We are all home now, and it is taking more time then we thought to get over the sleep deprivation. The Support crew was simply amazing and I want to thank everyone for contributing in their own special way. We had such a variety of personalities on board, and yet everything worked out well, and each team came together perfectly. Special mention goes to Martha. Her ability to prepare "jacket" potatoes, scrambled eggs, and lunch box after lunch box of sandwiches, is simply amazing. She never stopped smiling, and had such a great sense of humour on the bus, even while juggling food, and trying to stand up-right while the bus careened around mountain corners. I could not have performed my job without her! Thanks so much Martha!
Of course Ken is also to be noted, as he managed to transport each team across the 5000 km. when on rest time, and pulled a massive motor home with a trailer all the while. He had to contend with fuse problems, broken parts, no water on board, and all of us in tow. Ken was always so patient and just kept on "trucking" down the road. Thanks so much Ken!
Both team A and team B, although separated by a 12 hour shift, physically came together as one at the end of the race. The comeraderie, and connection between each crew member and the cyclists was enhanced by being able to spend time together reminiscing about the last several days. They performed their jobs with such enthusiasm, and dedication to the cyclists, and all the while surviving on barely four hours sleep a night. It is often said that a RAAM team has to have a good crew to accomplish their goal of simply finishing the race. It is a flurry of logistical tactics all along the way, not easy, and exhausting, but this crew managed to do it, and do it well. Because of this we not only finished the race, but finished in fourth place, and this was done with one rider down. You are all amazing and as crew chief I want to thank you all for making my job an easier one.
As for the cyclists, they were awesome! We lost Kirk to a bad accident on Friday the 13th. He was badly missed on the team, and is getting better each day. Brad, Mark and Mckenzie pulled so hard to keep their team of 3 up front, and we are so proud of you! Mckenzie was awarded the youngest rider ever to Race Across America. Paul, Tim, Frank and Doug were strong and steady, and pulled just as hard to keep team 602 from gaining on us. Every cyclist left it all on the road to bring in an amazing finish. I think we really surprised the competition! Thanks guys for an amazing race, you were fantastic!
Of course Ken is also to be noted, as he managed to transport each team across the 5000 km. when on rest time, and pulled a massive motor home with a trailer all the while. He had to contend with fuse problems, broken parts, no water on board, and all of us in tow. Ken was always so patient and just kept on "trucking" down the road. Thanks so much Ken!
Both team A and team B, although separated by a 12 hour shift, physically came together as one at the end of the race. The comeraderie, and connection between each crew member and the cyclists was enhanced by being able to spend time together reminiscing about the last several days. They performed their jobs with such enthusiasm, and dedication to the cyclists, and all the while surviving on barely four hours sleep a night. It is often said that a RAAM team has to have a good crew to accomplish their goal of simply finishing the race. It is a flurry of logistical tactics all along the way, not easy, and exhausting, but this crew managed to do it, and do it well. Because of this we not only finished the race, but finished in fourth place, and this was done with one rider down. You are all amazing and as crew chief I want to thank you all for making my job an easier one.
As for the cyclists, they were awesome! We lost Kirk to a bad accident on Friday the 13th. He was badly missed on the team, and is getting better each day. Brad, Mark and Mckenzie pulled so hard to keep their team of 3 up front, and we are so proud of you! Mckenzie was awarded the youngest rider ever to Race Across America. Paul, Tim, Frank and Doug were strong and steady, and pulled just as hard to keep team 602 from gaining on us. Every cyclist left it all on the road to bring in an amazing finish. I think we really surprised the competition! Thanks guys for an amazing race, you were fantastic!
Now......get some rest! Crew Chief Orders!
2 comments:
A special thanks to our Crew Chief (Noelle). I admire your strength and ability to deal with the difficult situations that came up along the way and enabling our team to come in 4th place. I will never forget this adventure and the wonderful people I met within this victorious team.
Thanks Noelle.
OMG that was massive amounts of fun mixed in with equally massive amounts of hard work, and we surely missed a few hours of sleep! I *need* to do this again!
Post a Comment