Furnace Creek 508

[Brandy]

It's that time of year again. The time of year when I sit in the back of the van and support my love, George "Red Eyed Vireo" Vargas, in his third consecutive Furnace Creek 508 race!

If you're interested in following along, the fun starts with the webcast tomorrow at noon. They should be updating the 508 webcast starting then.

http://the508.com/2008web/index.html

We will be pretty remote, so no real access to updating the blogs, unfortunately, but we should have details upon our return on Monday.

Wish us luck!

[Fredwina]

Bonne Chance! Bonne Route!

[melissam]

Good luck, Brandy, George, and crew!

I can't wait to hear all about your adventures on the 508!!

- Melissa

[jobob]

Especially since Ms. Mel has ulterior motives.

(Good luck Brandy & George!)

[crazycanuck]

Oi oi oi...

Good luck!!! I'm sure it will be a successful adventure!!

[Brandy]

Especially since Ms. Mel has ulterior motives.

(Good luck Brandy & George!)

Huh? Wha...??? Ulterior motives? Hmmmm...do tell...

[melissam]

Huh? Wha...??? Ulterior motives? Hmmmm...do tell...

Ulterior motives? Me?

Actually, here's what I'm thinking. 508 miles solo over 48 hours seems a little crazy (no offense to George). But 508 miles as a 4 person relay team seems doable. Not only that, but there's no finishing time for a 4 woman relay team in the 40+ age group since they've changed to a fixed relay format. So...all you have to do is finish and you get to set a record!

There's some part of me that says this is an absolutely crazy idea. The more I hear about the ride, the better I can determine if this is crazy or if I should get serious about drafting a team and participating in the 2009 race.

Ulterior motives or not, I wish George, you & the rest of the crew good luck on your adventure!

- Melissa

[Red Rock]

Just wanted to wish you all well and safe travels as you all do the 508. May he eat and drink a lot to keep him going.

Red Rock

[jobob]

Anything is possible, Mel. And I'd love to crew y'all. (Ed to add) : whomever you sucker into this...

In the meantime, good luck to all involved.

And congrats to Bernie Barge ("Homey" on bikejournal) who is being inducted tonight into this years hall of fame. I've had the pleasure of riding with him, he is a wonderful guy and a fabulous role model for long distance cyclists. And cyclists in general.

[dachshund]

Actually, here's what I'm thinking. 508 miles solo over 48 hours seems a little crazy (no offense to George). But 508 miles as a 4 person relay team seems doable. Not only that, but there's no finishing time for a 4 woman relay team in the 40+ age group since they've changed to a fixed relay format. So...all you have to do is finish and you get to set a record!

See... this is just how it starts (shaking head). Somewhere between "all you have to do" and "set a record" is where the hard stuff is. But I digress.

I hope you both have a great time! I want to hear all about it, too.

[jobob]

Catharina Berge won the women's solo division with a time of 29:43:01.

Not only was she more than three hours ahead of the second place finisher, her time would have put her in third place in the men's solo division.

Way to go Cat!

[Bike Goddess]

Cat Barge is an inspiration to me as well. She finished RAAM solo a few years ago and was welcomed by a great TE sign at the end. She raised money on that ride to benefit cancer as a friend of hers died from cancer.

Homey really is a neat guy. I notice that he finished on the tantem with his lady partner in fine style.

Melissm- I've actually thought that a 4 person team would be feasible. I crewed for Robert Baldino and another guy a few years back (he finished again this year with a different teammate- team Mahi Mahi)

I rode the Death Valley century ride (March 2006)which follows the same course as the 508-except it is just an out and back from Furnace Creek to the 1st pass. However, since the road was bad from Furnace Creek to Badwater we started at Badwater and went to Shoshone and back to Badwater. (That route is part of the Death Valley double) I would suggest that you do that ride next spring (you have to register early as it fills up fast). It will give you an idea of what the roads are like and what the weather is like,etc. Also if you go through the Naval weapons area you will be following the 508 route. We did that on the way to the century ride so I got to see the road from a cyclist' point of view as well as Townes Pass which is considered one of the tougher climbs.

That said, I'm looking forward to reports on the race!!!!!

[Brandy]

Race report and crew perspective to come...hopefully this week! Thanks to all that tuned into the webcast. George had a great race. This is his third consecutive SOLO 508, and his best time so far at 37:34. We had a great crew that laughed and had fun while still getting the job done.

[jobob]

Well done, Brandy & George!

[melissam]

Wow -- 508 miles in 37:34, and you ALL look fresh as a daisy!!

Fantastic job!!