Tuesday, June 28, 2005

RAAM: The end is near ... for some

Jure Robic is less than 65 miles away from winning the men's solo division of Race Across America. He is expected to arrive in Atlantic City about 6:25 p.m. EDT today. He is about 200 miles ahead of the second-place cyclist, Christopher MacDonald.

For others, the end is a long way away. Mark Metcalfe, who is 13th place in the men's solo division, is about 600 miles behind Robic. Anna Catharina Berge, the only solo woman racer this year, has less than 575 miles left to Atlantic City.

Roger 0 comments 3:03 PM

Monday, June 27, 2005

RAAM: Another update

Congratulations to Beaver Creek Team-Vail, the first four-man team to finish Race Across America. The team arrived in Atlantic City, N.J., at 11:26 a.m. EDT today. Team Schaffhausen is about 110 miles behind the winners. Beaver Creek Team-Vail averaged 22.07 mph and finished the 3,052-mile course in five days, 18 hours and 15 seconds.

Meanwhile, men's solo leader Jure Robic arrived in Gormania, W.Va., at 12:37 p.m. EDT today, maintaining his huge lead over Fabio Biasiolo, who arrived in Athens, Ohio, at 11:15 a.m. EDT.
How big is Robic's lead after more than eight days of racing? About 180 miles.

One male competitor and one two-man team have not passed through the St. Louis region yet, but you have to give them lots of credit for sticking with it despite the heat and humidity.

For more information about the race, visit RAAM's Web site.

Roger 1 comments 12:26 PM

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Another Race Across America update

The only women's solo racer in this year's Race Across American, Anna Catharina Berge, is in the St. Louis area at the time of this update. She arrived in Marthasville, Mo., at 9:28 a.m. CDT today. She is expected to arrive at the Mississippi Rive near Alton, Ill., about 3:27 p.m., and she's expected to arrive in Greenville, Ill., about 7:27 p.m.

Jure Robic, the solo men's leader, arrived in London, Ohio, at 11:54 a.m. EDT today, and he's expected to enter West Virginia sometime tonight. Of the 14 men still in the solo race, nine of them are either passing through the St. Louis region now or have yet to enter the region.

Team Beaver Creek-Vail, the leading men's four-man team, arrived in Smithburg, W.Va., at 12:15 p.m. EDT.

You have to give lots of credit to these men and women in the race, but you have to give a lot of credit to the volunteers who man the timing stations because they spend lots of hours waiting for the racers to pass through.

Roger 0 comments 12:50 PM

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Race Across America update

Jure Robic, the leader of the men's solo division of Race Across America, has put the St. Louis area well behind him, but there are still plenty of riders who are a long way from getting to the St. Louis region.

Robic passed through Marthasville, Mo., at 7:40 p.m. CDT, he arrived at the Mississippi River at Alton, Ill., at 3:15 a.m. today, and he blew threw Greenville, Ill., at 6:27 a.m. Second-place male Mike Trevino made it into Marthasville at 7:05 a.m. today. He is expected to reach the Mississippi about 12:08 p.m. and Greenville about 3:30 p.m.

Team Beaver Creek-Vail, the leading four-man team, went through Marthasville at 4:01 a.m., crossed the Mississippi at 7:24 a.m. and passed through Greenville at 9:41 a.m.

Anna Catharina Berge, the only female solo rider, passed through Fort Scott, Kan., at 10:02 a.m. today. She is expected to make it to Marthasville at 7:21 a.m. Sunday, the Mississippi at 1:16 p.m. Sunday and Greenville at 5:13 p.m. Sunday.

When the riders reach the Mississippi, they have gone 2,012 miles, and they still have 1,037 miles left to Atlantic City, N.J.

Roger 0 comments 11:07 AM

Friday, June 24, 2005

Race Across America approaches St. Louis

8 P.M. UPDATE: Despite the death of Dr. Bob Breedlove on Thursday, the Race Across America goes on -- which I'm sure is the way he would have wanted it.

According to the RAAM Web site, Jure Robic, the leader of the men's race, arrived at Marthasville, Mo., about 7:40 p.m. CDT today, and he is expected to arrive at the Mississippi River at Alton, Ill., about 12:18 a.m. Saturday and Greenville, Ill., about 3:20 a.m. The second-place cyclist, Mike Trevino, is expected to arrive in Marthasville about 6:11 a.m. Saturday, the Mississippi about 11:13 a.m. and Greenville about 2:30 p.m.

The first-place four-man team, Team Beaver Creek-Vail, is expected to arrive in Marthasville about 3:19 a.m. Saturday, the Mississippi River about 6:17 a.m. and Greenville about 8:15 a.m.

