RawTeamBrazen2

RAW 2011

2011-07-14T05:59:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-03-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

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

Training again.

2010-10-09T04:37:00.001-07:00

I am not convinced that this is the right garb for a serious cyclist, but when in Egypt.....?

This was Egyptian night on our Nile cruise with Paul and Ann, and we made sure we got in the swing of things-could have done with some Madness though (Doesn't seem to care, no more wind in his hair as he reaches the last half mile!)

So, apart from the Dehli belly, which has also now afflicted the Commonwealth Games, a fantastic trip all round-one worth doing again-probably the Lake Nasser one next. Now time to get back in training, and this week has seen two weights sessions and 250 miles on the road so far. I have signed up for Sebring again next year in Feb, and of course will be doing RAW again in June. I still hope to have a crack at RAAM in 2012, but a lot will depend on exactly how much training I can get in over the next 21 months.

Six weeks on from the third operation this year, I am well on the mend. I am now sporting two metal plates, 19 screws and three excellent scars. Fortunately my left leg is healing well. Some people argue that cycling these distances is lunacy and accidents are bound to happen. I have read through all the US studies on this and the fact is that the physical benefits of cycling far outweigh the potential risks. Either way, I take all the precautions possible and hope that I make it to a decent age. Don't forget, life is dangerous. In the West, we take our comfort and safety somewhat for granted, but after a trip to Luxor, you can soon see how different the lives of the Africans are.

In any event, my thoughts go out to the friends and family of Jure Robic, who pushed maybe just a tad too hard on a mountain bike training run, and was tragically killed, far too young. But if you'd interviewed him and asked would he have changed his lifestyle, I very much doubt it would have stopped him. In the billions of years that surround our proportionately tiny existence, it is surely better to have lived life to the full, rather than drift through it, potential unfulfilled. Life itself is not an endurance event-it is a voyage of discovery of our own limitations.

This picture of Jure was taken by my brother Mark, last year. I'd say he lived a happy life, so job done. RIP Jure, and as my friend Big Jay would say-'keep on gettin it!'

So, onwards to Sebring, then RAW, then the RTTC 24 hours where I hope to give a better account of myself in 2011.

Onwards and upwards everyone!

I'll update this again when I have something worth saying. Bye for now. Tim

Two steps forward, staggering back....

2010-05-05T05:44:00.000-07:00

Not all things go according to plan, and sometimes it feels if things really do come along in threes-I'll explain:

See the broken collar bone on my left? Well it took until two weeks ago to get that signed off as ok to start sport again. 14 weeks of slow recovery, and only two weeks after getting the pins removed from my left elbow.

Well, the staples were taken out on the Thursday and I went straight out on the bike, two weeks ago yesterday (staples don't look as good as stitches do they, but surgeons cannot sew anymore by the looks of it).

Training went well for a whole 6 days, then on a minor training ride a few metres from where the dog took me out in January, a truck pulled out of a beach access without looking left and I hit him hard. Broke my left collar bone again, and did a rib plus smashed in my cycle helmet. Hours of fun!

So, what is next? All I can do is rest up, make the best of a bad job and try and stay out of harms way for at least a quarter or two. I am still crewing for Paul Carpenter on the 6th of June, so let's see how that goes then assess in July. I have promised to do the Loch Ness Monster Duathlon in September with JJ, Alexander and Giulian so that is the next target. Glutton for punishment, or merely losing too many brain cells cumulatively to be sensible enough to know when to give in! Target is still RAW 2011 and RAAM 2012.

What was the third thing? Never try this at home-I did and it hurts:

Take a piece of Stilton Cheese which is sticky enough to stick on the new special cheese knife that appeared in our cutlery draw. Make some sandwiches. See stick yStilton on knife and decide to lick crumbs off. Realise to late that knife is scalpel sharp and an amazing gash appears in cheek. Blood pours out and won't stop and it is in one's mouth so no plaster effective. I won't say how I stopped the bleeding but Rambo did it and it works!

Back to the drawing board.....and check out the new paint job on the GTR:-

RAAM and RAW logo either side.

I'll update the blog after the RAAM in June. Everyone can follow the RAAM website for an update.

ATB all.

Tim

Sponsor our crew for 2010!!

2010-03-10T00:06:00.000-08:00

Right guys and gals..

Since I have now thrown myself in the deep end to crew for Paul Carpenter (a Brit!) in the Race Across America (RAAM) for June, I feel it is incumbent on me to start raising cash towards the trip for Paul's monstrous endeavour!

