OKAY _NOW - it's over Metcalfe out - Medical?

RAAM website reports Metcalfe out for medical reasons, now it's all over.

Most of the riders finished to late to attend the awards banquet. Now

that's a tough race!!!

Fifty per cent DNF rate, death, crashes, exhaustion..... take that -- all you extreme sport wannabees!!!

If the Internet still works next year - maybe I'll whip up some interest in this kind of RAAM watching. With 20 or 30 more active posters, it could become a very informative way to keep tabs on RAAM.

Of, course there's nothing wrong with reading Danny Chew's day and half old commentary, but some "fresh news" from along the course would be nice.

See ya next year.

It ain't over till we say it's over - Mark Metcalfe

Well, RAAM's just about done. Looks like Mark Metcalfe will ride to Atlantic City, even though he won't get there until AFTER the race is over.

Chris Hopkinson is still 10 mile out as I write this - with three hours leftand having to make only 10 miles, one would thing that he will in deed be an official finisher. He may also earn the distinctio of this RAAM's only 12 day finisher.

Hooray for Ben Robinson.I like this guy. I like this guy because of the way he put this race in perspective when commenting for RAAM his webpage BIO.

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/files/raam2005/riders/robinson_ben_2005.htm

RAAM route "littered" with riders/teams

Just wanted to see if the Caida "gif" would paste to a BLOG.

David Hasse finished under 11 days - Zeller in too!

David Hasse pushed on through the night to finish early this morning. Valentin Zeller has finished also.

Metcalfe and Trout are in trouble. Berge continues to mathc and close a little on Couturier.

RAAM website must be overloaded, spotty connections, failure to connect.

Fabio Biasiolo cruises into a third place finish

Fabio, you made, you made it!! David Hasse appears to be working well and should have fourth place locked.

The remainder of the field appears to be headed for 10+ day finishing times.

Catharina Berge, the only women solo entry in this year's RAAM, is riding steady a bit ahead of a cluster of the last 4 riders, but at least 4 hours or 5 hours behind Ben Couturier, the Alaskan "stallion", who looks to be the youngest RAAM finisher ever.

Metcalfe remains on the 10.5mph time-cutoff "bubble".
He can't afford any mistakes or extra naps. There's too much traffic and too many miles left to ride to feel any chance of "got it made".

I can't do an "historical" finish projection for Metcalfe, like I could for Robic (by the way I was accurate to the hour for Robic) but he looks to be sitting on a 1-2 hour cushion at this point. Meaning -if he keeps pace, he'll finish about 1.5 hours before cutoff....... Two more full nights of riding for him.......

MacDonald finished, Biasiolo stalls - more riders in trouble

Chris MacDonald finished RAAM in 10 days 2 hours, while Fabio Biasiolo took another sleep break and appears to be "limping in". Just 300 miles ago these two were neck and neck, but Fabio will end up finishing many hours after MacDonald.

Meanwhile David Hasse is comingon strong and has secured a good bet at finishing fourth. He may end up pressing Biasiolo.

At the back of the pack, Mark Metcalfe and Jim Trout appear to be struggling. Neither rider building much of a time cushion above the cut-off speed of 10.5mph.

Metcalfe, especially, is in dire straits as he approaches the tough West Virginian climbs. Mark you see, weighs nearly 300lbs, and I expect him to be walking many of these climbs. Can someone get a camera crew to Metcalfe's position on the route?

This next 100 miles will tell whether Metcalfe will finish officially ......

MacDonald hangs - Biasiolo gives up the chase

Chris MacDonald will most likely be the 2nd place solo finisher today afre opening a six-hour lead on Fabio Biasiolo by riding through the night.

Both riders have slowed, with MacDonald projected to finish this afternoon, 9 days, 3 hours. Obviously, Fabio, will most likely attempt to be in by sunset.

David Hasse - looks to be fourth place finisher, at least 5 hours up on his nearest competitor.

MacDonald crew spies Biasiolo - keeps Chris in lead

Like a couple of punch-drunk fighters too tired to throw another hook MacDonald and Biasiolo takes breaks and breaths in unison. Team MacDonald, decided to Biasiolo get within 20 minutes before moving Chris out of the TS 52 area.

