RAAM 2008 - Solo Racer Doug Levy

Pics!

icebrrrg — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:59:40 +0000

The last of the pictures are being uploaded now. The blog will be turned over to Doug and Carol, so hopefully they will have some post-race wisdom to share with the internets!

Meanwhile, 3,000 Miles Later …

icebrrrg — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:51:27 +0000

He did it. We all did it. Last night, after just over 11 days, Doug Levy rode in to the 2008 RAAM finish line. He became one of less than 200 men and women who have successfully pedaled solo across America. He dismounted and posed for a few hundred photographs. He even had the wherewithal to stand up in front of the sea of normal people (and fans in neon green t-shirts) and tell people about hsi journey, and why he did it (raising money for CCI, link to the right).

Doug said he was just a normal guy who was glad he was able to do something extraodinary. We say, there’s nothing normal about you Doug, you’re a superman. You’re a hero. You’re a “world class athlete,” in the words of his Crew Chief. You spent 11 days on a bicycle, climbing mountains, outlasting headwinds, surviving deserts and dodging rain. You snuck food from your crew to fill your belly, when you couldn’t stand another bottle of calories (yes, we saw you! ). You did good, bub.

So there was a celebration at the final checkpoint, and at the finish line, and the one at the hotel outlasted many a tired crewmember. We were celebrating Doug’s achievements, we were celebrating all of the riders and crew, and the fact that we had come home safely. And I think we were also celebrating the fact that we could now sleep in a real-sized bed, that didn’t move, for more than 90 minutes!

180 Miles to Go

icebrrrg — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:38:36 +0000

We’re bedded down in a Sheetz parking lot in Hancock, MD, letting Doug rest before the final push to Annapolis. This may be the last post from the road, as we’ll have our hands full getting those last miles out of Doug.

Jeff has just finished washing and detailing the Specialized Roubaix, so it will be nice and shiny for the paparazzi that are sure to descend upon him at the finish. We’re constantly looking for new ways to motivate him to get through each additional mile, and a clean bike is one … we’ve also brought his best friend Peter in for the last two days, to provide some inspiration over the PA system. Jeff also found a new mascot, a small plastic leopard named China who has opted to become a pirate. Arr!

The crew and racer are all looking forward to baths (China got a bath!), and to being able to sleep on a non-mobile bed!

Come out to Annapolis to join us if you can, so we can bring Doug home in style. See you there!

Indiana, Ohio … and Beyond!

icebrrrg — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:18:59 +0000

Doug bedded down this morning in Indiana before dawn, after a rough night. 90 minutes of shuteye later (with the additional morning rituals of pushing liquids into his hand to drink, vitamins, pep-talk and toothpaste) he was refreshed and ready to ride through Indiana and into West Virginia.

He looks incredible out there today. There were some good climbs that got him excited to be on his bike in the beautiful weather, some amazing countryside to see once the sun came up (including an absolutely gorgeous winding country lane called “St. Mary” outside of Hamilton IN), and lots of yummy bottles of HEED to eat. Right now we’re outside of Time Station 42; he should roll in (and we’ll do a shift change) any minute.

Doug had some added incentive today, in that Canine Companions for Independence folks were out in force. At multiple time stops in IN, and at a park in Hamilton, they brought out their pups to inspire him and remind us all why he’s riding. The pups were happy to lick his face — apparently salty sweat is tasty. Thank you so much to all those who were here to give him some pep!

Doug is going to ROCK in WV. He’s ridden those mountains before as part of his training, and climbing is totally his element. The miles will fly by. So come out to cheer him on as he moves through WV, PA and MD!

Our Sincerest Apologies

jeffgoelz — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:40:07 +0000

Our Sincerest Apologies

Recently, information on our site was posted that was irresponsible and unsubstantiated. The nature of ‘blogs and exhaustion on our crew has muddied our judgment a bit. What was intended to be playful banter turned out to be scathing accusations, and that was not the poster’s intent.

We have nothing but the utmost respect for Arvid Loewen and his crew, his competition adds excitement and motivation for Doug and this crew.

