June 25th
I found this on the RAAM Blog:
“VIC’S RAMFICATIONSA (very) QUICK CHAT WITH DANIEL RUDGE
June 25, 2009
By Vic Armijo
RAAM reporters learn to be opportunists. I hadn’t seen Daniel Rudge holding still long enough to talk with him since New Mexico. So this morning when I found him he was stopped behind a road construction crew, I jumped out of our RAAM vehicle and walked up to him, tape recorder in hand, and asked if he’d had any problems so far. “No no no, no problems at all, he answered, “Took a bit of a bad turn yesterday, in terms of three days of heat had really taken its toll. I had to take some down time. I took an additional two hours on top of my usual four hour, five hour sleep break. It’s taken a really big toll. Hopefully today’s a bit of a recovery day before we get to some really big hills.”
Right about then the road crew let traffic through. I bid him good bye and while I stepped back into our air conditioned Toyota, he rode off into the 93 degree heat and 70% humidity. “Recovery day,” eh?”
As the race becomes more and more of a mental and physical challenge the crew’s role becomes more demanding. They have to continually talk to him from the follow vehicle to keep his spirits up and look after him more as well. It is to be expected that having cycled over 2000 miles one may not be acting quite as quickly as normal! The crew are doing a fantastic job but I have feeling that taking photos may not be up there on the critical list…
Daniel has stopped for the night, planning on the usual 5-6 hour break. He started the day feeling low both physically and mentally. The combination of Hammer Electrolytes and good crew “chat” has meant he has gone from strength to strength during the day, starting the day in recovery mode from yesterday’s “crash” and finishing with a 20mph climb up as hill…as you do. He sounded great, the crew has been reading him all the comments from the blog and it has really spurred him on. He’s feeling very confident about the next few days…and as he says he only has 700 miles to go.
18 Comments
Helen Goodchild
June 25, 2009 at 7:42 pmGlad you've passed Effingham and put last year's ghosts behind you!
You're doing fantastically well in the most difficult conditions.
Hang in there! Hope you aren't too sore!
Keep safe,
Helen and Steve
Dick
June 25, 2009 at 8:40 pmGood to see you approaching Sullivan. it don't know how it feels, but I do know that I can now get all of the rest of the route on the Tracker and still see the detail – so you must be getting closer!
You have eaten a large part of this elephant…just keep chewing steadily.
Dick.
Ciaran
June 25, 2009 at 8:41 pmDoing fantastic Daniel. We are all so proud of your achievements. Keep up the great work and the end is just around the corner!!!
Anonymous
June 25, 2009 at 11:12 pmHey Daniel – keep going Mate, we are all behind ya!!!!
I'll have a beer for ya tonight!
Dave
Joan
June 25, 2009 at 11:34 pmAwesome – keep thinking and adjusting as you go. You are just so amazing! You are doing fantastically well. Keep focused and keep up the great work.
Anonymous
June 26, 2009 at 2:43 amMaddy sang beautifully at the school rock concert today – you would have been so proud of her. When you get back with your medal, Ellie will give you a copy of the tape she made. Keep pedalling and see you soon.
Claire and Allan
Brogan
June 26, 2009 at 11:01 amGo Go Go!! You are doing so well and it's so nice to see that the smiles are still there.! Nearly finished, can't wait to see you soon! xxx
Anonymous
June 26, 2009 at 11:06 amKeep him going Eric, you are doing a great job. Tell dan that I said go faster, with less crying! Lots of love to you all. Matt
Deepak
June 26, 2009 at 1:34 pmHi Dan: We have been following your ride 24/7 … this blog is the first thing I check in the AM and the last thing before turning in … Keep up the great work … you are in the home stretch now. You and the team are doing a wonderful job pacing your ride – I predict that you will actually be increasing your pace over the next miles…
Andy Breckwoldt
June 26, 2009 at 2:11 pmDan – Looking good! Keep that even keel and don't push too hard today. Personally, I'm resting up also, so I will be ready for the mountains tomorrow!
To Eric & the crew – you guys are doing an amazing job. Keep up the good work.
Willy Hack
June 26, 2009 at 2:37 pmDan,
I have joined the pack. First thing in the morning is to get a coffee, swith th PC on and see where you are on the map, and how far it is to the next time station. Website is really well done.
Wonder how you can eat enough to keep going. Having said that, the speed at which you can eat rivals the speed at which you cycle and that will definitely help.
Keep cycling and know that there are an awfull lot of people following your progress with admiration!
Sleep well and keep healthy (as if all this is healthy in the first place).
Magda
June 26, 2009 at 3:31 pmHi Dan, sending you all the positive thoughts I can come up with, and some more! Will be glued to he screen until you beat this thing. LOL.
Maddy
June 26, 2009 at 3:58 pmGo Daddy! Go! You're doing great so far, looking happy and cycling hard! I am missing you lots! Good Luck with the rest of the race!
Lots of Love,
Maddy
xxxxxxxxxxxxxooxxxxoxoxoxooxooxoxox
Dick
June 26, 2009 at 4:42 pmLooking like you're rolling along sweetly right now.
By the way, did you know that TS#41 has a really great football (soccer team)..BLANCHESTER UNITED!!
Neil Stillman
June 26, 2009 at 5:48 pmWow! you are really moving quickly.
I was going to have my parents cheer you on in Lebanon, Ohio, as they only live 1 mile off the course. But before I could call them to get them to town, you zoomed right by them.
You are doing great and everyone at Woodcreek is cheering you on. One more big push through the Appalachians Mts and you'll reach your goal. Show no mercy to those 300 million old rocks. Pound them!
Keep up the great work.
Neil S.
Ciaran
June 26, 2009 at 7:06 pmDaniel you are doing brilliantly and you are doing a fantastic job on reaching your goal. My mum has done nothing the last few days but look up your progress every 5 mins!! i wish she was there!!!
Dick
June 26, 2009 at 8:46 pmAwesome, awesome, awesome legs, willpower……way to go, man!
Way to go crew as well (although I am less familiar with your legs) you can only have got this far through a complete team effort.
You have the time – concentrate, and remain alert to all the hazards over the coming days, so the rider and crew arrive safely.
Dick.
Anonymous
June 26, 2009 at 9:32 pmHey Daniel – Great Stuff Mate – keep it going – you'll pass Jur Robic soon.
I believe your going to kick some butt in the mountains!
Dave