Cat Berge - Will she finish the RAAM?

[SadieKate]

Welcome, Cat! We had a great time following your progress. Congratulations and hope you recovery quickly. I can't imagine the toll this ride must take but we were all inspired by you.

Hope you visit with us often and I'll be thinking of you come our shared B-day.

Sarah

[bikerchick68]

I've been following this thread but had not posted to it...

Just want to add my congrats on your amazing ride... you truly are an inspiration!!

I am fortunate to live in San Diego and every year go stand on Mission Gorge Rd. in Santee, CA and watch everyone race by... it's pretty spectacular! Guess next year I better get pics...

[MomOnBike]

I just have to add me congratulations to those here. I'm amazed at the grit RAAM riders show. I am in awe.

(I knew you'd do well. No question in my mind)

[Jo-n-NY]

I want to send my congratulations also. Your ride was truely inspirational to read about.

~ JoAnn

[CorsairMac]

how exciting is that?? to follow and cheer you on from sidelines and then lo and behold!! here you are!!

Congrats Cat on a job well done. I can not even imagine what it must have been like riding all those miles through all types of weather alone hour after hour. My hats off to you and deepest respect for what you have accomplished and continue to accomplish. You are an inspiration to all cyclists everywhere!


Kudos!

[Deanna]

Another note of Congratulations! Also thanks, because of you my co-worker is now a cycling fan!

[CatBerge]

was many times the hardest. I am the wimpiest of all girls. Had tried road racing.... but would get so nervous before a race... that I quit racing. So how come I could not tackle the small races... but am able to tackle the super-challenging ones? I think it has to do with that in these long races... it boils down to strength, endurance, perseverance.... and either my competitors deserve to be ahead of me or they will fade.
So, if you think that you are not good enough, because you do not have nerves to race... just remember that wimp #1 did Race Across America. The bravest person... is not the one without fears, but the one who fears and goes out with shaking knees to conquer their fears. The most admirable one is not the one who does 200 miles in 10 hours, but the ones who comes in at midnight having given their all in 20 hours. I love crewing on events chearing on these fellow soldiers that arrive late at night. My hero in RAAM this year was my fellow competitor, Chris Hopkinson, to whom I gave my neckbrace, when his neck muscles gave up (Shermer's neck). Every time we met and chatted... I saw his fight and his determination to finish RAAM despite all kinds of physical challenges. He came in last, but he finished. Only 12 of 26 riders finished. He is my hero, not Jure Robic.
Cat.