The individual leader's time may be close to accurate because RAAM has done estimated times for Robic through Putnamville, Ind. The team leader's time also may be close to accurate because RAAM has done estimated times for Team Beaver Creek-Vail up toEffingham, Ill. If you visit RAAM's Web site, keep in mind that all times listed are Eastern Daylight Time, since that is the official time used by the race.

Too bad that the RAAM riders are going to be subjected to some of the worst heat, humidity and air quality the St. Louis area has to offer.

Roger 0 comments 8:00 PM

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Tragedy at Race Across America

Race Across America participant Dr. Bob Breedlove, 53, died Thursday when he was struck head-on by a pickup truck near Trinidad, Colo. According to the driver of the truck, Breedlove appeared to collapse on his bicycle and swerved into the truck. At the time, he was leading the 50+ age group in the solo male competition.

Breedlove, who lived in Des Moines, Iowa, attended Illinois State University, the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the University of Missouri School of Medicine Orthopaedic Residency Program.

For more information, visit RAAM's Web site or the Des Moines Register.

Roger 0 comments 7:19 PM

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Race Across America

The Race Across America ultramarathon event will be passing through the St. Louis area this week.

According to the event's Web site, http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/, the solo riders are expected to start arriving about 2:15 p.m. Friday in Marthasville, Mo.; about 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Mississippi River in Alton, Ill.; and about 11 p.m. Friday in Greenville, Ill. The team riders are expected to start arriving about 6:30 a.m. Saturday in Marthasville, 10 a.m. Saturday at the Mississippi River and about 12:20 p.m. Saturday in Greenville.

The event started Sunday in San Diego. As of Wednesday afternoon, Jure Robic was leading the men's solo race, having passed Kim, Colo., which is near the Kansas border. Anna Berge is the only solo woman in this year's race.

If you try to see the event, don't expect to see a huge peloton. The ultramarathon cyclists will be spread out over hundreds of miles. Ultramarathon cycling's not for me, but you have to give these people credit for having the courage to ride so many miles in so little time with so little sleep.

Roger 0 comments 1:06 PM

Monday, June 13, 2005

BRAN: Two days later

BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- Forty-eight hours after the end of the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska, I must say I'm still feeling the effects of the challenge.

I probably won't touch my bike again until Wednesday, when the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society rides in Smithton. It's also at the shop getting new bearings for the front hub. A horrible noise started emanating from the hub during Friday's ride, but a mechanic who helped support the ride said I could survive the rest of the ride with the hub.

As I have said several times over the past week, the hospitality of the host towns along the BRAN route really amazed me. Lots of friendly people representing civic and church groups fed us lots of great food at a reasonable price. Probably the best of the ride came Friday night at Holy Family Catholic Church in Brainard. There was plenty of roast beef, casseroles and salads prepared by members of the church, all at the reasonable price of $6!

It was difficult to choose the best host town, but I cast my vote for Arthur. Overall, I thought Arnold was the best host town because of the numerous food options -- including homemade ice cream -- and the shuttle to the scenic Devil's Den Canyon. But I voted for Arthur because the town did a great job for its size. The town has only about 145 people, and it is the only town in a county with fewer than 450 people. With limited resources, I thought the town did an exceptional job handling more than 700 riders and BRAN support staff.

My biking performance was about what I expected, considering I put in less training than what I would have preferred to have done before such a challenging ride. I would have preferred to have done all 525 miles, but I have to be happy with 485.

Headwinds made an already challenging route even more challenging. Even on Saturday, we had to contend with a strong crosswind that made the day a bit rougher. But the final seven miles to Waterloo were great because we had a nice tailwind on a flat stretch!

I do intend to do this ride again, but I don't know when. There's an awful lot of states and Canadian provinces I'd love to see. But when I go back, it will be because of the great scenery in the western part of Nebraska and, above all, the great people who live in the state.

Roger 0 comments 10:46 AM

Thursday, June 09, 2005

We love headwinds, don't we?

AURORA, Neb. -- Let's see.... We have completed five of the seven days of Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska. Three of the first five days have been dominated by headwinds.

It's not surprising that we were blasted with headwinds all day today as we traveled more than 70 miles southeast from Loup City to Aurora. Most people got pelted by heavy rain during the course of the day. Some people reported feeling light hail. Others had to be carried by support vans to safety because of lightning strikes close to the course.

But, back to the headwinds. Most of the weeklong bike rides I've been on have had their share of early birds, but this one has more than most. That's because people want to be on the roads before the wind makes a significant difference in their speed.

By Thursday afternoon, the wind was coming from the northeast at 25 to 30 mph. Unless you are blessed with great athletic talent, the only way you and your knees are going to survive a day like this is by spinning lower gears. Sure, the heart gets a workout, but it beats the heck out of blowing out your knees.

