I managed to finish in 41 hours with no breaks for sleep and no major problems other than a few "stomach malfunctions." It was an awesome experience, and definitely something I would do again, especially if I can convince my support crew of Joe Plassman, Bruce Gungle and Monica Berlin to help me out again. They did a great job keeping me fed, hydrated, and sane throughout the ride, and I would not have been able to get through it without them.
I wrote up a detailed post-ride summary with a lot more info. We also had a steady stream of Twitter updates throughout the ride. I kept a blog about my training and preparation, and began a fundraising campaign for World Bicycle Relief, raising about $2,000.
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Getting the crew vehicle ready the day before the race || || \/ |
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The cyclosaurus! |
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My niece drew this for me! |
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Full-Size | At the pre-race meeting, three of the original 4 riders in the race that would become the Race Across America were introduced. All four were riding the 508 this year as team Great American Toad (more info) |
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Race morning! || || \/ |
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Chris Kostman's DeLorean, ready to lead us out from the start line |
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At the start line, wondering what the hell I got myself into... |
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Full-Size | Start of the race! || || \/ |
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Full-Size | Somewhere along the first climb |
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The crew vehicles waiting for their riders near the top of the first climb |
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The flat section between the first two climbs |
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The "Windmills Climb" || || \/ |
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Bruce and Monica |
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Joe |
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Taking a snack break in California City at the end of the first stage |
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Randsburg, in the third mountain section || || \/ |
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The rolling hills after Randsburg |
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Some shots from the evaporite mines near Trona || || \/ |
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Snacking in Trona and getting the lights ready for the impending sunset. Most of Panamint Valley and Death Valley would be in the dark, with my crew following close behind. |
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This is basically what my crew had to look at for the next 12 hours... |
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Anti-chafing cream! Pretty much the most important thing you can have on a ride like this. This was at Furnace Creek, the end of Stage 3 and the half-way point of the race. |
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Not the best shot, but since it was taken at Badwater, the lowest point in North America, I figured it was worthy of inclusion! |
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Breakfast on the climb out of Death Valley |
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Salsbury Pass. Sure it's "only" 3300 feet elevation, but I did start from below sea level! |
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Somewhere near Shoshone, the end of Stage 4 |
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Taking a break in Baker, the end of Stage 5 |
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The road through Mojave National Preserve had some of the worst pavement I've ever ridden on! || || \/ |
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Joshua Tree |
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Taking a break in Kelso, the end of Stage 6. The Sun would be going down (for the second time) not long after this... |
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I think you can see part of the Kelso Dunes in the distance here |
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Full-Size | Taken just after I crossed the finish line around midnight, 41 hours after starting the race! |
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Some other finish-line shots || || \/ |
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Amazingly, I am able to stand without crutches the following morning! I think we're getting ready to head to the pancake breakfast here... || || \/ |
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