Gerhard Gulewicz has dropped out of RAAM due to injuries sustained in his crash overnight.
We hope he recovers quickly.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Update from former RAAMer Danny Chew
"Um... what? I have to ride HOW F-ING FAR???"Former RAAM rider Danny Chew posted this about Rob on the official RAAM blog earlier today.
Notice that Rob already has the classic "biker's tan" going - noticeable right around his biceps where he goes from Connecticut pasty-white to Arizona golden-brown.
Don't ask about the condom hat. It's just a fun little thing that Rob likes to do to psyche out the competition and make them think he is totally insane.
Empathizing with Rob
When I spoke to Rob this morning, I told him that I was right there with him in spirit.
"How so?" he asked.
I told him that it continues to be hot (95 degrees) here in Connecticut, but in his honor, I ran an extra two miles this morning. In the process of doing so, I think I might have picked up a bit of prickly heat. So I told him that I am suffering right there with him.
He told me to never call him at work again.
"How so?" he asked.
I told him that it continues to be hot (95 degrees) here in Connecticut, but in his honor, I ran an extra two miles this morning. In the process of doing so, I think I might have picked up a bit of prickly heat. So I told him that I am suffering right there with him.
He told me to never call him at work again.
RAAM is a dangerous race
Reports on the RAAM web site this morning state that Gerhard Gulewicz has been taken to the hospital after a horrific crash. Apparently, he was trying to remove a jacket while riding and it got caught in his wheel.
No word yet on whether he will re-join the race. He has dropped from battling for first with Jure Robic to currently 4th place. Not surprising since he is sitting in a hospital.
We wish him well and hope he can get back on his bike soon. If he does, I am sure Rob will enjoy talking to him and, as one of the true veterans in the race (Rob, that is) have some words of wisdom and encouragement for Gerhard.
No word yet on whether he will re-join the race. He has dropped from battling for first with Jure Robic to currently 4th place. Not surprising since he is sitting in a hospital.
We wish him well and hope he can get back on his bike soon. If he does, I am sure Rob will enjoy talking to him and, as one of the true veterans in the race (Rob, that is) have some words of wisdom and encouragement for Gerhard.
*Report from the road - 6-10-2008, 10:10 AM EDT*
Just got off the phone with Rob on the bike. He said:
"Feeling great! So far, my best RAAM ever!"
He is very happy with everything - his riding, the crew, the scenery, the music. He said his total stop time last night was about three hours and he slept reasonably well.
He said that tonight Kate (his wife) will be on the motor home crew when he stops for his sleep break and he is looking forward to seeing her.
Once upon a time, Tom Gallagher, Dave Fiorini, Dustin Sugasa or me would have had to be his wife. Now, we're thrown away like warm Spiz.
Girls ruin everything.
"Feeling great! So far, my best RAAM ever!"
He is very happy with everything - his riding, the crew, the scenery, the music. He said his total stop time last night was about three hours and he slept reasonably well.
He said that tonight Kate (his wife) will be on the motor home crew when he stops for his sleep break and he is looking forward to seeing her.
Once upon a time, Tom Gallagher, Dave Fiorini, Dustin Sugasa or me would have had to be his wife. Now, we're thrown away like warm Spiz.
Girls ruin everything.
*Report from the road - 6-10-2008, 9:45AM EDT*
Rob took his first sleep break last night just after Time Station 8 in Flagstaff. It was a brutal day of climbing and he has more of it today. Reports from the crew is that he is feeling good and climbing strong.
He will be traveling through the Navajo and Hopi nations today.
GOOD NEWS: Team Captain Mike Perron fixed both the stereo and the PA system. Daytime driver John Browne voted Mike "Team MVP of the Day." Let the sounds of Black Sabbath and The Beastie Boys ring forth across the land!
Here are a couple of photos from yesterday's climbs and one from this morning after Rob woke up and prepared for another day in the saddle:
"Hey, this really IS a cool bike."
The view from the navigator's seat: Rob's ass for 3,000 miles
Daytime navigator Tom Wendel: "May I take your breakfast order, sir?"
Rob: "I'll have a cold Spiz, followed by another one every hour until the end of time."
He will be traveling through the Navajo and Hopi nations today.
GOOD NEWS: Team Captain Mike Perron fixed both the stereo and the PA system. Daytime driver John Browne voted Mike "Team MVP of the Day." Let the sounds of Black Sabbath and The Beastie Boys ring forth across the land!
Here are a couple of photos from yesterday's climbs and one from this morning after Rob woke up and prepared for another day in the saddle:
(Click on photos for large view)
"Hey, this really IS a cool bike."
The view from the navigator's seat: Rob's ass for 3,000 miles
Daytime navigator Tom Wendel: "May I take your breakfast order, sir?"Rob: "I'll have a cold Spiz, followed by another one every hour until the end of time."
