Location: Mexican Hat, Utah
Conditions: 82F, sunny, winds calm
Miles covered: 679
Miles remaining: 2,341
Food for thought: Mexican Hat draws its name from this rock outcropping which resembles this
Hola Amigos. I'm back with the latest updates.
According to TP Crue member Fairbanks Hanley, Ben left Flagstaff early this morning at about 2:00 a.m., following a two- to three-hour rest. From there he rode northeast through Monument Valley National Park and up into Utah.
Fairbanks said that Ben continues to ride strong. He's steadily worked his way up through the field and currently sits in 7th place. While he's focused on the task at hand, he's still joking around and having fun--as evidenced by his keen spotting of a chalk phallus etched on the pavement which he insisted the Crue call me about.
There's been a conscious effort to feed Ben solid "real" foods, versus just simple sugars which can lead to sweetness overload and gut rot. Another thing working in Ben's favor is the fact that temps in the desert have been about 10-15 degrees below average which makes it easier to eat--even still, it has been warm.
The plan going forward is for Ben to ride about 300 miles per day and sleep approximately two hours. Additionally, the Crue is now on their seven-hour rotations (seven in the follow vehicle, followed by seven in the RV). So, hopefully all have settled into somewhat of a "routine".
Next up, the Colorado Rockies. Big climbs. Long descents. And more chalk art adorning the mountain passes.
That's all for now. Adios and El paseo ayuna.
-Matt
4 comments:
Great update, Matt. Especially nice to hear that Ben is in good spirits and that the mad geniuses comprising the crew are concocting solid plans.
The RAAM daily update calls Ben a "rookie revelation," noting his "strong climbing legs."
The portion of the update we care about:
"Canadian Peter Oyler is riding well in provisional fifth, three hours down on Robic. At last check, Julian Sanz Garcia and rookie revelation Ben Popp were duking it out for seventh; the Spaniard led through Time Station #8 in Flagstaff by a mere five minutes, as Popp showed strong climbing legs on the mountainous section. Franz Preihs is not far off the pair either."
I bet Mexican Hat was mexcellent!!!
Vaya con Dios, Team TP!!!!
We wish Ben and the team well from Ben's future east metro home...Stillwater/Lake Elmo. The updates are great, thanks Matt... Keep up the solid riding and good spirits Ben!
Gregg & Shari
Post a Comment