Cat Berge - Will she finish the RAAM?

[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.

[Grog]

Congratulations Cat! Here in Canada we didn't get many chances to follow the race but from what I read here you are a very courageous women. Thank you for inspiring all of us! Good luck on your future adventures... and hoping to see more of you here on TE!

[greenchick]

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.

I'm quoting all of this, because I can't find just one bit to pick out. All of it is wisdom and inspiration, and I hope I'll remember it sometime when I really need it. Thanks, and congratulations again (and lest I forget, welcome to the board -- it's wonderful to have you here!)

[DirtDiva]

Welcome Cat. That was quite some ride you did! It's awesome to see you here - do stay and play.

[bikerchick68]

"He came in last, but he finished"...

wow a powerful statement... this is really what it's all about... to ME anyway! Nice to hear someone echo those sentiments... sounds like Chris put up quite the fight and WON! Good for him... he must be so danged proud too!

[Lynne]

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? ...

Whew! So glad you are visiting and posting! I'm 39, new to biking but competetive in nature. I decided to try racing and did so a few weeks ago (very friendly teach-the-newbie type of atmosphere). It's every Monday night at the local car race track. But here's the thing, even today, 4 days before the next race, my heart is going a mile a minute, I'm scared out of my wits and SO afraid I'll get lapped or worse! It's all I think about when I think about racing. I'm really struggling with this mentally because I'm so afraid of making an idiot of myself...you know, the old chick just starting out on a bike and racing with those young women anyway.

But now I've read your post and I feel a little better. I figured EVERYONE who races is either so confident or they are laid back enough that they don't care if they get lapped. It's nice to know other women might feel the way I do but still really want to do it. I really hope in my heart that if I get lapped everyone doesn't think I'm a big slow fool out there....I'll keep your positive attitude in mind and hope that's what they think instead (if I happen to get lapped...that sure is a great motivator to pedal till you are ready to pass out, lol!).

And sorry, for some reason I'm not expressing myself very well today, hmph!

[CatBerge]

I know a guy who is a winner in my eyes. He goes out and races... and rarely wins, sometimes he gets lapped, sometimes he gets dropped. But he finishes and is pleased with his effort. He is just a great looser. He knows how to loose a race,... without loosing. I just admire him so much for that. I wish too to become more like him. It is not hard to feel content about yourself when you are standing on the podium,... but to feel happy and content with yourself when you did not make the podium... or came in last... or did not finish... that takes some mental challenges. Those are the challenges that we need to work on in life... and once we have learnt those... then we too can become great loosers. I am a 'high achiever' and need to work on loosing...
Cheers, Cat,

[CorsairMac]

Lynne: just think Jan Ullrich