We hope to see Mr. Loewen and his crew throughout this event so we can personally apologize. This post was not the opinion of Levy Racing, the crew or anyone involved with Doug Levy. It was an unfortunate lack of judgment, and this apology is also extended to the RAAM staff and anyone who follows this blog.

Thank You,

Jeffrey T. Goelz

Crew Chief, Levy Racing.

I Would Ride 2000 Miles

icebrrrg — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:03:52 +0000

… and I would ride one thousand more …

Doug hit the 2,000 mile mark yesterday evening before dinner, and crossed the mighty Mississip a few hours after that. It’s hard to believe this epic adventure is winding down (if you can consider another 900 or more miles as of this morning “winding down”).

Doug has been playing cat and mouse with his chief rival, Arvid Loewen, all night. Loewen and Doug are vying for 1st in the 50-59 bracket, and Loewen passed Doug at the dinner stop last night.

We’re camped out in Walmart lot waiting for the roving crew and our intrepid rider (see America, Walmart by Walmart!) right now. A fellow Canine Companions for Independence raiser has just shown up with two of the cutest pups ever, Yogi and Tessie, to cheer Doug on. Pics coming, hopefully today!

Thanks for coming out to cheer, Vanessa!

Still in Kansas .. but not for long

icebrrrg — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:39:15 +0000

Doug rode through the night to time station 27, in El Dorado KS … but he was at his limit. Beth and Matt were on van crew, and after talking to Jeff and Carol and our nutritionist Steve, we decided that getting him 90 minutes of rest and a quick turnaround would better serve him (versus the cat-napping we had been trying).

It worked! After he got back on the road, he was trucking. He’s dicing it up with Loewen, his main competitor .. they’re each taking 1st place from the other, constantly. Doug’s scheduled for a shower and a meal this evening and then it’s a nice ride through Missouri all night!

The “off” crew is taking a brief rest in Fort Something-or-other. It’s scary, there’s no one on the streets. We’re thinking it’s going to turn into a zombie movie any time now. Brainssssss …

Mmm, Apple Pie

icebrrrg — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:28:14 +0000

We’ve secretly replaced Doug’s Apple Pie filling with Apple Cinnamon Hammer Gel … let’s see if he can tell the difference. Jeff: “Did you like them?” Doug: (sheepishly) “I did”.

Doug rolled into the parking lot here in the Pratt, KS McDonalds — owned and operated by Jolan and Steve Strecker, who open up their business serving free food to RAAM racers and crew every year! — about 30 minutes ago. He’s filled up on Coke, an Egg McMuffin and our special dessert. He’s resting now in the van … rest quick, Doug, because Lowen just pulled in now!

We’re (not?) in Kansas (anymore?)

icebrrrg — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:01:08 +0000

Picture three grown men furiously trying to kill an Igloo cooler with their feet so the flies will be scared off so we can bring it inside the RV. That’s the latest from the road.

Doug is moving through Kansas … we left Bucklin, KS less than an hour ago, and are headed to Pratt — where they are giving free MacDonald’s grub to the racers. Woo! Sorry Doug, no Big Mac, it has sesame seeds on the bun.

He’s still in first place as of 17:30 EST (in his age group) and if he averages over 13 miles in an hour to Missippi, he’ll beat the cut-off point and it will be smooth sailing to the finish. Remember, Doug loves to climb, to the WV mountains will be fun for him …

Keep posting up those comments, we read them to him and they’re great motivation!

New Mexico … Land of Enchantment

icebrrrg — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:50:14 +0000

Internetz is few and far between out here in the desert, so apologies for the lack of posts and pics. There’s fresh pics to look at now in the link on the right though!

Doug rolled into Taos, New Mexico early this morning (Day 4 of the race) after completing a total of 1044 miles. He climbed out of Arizona, through Utah, shot up the southern Rockies int Colorado, and dipped in and out of NM a few times. He’s still very strong, but he got a bit loopy when we topped 10,000 feet. Of course, Carol tells us he’s always a bit loopy, so no big change there.

We’ve been having some trouble getting him to eat … no one likes having to nag a grown man. But nag we shall, to keep him healthy!

Thanks for all of the posted comments / words of encouragement. We’re going to try to read some of them to him from the road!