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SPONSORS 2005

Prescott, AZ, Day 2

 

Hello,

 

Day number two of the 2005 RAAM had some ups and downs. We left Time Station Number Four in Blythe, Arizona late in the evening; crossing quickly into the state of Arizona. Patrick rode strongly through the night along the shoulder of Interstate 10, followed closely by the support van. As dawn broke over the Arizona desert, we left the Interstate onto State Route 60 through Southern Arizona. This long, straight, hot, rode lead us into Time Station 5 in Hope, AZ. Patrick was very tired from having slept approximately 1.5 hours of the past 24 hours. He slept a little in the morning, then began a very hot, gruelling day of climbing : Leaving time station 5, a roadside sign read « You are now beyond Hope », which was an ominous start to the day.

 

Patrick began a long slow climb over lonely Arizona roads, straight and narrow; extending through some of the driest terrain in this country. After the morning was done, we emerged into the tiny town of Congress, AZ. Patrick rested again, ate a large meal, then rode on: Between Time Station 6 and 7, he was faced with one of the steepest ascent on the route, a ten mile 2000 foot wall. During this time, he became exhausted and overheated. With strong encouragements from the crew, he made it to the top.  After descending 1200 ft over 12 miles, another brutal ascent stood between him and Prescott, AZ, where the rest of the crew waited at Time Station 7. This climb was overwhelming, during the 110 degree heat. Patrick’s spirits were low, as he stopped many times to rest.  He rolled into Prescott at 8:45, tired and emotionally drained. This has been his most difficult moment since the start of the race. After a short rest, IV fluids, and massage, Patrick again saddled his bike.

 

He has begun his journey into the night, and for the first time he is filled with some of the uncertainty that all rookie RAAM riders experience. The team and Patrick have a large task to keep morale up, however Patrick’s strength of character is unmatched. At this time he is riding with vigour into the night. With a great deal more experience after overcoming this difficult day, it seems the sign outside of Hope AZ was wrong, we are not beyond Hope.

 

Rob