Monday, June 9, 2008
Expected arrival times for Rob
I know that some friends along the RAAM route are thinking of coming out and seeing Rob. For those of you that are, here is a great link with Rob's predicted arrivals time at each time station.
http://stats.raceacrossamerica.org/2008/predictions/rider/135.html
Keep in mind that this is based on each rider's average speed as they pass through each time station. So as average speeds go up (after a long downhill) or drop (after lots of climbing or a sleep break), these predictions will be constantly changing to reflect the reality at that moment in time.
As the race progresses, these predictions become more reliable, as each rider's average speed is calculated over a longer distance and therefore individual fluctuations up or down have less of an effect on overall average speed.
Also keep in mind that for every rider, average speed will steadily drop during the course of the race, as RAAM takes its toll. Right now, race leader Jure Robic is hammering away at around 18.2 mph average speed. (He has not slept yet.) The winner will probably come in somewhere around 14.4 mph.
Here are all the stats for last year's race, if you're curious:
http://stats.raceacrossamerica.org/2007/reports/overview.html
http://stats.raceacrossamerica.org/2008/predictions/rider/135.html
Keep in mind that this is based on each rider's average speed as they pass through each time station. So as average speeds go up (after a long downhill) or drop (after lots of climbing or a sleep break), these predictions will be constantly changing to reflect the reality at that moment in time.
As the race progresses, these predictions become more reliable, as each rider's average speed is calculated over a longer distance and therefore individual fluctuations up or down have less of an effect on overall average speed.
Also keep in mind that for every rider, average speed will steadily drop during the course of the race, as RAAM takes its toll. Right now, race leader Jure Robic is hammering away at around 18.2 mph average speed. (He has not slept yet.) The winner will probably come in somewhere around 14.4 mph.
Here are all the stats for last year's race, if you're curious:
http://stats.raceacrossamerica.org/2007/reports/overview.html
*Report from the road - 6-9-2008, 8:00 PM EDT*
A great first 24 hours for Rob. He rode just about 400 miles in the first 24 hours, which puts him in the top five and gives him a nice 100 mile cushion as he targets 300+ miles/day average for the entire race.
He is feeling strong, motivated and is right on schedule.
In case anyone is wondering, average speeds came way down today as they are doing some serious climbs. The climb out of Prescott, AZ, includes a brutal 12 mile climb. As I write this, Rob is on a 40 mile (yes "four-zero" mile) climb out of Cottonwood, AZ, to Sedona on his way to Flagstaff. So, if you are wondering why he is going 8-10 mph, well, now you know.
If you would like to see the route for yourself, turn-by-turn, you can click here and select "ZIP file of Directions" to print out the same route book that all racer crews are using in their pace vans.
----------
Thoughts on the leaders:
It will be interesting to see what happens with Robic and Gulewicz. They will either motivate each other to keep hammering away at the front of the race on their way to a record crossing, or they will beat each other into quivering heaps of flesh.
In case either of their teams are reading this: Don't look over your shoulders. Rob Morlock is on your ass!
He is feeling strong, motivated and is right on schedule.
In case anyone is wondering, average speeds came way down today as they are doing some serious climbs. The climb out of Prescott, AZ, includes a brutal 12 mile climb. As I write this, Rob is on a 40 mile (yes "four-zero" mile) climb out of Cottonwood, AZ, to Sedona on his way to Flagstaff. So, if you are wondering why he is going 8-10 mph, well, now you know.
If you would like to see the route for yourself, turn-by-turn, you can click here and select "ZIP file of Directions" to print out the same route book that all racer crews are using in their pace vans.
----------
Thoughts on the leaders:
It will be interesting to see what happens with Robic and Gulewicz. They will either motivate each other to keep hammering away at the front of the race on their way to a record crossing, or they will beat each other into quivering heaps of flesh.
In case either of their teams are reading this: Don't look over your shoulders. Rob Morlock is on your ass!
Questions about RAAM
Received an email from one of the many people following Rob's progress with some good questions that some others may be curious about:
1. Did Rob ride all night through the first night last night?
-Yes. There is an old saying among RAAM veterans: "Use it while you got it." In other words - this race will grind these guys down to nothing, so the thought is to ride as far as you can while you are fresh to get some miles under your belt before the first sleep break.
2. Does RAAM allow drafting?
-Absolutely not. It is a penalty offense and multiple offenses can lead to disqualification. In fact, the RAAM rules state specfically that riders are only allowed to ride next to each other for 15 minutes every 24 hours. This is truly a solo effort.
1. Did Rob ride all night through the first night last night?
-Yes. There is an old saying among RAAM veterans: "Use it while you got it." In other words - this race will grind these guys down to nothing, so the thought is to ride as far as you can while you are fresh to get some miles under your belt before the first sleep break.