As of 7 p.m., I still saw baggage waiting for their owners sitting under the football field grandstands. It would not surprise me to see people still trying their best to finish the course by sunset. Unlike the bulk of weeklong rides I've done, BRAN lets you ride until sunset. Most rides do a sweep of the course in the neighborhood of 5 or 6 p.m.

I still am impressed with the hospitality of the people of Nebraska. The civic groups continue to knock themselves out to make us feel welcome with genuine friendliness and great food. While my legs will be glad to see this week end, my mind and heart will not. Congratulations, Nebraska, for living up to the state's reputation for warm, friendly people.

P.S.: The forecast for Friday calls for more wind and the possibility of thunderstorms. What a shock.

Roger 2 comments 7:13 PM

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

The Polish Capital of Nebraska

LOUP CITY, Neb. -- I dedicate my entire Wednesday to my good friend, Marie (Pawlowski) Calabrese. The reasons became obvious as the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska arrived in Loup City, the Polish Capital of Nebraska as proclaimed by former Gov. Jim Exon in 1971.

Loup City became the Polish Capital of Nebraska because the state of Nebraska put out ads in Poland and in Polish communities in the United States extolling the virtues of Nebraska.

Tonight's meal at the Loup City Community Center includes:

• Kielbasa i Slodka Cebula (Sweet Onion Polish Sausage)
• Klopsiki w Smietanie (Meatballs with Sour Cream)
• Pierogies (Pasta with a sweet filling)
• Ogurki z Smietana (Cucumber in Cream)
• Marchew z Maslem (Buttered Carrots)
• Jabka na Winie Czerwonym (Apples in Red Wine)
• Puczki (Pastry with fruit filling)

People asked me why I picked Nebraska as a site for a weeklong ride. I told them it was because of the people in the small towns along the way. For many of these towns, BRAN's arrival is the biggest thing that's happened in these towns in years, and the people have really put out the welcome mat for us!

On trips like this, I try to buy food from the civic groups because they are most deserving of my money. Among the things I've purchased on the road so far include a perfectly grilled pork chop made by the Arnold High School Boosters, Hungarian goulash made by a Catholic church in Arnold and some homemade ice cream.

These are among the reasons why BRAN is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. I would urge serious bicycle tourists to visit states like Nebraska, Kansas and other similar states because of the hospitality they will receive from people.

And by the way, the decision to cut Tuesday's ride short was smart. I rode 70.3 miles today. We got a little help from a tailwind. I only have about 200 miles left in my shock myself into cycling shape tour. I think I'm getting there.

Roger 0 comments 4:44 PM

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

The first three days of BRAN

ARNOLD, Neb. -- We have established at least four things so far on the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska:

1. Nebraska has lots of wind. Supposedly, the prevailing wind is from west to east, but we have yet to experience much of that yet.

2. Nebraska is not flat. Sure, the areas most people are familiar with fit that descriptions, but there is a reason why they call the region north of the North Platte River the Sandhills.

3. Nebraska is a beautiful state. Seeing the classic scenes of Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff were exciting, especially when you put yourself in the mindframe of the pioneers who saw those landmarks as they traveled the Oregon and Mormon trails. But the Sandhills were equally impressive with its green valleys and unusually shaped hills.

4. My cycling pretty much as gone as expected. The first day to Bridgeport went well. The second day, a 107-mile route from Bridgeport to Arthur, was tough. We had about 80 miles of headwinds. I didn't get done until nearly 8 p.m. MDT. My worst century ever. That pretty much killed me today because we were treated to headwind all day. I ran out of gas at 41 miles. I don't like sagging, but sometimes it's necessary. It was either sagging or having four miserable remaining days.

Roger 0 comments 7:16 PM

Saturday, June 04, 2005

Getting plenty of BRAN!

KIMBALL, Neb. -- Tonight, I join more than 600 other cyclists in getting ready for the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN).

I am concerned about this ride, not because of the organization or things like that. From what I've seen so far, it appears the organizers and volunteers have their act together.

No, it's my physical and mental condition for this ride. I didn't get the mileage I had hoped to in April and May to do this ride at the level I would have preferred. T-shirt orders and other issues related to the Tour de Stooges took up time I should have spent on the bike.

In addition to training concerns, I've had to deal with stresses at work and stresses with my finances. I often wondered while traveling from Belleville, Ill., to Waterloo, Neb., last night and from Waterloo to Kimball today whether I should even be here.

But I am here. And I must do the best I can on the bike.

At least one thing went right tonight: I got the chance to go to Mass on Saturday night at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kimball. Often, I don't get the chance to go to church before the start of a weeklong ride, and something is missing when I don't do that. Maybe this is a good sign of a good week to come.

P.S: Happy Birthday to my sister Teresa Parod up in Evanston, Ill. Teresa and her son, Julius, are getting ready for the XOBA ride in July in Ohio.

Roger 1 comments 7:42 PM