Of course there could be a few more minutes of fudge factor, but it looks like neither rider wants to take a chance of over extending and ending up like so much of the carnage this RAAM has produced heretofore.

Both riders have 214 miles between them and 2nd place. Only one can get there first, I've never heard of a tie for position hapening on RAAM...?

Yet as I remarked, the loss of Trevino - to a crash "out of the blue", in everyone minds as well as the tragedy surrounding Breedlove must have some effect of these RAAM crews.

See you tomorrow, hopefully we will have two more finishers early on.

MacDonald extends lead - Tom Rodgers DNF

Chris MacDonald extended his lead to two hours over Fabio Biasiolo. With over 200 miles left to go - there's no way to let up yet - and both riders will have to cycle through the night safely to reach Atlantic City. Look for MacDonald to make the boardwalk in 10 days 1 hour.

Too bad for Tom Rodgers. DNFed for time-cutoff pace at Effingham, Illinos. Evidently, with the last of the team RAAM racers getting many hours up the road, it was felt that Rodgers, "barely make each TS" was not going to get him through those pesky climbs in West Virginia on time. Bare in mind - RAAM has become "generous" over the years with "official finishing times. In the old days you had to finish within 10% of the winners' finishing time. Now you get a full 12 days, most often 25% off the lead time.

25 solo RAAM starters -- 12 out and 13 still going and going and going and going well you get the idea.....

Nine days of cycling - Robic needs 100 - MacDonald 300

Jure Robic will cruise in and finish RAAM in about nine days and 8 hours.

MacDonald, who has put 40 minutes of lead on Biasiolo, will finish early tomorrow most likely with a finish time at the 10 day mark.

This RAAM continues to be a noteworthy - for an utterly bizarre expression of heat, heartbreak and human suffering thrust upon the racers.

Doctor Robert Breedlove - gives RAAM his best effort, and loses his life in broad daylight on a scenic mountain highway. RAAM riders repeatedly rebound between 40 degree lows and 99 degree highs throughout the desert of Arizona and the mountains of Colorado.

Hot southern winds, hardly help, but cruelly whip the riders sideways across Kansas. And then, as if Mother Nature, was saving the best jokes for last - Heat indexs nearing 100 with humidity so high that you can see the air as you ride through the hills of Missouri.

More of the same - just 1000 miles more!

With veteran riders Rob Kish and Marco Baloh, stricken with pneumonia, and then of course the crash of Mike Trevino - and the pain of so many miles given - yet not rewarded with a RAAM finish -- can anything match RAAM's bitter test of the human spirit?

MacDonald leads Biasiola - can HE hang on?

Chris MacDonald leads Fabio Biasiola by just 8 minutes after>2700 miles of bicycle racing.

Of course this race is for 2nd place. But, I suspect there's some pride and respect at stake. No RAAM rider would ever want to come up short after battling within hours of competitor for over 1000 miles.

Back at TS 34, in Marthasville, Missouri,nearly 1000 miles ago, MacDonald had given Biasiola a 3 hour lead when he simply could not bicycle well in the 100 degree heat index of Missouri's wine country......


Will MacDonald falter in the Eastern Seaboard's heat and humidity today?

A dual to the finish - Biasiola - MacDonald

A battle "royale" is taking place between TS 47-48 after 2600 miles of racing.

Chris MacDonald has caught Fabio Biasiola and the two are marking each others every attempt to ride away.

Wish I had some real along the route coverage. But I can imagine....

Hope the support crews are "gun free".....

Fabio Biasiolo -- can he hang on - defeat CSM

Fabio Biasiolo devastated Chris MacDonald in Missouri, coming from an hour behind, and then leaving Missouri with MacDonald flailing in th heat - over 3 hours back.

But ever since the Mississippi, MacDonald has puuled it together. Climbing back to near Biasiolo several times.

Now as they enter last really hilly are of RAAM in the West Viriginian mountains, MacDonald continues to push Fabio by staying within 90 minutes for the last 100 miles.

