RAW 2011

So, following a 2009 RAW attempt which failed due to mainly inexperience and a bit of bad luck, and then crewing for Paul Carpenter in 2010 (RAAM attempt), we finally made it to RAW 2011, and succeeded.

The crew consisted of 2 original members, Mark Turner (Brother) and Dave Sutton, and Paul C and Clive Rooney, the sole Sotogrande crew representative. It is always great seeing the before and after shots of the race, as everyone looks so fresh here, raring to go. Two days later everybody ended up crashing out at 1630 in the afternoon and sleeping on through to the following morning-so much for endurance!

This RAAM was tinted with sadness following the premature death of Jure Robic, and several more pro cyclists taking an early exit to the velodrome in the hereafter. But the show goes on, and as I have stated in earlier blogs, we bear it in mind but it doesn't stop us doing what we do. I have to say that I felt at times, that this race was a bit scary. The road from Flagstaff to Tuba City stands out to me as having too much traffic, and at times, too little road margin. Even my own crew's RV strayed a little too close for comfort with the strong winds.

This race is done now and out of my system for a while. I aim to do RAAM in my 50th year, but for the next two years, the aim is to do the Lands End to John O Groat's with Dave Sutton for his 60th birthday year next year, and then Paris Brest Paris in 2013. Dave is a great photographer, with a good eye for detail, and I thought some of the landscapes were superb. Hence:

The witch has bought it!

I am going to pass the 500 photos round on a disc for those who are interested. Dave already has most of them but I am sure he will appreciate photos that others took along the way. I'll add the few I took, as I was a tad busy turning and burning most of the way!

Finally, sincere thanks to the crew this time, and last time in 09. It's good to know that along with those that mind the fort and keep the interest flowing, and put up with the long hours of absence, there is also a bunch of people willing to make personal sacrifices of time and energy to assist someone with a personal challenge to overcome. Thanks therefore to:

Dave Sutton, Mark Turner, Paul Carpenter, Clive Rooney, JJ, Helen McGrory, Pete Jamshedi for crewing for RAW, and to my wife Irene for bearing the brunt of the prep, and my folks, sister Kathy and all my friends who put so much effort into staying involved via Facebook, email and text-all your support meant so much when it got a bit tough out there, and it did after Montezuma Creek.

Best wishes

Tim

La Sufrida 30/04/2011

No updates since Sebring so time for a quick one. Training for RAW has been going well, with the mileage fine, but some long rides over 200 miles needed to get the legs truly accustomed. Planning to do these after our R.N. reunion at BRNC Dartmouth with the Captain, Andy Hancock on the 14th May. This is a piccy of Chris Williams and myself at La Sufrida in Ronda on Saturday. Weather was awful-worst I've ridden in. At the top of the mountain we only had a few metres visability with rain and fog lashing in. The decents were not fun. My bike computer shows a maximum speed of 77 miles per hour but I don't believe it even though I was absolutely flat out at one point.

Next stop is The Race Across the West in the US in 6 weeks time. Need to lose a few pounds so I will be working on that, and upping the mileage for the next few weeks. All the planning is pretty well done. Let's hope the rain stops in Spain-it doesn't fall on the plain, it falls on the Coast, having been diverted from England for Easter!

Looking forward to seeing the Crew, made up of Mark Turner (brother), Paul Carpenter, Dave Sutton and Clive Rooney. Time to make amends. Will do another after Dartmouth. Cheers Tim.

So this is what it is like after 201 miles around Sebring in 84 degrees of heat, and calling it a day. Sebring is a great launching pad for training for events later in the year, and with Race Across the West looming in June, I needed some big miles in. A nasty cough and cold set me back from doing the 24 so I opted to do 12 hours which was probably sensible. Well done to Kurt and the other guys who put in the full performance.

The first 100 miles averaged just short of 20mph so not bad, the second much slower but 11 hours 20 minutes for the distance was ok. 100 miles is known as the cyclists marathon so 200 miles is a back to back marathon and some of these guys went on to do an effective 4.5 marathons in a day-mad!

Having braved Sebring, Harry Potter was next which was heaving. The money that must be made there beggar's belief. The butter beer queue alone went round the block. The new ride is a laugh though, but the other rides are just the old duelling dragons updated. Queuing takes longer.

So, shake off this lurgy, crack out some work, get some miles in the saddle then head off to New Zealand to go to Stuart and Robbie's wedding, and see some hobbits!

Then it is on to serious training for RAW when I get back. No wimping out this year. Weight loss is the key this time I think.

Good to see all the guys at Sebring, and as looking forward to the next trip.

Keep on getting it!

Tim