RAAM Support Crew

[Veronica]

Somehow I have been "coerced" into being support crew for a Race Across America (http://teamjdrf.colourprep.com/about_us.html) team.

We started off discussing Homey's (on BJ) new, very light, very nice tandem and twenty minutes later we were promising to see if we could make crewing work with our schedules. Well guess what... Thom has the vacation days (no trip to HI in Nov. now) and my first summer class ends just in time for me to fly down to San Diego the day before the start.

I'm not sure how I'll train for my HIM those ten days, but you know, some things are more important than your personal goals.

It should be exciting and very tiring. :D

Veronica

[Fredwina]

Congrats!
Homey tried to talk me into it, but my schedule didn't quite cooperate.:(
When I crewed the 508 for him, I had a blast, hopefully you will too!!:)

[Susan Otcenas]

Veronica, Have you ever crewed for something like this before? I've crewed for Race Across Oregon 3 times. The crew gets as exhausted as the riders!

[Veronica]

We've been crewing for a couple of local doubles for years and that's exhausting and it's stationary! I expect to be wiped out by the time we get to Annapolis.

But it's an interesting opportunity and who knows if the timing would ever be right again.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

I wrote a report on the first time I crewed for RAO. You can find it here:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/content/adventures_rao2005

I imagine that crewing for RAAM would be alot like this, only much longer!

[aka_kim]

It should be exciting and very tiring.
Yeah!!!

That is very cool. Do you think you'll have time to blog during the race? If not, I'd love to read a full account later.

[crazycanuck]

V, that's way cool!

You may encounter Wahine as she's support crew for her super duper guy.

[Bike Goddess]

Veronica,
I can't think of a neater guy to support than Homey. He's just a treasure for those of us who know him. The good news is that he's done this before (twice, I believe) and knows what it takes to be successful. Who is he riding the tandem with? Same lady he did 508 with? I believe they did quite well on that race too.

Yes, I agree, you will be wiped out. It's a lot of work especially because you become the "mind" for the cyclists. They need your rational decisions to guide them on the route as well as making sure they eat and rest properly. You and Thom are strong people and that's what it will take to be crew.

How exciting and what a huge challenge. We'll be with you in spirit!

[Fredwina]

My experience crewing for Homey:
http://www.the508.com/articles/2006/goldendrasenji_crew.html

[Pedal Wench]

That is so cool! There's a race I want to do (HooDoo 500, probably in 2010) but have no idea how to begin gathering a crew - I look forward to reading all these reports!

[madscot13]

hmm a crew... I wonder if I can enlist my fan club.

this is totally awesome. Without a pit crew this couldn't happen.

[jobob]

Whee! :cool:

[maillotpois]

Very cool!

[Tri Girl]

V- what an amazing opportunity!! You'll find time to run a bit, bike a bit and maybe sleep a bit. What a wonderful time you'll have!!! :)

[7rider]

...I just found out the President/CEO of RAAM staff is my neighbor's brother.

Good luck. Sounds like quite an adventure...a challenge...and a great experience, all rolled into one chaotic ball!

[Veronica]

We've borrowed a spot, so hopefully we'll be able to enable tracking for RAAM.

Veronica