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Well, we made it home...what an epic adventure. I'll try and put some closing thoughts together, along with an online album of pics for everyone to recount the adventure. Thanks so much to Matt, my crew and all of you who helped will me across the us...not possible without the support of you all. Off to bed. ben

HE FINISHED!

Sorry for the lack of posts the last day--family obligations. But I wanted to let you know, BEN FINISHED. Solo RAAM rookie finisher, 2009.

It's an absolutely amazing accomplishment. So raise your glasses...he's done. Safely.

-Matt

Less Than 300 Miles To Go!

This will be a much welcomed sight. Annapolis, MD.

Cougar Sighting

Live from the mountains of West Va. Miller lite, Whitesnake cassettes and Marb lights were discovered at the scene. Crue snapped a pic.

Day 10

Entering Ohio at Sunrise...

Location: Blanchester, Ohio
Conditions: 78F, mostly cloudy, winds from the WNW @ 9
Miles covered: 2,458
Miles remaining: 563
Food for thought: In ancient Japan, public contests were held to see who in a town could fart the loudest and longest. Winners were awarded many prizes and received great recognition.


Long, straight Midwestern roads suck. Especially if they're poorly maintained and have lots of traffic. That was the sentiment from both rider and Crue after yesterday's jaunt through Indiana--according to TP member Peter A.

Today is Ohio. And things are looking better.

I got to talk to Peter this morning--Fairbanks was preening--and everyone is feeling the effects of limited sleep. However, the end is in sight and that's energizing Ben. Physically, his body is holding up well and there haven't been any major issues. It's just the sleep factor that's compounding. Ben is especially tired in the mornings and the Crue has to use Ninja mind tricks to un-groggy his mind and motivate him.

Ben is excited to enter the mountains of West Virginia, mostly for the varying terrain. He seems to thrive in hillier terrain versus the flat-ass plains. Right now, TP's plan is to push ahead to the W.V. foothills tonight and then bed down.

That's all for now.

-Matt

Day 9

Just a quick voicemail update from Fairbanks. The Crue is in Indiana. Following yesterday's heat, Ben got a a saline IV and hit the road again. Apparently he hasn't looked as good since day one. More of the same today: heat + Ben riding strong. That's good news after the rough patch he had a few days ago.

Less than 800 miles to go. He's almost there folks.

I hope to have more for you later.

-Matt

Days Seven and Eight

Location: Washington, Missouri
Conditions: 93F, partly cloudly, winds from NE @ 4, dew point 75F
Miles covered: 1,987
Miles remaining: 1,034
Food for thought: David Spade's baby Mama, Jillian Grace, is from Washington, Missouri, (Google at your own risk...)

It had to happen...a rough patch. Every RAAM rider goes through it. When you're doing a race as long as RAAM, it's going to happen many, many times.

Ben's first big rough patch was yesterday. Following on the heels of his 32-hour pull and rest, he got up yesterday, not quit right. That, combined with the 100-degree heat and humidity, made for a tough-ass day.

The Crue was icing him down every five minutes, feeding him fluids, trying to keep his spirits up, but it was challenging...

However, last night, after a hotel-bed rest, an IV and massage, Ben woke up like a new man. Fairbanks said that today, despite the heat, he's "riding like a champ," and his spirits are up.

In other RAAM excitement, the follow van had a flat tire yesterday. The RV had one today. At least no one on the Crue has butt implants, otherwise one of those would likely go flat too and need a changeout.

Next stop, the Mississippi River and less than 1,000 miles to go!

-Matt