Day 10

RAAM 2009

June 26

Daniel is going well although he’s feeling tired at the moment…surprisingly enough. He started strongly this morning, has had a bit of a dip but has had a rest and some food and is on his way again. I noticed on some other racer’s blogs that now that the heat is on the sleep is greatly reduced until they finish on Saturday/Sunday or Monday. Daniel is going to continue as usual tonight and tomorrow night, he wants to finish in good time but more importantly in good shape. He has just over 500 miles to go. The Appalacians are coming up tomorrow. One advantage, going through this tough section is that he has done most of it before when he cycled in an 8-person RAAM team in 2007.

 

Communication with the crew is dwindling as they concentrate on the matter in hand and as the cell coverage is patchy at best. A text message this morning was the only contact in the last 18 hours. Daniel is cycling well, still in the foothills before the Appalacians. Unlike some of the other racers who are in “zombie” mode now through lack of sleep Daniel is acting as normal, chatting etc…as you can see from the photos!

Still smiling!!

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12 Comments

  • Reply
    Neil
    June 27, 2009 at 7:30 am

    Daniel,
    Fantastic effort, keep it up you're almost there now.
    You have now acquired "hero status – first class" amongst the Muscat Cycling Club! As my fellow MCC cyclists grumble about a little Arabian heat during our regular Friday morning outings I've been telling everyone about your feats. That seems to put our meer 100k in 43°C heat into perspective!
    Neil

  • Reply
    Helen Goodchild
    June 27, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    Just checked your tracker… I see you're coming up to Nutter Farm, just short of Ellenboro WV.
    Well named, I feel!!!
    Head down and own those hills!
    Keep safe,
    The Goodchildren.

  • Reply
    Andy Breckwoldt
    June 27, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    You are beyond the Nutter Farm. But we already knew that…

    Hang in there in the mountains!

    Andy

  • Reply
    Dick
    June 27, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    " Acting as normal, huh?" That's open to interpretation. My take is that he is indeed acting as normal for him: ie cycling 250 miles a day uphill.

    You know you love it, and you know that have the resources to finish in fine style. Great work by Eric and the crew to keep you upright and heading in the right direction.

    Off to the UK in a couple of hours time. I'll see where you are at tomorrow.

    Take care and keep pedalling,

    Dick.

  • Reply
    Gerald
    June 27, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    "Normal" is a realive term isn't it. Be careful during the upcoming miles… If you hear banjos playing whatever you do don't stop. This SPOT is awesome… It has been on constantly both at work and home. Has anyone told Daniel that he might finish better than Robic? Who'd thunk it… Great Work Crew without you, we'd be doing something else this weekend besides checking your progress. Tell Daniel to soak all this in and when he crosses the finish in Anapolis, he will accomplish something very few have ever done. Be safe all and God Bless

  • Reply
    Willy
    June 27, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    Daniel is going to pass through Belgium this afternoon!

    Never knew that Belgium was in the US. Some of the names of the villages Daniel has passed are really fun.

    Hope Belgium can get a smile on his face when he passes

  • Reply
    Helen
    June 27, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    Well Dan,
    You'll also be passing through Israel, I see. I knew you were cycling a long way but this is getting ridiculous! Keep smiling!

    Helen

  • Reply
    Ciaran
    June 27, 2009 at 6:23 pm

    great work Daniel. Keep peddling and resting when you need it and you will be the proudest finisher in Annapolis!!!

    Ciaran, Daniel and Ross

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    June 27, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    Ooh – Thornton before Israel – you'll win everyone over if you stop for chocolates!

    Keep going – I hope the names of the towns give you a chuckle!

    Claire and Allan

  • Reply
    Fiona Peacock
    June 28, 2009 at 10:13 am

    Thinking of you from both Scotland and Nigeria…and totally in awe… keep it up you're doing amazingly.
    Fiona + Tony Peacock

  • Reply
    Neil of Arabia
    June 28, 2009 at 11:12 am

    Daniel,
    You're doing great. Just a couple more ridges and it will be a freewheel down to Annapolis.
    Neil

  • Reply
    Dick
    June 28, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Checked in at first opportunity having arrived in Edinburgh. Great to see you approaching Hancock.

    I hope you are savouring these last two hundred miles. You – all of you – are achieving something really very special.

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