Yates, KS, Day 7

 

Hello,

 

Days 5 and 6 of RAAM were filled with drama and suspense. Upon awaking from a brief sleep after the overnight ride through the Colorado grasslands, Patrick was faced with 250 miles to cover in 22 hours to reach the midpoint time cut in Mount Vernon, KS. Calculated out, he had to cover this distance at 11 mph, if he took no stops at all. In addition, he faced a stiff headwind as he mounted his bike on June 24^th.

 

The first stage from Walsh, CO to Time Station 23 in Ulysses, KS was very difficult. Exhausted from sleep deprivation and struggling with 90 degree heat, Patrick could barely keep his head up and eyes open while riding the bike. Barely 30 miles into the stage, he stopped for a 15 minute nap and had an IV placed. He responded well to the break, and increased his speed and alertness. Unfortunately, he was in need of another stop by the end of the stage.  The team was faced with the decision to let him stop and rest and jeopardize making the cut-off or pushing forward.  Ultimately, the team was able to urged him to keep on riding and continue to race to beat the deadline.

 

The head wind continued through the day’s second stage to Montezuma, KS. The long, flat straight route slice through the heart of the Kansas farm country. Patrick began to feel a re-aggravation of his tendonitis in the right calf. Approximately, half way through the stage, Patrick again needed to stop. After a quick massage, ice and ibuprofen, he was ready to return to the bike. Team members vigorously encouraged him to continue with haste toward the half way point in the race.

 

 From his moment on the side of the road, Patrick exploded forward. He logged mile after mile in great form. He passed through Times Station 24 in the early evening, then to Time Station 25 in Mullinville, KS around 1:00 AM. Patrick went directly to sleep for less then two hours, before awaking at 3:00AM to attempt to beat the RAAM deadline at 11:00 AM.

 

Exhausted on his bike in the early morning hours, he again needed a brief nap in the support vehicle at Time Station 26 in Pratt, KS. He awoke to attempt to complete the final stage just before dawn on June 25^th. The route was silent in these early morning hours, and Patrick fought valiantly to stay awake on his bike.

 

At 9:45 AM, just 1 hour and 15 minutes before the deadline, Patrick met the rest of the team at Tom’s Quick Stop near the Cheney Lake State Park in Mount Vernon, KS at Time Station 27 and the location of the deadline. Exhausted, Patrick had a full meal and was able to lie down for several hours to rest while the team, ecstatic with the accomplishment regrouped.

 

After waking from a brief sleep, Patrick remounted his bicycle, but his body was still fatigued, worn and longed for real sleep. Throughout the previous night while he pushed on to make the deadline, Patrick had become overwhelmed with concern with his own safety on the bicycle. He nearly fell asleep while riding several times on the lonely Kansas farm roads. In the wake of the recent tragic loss of fellow rider, the news of the tragic accident of RAAM rider Dr. Bob Breedlove, who was killed on his bicycle just two days ago, was very difficult for Patrick to digest. Dr. Breedlove and Patrick attended the same sleep deprivation seminar during the preparation for this year’s RAAM.  Patrick had serious concerns about his ability to stay awake and alert enough on the bike to avoid injury or worse.

 

During the next two stages between, Patrick struggled to forget the loss of his fellow rider and stay awake on his bike. He thought of his family and the effect that this race may have on them if a similar tragedy happened to him. Finally, around midnight on June 26^th, Patrick decided to forgo his mission to complete the race. The team and Patrick met together at Time Station 29 in Yates Center, KS to notify Patrick’s family and the race organizers.

 

Patrick’s ride consumed 1,634.8 miles of the Western United States, a tremendous accomplishment in the face of multiple obstacles. Although he is disappointed that he did not complete the race, Patrick ultimately believes his safety and obligation to his family is his primary concern. Patrick’s RAAM is over now, and the day after making this huge decision, he has no regrets. He and the team believe riding half way across the country in 6 days is a success, not a failure.

 

The RAAM is the ultimate endurance event, and it’s participation and completion is an extremely impressive accomplishment, but for Patrick Autissier, it is not worth paying the ultimate sacrifice for it’s completion. The team will now drive along the route to Atlantic City, NJ to finalize some details and celebrate their accomplishment, before returning to their lives. The 2005 RAAM was a tremendous experience for the crew and all who were involved! Each one will take something away from this experience and perhaps participate again. For Patrick, a return solo ride is unlikely given the enormous risk, but he and his family will be processing this experience for a while.

 

Goodbye from the 2005 RAAM!

 

Rob

 

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Latest Update, Sept 15th, 2007

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