June 24th 2005

Montezuma, KS, Day 6

Hello Everyone,

The 2005 RAAM continues on for Patrick Autissier. Over the past 48 hours, the race has worked it’s way through the beautiful state of Colorado and has been full of challenges for Patrick. After making the first quarter RAAM cut-off time in Aneth, UT, the team crossed into Colorado with a first stop in the tiny town of Cortez, CO. The team watched a spectacular sunrise over the majestic Ute Mountain, before descending to Time Station 14. After a short break, he began another long steady climb through the San Juan Skyway into the heart of the Rocky Mountains, eventually emerging into Time Station 15 in Durango, CO.

While eating in a small Durango park, several people gathered around the support vehicles to ask questions about the race and Patrick’s fund raising efforts. This prompted Deb (team masseuse), Steve (our cameraman) and Herve, (computer guru), to design a business card with Patrick’s name and website, which was printed for free by the good folks at Office Max in Durango. Now, when curious people gather around Patrick and the race vehicles, the team distributes the information.

The next stage wove through the high plains of the Rocky Mountains to Time Station 16, Pagosa Springs, CO, which Patrick handled with good spirits and strength. However, the many hours on the bike had began to wear him. In addition to exhaustion and fatigue, he began to develop saddle sores from the constant pressure and friction of the bicycle seat. This caused him severe pain worsening with each pedal. After many adjustments to his gear, and preventative medical treatments, the pain persists, and a shadow of doubt to his ability to complete this race.

Upon departing from Pagosa Springs, worn, tired and riding with pain, Patrick faced the mammoth climb up to the top of Wolf Creek Pass. At 10,857 feet, this is the highest point on the RAAM route. He set out on the cold evening of June 22, and climbed slowly into the night. He struggled his way to the top and reached the cold, snow capped summit around 3:00AM and immediately descended into the town of South Fork, CO at Time Station 17. Exhausted and very cold, Patrick slept for two hours before starting out again on another painful day of riding.

The route between Time Stations 17 and 18 descended from the high peaks into the San Juan Valley, but remained above 7,500 feet. Following along the Rio Grande, Patrick struggled through another painful day, with worsening of his saddle sores. The pain and fatigue at this point had caused him to drop off of his pace, and again raise doubt about his ability to make the RAAM cut-off time at the half way point. At this point, Oliver (Patrick’s long time triathlon training partner and Doctor of Exercise Physiology) redesigned the pace strategy with precise destination goals and rest schedule.

Although his slow pace was concerning, Patrick was not alone in the standings. Fellow rookie rider Thomas Rodgers from Arlington, TX, and Veterans Rob Kish from Port Orange, FL and Karl Traunmueller from Horsching, Austria, were all grouped together, with some other riders dropping off pace.

Through the afternoon and evening on June 23^rd, Patrick climbed over the final two high mountain passes on the RAAM route. He steadily ascended up and over La Veta pass at elevation of 9,413 feet to arrive at Time Station 19. Then quickly went through the beautiful Cuchara Pass at 9,941 feet to arrive Time Station 20 in Trinidad, CO at the foot of the Rocky mountains. After another one hour nap, he rode into the night over the long flat Eastern Colorado grasslands.

Throughout the night, Patrick suffered tremendously from his worsening saddle sores. After multiple equipment adjustments by Joel (fellow distance bicyclist friend and team mechanic), the ultimate solution was a thick additional seat padding, shaped in the form of a doughnut. He managed to trudge overnight into the morning encouraged by Corinne (team Mom and logistical support person) and Jerome (Sports Ethnology professor and team comic relief).

As of the morning of June 24, Patrick was faced with miles of flat, brutally boring cattle grazing land of Kansas. With 250 miles to cover in less than 23 hours until the RAAM time cut, Patrick is battling bravely onward. However, a heat wave has hit the Midwest, and his injuries continuing to impede his progress. It is a long way left to Atlantic City and the Team’s ultimate goal of riding on the Boardwalk, but optimism is on our side!

Rob

Latest Update, Sept 15th, 2007

patrickautissier.org