2. Does RAAM allow drafting?
-Absolutely not. It is a penalty offense and multiple offenses can lead to disqualification. In fact, the RAAM rules state specfically that riders are only allowed to ride next to each other for 15 minutes every 24 hours. This is truly a solo effort.
*Report from the road - 6-9-2008, 4:30 PM EDT*
I just hung up with the pace van that is following Rob. They just went through Time Station 6 in Prescott, AZ. We have our first minor problem of the race:
Both the stereo system that plays music for Rob and the PA system that the crew uses to direct him have blown out.
It would be difficult to do a 3,000 mile race without the music (especially for Rob), but almost impossible to do it without the PA system.
They are confident that they can fix it and are looking for a good time to pull over that keeps Rob safe.
Nice photo of Rob smiling his way up a hill on the official RAAM photo blog.
Also - the GPS Tracker seems to be working now at www.myathlete.biz. Click on "TRACK ATHLETE" and then enter "teammorlock" for both 'username' and 'password'.
Both the stereo system that plays music for Rob and the PA system that the crew uses to direct him have blown out.
It would be difficult to do a 3,000 mile race without the music (especially for Rob), but almost impossible to do it without the PA system.
They are confident that they can fix it and are looking for a good time to pull over that keeps Rob safe.
Nice photo of Rob smiling his way up a hill on the official RAAM photo blog.
Also - the GPS Tracker seems to be working now at www.myathlete.biz. Click on "TRACK ATHLETE" and then enter "teammorlock" for both 'username' and 'password'.
*Report from the road - 6-9-2008, 2:30 PM EDT*
Just got off the phone with day crew, who were at the side of the road watering the local flora. Rob was feeling good as he headed through Time Station 5 in Congress, Arizona, in 5th place. He and David Haase are joined at the hip for 5th and 6th place. He is pleased with the way things are going, yet amazed at the pace of Jure Robic and Gerhard Gulewicz, who have already gone through TS #6, which puts them about three hours ahead of Rob on the road.
Hopefully I can chat with Rob later today and post about it here.
Hopefully I can chat with Rob later today and post about it here.
*Report from the road - 6-9-2008, 8:45 AM EDT*
This update just came via cell phone from Tom Wendel (Click on it to read):
*Reports and Photos from the road - 6-9-2008*
Spoke to John Browne last night around 8:00 PM. All was well and they were preparing to transition from day crew to night crew.
They are aware of the fact that the GPS tracker is not working and are trying to fix it.
Checking the stats this morning, Rob is fifth place at Time Station 4, 284 miles into the race. I hope to hear from Rob or John later this morning, after day crew comes back on shift to hear about how far Rob plans to ride before his first sleep break. (I expect Rob will try to sleep some time tonight, Monday night/Tuesday morning between 2-4 am.)
Tom Wendel sent these great photos from the start and Rob's first day in the California desert (You can click on all photos and blow them up to full size.)
Team about one hour before race
Rob on Route 78 in Calif.
They are aware of the fact that the GPS tracker is not working and are trying to fix it.
Checking the stats this morning, Rob is fifth place at Time Station 4, 284 miles into the race. I hope to hear from Rob or John later this morning, after day crew comes back on shift to hear about how far Rob plans to ride before his first sleep break. (I expect Rob will try to sleep some time tonight, Monday night/Tuesday morning between 2-4 am.)
Tom Wendel sent these great photos from the start and Rob's first day in the California desert (You can click on all photos and blow them up to full size.)
Team about one hour before race
Rob on Route 78 in Calif.Sunday, June 8, 2008
*Report from the road - 6-8-2008, 7:05 PM EDT*
Just got off the phone with the pace van that follows Rob. All is going well, with Rob in 6th place overall at Time Station 1 in Lake Henshaw, CA.
They all tend to be pretty bunched up in the early going, as evidenced by the first 13 racers at Time Station 1 all coming in with less than an hour separating them.
That will change in the next 24 hours.
They all tend to be pretty bunched up in the early going, as evidenced by the first 13 racers at Time Station 1 all coming in with less than an hour separating them.
That will change in the next 24 hours.
One of the most important pages
For those of you looking to follow the progress of the race, probably the single most important page is here : http://stats.raceacrossamerica.org/2008/reports/overview.html
This will give you overall standings, as well as where racers are placed overall and relative to each other based on their arrivals at each time station. From there, you can click on links to the racers and the individual times station to see who arrived where and when.
RAAM is all about numbers and it looks the race organizers are going to make it easy for us to follow the race by the numbers.
The most critical number is average speed.
- Average speed between each time station shows both how well a racer is riding as well as whether or not he/she took a sleep break. (If a rider is averaging, say, 17 mph between times station and all of the sudden it drops to 10 mph, chances are they went to sleep.)
