink! Drink! Seems to be the order of the day (he's consuming around 9 bottles of water per hour!).
Most of the racers are resting in the heat of the midday sun and then cycling all through the night but Daniel found that last year fighting sleep in the dark of the night was harder than dealing with the intense heat of the day...a difficult choice.
The crew has a plan that is keeping him safe and working well so far today. Daniel started early got in some good miles and when the heat climbed Dan's pace was reduced and he started doing "reps" of 20 miles then resting in the cool RV for 15 mins with ice and cool towels (I hope he's not expecting this treatment to continue on his return home!). This has been the strategy over the last 5 hours and will continue until Dan stops for the night at Camdenton MO, around 11/11:30pm (EDT). He will then be off the bike for the usual period and start again around 3/4 am, to enable him to make up some more good miles in the cooler temperatures before starting on the 20 miles reps...this plan will continue until the temperatures drop. Even slowing down in this way, with everything continuing to go well, Daniel will make the finish cut off time safely and in good shape :)
Most of the racers are resting in the heat of the midday sun and then cycling all through the night but Daniel found that last year fighting sleep in the dark of the night was harder than dealing with the intense heat of the day...a difficult choice.
The crew has a plan that is keeping him safe and working well so far today. Daniel started early got in some good miles and when the heat climbed Dan's pace was reduced and he started doing "reps" of 20 miles then resting in the cool RV for 15 mins with ice and cool towels (I hope he's not expecting this treatment to continue on his return home!). This has been the strategy over the last 5 hours and will continue until Dan stops for the night at Camdenton MO, around 11/11:30pm (EDT). He will then be off the bike for the usual period and start again around 3/4 am, to enable him to make up some more good miles in the cooler temperatures before starting on the 20 miles reps...this plan will continue until the temperatures drop. Even slowing down in this way, with everything continuing to go well, Daniel will make the finish cut off time safely and in good shape :)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Day 6 - 23:00
Change of plan, having cycled all day in temperatures of around 102 Dan is feeling quite tired... He's just gone past Time Station 26, Maize (1576.3 miles), the plan was to push to El Dorado but they're stopping 30 miles short for the night to rehydrate properly and enable Dan to do more cycling in the early morning as temperatures are forecast to remain high for the next few days.
Daniel arriving at Maize, TS 27
Day 6 5pm(EDT) - almost half way!
Daniel arrived at Pratt, Kansas at 17:08 (EDT) - he arrived here at 4am, 11 hours later, last year. It is over 100, many of the riders have chosen to take a break until it cools down. Daniel is taking in an incredible amount of fluid and so far feels good and has been able to remain hydrated - the pay off of doing all one's training in Houston I suspect. He had a fall at the last time station, coming into the station, pulling up onto the sidewalk! He grazed his leg, destroyed a pair of cycling shorts, but neosporin and a dressing should ensure that it doesn't become a problem. The plan is to stop at El Dorado tonight, that is about 110 miles from Pratt.
Crew
For every racer there are 6/8 crew members in the follow van and RV. For the duration of the race they do everything (except cycle) for the racer. Drive, cook, look after the rider, decide where to stop for the night, find accomodation before they arrive so that everything goes smoothly and a lot more besides.
I'd like to thank the members of Dan's crew who are working very hard, it's not only Dan who ends up tired and sleep deprived on the race. They are:
Eric Thiede (Crew Chief), Alan Bazard (Supporting Crew Chief), Anne Daily (elementary school teacher and keen cyclist), Jay Jackson (bicycle mechanic for Sun, Ski and Sport, keen mountain biker), Colin Grant (old friend, work colleague) , Ross Grant (Colin's 17 year old son). There is a crew change tomorrow, with Colin and Ross leaving to return home, being replaced by Alice Jones (Daniel's spin teacher) and her son, Steve.
Day 5 8am
Daniel reached the cutoff in Taos at 9:36am, Sunday 21. By the time he pulled up into Elkart, Kansas at 1:49am Monday 22 he had covered 320 miles since his last sleep. 30mins to eat etc then back to sleep for 4 hours. He was back up and on the bike by 6:58 am , the most efficient turn around yet Jay reports! He now has 1 1/2 days of cycling through the Kansas plains, with temperatures in the 90s.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Day 4 2am
Daniel with Dominque Briand (solo 50-59 age group) 
I have just spoken to Dan, he sounds great no real health issues...tired but then isn't everyone! He sounded postitive, still laughing and I feel happy knowing he's OK! They had the choice to push to Taos now or rest for 4/5 hours and then proceed. ..that puts them pretty near the cut off but they will make it! They've opted to eat, sleep and continue as on THEIR plan tomorrow...I can't help feeling that sticking to their sensible sleep plan will pay off. The weather was pretty bad today so he only(!) covered 214 miles in the 24 hour period, Dan and the team are aware of this but they still want to stick to their plan. Fingers crossed that the weather improves tomorrow and for the next few days!
Day 4 - June 20 (3pm) - June 21 (3pm)
The days go from EDT (3pm) hence blog for day 4 as of 19:42pm (EDT). The first cut-off for the race is at the end of day 4, 3pm on Sunday 21st June. The racers have to arrive at timestation #18, Taos, NM by this time to enable them continue. Dan continues to ride well through the mountains; in the Racer Stats it appears that he is moving quite slowly...click on his name and compare his times to stations with others above. He is actually relatively fast but taking a much longer single rest each night than any of the other racers. This plan was discussed at length by the crew and Dan pre-RAAM and is keeping him safe, awake and injury free, long may this continue as the inevitable fatigue sets in, if he gets too close to the curve then some of this time may need to be shaved. Thanks again to Ross and Jay (artistic black and white shots :)) for the photos - click for larger picture!
