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RAAM 2014 / 2015

nic_77nic_77 Posts: 929
edited July 2015 in Pro race
http://vimeo.com/86633049

OK... I'm going to shoehorn this into the Pro Race on the basis that Dave Zabriskie has just announced his intention to ride this year (in a team along with Dave Mirra, Micky Dymond and Ben Bostrom).

But, I also have a vested interest. My sister Shu Pillinger is aiming to become the first British Woman to complete the race solo this year. That's 3000 miles / 170,000ft of climbing in a limit of 12 days (on not much more than a few hours sleep a day).

Please give her a follow: @shupillinger / facebook / http://www.strava.com/athletes/393857
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  • takethehighroadtakethehighroad Posts: 5,704
    Always enjoy the sheer mentalness of this race. I remember watching a documentary a few years back and thinking what an incredible effort it is
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  • LutherBLutherB Posts: 544
    Good luck to yer sis Nic - that's an awesome task!
  • marcusjbmarcusjb Posts: 2,412
    Been following your sister's build up since crossing paths on day one of LEL. An amazing challenge and look forward to following her in the race.
    Stuff about riding a bike a long way
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,692
    Can't wait to see her in action here.
  • nic_77nic_77 Posts: 929
    Race starts tomorrow - get ready to start tracking!

    http://tractalis.com/RAAM2014/
    Follow (and encourage please) via: @shupillinger #ShuRAAM

    The target is 3022 miles (the 2014 TdF is only 2270 miles) in 12 days and 21 hours. Solo.

    Parcours:

    69720_357850657639978_1895109347_n.jpg

    Profile:

    raamprofile_zps1c5b93e6.jpg


    I'll expect to see geology (plenty) and cheese (might be challenging) updates as we go!

    You can sponsor (Herts Air Ambulance) if you like: http://www.justgiving.com/ShuRAAM
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  • ProssPross Posts: 25,404
    kraft-cheese-coupons.jpg

    Here's the cheese sorted.
  • Richmond RacerRichmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    Pross wrote:
    kraft-cheese-coupons.jpg

    Here's the cheese sorted.


    ^works for every state. Brilliant


    Good luck to your sis, nic, have a great adventure
  • above_the_cowsabove_the_cows Posts: 10,941
    I see your Kraft cheese slices and I raise you:

    Kraft-Velveeta-fans-upset-by-shortage_strict_xxl.jpg

    Velveeta Pasteurized Cheese Product, found in the dried goods isle of a supermarket near you.

    Oh yes and good luck to your sister. Mammoth.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • MrTapirMrTapir Posts: 1,206
    MMmmmmmmm Cheese Product.
  • tailwindhometailwindhome Posts: 15,902
    Apparently Pippa Middleton is racing as part of a team of 8
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  • nic_77nic_77 Posts: 929
    tailwindhome wrote:
    Apparently Pippa Middleton is racing as part of a team of 8

    Yeah, good for her. Hopefully it will bring some more coverage of the race.

    Although I will say it must be nice to be able to just decide to turn up and ride her few hundred mile share - my Sis has spent years building up to and training for this, including working to personally fund the entire effort of her 9 person crew, all of whom have generously given up their time to take part. Just saying.
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  • marcusjbmarcusjb Posts: 2,412
    Yep - never really that interested in the big teams side of it. 2 and 4 member teams, yes maybe (I have to say that, I know members of a 4 machine team for 2015). But 8! Under 400 miles - albeit at an elevated pace.

    Solo though - something else. Just getting to the start line is a massive achievement that deserves massive respect - I am sure the stresses of training are matched by those of funding and logistics. I've heard figures of, at minimum, £20K to fund a RAAM attempt.

    I will be watching and cheering Shu on all the way! There's quite a lot of British interest this year, which is great to see!
    Stuff about riding a bike a long way
  • dsoutardsoutar Posts: 1,746
    Not forgetting cheese in an aerosol

    cheese-in-a-can.jpg
  • TurfleTurfle Posts: 3,762
    Best of luck to her! Your family is all round awesome.
  • nic_77nic_77 Posts: 929
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/27779724
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  • NervexProfNervexProf Posts: 4,202
    Interview with Shu

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDhBzj- ... e=youtu.be
    Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,692
    THEY'RE OFF!
  • nic_77nic_77 Posts: 929
    18 hours into the race and Shu is through California and on into Arizona. 270miles down, 2750miles to go
    The crew are blogging as they go... http://fourlegsgoodlog.wordpress.com/
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  • MacaloonMacaloon Posts: 5,545
    Great blog. Awestruck. All the best.
    The road surface shimmers and stretches out in a straight line as far as the eye can see and buzzards circle above. Seriously.

    Only 273 people have made it across, in the time, solo.
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • ProssPross Posts: 25,404
    Having once ridden a 12 hour I really do admire all the solo / small team riders in this. It probably isn't taken seriously by many of us regular cycling fans but it's a huge feat of endurance.
  • MrTMrT Posts: 260
    Now following Nic......incredible effort thus far......good luck to your sis for rest of way. Bonkers but brilliant
  • nic_77nic_77 Posts: 929
    The devil is operating the bellows in the desert. The heat weighs like an anvil. Shu fights on...

    466 miles done in 37 hours so far... Shu is currently 2nd in the female solo category.

    A few photos to liven up the thread.

    Bpw2aNkIQAAf65W.jpg
    Bp2jIRxCcAEQQbC.jpg
    Via kit sponsor @carvalhocustom

    20140610-183438-66878277.jpg?w=604
    Via crew nutritionist @EatDrinkPerform

    Thanks everyone for the support - please do tweet something encouraging to @shupillinger or #ShuRAAM or message via Facebook.

    All random messages gratefully received - it's pretty intense yet also often monotonous for both Shu and the crew so anything interesting to help them get through each mile will help.

    Data is also going up onto Strava if you're interested.
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  • MacaloonMacaloon Posts: 5,545
    They don't get bike racing in the States do they. I mean look at the fans...

    20140611-131528-47728091.jpg?w=604
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • Paul 8vPaul 8v Posts: 5,458
    Ever since seeing bicycle dreams I've had an interest in this race. They truly are nutters and it's an amazing feat of endurance.
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  • PuttyKneesPuttyKnees Posts: 381
    Very impressive. I recognise that guy on the left at the back - he runs the regional mtb races in the midlands!
  • nic_77nic_77 Posts: 929
    Crew Shu - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 879&type=1
    See picture comments for a biog of each member :)
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  • marcusjbmarcusjb Posts: 2,412
    Shu seems to be going well - keep on pedalling!

    Christoph Strasser is 2 hours 30 ahead of where he was on last year's record-breaking ride. Massive ride going on there. Just astonishing - still averaging over evens at time station 13 (784 miles!).
    Stuff about riding a bike a long way
  • d_o_gd_o_g Posts: 286
    Yup, totally mental.

    I'm still trying to break a 20mph average for a 20 mile loop, to do that over that distance is astonishing.

    Part of me wants to do this, but it is a very long term goal.
  • nic_77nic_77 Posts: 929
    Christoph Strasser is a machine

    dcf6ef6b21.jpg
    74160c421a.jpg
    ce0598d842.jpg
    16a56769ca.jpg
    61ce83758e.jpg
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  • nic_77nic_77 Posts: 929
    Shu has now covered 700miles (in just over two and half days) and is sitting in second place in the women's race.
    Along with the third place lady, she is currently resting up at the time check in Kayenta in the Navajo reserve before planning her assault on the climbs through Monument Valley.

    Here's a glimpse of what's to come:

    Valley.jpg
    From the website of Italian Nico Valsesia (currently 140miles or so up the road)
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