Location: Oceanside, Calif.
Conditions: 70F, cloudy, winds from the SW @ 7 mph
Miles covered: 0
Miles remaining: 3,021.3
Food for thought: This is the best Ben’s arse will feel in a long, long time…
It’s official, folks, he’s off. A few minutes ago, Ben started the 2009 Race Across AMerica (RAAM). The route is more than 3,000 miles, touching 14 states and climbing more than 100,000 feet. Solo racers typically finish in nine to 12 days, averaging 250 to 350 miles per day. This is a 24x7 endeavor for both rider and crew.
Solo racers have the challenge of balancing a few hours of sleep each night against race deadlines. According to Outside magazine, there is no tougher individual endurance event in the world. Crews have to keep the roving melee moving along despite weather, broken vehicles, filled-to-the-rim RV potties and at times, fraying nerves (imagine crossing the country at 10-15 miles-an-hour in a tin box with your closest family and friends).
The plan for Team Popp (TP for short) is to ride the next 36 hours straight without a break. Why? This allows Ben to ride through the hottest section of the course (California and Arizona deserts) at night. For reference, it’s about 100F during the day right now…not ideal riding conditions. After about 36 hours, Ben should be near Flagstaff, Ariz., where he’ll bed down for a 3-hour rest, butt airing and tasty snack.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s TP Update.
-Matt
P.S. Feel free to submit any questions you might have in the comments section.
6/17/09
He's Off
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9 comments:
Go Team Popp!
Kitty, Paul, and the rest of the Earl-Torniainen family are cheering you on!
We're sending good karma your way - wishing you good weather and a strong tailwind.
I was there for the start. Ben looked fit and was very focused, intense, and ready. His crew had their games faces on, too. Go Team Popp!
Let's go everyone. I'll follow along through this blog and Owen's calls. Sending you positive energy for a speedy and safe trip. And Matt, crossing the US in a box at 10-15 mph sounds horrible!
Rip it up Ben! Just not your hind end...The entire Twin Cities is cheering for you.
Good luck Ben! We'll be thinking of you this week!
Peder and Siiri
Hey Ben, good to hear you've hit the road...the race IS ON! Aunt Ali here wishing you a safe journey and a strong race. Anxious to read Matt's daily updates on your website. Sounds like you pushed yourself through months and months of grueling training, so perhaps your most difficult challenge is keeping your "rear in gear", huh. Hit it hard, Ben.
Positive thoughts, strong Karma and our prayers for a safe journey come from Pine Road. In addition to our MN team cheering you on, all of the Bonita Bay Bicycle Club in sunny SW FL is watching intently.
Go Ben and crew - stay safe!
Ben, Best of luck!!!
Matt. Thanks for providing the updates
Brian W.
Tracking daily - even hourly - hanging on every word of this blog, so keep the updates coming.
Go Team Popp!
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