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Hi friends,
Writing to you all tonight from Lancaster Pennsylvania! John Hardy and I will tag team the 45 mile ride from here to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. From there the two Bill’s will shoot the 60 mile run across South Jersey and we’ll all ride in the last 15 miles to Atlantic City tomorrow morning hopefully around 9:00 am plus or minus two hours. It’s been an amazing 24 hours, and I’m sure the next 24 will be equally exciting. I’m really going to miss the friends and this routine we’ve slowly settled into over the past eight days. Last night we rode through some heavy rain into and out of Parkersburg for several hours. John and I did a couple legs that had a total elevation climb of 7000 feet early in the evening arriving in Grafton West Virginia. The two Bill’s worked even harder to get us through. West Virginia was the best and worst of the trip. The scenery and weather improved and the climbs and descents felt like they were straight up and down, and went on forever. I’d do Colorado again physically, instead of West Virginia any day!. Pennsylvania was very nice and scenic although not without its own hills and valleys. We even went through Gettysburg and did a rider exchange in the park.
Riding for a cure! . . . .and to see those big glass casinos in Atlantic City tomorrow morning.
Steve
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7 days, 15 hrs, 59 minutes. Their official race finish time was Wednesday, June 20th at 9:15 AM ET.
One could say that this morning was quite an adventure as evidenced by their 8.07 mph average speed. Several wrong turns, two flat tires, and lots of comedy. The waiting police escort picked them up for their ceremonial finish. Our four heroes arrived riding four abreast to the podium to accept their awards with Shannon Mahoney in the pouring rain.
This incredible team and their exceptional crew are enjoying their hot showers and a little rest ... FINISH LINE!!
Hoorah for Shannon's Soldiers!!
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Today the team has had to deal with rain which was probably a welcome relief to the oppressive heat of the last few days. The windy, desolate mountain roads of West Virginia were also a challenge as apparently there were times when the riders weren't sure they were still on the route. (Am I the only one that associates West Virginia with the movie Deliverance?). Alcohol is strictly prohibited in the rules of RAAM for the crew and riders but we're told that the chant for a cold, frosty beer is getting louder and louder. I'll buy the first round (and, given the condition of these guys, probably the last). Cathy and I arrived in Atlantic City this morning just in time to see the 2nd place finisher in the Solo division, Wolfgang Fasching, cross the finish line. Very emotional event for a guy who had averaged 22 hrs of pedaling and 2 hrs of rest for the past 8+ days. This was his 8th RAAM and he is a 3 time winner of the event. (A lot of European riders). The finish line is on the historic Atlantic City boardwalk (real wood planks) which we're told is the oldest and longest boardwalk in the country. Reports from the crew of Shannon's Soldiers sounds like they overshot the food requirement for the trip which based on conversations with other teams today sounds pretty common. Local charities and food banks are the big winners here. So we'll be up early tomorrow morning waiting on the Boardwalk for the arrival of Shannon's Soldiers. They'll have a special guest join them on the RAAM photo stand, 10 year old Shannon Mahoney.
Thanks again for your support,
Cathy and Jim
PS: Dan says hi to Lou....what an adventure!
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