Day 3
Everything is going well, Dan is laughing and happy and completely focused. He slept for a little longer last night and today is feeling strong. No aches, pains, saddle sores, neck issues, which is great news as last year he was wearing a neck brace by this stage! He's eating a large meal at night, smoothy in the morning and then it's liquid (SPIZZ) all day this is working well at the moment and he's having no issues with feeling sleepy on the bicycle. Early days, but he and team are very positive. Here are some photos from yesterday, click on photos for full size:
Friday, June 19, 2009
Day 2
48 hours down, 600 miles covered, 20% of the race completed. The sleep strategy is working well, Daniel had another 4 hours sleep, around 6 off the bike last night. I spoke to him this morning and he sounded happy, well rested and ready for the day ahead.
Photos are courtesy of crew member Ross Grant.
Photos are courtesy of crew member Ross Grant.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Day 1
Dan is going well. It's going to be hot tomorrow so he's stopping early tonight (around midnight) to take advantage of the cooler hours in the morning. Eric (crew chief) reports that they are going almost exactly to plan, cycling at an average of 18 mph (average not including rest periods). The plan is to continue with around 6 hours per day off the bike to try and keep Daniel well rested, at the moment he's very relaxed and happy (as anyone would be after nearly 400 miles on a bike :) )
Some stats:
Daniel cycled the first 235 miles in around 13 hours, average speed 18.1 mph (reaching speeds of nearly 50mph going down part of the route know as the glass elevator). He then ate and slept for 4 hours, 5 hours off the bike altogether. He has covered 325 miles in the last 24 hours, 252 miles need to be covered in each 24 hour time period to complete the race by Monday 3pm (EST).
Daniel cycled the first 235 miles in around 13 hours, average speed 18.1 mph (reaching speeds of nearly 50mph going down part of the route know as the glass elevator). He then ate and slept for 4 hours, 5 hours off the bike altogether. He has covered 325 miles in the last 24 hours, 252 miles need to be covered in each 24 hour time period to complete the race by Monday 3pm (EST).
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The race started at noon today (3pm EasternDaylightTime) in perfect cycling conditions, overcast, around 60 and with a light tail wind. There was a staggered start with each racer leaving one minute apart, Daniel started at 12:30 (15:30 EDT). An impressive group of individuals, with many amazing feats between them. One soloist holds the record for running 100miles whilst pulling a 40 pound sled and had completed/won(?) a tri-ironman - that's an ironman (3 mile swim, 128 bike, marathon) x 3, another had done the Geneva marathon 20 times, a few had climbed Everest, one of the women holds the record for the quin-ultimate ironman and has also sumitted the 7 peaks of the 7 continents and completed a few long distance swims including the English Channel and so it goes on...This is a group of very strong ultra-distance individuals. I had to go for a lie down after waving them off just thinking about their achievements!
Dan was relaxed, in good spirits and eager to get the show on the road today. He slept for ten hours last night so he's well rested and ready for the challenge. His bikes have been set up so that he is in a more upright position to try and avoid the neck issues that plagued him on his last race but rest assured the team are prepared should these issues reappear. Also one of the team, Jay, is a bike mechanic on loan from Sun, Ski and Sports and he's going to be invaluable I think.
The plan is to try and sleep in the night, so whereas last year he rode for 26+ hours for the first 400 miles (making it the longest day of his race) to get ahead of the curve so to speak this year his first day may indeed be shorter than others.
The racer stats do not seem to be available on the offical site as yet but as of 24:00 (EST) Dan had covered 175 miles in 9 hours. The plan is to cycle another 75miles tonight then eat and sleep to get into a pattern of sleeping for around four hours, off the bike for five during the hours of darkness.
One of the crew (Alan Bazard) has set up a tracker which is working well at the moment, although we're not sure how it will work once the team are in the mountains. Check out the link below the official RAAM site on the upper right hand side of this blog.
If the racer stats do not become available I will try and arrange for the timestation stats to be sent so that I can post them here...so watch this space!
Daniel reached Time Station 2 at 2337(EDT).
Dan was relaxed, in good spirits and eager to get the show on the road today. He slept for ten hours last night so he's well rested and ready for the challenge. His bikes have been set up so that he is in a more upright position to try and avoid the neck issues that plagued him on his last race but rest assured the team are prepared should these issues reappear. Also one of the team, Jay, is a bike mechanic on loan from Sun, Ski and Sports and he's going to be invaluable I think.
The plan is to try and sleep in the night, so whereas last year he rode for 26+ hours for the first 400 miles (making it the longest day of his race) to get ahead of the curve so to speak this year his first day may indeed be shorter than others.
The racer stats do not seem to be available on the offical site as yet but as of 24:00 (EST) Dan had covered 175 miles in 9 hours. The plan is to cycle another 75miles tonight then eat and sleep to get into a pattern of sleeping for around four hours, off the bike for five during the hours of darkness.
One of the crew (Alan Bazard) has set up a tracker which is working well at the moment, although we're not sure how it will work once the team are in the mountains. Check out the link below the official RAAM site on the upper right hand side of this blog.
If the racer stats do not become available I will try and arrange for the timestation stats to be sent so that I can post them here...so watch this space!
Daniel reached Time Station 2 at 2337(EDT).
Monday, June 8, 2009
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