- Average cumulative speed is all-encompassing - meaning it takes into account all stops, including sleep. The winner will average around 14.4 mph overall.
This will give you overall standings, as well as where racers are placed overall and relative to each other based on their arrivals at each time station. From there, you can click on links to the racers and the individual times station to see who arrived where and when.
RAAM is all about numbers and it looks the race organizers are going to make it easy for us to follow the race by the numbers.
The most critical number is average speed.
- Average speed between each time station shows both how well a racer is riding as well as whether or not he/she took a sleep break. (If a rider is averaging, say, 17 mph between times station and all of the sudden it drops to 10 mph, chances are they went to sleep.)
- Average cumulative speed is all-encompassing - meaning it takes into account all stops, including sleep. The winner will average around 14.4 mph overall.
"But it's a DRY heat..."
I just got off the phone with Rob and Kate. Everyone is all set and ready to go with less than two hours until the start of the race.
It's pushing 95 degrees here in Connecticut and I told Rob that I thought of him the entire way during my piddling little 40 mile ride yesterday.
I reminded him of what a great race he had in 1996 (his first RAAM) and how it was overcast the entire morning of the second day when we were traveling through the Arizona desert. What could have been 100 degree plus direct sun ended up being a relatively comfortable 90 degrees under cloudy skies right into Flagstaff.
This year's race covers some of those same roads, including going right through Flagstaff.
Rob and I talked about what a relatively cool spring it has been in Connecticut this year (two weeks ago it was 60 degrees and raining) and how his body may not be 100% ready for the desert heat.
He said that he would take it nice and easy through the California and Arizona desert today and tomorrow so that he comes through fresh and ready to pick up the pace in Utah and Colorado and on into New Mexico.
He sounded upbeat and ready to go.
He has been planning and training for this for more than a year and now it's time to ride.
We wish him and the crew well.
It's pushing 95 degrees here in Connecticut and I told Rob that I thought of him the entire way during my piddling little 40 mile ride yesterday.
I reminded him of what a great race he had in 1996 (his first RAAM) and how it was overcast the entire morning of the second day when we were traveling through the Arizona desert. What could have been 100 degree plus direct sun ended up being a relatively comfortable 90 degrees under cloudy skies right into Flagstaff.
This year's race covers some of those same roads, including going right through Flagstaff.
Rob and I talked about what a relatively cool spring it has been in Connecticut this year (two weeks ago it was 60 degrees and raining) and how his body may not be 100% ready for the desert heat.
He said that he would take it nice and easy through the California and Arizona desert today and tomorrow so that he comes through fresh and ready to pick up the pace in Utah and Colorado and on into New Mexico.
He sounded upbeat and ready to go.
He has been planning and training for this for more than a year and now it's time to ride.
We wish him and the crew well.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Some preparation photos
Rob called me today from his bike. He was out stretching his legs while the team set up the vans for the race. Says he feels good, but is anxious to get on the road and start the race.
Crew member Tom Wendel sent over these photos:
Team Morlock
Rob & Kate on the plane
Team Captain Mike Perron, Tom Wendel and Rob
Setting up the vans
Rob talk to reigning champ and pre-race favorite Jure Robic
Crew member Tom Wendel sent over these photos:
Team Morlock
Rob & Kate on the plane
Team Captain Mike Perron, Tom Wendel and Rob
Setting up the vans
Rob talk to reigning champ and pre-race favorite Jure RobicThursday, June 5, 2008
Waves one and two in Cali!
Spoke to Rob today. The first wave of crew, including Rob and Kate, arrived safely in Oceanside, California yesterday.
Wave two - including a guy named... Wave!... arrives today with the pace van and all of Rob's bikes. He drove the van from Connecticut to California this week, as he has done for the previous three RAAMs in 1996, 1997 and 2000.
Wave is a good man!
In case you never saw this on Rob's web site, there are a couple of good posts (5/21/08 and 4/15/08) on the News page that describes the equipment involved and what each member of the crew does during the race. Worth reading as we prepare for the start on Sunday.
Wave two - including a guy named... Wave!... arrives today with the pace van and all of Rob's bikes. He drove the van from Connecticut to California this week, as he has done for the previous three RAAMs in 1996, 1997 and 2000.
Wave is a good man!
In case you never saw this on Rob's web site, there are a couple of good posts (5/21/08 and 4/15/08) on the News page that describes the equipment involved and what each member of the crew does during the race. Worth reading as we prepare for the start on Sunday.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Special thanks
A big thank you to the staff and management at Hertz Danbury - Tooley Lane location. They are big supporters of the Danbury Police Department and of Rob's RAAM effort.
We appreciate their consideration and help and encourage anyone in the Danbury area who needs to rent a car to consider Hertz at Tooley Lane. Tell them Rob sent you!
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