We Made It!

I owe this blog a MUCH longer race report for a 3000 mile race, but it has been a whirlwind after finishing RAAM! Here are just a few picture highlights!

 Looking very clean, rested, and fresh! This must be us pre-race!

Again--the van is fresh enough to do things like pyramids!



Ready to roll!



Time to start this thing--and it's dark---that is a theme for the first few days!



And it's still dark....




Now starting to get a little loopy from riding in the dark so much--time to pull out the hula skirts!




























Some brief sight seeing. Sparkles: "We are going to Four Corner, you are taking some pictures, and you are going to like it!"

Sparkles: "Now you are going to get some pictures by these haystacks and like it."
Lookin like farmer types, right?


Rode my bike...



Traded off with my teammates!



Rode my bike some more....



And then rode my bike...

And then I had the pleasure of riding my bike!

We didn't sleep all that much at all whatsoever really at all or at normal time. Things got silly a few times!

Banana Slugs..

Junk food!

Monsters!

More monsters! And a lot of caffeine!

I really loved riding my bike.....and wished I could have kept on riding (though I did want some sleep!)



We made it!



















Everyone who volunteered to crew worked hard and got us from one side of the country to another. THANK you all!

I personally owe an incredible debt of gratitude to the two amazing women who came with me.

The amazing, hard working, tireless, and always upbeat Anne. The entire team was stronger because you were there. Your collection of temporary tattoos, awesome gifts at the rider exchanges, and great team nicknames were amazing. Thank you.

 
















And my driver/navigator/sing-along buddy/companion/shoulder to cry on/bike loader/water bottle filler/best friend/shrink/conspirator/Mr. T rap producer/story teller/gear carrier/level head/big ball of awesome-ness--Sparkles!!!

I have long considered you among my best friends in the world, and our time together in this race showed me how incredibly fortunate I am to have you in my life.

Thank you. Thank you so much. No really, Thank you.






I mean it. Thank you. How wonderful is your life when your friends support you in you dreams/adventures by giving up so much of themselves? It is really really wonderful.


A huge adventure, and my lasting feeling is one of gratitude.

Thank you.