Something's gotta give. One of these guys has to shut down and rest properly. Will Fabio let up and give Chris the chance to see him up close? Or will MacDonald "go down" for rest first - guaranteeing that Fabio's 2nd place cannot be snatched- even if it's only for a few miles.

Fabio's in the middle of this TS split, and Chris has just started. I'd like to think Chris can catch, but Fabio - blew Chris out in Missouri -- we'll see.

Robic slows down - MacDonald presses

Robic's pace slowed to a 9 day, 8 hour paace, as Chris MacDonald stays on Fabio Biasiolo.

Can Chris take Fabio? Will fabio break? Will both riders crash and burn?

The 8 hours will tell the tale.... stay tuned......

Robic - takes no chances - slows pace

This writer is guessing that Jure Robic - gained from Mike Trevino's mishap in more than one way. Trevino's crash reminded Robic - not to take any chances.

There could be nothing so cruel to a RAAM rider - as to post a DNF after all the pain and suffering endured the last 8 days.

My new projection for Robic is 9 days 6 hours. But I an suspecting that - even this might stretch out -if Robic's crew sense Jure is in danger of any sort as he nears the finish.

Even though, Fabio and Chris are close enough to do battle for 2nd place, - I am suspecting that only one of them may have the drive left to finish this holocaust is less than 10 days....

Tom Rodgers contiunes to bump along the route, at a pace far outside the cutoff, but race directors are extending considerable generosity to him and I suspect he may get an official finisher award - no matter the clock recordings......

RAAM Across Missouri - David Hasse the Winner !

As I ranted about earlier, I predicted that Missouri's heat and hills would be a rude awakening to fatigued RAAM racers after the "relative" comfort and ease of hundreds of miles of Kansas. Although the hills are nothing compared to the mountains out west, riders having to "shift gears" and muscle their bikes along the bluffs and banks of the Missouri Wine Country certainly demonstrates which riders still have the abiltity to "ride" - while others simply "stay on the bike".

To date, David Hasse, has "handled Missouri" the best, edging out even Jure Robic's TS splits. Hasse posted 14.2mph average from the Collins TS to the Mississippi.

Benjamin Couturier and Chris Hopkinson struggled the most, Hopkinson losing the most time by posting a 9mph aver for the 254 miles averaged.

Hopkinson also gave up his 7th place position to Couturier in the process.....

Of course, since different rider chose different rest period across Missouri, the comparisons are not perfect. Yet this little math exercise bodes extemely well for David Hasse (14.2mph in Missouri) as he attempts to close in on MacDonald.(12mph in Missouri)

Plenty of hill climbing in Ohio, W.Virginia left - stay tuned.......

I ride five miles with Chris MacDonald - Trevino - out

Well, chalk up another RAAM DNF to "medical" - although, I'd have to say, just what RAAM DNF doesn't really start with a medical problem? Trevino just "crashed". No doubt, this incident raises the hopes AND FEARS of everyone still racing.

After spending a few hours on the road with Team CSM, during the heat of Saturday, I can can safely say just continuing this race at ANY pace is a remarkable feat.

I was impressed with some of the Chris' crew tactics and attention to the race, yet hane to admit, they were no more prepared for the "wear and tear" of RAAM travel than any rookie crew I've seem.

Will have more details about Robic's possible finish time projection and what happened to Chris after some rest. I rode 140 miles today, which is afterall, 0.4594% of RAAM !!!

Robic's "real race" starts -Mississippi River

Jure Robic has arrived at the Big Muddy - and is wondering where the "race" went. After cycling through Missouri with a slower yet consistent pace Robic found himself 12 hours in the lead at one point. At the time I am writing this - it looks as though he's taking some real "comfort" time as he starts illinois and may have give back some of the lead. (not much though)

Trevino, like Missouri has his up and downs. He had been nearly overtaken by MacDonald but responded with a 16.45mph split - that effort appears to have broken MacDonald's will to try for 2nd place. At the time of the split- Mike stated "he was peaking".

MacDonald, my pre-race favorite, is looking devastated. Here's the guy that told me he was going to "turn it on in Missouri" - and well, he must have forgot the batteries. He posted a horrible 7.73 split - giving Trevino gobs of breathing room.

