RAAM Pre-Race

Race Across America- 24 Hour Corporate Challenge Team Clif Bar (Click on the link for time updates)

San Diego, CA-

Just a quick update. After months of preparations and hours of safety inspections, we are about to light this candle...We start tomorrow at 9:00am. We have decided to have Eric Walle, my cohort in crime at work lead it off for the 7 mile (neutral) Parade followed by a flat 8 mile section where he will undoubtedly throw down. I will then take over for the first of many hills here in the mountainous North San Diego County. My section will comprise of a 3 mile climb where hopefully, we will take over the lead, say goodbye to our competition and settle into just going as fast as possible...for the next 20+ hours.

It is official: bike racers are complete geeks. While attending the rules meeting this afternoon, the organizers called all of the solo competitors on stage. These are CRAZY people in their own right. They will be sitting and sweating it out for 9+ days on end NON-STOP. To top it off, one of them showed up to dinner, wearing his chamois. (You'd think he will be getting enough time in them in the days to come) There is another report that one team will be wearing time trial helmets (you know, the ones with the big fairing that make you look like a conehead). I promise to get some snapshots of all the geeks and post as soon as I can...but we will be riding through Nowhere, Arizona so I can't promise when. Thankfully we have a great support crew from Clif Bar helping us every inch of the way keeping us fed and hydrated. More to come soon...

Enjoy the ride...