If any of you are approaching 50 years young and feel that your sporting life is nearing a close, look closely at the world of Ultracyclists, of which Paul is a leading exponent and participant. His achievements to date are testament to what can be done if you put your mind to it, and what he intends to do in the RAAM. The race is expensive, and these Ultracyclists do what they can to raise the cash to race. Whilst I will be funding my own trip, anything that can be donated towards Paul's mission will help. In the meantime, I will do my very best to raise sponsorship for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which I meant to do before my accident in January.

Paul's website is www.ultraracer.net where you can read about his challenge. I urge you to have a look at what it takes to do this, and assist in anyway you can-even if it is just buying a T-Shirt.

My aim is to follow in Paul's footsteps and do RAW again next year and the RAAM in 2012. For those of you who do not know much of this event, Sir Steve Redgrave Has a team in this years RAAM, so it will be worth following on the internet just for that.

You can also read about what Lance Armstrong is all about on www.livestrong.org and I will be posting a justgiving site for this when I enter for the 24 hour race on Merseyside to qualify for RAAM in July, fitness willing.

I cannot emphasise enough about how much help you have all been over the years to the charities that I have chosen to race for, and I thank you all heartily for the donations when times are not always easy.

Best wishes to you all.

Tim

Back in training-staples out

2010-02-06T01:07:00.000-08:00

So, the staples are out and the plaster is off. The wire and other bits of metal holding my deformed elbow together are staying put. Despite the grim features though, I am back in training having done two days on the spinning bike and elevated 12% treadmill-140 minutes so far and back to being a hamster!

Looks like we have a new team member-I'm just confirming with him, but I have discovered (Dave - you were right), that we need a smaller car as the follow vehicle, so I needed another driver-job sorted.

Next up, I would like to sponsor the Lance Armstrong foundation this year, so assistance on sorting this would be helpful.

Finally-thanks for following and putting up with the tales of woe, and keep the ski slopes clear in March!

Cheers

Tim

January 2010 update

2010-01-29T06:36:00.000-08:00

Right then, what a start to the ultra-cycling year! Full on heavy training after a superb Christmas with far too much alcohol and food but hey.....has to be done!

Then it all went pear shaped on the 15th - 15 years to the day since I last broke my arm, I ran into a dog 3 miles from home, at 25 mph on my best bike, and broke-wait for it-my collar bone, 4 ribs (the worst one in my back), shattered my elbow (operation) and got a 1.5 litre haematoma in my left thigh-great!

Anyway-two weeks later and recovery has started well. No training yet as they only drained my leg yesterday, but plaster off, stitches out and leg re-drained next Thursday, and then it will be a slow start on the indoor turbo.

Needless to say the Sebring 24 hour is off though we are still going on the 10th Feb to suck up the experience and help out. Check out http://www.bikesebring.org/

So, this year it's unfinished business, so back to RAW, but with an altered crew to give others experience ready for RAAM 2012. The new members are my wife Irene-who is a sucker for punishment....and Patrick Finnegan my old workmate, though he's not that old ish.

Irene is on the left and I am just sorting out Patrick's now.

Here we go! Patrick at the Christmas party-debonair as always....

Pete Jamshedi is back for more and Mark Turner is this year's crew chief.

You can check out the race at the websites below although RAW has it's own this year.

The charity this year is Lance Armstrong's Foundation, so i'll set up a site for that shortly.

Thanks for following and let's see how we get on!

cheers and all that,

Tim

End of Summer

2009-09-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

I have been remiss and let this blog go to pot whilst I spend the Summer entertaining friends, going to Retrofest raves and generally trying to keep ticking over. The Race Across the West was a massive learning curve and I thank everyone who helped me along the way and did their best to help. I failed after about 406 miles due to a cyst in my right foot that I didn't know I had, rupturing and meaning no more pedalling for a while. 600 miles short which I know I could have done.

So it is on to the Sebring 24 hour race in February next year when I aim to do the minimum 425 miles in 24 hours to hot the RAAM qualifying distance. I may still do RAW next year but it depends a lot on resources. The aim is still to do RAAM in 2011 or at worst 2012.

For those who haven't seen the pics, here are one or two:

This one was taken at the start whilst we had loads of energy and enthusiasm-it lasted for 12 hours anyway!!

Have to sign off now but will upload more tomorrow.

ATB

Tim

Funds and off

2009-06-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

Right then-we are leaving today! Off to Heathrow from Stamford this morning to catch the red eye to Phoenix. Just a quick update to say that we are at about £800 for Purple Salute committed, and £3,000 for Cancer Research-well done everyone who has sponsored! Did a final 23 mile training run yesterday, and now no-more until the big one.

See you at the next report!