But who knows, of the 10 or so RAAMs - I've watched closely, this one is the most full of tragedy and surprise.

At least the staggered team start format is working. But with the heat destroying the leader's pace, the teams WILL BEAT ROBIC into to AC by a considerable margin. The staggered start was supposed insure that a solo racer has a chance to finish in Alantic City before the Teams.... We'll see, very doubtful.

As I finished writing this Robic has just made the Greenville TS -- mean ONLY HAS 992 MILES TO GO.

And that's why I hope Mike, Chris and all the other RAAM racers, keep pushing, keep trying, keep racing RAAM...........

Trevino Feels Better - MacDonald can't maintain pace

Mike Trevino's crew reports that he feels better. Mike has pulled 2 hours or more ahead of MacDonald, who hasn't arrived at his next TS yet.

What this means. I'm ready to admit, that MacDonald is in big trouble right now, and is far, far off his race plan. As I mentioned in an earlier post, if Chris had put together 3 or 4 great time splits - I would see he was just playing possum and now ready to go to work.

Not so - Chris is in real distress, and never intended to take any breaks of consequence in Missouri.

Mike Trevino is about to start the hardest series of rollers in Missouri. He poated a great 16.45mph split at the last TS. The crew said Mike said "he was peaking".

I say not goood for Mike -- no one wants up and downs on RAAM. This writer predicts, that Trevino - will now falter badly also in Missouri. Perhaps giving back most of his lead on MacDonald.

In any case, Robic has cruised through Missouri - it's clear he was never as strssed going into the heat -- in the first place. Look to see Robic's lead increase to over 12 hours....

I was really hoping for this RAAM to become more interesting race-wise. I can't say it's going that way now.

Good night.

MacDonald finally makes a move - post fastest split

Is it a tailwind, or has Chris MacDonald come back to life? Chris has just posted the fasted TS split in Missouri in RAAM this year,17.3mph.

This moves him to within 20 minutes of Trevino. If MacDonald posts two more 16-17mph TS splits, then my prediction that he has been purposing holding back was correct.

MacDonald has a world-class VO2 max and LT/MHR ratio nearing any rider in the pro peloton, yet I have been dismayed that he has not displayed that abiltiy to date.

Let's see what happens tonight.......

MacDonald takes his last really big sleep break

Chris MacDonald slept again giving Trevino a lead of 2:32 and Robic over 11 hours.

If Chris practices the race plan as we discussed - he will ride across Missouri nearly non-stop, with no sleep breaks. He may very well not be able to maintain this plan, obviously I have no direct communication with the crew so my comments are all based on prerace conjecture.

The whole premise of Chris' race plan is prove that a RAAM rider can finish RAAM raising his average speed AFTER crossing the Mississippi.

Because, of the heat and great distances separating riders - I have not decided where I may photograph the racers nor if I'll have Internet access to publish the photos.

I'm still waiting to see just how much the heat will affect Jure Robic's pace.
After this many days of prolonged stress ANYTHING could happen.

Electrolyte balance and core temperature stasis are anything but easy to maintain. One little slip up, and a racer can be deep trouble in minutes.

Robic will enter the Saint Louis suburbs in the middle of rush-hour, I don't envy the RAAM racers on this part of the course at all.......

Why you have to finish the race?

Danny Chew, expert RAAM racer, journalist and prognositcator extroadinaire has all but declared Jure Robic the "winner" of RAAM 2005. Yet, there are details associated with the necessity to continue bicycling for more than 1200 miles that need to be attended to before Jure can quaff some Champaign in Atlantic City.

Yeah, those pesky little details, like heat, humidity, wind, sun, potholes, pavement cracks - of yeah and TRAFFIC. And of course itsy-bitsy doggys.

One of the variables that is often overlooked in the wear-and-tear RAAM riders endure is their capacity to deal with the stress when encountering urban and suburban traffic.

After nearly mindless, contiunous miles of open and mostly-flat roadway across Kansas, riders ,in addition to the hills of Missouri, encounter more cars, more intersections, less favorable road pavement (let me tell you).. etc etc etc.

Jure Robic has negotiated through one "party-hearty" traffic nightmare, near the "Lake of the Ozarks" recreational area. The follwing riders will not be so lucky.

