June 23rd
Dan is cycling well at the moment, the hip injury from yesterday is not slowing him down (and has been downgraded by Crew Chief Eric to road rash 🙂 ), but the temperatures in the 100℉s are making it tough. Drink! Drink! Drink! Seems to be the order of the day (he’s consuming around 9 bottles of water per hour!).
Most of the racers are resting in the heat of the midday sun and then cycling all through the night but Daniel found that last year fighting sleep in the dark of the night was harder than dealing with the intense heat of the day…a difficult choice.
The crew has a plan that is keeping him safe and working well so far today. Daniel started early got in some good miles and when the heat climbed Dan’s pace was reduced and he started doing “reps” of 20 miles then resting in the cool RV for 15 mins with ice and cool towels (I hope he’s not expecting this treatment to continue on his return home!). This has been the strategy over the last 5 hours and will continue until Dan stops for the night at Camdenton MO, around 11/11:30pm (EDT). He will then be off the bike for the usual period and start again around 3/4 am, to enable him to make up some more good miles in the cooler temperatures before starting on the 20 miles reps…this plan will continue until the temperatures drop. Even slowing down in this way, with everything continuing to go well, Daniel will make the finish cut off time safely and in good shape 🙂
UPDATE: Daniel is due to reach the Mississippi River this evening, this is the second cut off point. He has until 3pm (EDT) tomorrow, Thu 25 to reach this point.
Yesterday the new crew, Alice and Steve arrived complete with bike bits to fix the damaged bicycle from Dan’s bump the other day. Jay has fixed the damage and Eric reports that the bicycle is as good as new!
At TS 32, Jefferson City, MO 8:08am(EDT)
17 Comments
Pión
June 23, 2009 at 10:28 pmwell done men good luck
yvettewillson
June 23, 2009 at 10:53 pmPhenomenal Dan! Keep on pedaling.. as if you wouldn't!
Oh and to show support we too will "drink drink & drink more" .. our beverage choice might be a little different..
Yvette & Andy
Anonymous
June 24, 2009 at 12:37 amYou go Daniel! Awesome going. We are supporting and cheering you on. Keep drinking. Joan
Dick
June 24, 2009 at 12:47 amHello from Dick, Celia, Michael, Erica, Kristeen, Lucy and the dogs.
I hope it is starting to cool down a bit. The dogs are still panting and need more water. So do you!
Lucy says " Just keep going, for goodness sake!"
Well done – you are looking really steady. I am sure the crew takes all the credit for this.
Anonymous
June 24, 2009 at 2:46 amKeep going Daniel, we're following your progress avidly.
Pam and Paul
Helen Goodchild
June 24, 2009 at 3:33 amFantastic to see you edging up the field. The tactics are obviously spot on. You got a good mention in the blogs – the Man to Watch!!!
Keep safe,
The Goodchildren
Dick
June 24, 2009 at 1:15 pmI love the 20 miles/15 minutes – hope it is working well. Looks like a nice morning ride along the river to Washington.
You're getting a bigger and bigger percentage of the ride under your belt. Well done to rider and crew – this is starting to look really, really impressive by all.
Gerald
June 24, 2009 at 3:04 pmgo dan go
clare findlay
June 24, 2009 at 3:06 pmLooking great Daniel. Wish I was there with you all!! Keep it up. Love Clare,Neil and Boys
Anonymous
June 24, 2009 at 4:13 pmHey Dan Awesome effort mate, we're all following every Day!!
ya mad bastard!
Dave
Helen Goodchild
June 24, 2009 at 5:02 pmWe're all cheering you on! Following you on the tracker – it's getting obsessive. I haven't got anything done for days!!
Keep safe,
Love Helen and the Boys
Dick
June 24, 2009 at 5:17 pmAs Helen says, watching the tracker is obsessive…..
Watch your core body temperature as the afternoon wears on (rider and crew!)
Amazing ride – I think you are proving that there is a connection between perspiration and inspiration.
Osman
June 24, 2009 at 7:40 pmJust amazing Dan! Over a week on the saddle and still going strong. Wishing you to the finish line.
P.S. Still think you are a nutter and should put a motor on that bike :)!
Anonymous
June 24, 2009 at 8:17 pmWay to go Daniel – Wimbledon and RAAM stats – what more can we ask for. No food, no nothing just a laptop and a tv – fantastic!
Claire and Allan
Dick
June 25, 2009 at 1:45 amHeard you had a little siesta – good deal! From here it looks like you and the crew are doing a fine job of balancing progress and protecting you for the next few days.
Must be quite something to be rolling along beside the Mississipi as the evening deepens.
You have all the physical, mental and emotional strength you need – just stay in tune with yourself to keep the pace that is right for you.
Dick.
Dick
June 25, 2009 at 1:45 amHeard you had a little siesta – good deal! From here it looks like you and the crew are doing a fine job of balancing progress and protecting you for the next few days.
Must be quite something to be rolling along beside the Mississipi as the evening deepens.
You have all the physical, mental and emotional strength you need – just stay in tune with yourself to keep the pace that is right for you.
Dick.
neil
June 25, 2009 at 2:53 amDHL are on their way with some motivating Barry songs and some Condensed Milk so no need to worry!! You will feel the benefit when it arrives and I am sure this will keep you going all the way to the end!!!!!
"Lets go Daniel Lets go"