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LIVE UPDATE WILL START JUNE 15TH...

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Boston, June 13th, 2009 (Day - 4)

 

I will be flying out to California tomorrow morning, so it’s the last time I have a chance to update my website. Starting tomorrow, you will be able to follow our progress daily by clicking on the different links below. It’s pretty straightforward and as you can see, we’ll try to post daily a newsletter, photos, data table, maybe some videos, and the RAAM organization will have all the information per Time Station.

 

I hope you’ll enjoy the race as much as I will, and don’t forget to make a donation to Partners In Health or Nashoba Learning Group.

 

Talk to you soon from Oceanside, CA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMMUNE RESPONSE DURING PHYSICAL EXHAUSTION
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Boston, June 13th, 2009 (Day - 4)

Finally, I’ll be able to do the scientific study that I couldn’t do in 2007. The idea is to measure the immune cells during an extreme stress, both physical and mental. Very few, if any, sporting challenges around the world can top solo RAAM. A solo rider usually must stay on the bike for at least 20 hours per day, sleeps no more than 2 hours per day, has to endure brutal change of temperature, hallucinations and delusional thoughts, must eat a minimum of 10,000 calories, climbs the equivalent of 4 Mount Everest during the race. On top of the huge physical challenge, the stress level  goes even higher, due to hazard road conditions like potholes, 18-wheeler trucks, animals crossing the road (it happened to me in 2007 and I almost went down!). Finally, the prospect of not finishing the race haunts each rider. Solo RAAM is conceived to test the absolute limit of an individual, both physically and mentally.

 

You’ll have a glimpse of my immune status, as well as some blood parameters during the race. My doctor will draw blood on Day 0, 1, 5, 7 and 8 of the race and will send the specimen to my lab at Boston College and my former lab at Beth Israel Hospital. Boston College will perform complex flow cytometry study that will not be available during the race. However, Beth Israel will do a CBC (Cell Blood Count) and the data will be posted on my website, along with a table giving daily the amount of sleep, time on the bike, time off the bike, etc...I have already collected data before the start, and I’ll do the same after the race during the recovery period.

 

 

Please take a look at the pre-race time-point   

 

  

 

 

 

 

No one has ever done this kind of study and I thought stupidly that I should do it myself. Oh well!

 

 

 

RAAM: ALPINE STYLE OR BIG EXPEDITION ?
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Boston, June 8th, 2009 (Day - 10)

One of my other passion is the mountaineering world. Since many years, I have been reading lots of books about big mountains like Everest, K2, Lhotse. And historically, there has been two ways to climb those big hills: Alpine style where you are basically by yourself, no sherpas, no O2, just you and the mountains. Some would say it's the purest challenge, but of course it's reserved to a very small elite of high-altitude mountaineers, like Messner, Lafaille or Viesturs. The other way, which is now mainly used on Everest is the big expedition style. Here you're part of a commercial expedition led by an experienced guide that provides basically everything, from food to sherpas to 4-star base camp, so that you just have to focus on your goal of climbing the hill. Although it makes things easier and safer, YOU still have to go up there using your own power. It's a huge accomplishment if you can summit Everest, and I'm so happy and proud that Pr. Paul Robinson, one of my best supporter in the cytometry world, did it...and came back as he say with his 10 toes and 10 fingers! Paul, I really hope to see you at the Time Station #38.

On RAAM, the alpine style would be 4 crew members (or sherpas!) and 2 vehicles! That's the minimum that the RAAM organization requires for a solo rider. However now most solo riders have about 10-12 crew members, 1 RV and 1 or 2 other vehicles, which would correspond to the big expedition style. Due to budget constraint, I will have 7 crew members and 2 vehicles (1 mini van and 1 12-passenger van). I won't have any RV, motels will be very limited along the route. That would place us on the low-end of a big expedition. And that's fine, because as I learned over the years, you want to avoid "luxury" when doing solo RAAM. After 10 hours on the bike, you crave for a nice place to stop like an RV, having a good meal, lay down on a bed. BUT because of that luxury, you don't want to go back on the bike. So you're losing big time! I know because I've been there and done that in 2005. This year I'll try to minimize my time off the bike and certainly there will not be luxury waiting for me when I'll stop. Hopefully I'll get back  on the bike in no time, while the other solo riders will enjoy their RVs ;-).                                                                                                   



Reminder: The fundraising event is tomorrow June 9th at 6:30PM, Boston College, Devlin Hall. The event is free. 100% of the donations (no % for Firstgiving fees) will go directly to Partners In Health and Nashoba Learning Group. The movie Bicycle Dreams is great, you'll love it whether you're a cyclist or not, and DVDs of the movie will be on sale ($20). Please come!

Finally, There was an article in the Boston Herald last Sunday. You can read it here.