On the otherhand Jure will hit the urban area of Saint Louis at a much less favorable time, while the follow riders should pass in the wee-hours of the morning.

You never know, what types of weirdness can take place on the road after happy-hour commences. Or after closing time. While RAAM safety measures alleviate most these matters, there's no way to account for how a rider will react to the STRESS these situations produce.

That's why you have to ride the whole race.

Why it's tough to ride well in Missouri

The topo kind of says it all...... Not too many feet to climb - just too many climbs per mile.....


Why it's a tough road to ride in Missouri......

MacDonald posts 5 fast TS splits

Chris MacDonald has posted 5 consecutive splits that have whittled down Trevino and Robic's leads. He trails Robic by 10 hours, but is less than 2 hours from Trevino

In prerace discussions, MacDonald had commented that he thought it was Missouri and the hilly eastern states where the most time could be made up against race leaders.

"I'm a classic road-racer, not a TT specialist" said MacDonald. "Did you see my bike at the Alabama ride? No aerobars!" said MacDonald referring to the Heart of the South 500 RAAM qualifier.

MacDonald rode the HOS-500 impressively posting the winning time of 29:32 for 510 extremely hilly miles.

MacDonald added, "I'll let you in on a little secret - I rode the 500-miler already tired. I had ridden over 200 miles the day before and had rested only 8 hours before the ride."

MacDonald also told me that he had "sandbagged" the Sebring 24hour race by riding 400miles in the previous days before the race and easing his effort during the later hours of the race. He also stated that he could have set a UMCA record for 24 hours if he had wished........

Well, this writer, wants to believe Chris MacDonald. This writer would like to see Chris prove that RAAM can be ridden in a smart, controlled scientific manner AND WON.

There's plenty of racing left east of the Mississippi. And the veteran RAAM wise-guys always quip that the "race begins at the Mississippi.

But in our discussions MacDonald and I agreed - that his race, this year would start at the Missouri state line --- we shall see..........

With temps heading for 100 degrees, it's likely we'll see a substantial race slow-down no matter what the stratagy of each rider. The brutal conditions, no doubt, favor Robic, since he has the luxury of protecting himself and his lead WHEN HE CHOOSES. Meanwhile, the clock and the distance will come into play in forcing Trevino and MacDonald to show their stuff........

Good luck and good racing - to all.

RAAM - so good - take an extra day

RAAM fans can take heart in the fact that as Jure Robic stopped for sleep before making the Collins, Missouri TS - he passed into the nine-day raam pace.

Of course some miracle could produce a faster finish than last year - but with no one on Robic's tail to force the issue - it's doubtful.

So as it stands - just short of 6 days of racing - Robic needs to ride nearly 1300 miles in 3 days and 2 hours to make it a "nine-dayer".... we'll see......

Robic - on a perfect schedule

Jure Robic will enter Missouri at just the right time to take advantage of cooler temps and weaker winds.

Not only that, he will slip by a very popular recreational area, before weekend traffic builds and stress following riders.

Yet, like most riders, he will endure the brunt of Missouri's 70degree dew point and heat index approaching 105 degrees. RAAM HQ has him making the Marthasville TS at 4:36pm local time....

I doubt it.....

Good night.

Missouri - the "SLOW ME" State

If ever there was a good time NOT TO RIDE A BIKE in Missouri, tomorrow would be it. Forecasts of temps in the high 90s with heat indexes approaching 105 spell DANGER- DANGER.

Over the years, as I have watched, praised, cajoled and generally "spectated and photographed" RAAM riders as they come through Missouri one repetitious compulsive factor spans all my years RAAM watching, the urge to GET BACK IN THE CAR AND TURN ON THE AIR

I've never seen a RAAM rider smiling as they leave Missouri. This is the time the RAAM riders will dig to the deepest places of their being. This is the time, and this is the place, that will test each RAAM rider's last measure of will.

Let's hope each rider's self-measured effort is safe and sane, good health, and good luck to all.

100 Hours of racing - someone give me a break !!

RAAM has always been a test of will, a test of determination, of tenacity and the ability to continue to bicycle forward when every nerve in your body is telling you to simply - give me a break.