ATB

Tim

Just Giving Site Up and Running

2009-06-03T05:49:00.000-07:00

The Just Giving site is now ready for all you fabulous people who want to make a difference and help me along the way. You will need to go to: www.justgiving.com/timrichardson64 to participate and help fund the research for a cure for cancer of all types. Go on-you know you should!

Just to prove that the team are all in it for the charity work, here's one of JJ (centre) and his local Glaswegian 70's fans doing their bit for charity-£2,800 raised for wearing their normal day to day clothes and jogging a few metres-money for old rope! Well done pal, but please cover those hairy legs up when we are in America or you will be fair game!

Two weeks to go!

Final crew details at last!

2009-05-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

Now back in Spain for the final training before the race, getting the time to do everything is looking increasingly difficult but let's give it a go. I met with Peter on Monday and not sure he was keen to give me a photo shoot (judging by his demeanour I reckon he thinks I was stealing his lifeform through the camera-but then I need all the energy I can get...).

As you can see, we look remarkably similar, both going for the Jesus of Nazareth look, so I can fall off the bike after 200 miles and let him take over with a bit of make-up from the crew-I might need to add some tattoos though ;)

Peter is chief chef, and all round body mechanic which is just as well, as miracles may be required!

And not last by any means, are JJ and Helen, bringing valuable skills to the party (and as you can see we like to party!) I fully expect them to make sure we have plenty of falling down water for when we cross the finish line in Taos-except we have to drive to Phoenix as there is no way I am going to cycle back unless Peter volunteers to take my place!

Either way-time is now spent training for the last two weeks whilst avoiding injury, prepping the route, and doing the final organisational bits. Wish us luck-we may need it....

ATB

Tim

Preparation and more on the team

2009-05-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

Right, I hope I have managed to get this link below in, which harps back to the solo cycle in 2008 for the Great North Run. It was good preparation anyway-though it could have been easier-especially if I hadn't gone against the wind through France, and written my legs off on the half marathon at the end.....Here's the link then:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2008/09/22/gnr08_tim_richardson_feature.shtml

I have added some more photos of the team and need to put more in as I get to the various computers where they are stored for future blackmail purposes ;)

The above left is the crew chief Dave Sutton, pretending he is in pain after a couple of minutes, but hey, he is getting on a bit!

Prep is going well, apart from some really sore knee tendons from cycling too much-that'll be the story of this race and next years that's for sure.

Left here is Mark Turner, my brother for his sins, who is designated as chief technician and is seen here with our secret weapon who will be towing me to Taos, as I don't remember seeing that one in the rule book as not allowed!

As I get the photos of JJ, Helen and Peter uploaded, I will put them on next-it is all down to technology.

I have the bike for the race now, a Specialized Tarmac 2 which I will bed in over the next two weeks. Major effort is now on diet, low key training and planning the final stages. You will all be able to follow the race on the internet live, from the 17th June. I will post up the sponsorship at the next blog with the last photos.

ATB all

Tim

Charities

2009-05-20T00:51:00.000-07:00

Check out www.purplesalute.org as the first one we will be looking at, and I will shortly be putting a justgiving site up but the aim is to split whatever funds we raise equally. Peter Jamshidi as team member will also have a private charitable foundation for his excellent work, and if we can get that on time then we will also sponsor that. Either way, we should be on time for the really big one next year! TDR

Team Brazen - Preparation for the 17th June 2009

2009-05-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

First of all, a quick overview: Team Brazen consists of a solo cyclist, Tim Richardson, and a crew of five die hards, Dave Sutton-Crew Chief (he volunteered the fool), Mark Turner, John and Helen McGrory and Peter Jamshidi. The aim is to pull together to get Tim to Taos from Oceanside in California, a distance of 1044 miles, as a solo cyclist in the Race Across the West (RAW). RAW makes up the qualification race as part of the first 1000 miles of the toughest endurance cycle race on the planet-the Race Across America (RAAM).

The race starts on the 17th June, and the team are aiming to get there by flying to Phoenix from Heathrow, on the 14th June, doing all the prep, then starting with the main RAAM racers at noon.

The concept came about as a result of Tim deciding to cycle from his home near Gibraltar, to Newcastle to run the Great North Run (which he does every year), in September 2008. Combining this with attempting to raise a serious amount of money for the charity Jane's appeal, meant that all the pain would have a serious cause, and that applies again this time though for two separate charities.

The charities have been chosen for personal reasons, as was the Jane Tomlinson appeal, as Tim admired her tenacity and fighting spirit. This time, two other charities will be the focus of the fund raising. In short they are Purple Salute, and Cancer Research UK, both of which deserve wholehearted support. More on these later.

Finally then, this is the introduction. The main site to watch will be www.raceacrossamerica.org as from the 17th, all the action will be on the web, and on media coverage on the net, and TV in America.