Posted on 06/25/08 1:10 PM| by team-admin
Sorry for the lack of updates, but we have been out of cell phone range for a while. As most of you that are following this must know by now segment two was closer to 50 miles than 50 km (and 44 took a little inadvertent detour) so our team did not get in until TA until about 7am rather than midnight as we had expected. It was cold there - about 32 when they came in - everything covered with frost. They had a little hot food and got into the van (all four of them) for a two hour nap, then into the inflatable 2 man kayaks. Support couldnʼt leave TA for two hours because of a lack of space at next TA where they switched to river boards. Sounds like Pup and Suz took a roll, so were wet and ready for the boards. Anyway, we got there just about five minutes before they did but they did make a good transition, got a little food and into the water. At least the air temp was up by this time. After 44 was out for some time they closed the river for safety. Heard that the safety crew had to assist 18 people up to that point. I didnʼt hear Suzʼs story first hand, but apparently she got sucked into a hole, but I think she got out unassisted. She said something like all she could think of while she was under was food.
By this time we were at the TA4 waiting when they finally got word to us to go back up the river and pick them up. They took about another hour transition to change back to treking gear and prepping their bike gear as they were off on another 50 mile (all these distances are really rough estimates) trek to an unmanned TA where their bikes would be dropped. We could leave food and extra gear, but they had to take every thing with them, including containers, so it really wasnʼt much. They were planning to sleep a couple of hours on the trail, hopefully around midnight. We think the bike segment is another 50 miles, so are expecting it to be about 24 hours before we see them again.
After we had picked up the bikes at John and Carolineʼs place we got our first real meal (Famous Daveʼs Barbecue) in a couple of days, proceeded to the unmanned TA to drop them off (over in the mountains southwest of Livingstone) and then back to the KOA after midnight for showers and finally to sleep for us. It is now about 9am and we figure we have a little time to relax and do some shopping and cooking before we meet 44 down on the Yellowstone for the hard shell kayak segment. Sounds like they have moved TAʼs, but they will only give route changes to the team captain.
I am pulling the U-haul and the girls are usually able to park the SUV close by and walk in to the TA. But there is still a tremendous amount of unpacking and repacking. Thanks to John and Caroline for letting us use their place as a drop off, so we donʼt have to keep packing and unpacking the bikes at each spot.
Time for breakfast, may get a chance to fill in more details later. All the team members look good and still have a great attitude. No big medical problems - just the normal foot blisters. Eric had some stomach upset early in the first trek, couldnʼt keep any food down, but seemed in good shape at last two TAʼs and was packing in plenty.
Rob
June 25th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Hey Suz thanks for letting me know about this website before you left. I love watching your progress and guessing how you will travel to the next site. Watching the navigation of each team is fascinating. Too bad you guys got lost, but you are still in the mix - Keep pushing. Looks like you may be on a well deserved rest, but I just want you guys to keep motoring -easy for me to say.
Well stay safe - keep pushing - I’ll check on yins in the morning - By the way, I haven’t worked out yet this week - tomorrow!!!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Hey Suz (and the rest of the team), we’re all here in Georgia sitting in the hot sun, following your progress and rooting for you. Keep those boys under control and I want to know what food you were thinking of when you got sucked under the waves. I’ll have it for you the next time we race!
Rock on!
June 26th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Awesome job Erich and team! I’ve been checking about every hour on tracking map and leaderboard and have been stoked to watch your steady progress. Chris, Lana and I have been messaging at day/night transitions here in Taiwan and the states to catch each other up on what happened while the others were sleeping :-). So, you could say you have a round-the-clock web based fan club agonizing over every overshot topo line, nap and SPOT black-out.
Also, props to the support team - you guys are tops and definitely the unseen 5th member of the team. Keep those updates coming!
Later,
Hans
June 26th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Keep going strong Mark. We’re all cheering for you and your team. I’ve got everyone here in Vidalia interested - and they are following your progress. Stay safe and remember that you and your team are in all of our prayers. I’m very proud of you!!! Oh, I’ve got my goal that we talked about. I’ll tell you all about it when you get home. Keep going little brother!!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Here are the pics I’ve found in the gallery of our team so far. If anyone else has some different ones, please share!
http://www.ecoprimalquest.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=29&pos=0
http://www.ecoprimalquest.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=27&pos=107
http://www.ecoprimalquest.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=25&pos=71
http://www.ecoprimalquest.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=4&pos=50
http://www.ecoprimalquest.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=4&pos=51
June 26th, 2008 at 7:10 am
A few general videos on the race:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=primal+quest&so=1
June 26th, 2008 at 7:12 am
I posted a comment with a bunch of image links to the PQ gallery that had our team in it, but it didn’t show up… (marked as spam from all of the links perhaps? Not sure…)
June 26th, 2008 at 7:23 am
OMG!!!!Mothers should not hear about children in trouble, Oh well, just glad your safe. You go girl. We are soooo proud of you. We are sending all our good energy to you and your team mates. Suzie, We love you soooo much. GO! GO! GO!. Mom, Barb and the rest of the FALVEYS.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:50 am
hey sister, you guys are amazing . just look for the sheep to shear, and you’ll make it . we are with you in our dreams.and are sooo proud. luv ewe lots. go, fight, WIN!
June 26th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Holy Crap…you guys RULE! I am having such fun watching you. I am sooo proud. Keep it up!
June 26th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
SUUUUZZZZYYYYYYY! stay out of those water holes!!
Thank God you are alright… yep, if you’re thinking of food,
you are fine!
stay warm, have fun, keep going, be strong & play safe.
BIG love
xx
mare~
June 27th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Nanny and Pop-Pop say to tell you they love you and keep going strong. Rocky barks for you. We all love you. Keep strong all of you. Your best is all we ask of you.
June 28th, 2008 at 5:04 am
Nice work team — you are amazing! Hey Erich — do you remember Reepicheep in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader? When they get to the mountains at the end of the world and he starts climbing up, he calls out with all that’s in him, “Come on! Let’s go higher up and further in!”
Bless you — Love you, DAD
June 28th, 2008 at 7:47 am
A special thanks to the team behind our team. You are doing a super job. Thanks for looking after our girl. Rob, thanks for the updates. It means a lot to us just knowing what is going on and that everyone is O.K. Now Go team and KICK SOME ASS and not the mules’. Luv you Suz! Go girl ALL THE WAY!!!!! love you and thinking of you all day and night. Mom, Barb and all your support team here at home.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Sue You are AMAZING We are vey proud of you.
Rob, Megan, Layne, Brock and Cassidy
June 29th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
way to go sister, your almost there. we are all watching, and waiting for you all to ride across the finish line. lots of people are cheering for you. and we all love you very much.
take care. we’ll see you on the flip side. now go and finish.
sending you all the energy we have. love you. and thanks guys for taking care of her. and thanks to the support team. every one deserves a vacation after this. good job every one.