Now, as roads heat up in Colorado, at least 6 riders flirt with being disqualified because of slow pace. Some of the riders have bought themselves some time cushion by coasting out of the Rocky Mountain range into the foothills nearing Kansas.

The contenders, although barely nearing the half-way point of the race, must be asking "How can Robic be so far ahead", "how can he ride this well through this heat, these winds?"

Last year, the Missouri hills "broke the back" of many riders. Nearly, half the RAAM field posted some of their worst time splits in the "knobs" along the Missouri River wine country.

Will Robic continue his astonishing pace? Or will he use some of his race-lead time-cushion to insure his good health as he cycles through some really rough and tumble course conditions....?

RAAM Day 5 - begins

Just 96 hours have passed since RAAM started, and 5 racers at the back, including RAAM Hall-of Fame rider, Rob Kish, are depending on the downhill to Alimosa, CO, Timestation to keep them from being scratched.

Fours riders are already DNF on RAAM 2005, and this writer predicts thar 4 more riders will DNF before this day is over.

In addition, a review of the midwest weather, gives this writer the impression that A NINE-DAY-RIDE WILL WIN RAAM 2005 .

Stay tuned, kids, same bat-channel, same bat-time.

RAAM - this Pie is only half-baked - want more?

Jure Robic continues to distance himself from all RAAM competition. Even as he has started taking "quickie" rest breaks in Kansas, Trevino, MacDonald and Baloh fail to make any progress in whittling down what some RAAM watchers call an "insurmountable lead".

Robic leads Trevino by at least 7 hours and may be as much as 10 hours ahead of 3rd-place MacDonald. Baloh, is keeping pace with Chris at this time.

Well - are we watching paint dry? Or is Jure Robic, a Slovenian Berry Pie, about to start boiling out of it's crust? The fact that many fine RAAM veterans remain even farther back in the pack - men like Kish, Breedlove and others, seems to suggest that it is Robic out of touch with RAAM reality.... (which could be a good thing!)

I mean c'mon - Robic has put OVER 24 HOURS LEAD on Chris Hopkinson, of England. And this is has been achieved well before the half-way point of the race.

This isn't Robic leading a race - he's riding away from it.

Well, Missouri and Illinois are going to greet RAAM riders with their "steam-table" style heat and humidty. My question is - "If a RAAM rider shows up at the Missouri stateline already "half-baked", will he start boiling-over - or just keep "cooking along"........

MacDonald - still in the hunt -closes gap

Chris has recorded several fast TS splits and is 6:40 down to Robic after 1100 miles of cycling. This is a 1:55 gain from his worst position 100 miles back.

Robic is nearing Kansas and is in position to take advantage of nightitme lull in the winds to get through some of Kansas without the devastating "southwinds".

TeamTrevino is looking past the tasks at hand and is already wisecracking about how well Mike will ride in the Kansas terrain. Unfortunately, Mike will be hitting Kansas too late - and the crosswinds will most likely hamper his efforts.

This writer thinks it would be a big mistake for TeamTrevino to encourage Mike to try closing in on Robic in Kansas. Trevino must merely "match" Robic in Kansas. But MUCH more importantly Mike Trevino MUST ABSOLUTLELY MATCH Robic in Missouri and Illinois. If Robic, senses that he cannnot put Trevino in the hills of Missouri, he may begin to crack.

It is in Illinois, that all emotion, that all character of this race will be demonstrated........ as it was last year......

Meanwhile, Christopher MacDonald will continue to ride his race. In my very first discussion with Chris, we both agreed, that the road and the clock are your enemies, not other racers.

In the marathon running world, negative splits are the holy grail of a great finish time. It is curious indeed, why this principle reamins unpracticed in RAAM.

This RAAM could get interesting........

RAAM - Hot and dry - what's next?

RAAM has exacted a huge price on all the racers as they continue through the mountains of Colorado. Warmer than usual temps, have shortened the time-frames where riders could cycle comfortably.

Jure Robic continues his remarkable ride, but has finally conceded that he must rest also - posting his lowest TS split to date at 10.5mph.

