Stacey:
Stacey driving the RV1) What was the most fun part of the trip for you? Getting to REALLY know so many new people (support crew and riders) was awesome! Driving across country twice (on the way out and on the way back). Seeing the Milky Way! Feeling like I made a difference and helped a larger entity accomplish a goal they set out to do and coming in 4th place. Meeting my personal goals and overcoming fears and stepping outside my comfort zone to help others!
2) What was the hardest part of RAAM? I do not think any of us really anticipated the serious effects of sleep deprivation. Some people just require more sleep than others. All of my driving shifts were scheduled at night and my sleep shifts during the day. It became clear to me pretty early in the trip that I could not do it, so thankfully Fabio switched with me partway through the trip. I had a husband riding and left two kids at home. Thanks Dad and Mom…I could not have done it without you! Thanks also to our friends and family who supported us the entire time before, during and after the race. Thanks Uhl’s!!! Thanks Krista!!! The support was what kept us going!
3) What was the easiest part for you? Driving the RV, which was something I was afraid to do prior to RAAM, was easier than I expected. All of our training, meetings, e-mails, phone conferences and dry runs helped us prepare and do the best we could given the unforeseeable circumstances we encountered. Once we got into our routine I felt very comfortable and trusted my teammates. I learned a lot on this endeavor…about others and myself.
Stacey in white AFC tshirt in middle4) What was your most memorable experience of the trip? Meeting United 8 and cheering them on at the finish! Being part of the team that worked to pass them on day 5. Meeting strangers along the way who donated money to our cause. Finishing ahead of schedule and getting 4th place in our team division!
5) What was your favorite/least favorite food? Favorite food…breakfast burrito During the last few days I couldn’t eat anything and wound up loosing 8 pounds! The RAAM Diet!
6) Would you ever ride or crew again? Yes, I feel it was an honor to be on the AFC team. I felt appreciated and inspired by Pat and Adam everyday! They are amazing riders and people!
7) Any suggestions or ideas to help make the trip run more smoothly next time around? We never anticipated that there would be times the RV could only go 30-45 miles an hour therefore getting to our switch out location was tricky on back country (two lane roads) in the middle of the night. This was further complicated at the beginning of the race where there was a no passing area, soft shoulder and many, many teams to pass. We need to find as many good 6 hours switch out locations (with gas, food etc.) as possible along the route and take more off route interstates. I personally believe if we did RV training then we could all be ready to cook, wash dishes and clothes it would go more smoothly.
8) Any other comments/suggestions? Re work the schedule to get in more sleep. If money were not an issue a separate media car for video taking, blogging, etc would be nice.
The trailer has its positives and its negative however it was limiting to us because it made the 30-foot RV harder to drive and navigate on the RAAM Route. We should work on making sure there is more stopped RV time so we can get in as much sleep as time allows!
8) Any other comments/suggestions? Re work the schedule to get in more sleep. If money were not an issue a separate media car for video taking, blogging, etc would be nice.
The trailer has its positives and its negative however it was limiting to us because it made the 30-foot RV harder to drive and navigate on the RAAM Route. We should work on making sure there is more stopped RV time so we can get in as much sleep as time allows!
Madio:
Almost all of it. My mantra- "I refuse to not have fun!" Meeting the Brits, seeing them along the way, waiting for them at the end. Supporting KAL and PAD. Buying the Assos chamois cream and the AsMaster Cream at Durango Cyclery. Getting into people's heads and figuring out how to make them feel better, whether it was food or needing a nap or simply needing to vent. I loved it.
2) What was the hardest part of RAAM?
The sleep deprivation. Too many phone calls with the same questions being asked over and over again and not being able to respond to what they were asking for as we were already doing all we could. I hate not being able to do something I'm asked to do.
3) What was the easiest part for you?
Having fun. Supporting the cyclists. Sleeping on my shift in the back of the RV. Eating Momma D's food.
Having fun. Supporting the cyclists. Sleeping on my shift in the back of the RV. Eating Momma D's food.
4) What was your most memorable experience of the trip?
Climbing up Red River Pass listening to techno music with Goat and encouraging Keith (and apologizing to the people of Red River).
Climbing up Red River Pass listening to techno music with Goat and encouraging Keith (and apologizing to the people of Red River).
5) What was your favorite/least favorite food?
The spaghetti was especially yummy as were the tacos. Starbucks doubleshots and RV coffee, ummmmmm.
The spaghetti was especially yummy as were the tacos. Starbucks doubleshots and RV coffee, ummmmmm.
Madio cooling alex off after he just got done biking!6) Would you ever ride or crew again?
I would love to crew or ride if I were a single person, but I have a husband and 3 kids to consider.
I think an 8-person team would be a blast to ride with. On fixies obviously. Then again, screaming down some of those hills at 50 or 60 mph would be kinda fun. (I never claimed to be sane.)
I would love to crew or ride if I were a single person, but I have a husband and 3 kids to consider.
I think an 8-person team would be a blast to ride with. On fixies obviously. Then again, screaming down some of those hills at 50 or 60 mph would be kinda fun. (I never claimed to be sane.)
7) Any suggestions or ideas to help make the trip run more smoothly next time around?
1) Role clarity and clearer expectations set ahead of time-as in we might have specialties, but everyone has to be willing to do everything whenever it's needed.
2) I think beds should be permanently assigned and if people want to switch, that should be between those individuals assigned to those beds.
8. Any other comments/suggestions?
The planning and organization done for this trip was key to our success. Ed did an amazing job of looking at the big picture ahead of time and drawing the talents out of the knowledgeable team members who then took their individuals jobs and ran with them. Fabio and Stacey organized the heck out the RV and trailer. Weezal did a heck of a lot with the route stuff. And we knew where our can opener was at all times... ;-) Seriously.
1) Role clarity and clearer expectations set ahead of time-as in we might have specialties, but everyone has to be willing to do everything whenever it's needed.
2) I think beds should be permanently assigned and if people want to switch, that should be between those individuals assigned to those beds.
8. Any other comments/suggestions?
The planning and organization done for this trip was key to our success. Ed did an amazing job of looking at the big picture ahead of time and drawing the talents out of the knowledgeable team members who then took their individuals jobs and ran with them. Fabio and Stacey organized the heck out the RV and trailer. Weezal did a heck of a lot with the route stuff. And we knew where our can opener was at all times... ;-) Seriously.
