Location: Prescott, Ariz.
Conditions: 71F, partly cloudy, winds from the SW @ 1 mph
Miles covered: 350-ish
Miles remaining: 2,600-ish
Food for thought: The Captain and Tennille live in Prescott, Ariz.
I just got off the phone with Ben’s crew and Day One is in the books. According to Owen “Fairbanks” Hanley and “Patient” Megan (Ben’s wife), things couldn’t have gone any better than they did. Favorable winds helped Ben keep up his average speed. He’s still in good spirits (i.e. not too tired yet). And while he had some minor stomach complaints from all the simple sugars (nothing to worry about and totally normal), he kept up his calorie and fluid intake. Most important, he’s riding well, looking good and staying positive.
In the next few hours Team Popp (TP) will stop at a motel in either Cottonwood or Flagstaff, Ariz., and “put Ben down” for his first sleep since starting the race. At that point the crew will formulate a plan for the coming day(s). Let’s hope it includes better sightseeing observations/commentary… All I’ve gotten from Owen thus far is “it’s neat to see all the ecosystems…” I told him Ben’s readers deserve more (like a wild cougar sighting).
One last note, if you’re following Ben on Twitter, you’ll notice that he fired off a few tweets last night. Fear not, he’s not texting while riding, it’s just Owen sending updates from Ben's phone.
Stay tuned for more and send your positive juju Ben’s way.
-Matt
10 comments:
I hope cougar bait was packed (but you could get the proper supplies at any truck stop, I suppose...)
GO TP!!!!
I wonder if Benny has strayed off of his Ensure diet and had a roller dog or a moon pie? I bet a foot long with cheese would be quite tasty at this point.
I too am eager to hear more about the cougars.
Keep on Truckin'
-Cody
I know it is early, but Ben is currently the first place American. Ben Popp: a nation's hopes rest with you.
We all so appreciate the reports. Go TP!
I'm not the only one singing the First Place American tune. From the RAAM solo blog: "Flagstaff, Arizona 19:36 (RAAM time) It's like this; 2009 RAAM Solo Men is a dogfight with an exception. Jure Robic is that exception. . . . . 490 miles in and Mr. Robic has a lead of almost one hour over rookie Christoph Strasser. Behind them are Baloh, Wyss, Gulewicz, Garcia and the highest placed American male rider, Ben Popp. These riders are strong and are by no means out of it but Robic isn’t waiting for anyone."
Dan, you're enthusiasm is great. But finishing, and finishing safe is the most important thing. RAAM is personal journey, place isn't important. Just get the boy to the finish in one piece. He's got two boys and a fantastic wife to go home to. -Matt
Ben rock n roll that gig like you own it!!!! I'll see you at the end this time.Team POPP
Will Popp
Amazing young man and the TP team that supports him. From an average person's perspective it is a unbelievable endeavor..... stay safe everyone. John S.(Hairy Hands)
I talked to Owen this am and he said that Ben did really well riding up Old Creek Canyon (Sedona to Flagstaff) and if anyone has driven it, it's crazy! Ben got up at 2am to ride again after sleeping very few hours. Makes me feel pretty wimpy saying that I'm tired after a long week. Guess I have to get over myself. Go TP!
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