Chris MacDonald, continues to show signs of life by posting the fastest split at TS17. However, is continuing to lose time to Robic, and I doubt very much we can see him overcome an 8.5 hour deficit.

This leaves, Trevino and Baloh to challenge Robic. Both have had some ups and downs and the experience of their crews is demonstrated in each recovery they make.

Soon, RAAM will become a chess match, with each riders' crew chief weighing in on when and how long to "put their rider down" for rest and sleep.

There in enough distance between Robic and Trevino, that course conditions may play a part in how and when to push the pace or rest.

The Grand Scheme of Things - It's still early

This writer isn't happy with the time and distance Robic has put on all the RAAM contenders.

While, I hope that the heat hasn't sapped MacDonald, I fear that - the simple fact is that he has spent so much time in Scandinavia, that he simply cannot match up to the heat stress this race has produced.

Never having been into the "Exhaustosphere" is a real detriment. Obviously that's why only one RAAM rookie has ever ever won.......

I've got to keep faith, that cycling ability will show up as dictated by prerace plans. But I'm worried, at this point......

TS 15 MacDonald - wakes up - will he start racing?

Christopher MacDonald has given up 6:24 minutes to race leader Jure Robic.

In pre-race discussions with this writer it was suggested that MacDonald would not give up anymore significant time to Robic or a race leader after 800 miles of racing.

Of course, the heat or other factors may have way-layed these race plans.

Meanwhile, Jure Robic has demonstrated the most remarkable solo start to RAAM yet. When the additional climbing and heat are factored into his effort to this time, Penseyres record-ride pales by comparison.

Although Robic trails Penseyres' record ride progress by 30 or more miles by now, if the climbing, not to mention winds were factored out, Robic would easily be leading the record pace a 50 mile.

This writer still believes that Chris MacDonald will demonstrate that early race rest will serve his race time by Atlantic City. I predict Chris to be fully in contention until the end of this race.

No doubt as the Moon rises tonight all racers will enter the "Exhaustosphere". Let's hope they reach orbit good spirits and good health.

Robic- Baloh take Cat Naps - MacDonald Sleeps

TS MPH splits show that both Robic and Baloh, slowed enough to have taken "somekind" of a break. Trevino appears OK and has gained ground.

MacDonald has stopped again, for quite a while apparently.

Server is not responding but I believe Chris may be 5 hours down now. Not good.

But, you gotta believe. I'll let you know when Chris starts racing.

RAAM race stat website is down - but they know it

Hello, race fans, RAAM TS data is "down" so I can't run any statistical scenarios and hypthesize about Robic's chances at a record ride.

He should have reached Colorado, nearing the 800 mile mark if all is well....

TS 11 635 miles Robic continues to edge out Penseyres record

Jure Robic is on a mission. There is no doubt he is attempting to continue a pace faster than Pete Penseyres at every TS. Currently a slim .2mph differnce, meaning about 10 minutes - ahead of the record ride.....

Whew - but the temps are high, and ill winds are blowing. Strange easterly winds are charted on my weather maps, if it's true for the surface, too bad for Robic.

MacDonald gains on Trevino - Matches Robic

Christopher MacDonald is continuing to ride well. He has posted a top TS split entering Tuba, AZ -- meaning he is gaining back time on Robic.

Teamtrevino website has commented that Mike may have GI issues and his pace has definitely slowed. Hard to say for sure, if this is a "real problem" or just a quick pitstop...

Robic continues to distance himself from all riders

Jure Robic, has kept the the hammer down increasing his lead over Baloh, and Trevino.

Trevino's BLOG is showing signs that they are concerned at the distance Robic's pace is putting on their own scheduled race pace. Obviously they had hope they could stay closer until a real rest break could be taken.

MacDonald fails to match Robic's Flagstaff TS Split

Even after a long rest break Christopher MacDonald gave up a few minutes time to Robic during the race between Williams and Flagstaff. Howver, he did close on Baloh and Trevino during this stretch.

Is Chris really spending all he has? Is he holding back.

Stay tuned to this bat BLOG - for more updates.....

