RAAM 2014 / 2015

Macaloon

:shock: Technical looking 2000 mile descent to come.

marcusjb

I saw on the RAAM Facebook that Strasser's motorhome has given up with the heat, which doesn't seem to have slowed him down too much whilst they sort that out! I am not sure where he is in regards to last year's schedule now - but he is just astonishing.

Mark Pattison still doing a very solid job in third place. Hoppo has dropped back a little though.

Shu's timing data appears to have gone a little wonky on the RAAM site - hopefully gets sorted soon.

above_the_cows

I am awestruck!

Incredible stuff. I might get out for a quick 40k this evening. :?

Pross

nic_77 wrote:

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:


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

Those roads must be soul destroying, riding for miles without reference points and seemingly going nowhere!

The second half of the race seems 'easier' so must be a blessing for the riders, some serious climbing in the early part.

nic_77

marcusjb wrote:

Shu's timing data appears to have gone a little wonky on the RAAM site - hopefully gets sorted soon.

I think the trackers are in the follow cars, so presumably the data can look a bit odd during rests if the car is needed to run any errands. The distances sort themselves out again when the rider starts moving once more.

nic_77

Well done to Brit Mark Pattinson (and all the riders really) who is currently in third overall!
Some great shots and updates on his Facebook page too: https://www.facebook.com/Pattiraam2011

Ouija

Isn't that the exact same spot were Forest Gump decided to turn round and go back...

nic_77

California done. Arizona done. Utah done. On into Colorado... Almost at 850miles in just over three days.

RonB

Thanks for the updates Nic. Respect and admiration for all, especially the solo competitors.

Paul 8v

Macaloon wrote:

:shock: Technical looking 2000 mile descent to come.

2000 mile descent? That's the sort of ride I would like to do!

RichN95.

Aside from all the cycling that Nic's sister is doing, which is awesome - of course, can I just say that I'm just as impressed that Nic's dad was Colin Pillinger. What a cool dad. I love my dad, he was a quantity surveyor, but he didn't send rockets to Mars. How cool is that?

above_the_cows

That explains why Nic knows so much about that there science stuff. The closest I ever got to a rocket was an ice lolly but my granny had a beagle.

I see from Shu's Facebook page that all is in order and that she made it to Durango 12 hours before cut off.

nic_77

RichN95 wrote:

Aside from all the cycling that Nic's sister is doing, which is awesome - of course, can I just say that I'm just as impressed that Nic's dad was Colin Pillinger. What a cool dad. I love my dad, he was a quantity surveyor, but he didn't send rockets to Mars. How cool is that?

The coolest. Also responsible for my interest in cycling.
I debated whether or not to expose my identity via this thread, but figured I wanted to make sure my sister got the support her endeavour deserves!
Thanks all

shazzz

Keep the updates coming! Great work by Shu.
And thank god the cheese product pictures have been exhausted. I was feeling quite ill.

kleinstroker

Wow. Never heard of this before. It's completely crazy, never in my wildest imagination would I consider it was possible to ride 3000 miles in just over a week. That Strasser guy is unbelievable, 1570 miles in 3 1/2 days.
Nic, I can only hope your sister does well, good luck to her. Awesome achievement.

Paul 8v

kleinstroker wrote:

Wow. Never heard of this before. It's completely crazy, never in my wildest imagination would I consider it was possible to ride 3000 miles in just over a week. That Strasser guy is unbelievable, 1570 miles in 3 1/2 days.
Nic, I can only hope your sister does well, good luck to her. Awesome achievement.

Ah, you have to watch bicycle dreams, it's pretty cheap on Amazon

iainf72

RichN95 wrote:

Aside from all the cycling that Nic's sister is doing, which is awesome - of course, can I just say that I'm just as impressed that Nic's dad was Colin Pillinger. What a cool dad. I love my dad, he was a quantity surveyor, but he didn't send rockets to Mars. How cool is that?

That is beyond cool!

I really got into RAAM back in the 80's after readingMichael Shermer's book about it and various other ultra-distance events. If I secretly harboured ambitions of doing any kind of cycling event it would be the RAAM.

skylla

Absolutely amazing, Nic and Shu. Your dad would be so proud. Best of luck!

nic_77

Shu is through 1160 miles and still in great spirits... she's actually closing in now on the first place lady, but of course there is a long way to go still!

nic_77

Inevitably...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... -days.html

RideOnTime

nic_77 wrote:

Inevitably...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... -days.html

Lots of bottom shots.

tailwindhome

Irish rider Joe Barr is back for another crack at this...




Joe has successfully made it to Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado. 961 miles into the race. The temperature could only be described as "baltic". Here we see the team warming Joe up whilst supplying oxygen and checking his stats. In 2012, Wolf Creek almost claimed Joe's life. He realised that this year it would make or break him. However, thanks to a well drilled and skilled team he is here in great time and in perfect health. He just described the teams' management process as "perfect". Now we will go into full shut down for a few hours.

nic_77

Shu has 1300miles on the clock after 5 full days. She is now clear of Colorado and on into Kansas... and that means four turns in the next ten hours of driving!!

above_the_cows

Come on Shu!

I must say I am avidly checking the facebook page for updates. I can only imagine how boring it must actually get riding somewhere like Kansas.

Pross

The Midwest is a seriously boring part of the world!

above_the_cows

I went a bit crazy when I had to spend a month in Oklahoma. Just so much sameness for miles upon miles upon miles and so so far from the sea. Gives me the willies.

wallace_and_gromit

Above The Cows wrote:

Just so much sameness for miles upon miles upon miles and so so far from the sea.

This reminds me of a letter that an England cricketer wrote to his Mother back in the 20s or 30s, when all travel was on the train, and getting anywhere involved days of chugging through the desert.

"Dear Mother,

Australia is miles and miles of b*gger all and then miles and miles of b*gger all else.

Your affectionate son,

etc".

I'm sure he'd have liked Kansas!

nic_77

#513 You are now leaving Cunningham, KS. Half-way in 5 days, 20 hours and 20 minutes... and in first place!



Tracker
Facebook
@Shupillinger #ShuRAAM

All messages of support are much appreciated - it's tough out there!

EDIT: OK, it was actually second place - another lady has been out in front for a while with a broken tracker (it's working again now)!

Pross

Excellent, well done Shu. Must be great to be on the 'homeward' leg.

NervexProf

nic_77 wrote:

#513 You are now leaving Cunningham, KS. Half-way in 5 days, 20 hours and 20 minutes... and in first place!



Tracker
Facebook
@Shupillinger #ShuRAAM

All messages of support are much appreciated - it's tough out there!

Well done Shu - we are all rooting for you. Push on, let the wind be at your back.

Your Dad I am sure is looking down from above, beaming with pride.