 

 

MAKING ROOM FOR AUTISM: NASHOBA LEARNING GROUP (NLG)

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Boston, June 3rd, 2009 (Day - 15)

 

My 2 children Estelle and Damien are what people would consider as “normal” kids, living life at full-speed (maybe too fast for their parents!), going to public schools, being part of a soccer team or a swim team, and enjoying the time with their friends. In short, they are very healthy kids and enjoy life to the fullest, which makes my wife and I so happy. However, sometimes when we see a disabled child, as parents we can’t help but wonder what IF...

 

I have known of Nashoba Learning Group for several years now through one of my best friends, John McClellan, whose wife Liz created NLG in 2003. I went to the opening of her new school in Bedford, MA last year and saw all these kids and their parents. At first, I felt a little awkward and strange because I can’t even imagine what they are going through on a daily basis. But then I realized that I don’t have to share their pain and difficulties. What they want and need is help!  And this RAAM project is simply about helping people.

 

Please click on the picture and watch a 10’ video about NLG and read an article about NLG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUNDRAISING EVENT, JUNE 9TH AT BOSTON COLLEGE

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Boston, May 28th, 2009 (Day - 18)

 

I am very excited to announce that there will be a fundraising event at Boston College, just 1 week prior to the start of the race. Thanks to Film Director Stephen Auerbach, I have the great opportunity to do a special screening of his movie “Bicycle Dreams” here in Boston, MA. That’s probably going to be THE only chance to watch the movie on a big screen in the Boston area. Don’t miss it!

 

Nothing is fake in Bicycle Dreams. Real people, real emotions, real drama make this movie very special, whether you’re a cyclist...or not!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information are posted on the Contact / Event webpage

 

 

CYTEK, NEW SPONSOR

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Boston, May 28th, 2009 (Day - 18)

 

Cytek is a very-well known company in the cytometry world. They design, build and support upgrades for flow cytometers since 20 years. They have been supporting me in 2007, and I’m very pleased that they are renewing again their support this year. I’m looking forward to participating in the Race Across America under their colors, and I’ll be more than happy to meet them at the next ISAC meeting in Seattle, WA next year.

 

Please visit Cytek website for more information about the company.

 

 

AMERICAN DOCTOR’S CHARITY SAVES LIVES AROUND THE WORLD

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Boston, May 20th, 2009 (Day - 26)

 

I will race across America in less than 30 days for 2 charities: one of them is Partners In Health. Four years ago, a friend of mine at my former lab told me about PIH and the incredible work that they do for the poor people in several countries. Then, I read the book "Mountains beyond mountains" by Tracy Kidder who got the Pulitzer prize. This book tells the story and achievements of Partners In Health and their founders  Paul Farmer, Ophelia Dahl, Thomas J. White and Jim Yong Kim. 

 

One of their leading and oldest program is in Haiti. But the task that PIH is facing is huge because, despite recent improvements in some areas, Haiti continues to be the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. I could tell you that 54 percent of Haitians live on less than US$1 a day and 78 percent on less than US$2 a day, or that life expectancy at birth is 60 years (Source: World Bank), these numbers, although terrifying, are just numbers and do not tell the story of the human beings behind them.

 

Better than words, I urge you to watch the interview of Dr Paul Farmer, and watch it until the very end. It will take only 10 minutes of your time, and if you decide to make a donation, in the end your gift can save several lives. Plain and simple!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOSTON COLLEGE BIOLOGIST GETTING READY FOR A LONG (3,000 MILES) HAUL

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Boston, May 20th, 2009 (Day - 26)

 

Patrick Autissier, a researcher in the Biology Department, will compete next month among an elite group of ultra cyclists in Race Across America

By Ed Hayward | Chronicle Staff

 

Exhaustion. Dehydration. Hallucinations. Such signs at the end of the academic year might suggest the need for a vacation more>>

 

 

TRAINING NEWS

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Boston, May 11th, 2009 (Day - 35)

 

Training is going very well. I usually ride around 20 - 25 hours per week. I do short rides (2 - 3 hours) early in the morning during the week and longer ride (5 - 7 hours) in the weekend. Last Saturday, I participated in a 200 K ride organized by the New England Randonneurs. It was a very hilly ride going up to New Hampshire, and despite the rain, tons of potholes thanks to a very bad winter here in New England, I managed, along with 3 others cyclists to complete it in 6:38, averaging 19.2mph. When I looked back, it took me 7:23 in 2007 and...8:13 in 2005, the 2 years I did the solo RAAM. So what these numbers tell me is that at least my training goes into the right direction. Of course, solo RAAM is 15 times 200K on top of each other...with barely any rest in between. However, it seems like, as for a good wine, I'm getting better as I get older. After all, maybe there is some truth in that 50 is the new 30.

 

 

GOOD LUCK PAUL!