MacDonald Posts fastest split to Williams

Christopher MacDonald posted 16.68mph split entering TS-8, Williams, AZ, gaining back some ground on all riders after an extended off-the bike break.

The next TS split, will tell the story as to whether the rest was enough of help to actually keep team CSM in the race.

MacDonald sleeps early -can this work?

Chris MacDonald has done the unthinkable - he has slept long and early on RAAM. Chris has given Jure Robic 4.5 hour lead at TS 7, Prescott, Arizona.

Is this part of the plan?

Now, Chris must gain on everyone by posting at least 17mph on his way to TS 8.

Is RAAM already a 3 person race, or will MacDonald be back?

Meanwhile, I'm a little surprised at the slowing of several riders so early, could it be weather? Was the heat too much yesterday?

MacDonold Missing in action - no show at TS-7

Christopher MacDonald has not reported in to TS7, at Prescott, AZ.

Is this part of his schedule - or is he in trouble. Or has the TS connection to HQ failed?

I had discussed the importance of early sleep breaks on RAAM, and how no previous riders have had the confidence or "need?" to sleep anywhere near 24 hours into the race.

Yet, is Christopher sleeping early, or is this man in trouble early?

Robic appears in control - Pecking order established

Jure Robic continues to lead RAAM opening a gap of over 30 minutes on Marco Baloh.

It's Monday morning in America and it's time for these boys, ugh, I mean men, to go to work.

Are these riders really sticking to any schedule? Is Robic simply riding as fast as he can? Did Robic let his friend Baloh lead the race for a momment - but does he now intend to lead RAAM for the entire race?

Will any rider stay close enough to ever leap-frog Robic during a sleep break?

TS4 All Robic - all the time ?

Jure Robic has posted a 21 mph split entering TS4. It's 104degrees in Blyth, but Robic is riding like he the one on fire.

Pete Penseyers posted similar early race split-times when he set the record in 1986.

Meanwhile Baloh keeps pace while team CSM and Trevino hang nearby.

What can I say about 104f in Arizone -- it's a dry heat......

Fastest RAAM start ever!

Glamis California - heat will test riders - pace?

The first real "taste test" of RAAM will take place as they climb a 1100 feet (all at once) just after leaving the Glamis TS3. What's the big test? It's 102 degrees in Glamis.

What will the "little hill" demonstrate? How riders "trust" the pace they have chosen. Anyone not quite "with it" will take it easy. Others, may take there chances and push the hill climb to pressure competitors.

Christopher MacDonald is using a water-cooled vest to divert heat away from his body. I imagine many other riders have similar equipment.

TS- 2 report - Robic - steps into the downhill - CSM follows

Jure Robic, went ahead and put in few big pedal strokes going downhill to ElCentro.

Team CSM repsonds and matches the ever so slight effort increase.

Baloh, felt strange out front, and wanted to see someone elses pace.

Everyone still feeling antsy, 24hour corp-team riders confuse the solo riders sense of pace.

Baloh - Robic - CSM at first TS

This is just about what I expected. Baloh, just too antsy to let anyone up front, Team CSM (Chris MacDonald) will contiune to ride Robic's wheel.

Cant say what I think Trevino will do.

Chris MacDonald

So what is this RAAM racer hiding? Chris MacDonald has successfully entered and started RAAM completely "under the radar." Danny Chew has dismissed him as a pre-race also-ran.

This writer believes otherwise -- MacDonald hasn't come clean with all training exploits or abilities. Barring crew/equipment failure - watch for him to be challenging the race leader AFTER the Mississippi....... If you take a close at MacDonald - you'll find pure "pro-rider" ability ala J. Boyer type conditioning.

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/files/raam2005/2005_pics/2005_startline/sslide16.htm

RAAM - new record this year? NO way - brutal weather

After a review of the weather prospects, I predict a "boiler" for RAAM riders in the midwest - which will devastate any chance for a new RAAM avg. speed record. As lead riders hit Missouri they will be faced will Heat Indexes -approaching 100 degrees.

But hey, that's still four days away.....

Kish pre-race interview - some really good quotes

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Sports/Other/03SportsCYCLE061905.htm

Trevino talks of coming back - San Diego pre race

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20050617-9999-1s17raam.html