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Boston, May 11th, 2009 (Day - 35)

On another note, maybe you've seen on my bio that I am a Flow Cytometry Specialist, and you're wondering: "what the heck is this guy doing???". Well, if you go to wikipedia, you'll know more about this technique which has applications in research fields as diverse as immunology, marine biology or molecular biology. Our society is called ISAC (International Society of Analytical Cytology) and I'm very proud to be a member of this family. My RAAM project have been supported over the years by many ISAC members, as well as several companies working in the cytometry field. However, one individual gave me an incredible support, by helping me finding sponsorship, allowing me to present my project during the ISAC congress in Quebec City in 2006, and convincing people to make a donation to my charities. He is the former President of ISAC and his name is Pr. Paul Robinson. If you think I'm nuts, well you don't know Paul. As I write this newsletter, he is resting at Everest Base Camp, waiting to hear from Russell Brice, the expedition leader, that it's time to pack and leave for the summit. It must be an exciting but also a very scary call. I wish him the best of luck for the summit and I'm looking forward to meeting with him at the Time Station 38 near Indianapolis.

 

 

TV5MONDE, NEW SPONSOR

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Boston, May 4th, 2009 (Day - 43)

 

TV5MONDE, the only French language TV broadcasted worldwide 24/7...and without commercial interruptions, is sponsoring Patrick, as it did in 2005. “It’s a fascinating project, both athletically and humanly, said Patrice Courtaban, CEO of TV5MONDE USA. TV5MONDE is proud to sponsor Patrick and will help him spread the word about the charities that he supports and this absolutely crazy bike race across a continent.”

 

Please visit TV5MONDE website if you ever want to know more about the French language, culture, cuisine and its people.

 

 

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: BICYCLE DREAMS

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Boston, May 4th, 2009 (Day - 43)

 

And the winner is…...Bicycle Dreams by Stephen Auerbach! It’s a great satisfaction to see that Stephen Auerbach’s talent to tell the incredible story of RAAM 2005 has been rewarded, even by a “small” film festival. Every opportunity to show to people this fantastic race and its participants, from the riders to the crew people, to the volunteers and the race organization, is a great thing.

 

If you live in or near Hoboken, NJ or Breckenridge, CO, I encourage you to go watch the movie on June 2th and June 12th respectively. Information about tickets and schedule can be found at www.bicycledreamsmovie.com  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BICYCLE DREAMS, A FILM BY STEPHEN AUERBACH

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Boston, April 20th, 2009 (day - 58)

 

In 2005 during my first solo RAAM attempt, I had a fantastic videographer in my crew, Steve Todey. He shot hours of footages of the great American landscape and documented my personal RAAM story which sadly came to an end somewhere in Kansas. Later on, Film Director Stephen Auerbach, decided to include some of the footages in his documentary. It took him a while to complete the film of the 2005 RAAM, but in the end, the story of the race is timeless and on April 25th the film will have its world premiere at the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival.

 

I encourage the people who live nearby to go watch the movie (click on the picture for ticket info), not because I’m one of the characters of the film (although it’s kind of cool!), but because it will show you that the human will and power of desire has absolutely no limits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A WORD OF SUPPORT

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Boston, April 8th, 2009 (day - 70)

 

It is with great pleasure that the Consulate General of France in Boston and myself renew our support to your project “Race Across America” in favor of two wonderful charitable organizations: Partners In Health and Nashoba Learning Group more...

 

 

 

HERE WE GO AGAIN…

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Boston, March 22nd, 2009 (day - 85)

 

Yes, I’m doing it all over again. This race is completely crazy, and one has to be a little “disturbed” to keep punishing himself and his body during 12 long days. However, RAAM is 100% addictive and once you taste it, it’s already too late. RAAM has been an extraordinary journey for me for the last 4 years, and I think it’s time for me to move on and do other things. But before closing the book, I want to race one last time next June as a solo rider and try to do the best I possibly can. You’ll find on this website a lot of information about the fundraising effort for Partners In Health and Nashoba Learning Group, the RAAM route and the scientific studies that we’re going to conduct with Boston College Psychology and Biology. In the next weeks, more information will be posted.

 

For starters, check this video out. It’ll give you a glimpse of what RAAM is all about…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s my  hope that you will find this project interesting and will support it, either as a donor, sponsor or supporter.

 

Best always,

 

Patrick 

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF SOLO RAAM 2007

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Sept 15th, 2007

 

As promised, I will try to tell you what occurred during this insane race. The race report is relatively long, but it took me only 13 minutes to read it. If one compares with the 12 days that took me to cross the USA on a bike, I think that it is a good bargain for you. Moreover, with all that it occurred during these 12 days, I could easily have written a book of 300 pages. So now, it is your turn. Attention, 3... 2... 1... 0!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATLANTIC CITY IN THE END

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Boardwalk, June 23rd 2007

 

YES! Patrick did it…..with only 10 minutes to spare. It’s called time calculation on a top level. Now he is one of only 153 men around the world to have officially finished solo RAAM since 1982. When you know that 2,249 climbers have summitted Everest, being a solo RAAM finisher sounds pretty cool, isn’t it?

 

In the next weeks, the website will be updated with photos, short video and Patrick’s summary of his race.

 

To conclude, Patrick was right in his welcome message on this homepage:

 

THE THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM!

 

Thank you all for your support