Posted on 06/27/08 3:09 PM| by team-admin
#8 Okay, things got a little hectic for a while. We were expecting the team in at TA6 around 6pm, but they did not get in until about 10pm. Got some food into them and cleaned up a little then they all slept until about 2am got up and repacked and got back on the bicycles by about 3am. The Yellowstone is above flood stage and closed even to the professional rafters. So that segment was converted to bikes which was an advantage to our team as biking may be their strongest area. It looked to be about 90 miles to the next TA at Big Timber so we figured they would get in about noon. The support team figured to get a couple of hours of sleep since we hadnʼt had any for the past 20 hours. We got up at 8 and checked their progress and saw that they were only about 15 miles to TA7 and we had an hour and 20 minute drive to get there. A real tossing in of gear and off so we were about 20 minutes late. Fortunately another support crew loaned our orphans some chairs and coffee and cookies. They did that leg in less than six hours when we had figured 8 to 10. Strong on the bikes and a nice tail wind. We had the honor to adopt a couple of other orphan teams while we were being held, so seems like a lot of us underestimated that segment.
They got another nap of an hour or so and then repacked for another 20 mile bike ride, dropped their bikes at an unsupported TA and started a 30 mile trek over the Crazy Mountains. Reputed to be probably the most taxing of the treks. We had to stay in the TA for four hours before we could go pick up the dropped bikes, so the girls had a little more leisure to reorganize and pack and even got a chance to write a blog on team site. We had anticipated this segment would take about 24 hours, and as they had left at 12:37 pm we came into Livingston - the girls to a motel to sleep in a real bed for the first time since Sunday night and me into a campground to replenish the water and charge the batteries and to dump a garbage and holding tanks. When I first got up this morning and checked the location of the teams I see they moved very little from 11 last night until 6 this morning, so I hope that means they were able to get a little sleep. Looks like they are moving again, but rather slowly. We are about 50 minutes away from the TA, so the girls are doing laundry and shopping. Right now it looks like they will be longer than 24 hours, so we are getting a little caught up and doing deferred maintenance.
The team spirits are still high and keeping a positive attitude. Feet continue to be the biggest problem. Well, I had better get back to business.
Rob
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I thought that I would help illustrate the comment, “Feet continue to be the biggest problem.” I found these pictures of Mark’s (Pup) foot in the gallery. And this would have been before they hit Crazy Mountain! Mary~
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June 27th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Thanks for the updates! I find myself checking my computer wayyyyy more than is normal! Pup, your feet look like crap but you look great! Glad to see you are shaving
Got hit by a car on my bike this morn (no worries, I am fine but the bike is done) but I think my morning was still WAY easier than yours! You guys are blowing my mind…..keep it up.
June 27th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Hey Suz, looks like you guys are almost at checkpoint 18 and finally out of the Crazy Mountains. I imagine you feel great(yea!!), but I know you will keep going. Teams are dropping like flies. Hang in and keep trucking and stay safe. We are cheering for you in Pittsburgh!!!
June 27th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Thanks for the update! That was great. I’m getting all pumped up for this next biking section… there is a stack of teams all waiting at the TA, and 44 should be able to blast past them if we can take the previous biking section as a reference. Looks like there at the TA now, so, I’m going to wear out the mouse clicking the refresh button. I just might have to sport some biking shorts while I’m at the computer for this next section! hah
Keep up the amazing effort 44 and crew. I hope E’s ankle is doing ok!
June 27th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Xtreme, you’re doing great and staying focused. Stay tough and enjoy the adventure.
Valentin Chapa
(a teammate of Rob Finlay’s Team Kayak Lake Mead)
June 27th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
PUPSTER-
TAKE IT INTO THE 4TH QUARTER WITH A CHANCE TO WIN!!! Damn glad to see you are back on the bikes!!
HAWK
June 27th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
AWESOME! You guys are so inspiring! I’d give you all a hug, but I’m sure you smell funky. Keep it up…I’m watching your every move. kj
June 28th, 2008 at 11:37 am
You guys are amazing… You’re back in the mini race against team 14 and 6 again, and it looks like you just passed team 6 on the bike.
Get some rest and keep rockin’! You guys burned up the ground on that bike ride. Good stuff.
There’s about 13 teams in your area as you enter the Bridger Range, which will be the competition against which to make it into the top 10 unless more of the front runners drop out again.
So, finish the race of course, but you guys are making some tracks to place in the top ten here.
btw, I just saw that you all made front page news today from your river boarding fun. “There’s no crying in adventure racing” caught on the head cam video, and showed E trying to get back up stream to help. Crazy stuff, that must have been after Suz got caught in the hole?
June 28th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
xtreme couture keep it going. you guys are awesome and doing a great job. keep pushing forward
June 28th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Hey Team Extreme Couture,
Everyone is proud of your determination and stamina to keep on trucken through what seems like an impossible journey.
Keep the feet healthy and the minds clear!
Love to QB 1
June 29th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Keep it goin team!!!!
Katrina & Curt
June 29th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Looks like you just crossed cp#22. Keep up the amazing effort, and enjoy the bike ride.
Get through this bike ride now, and go down for a good sleep all night tonight. Looks like a rest will do you good for the various courses they have laid out following the bike ride.
So, why were all of the teams avoiding the ridge on the Badger trek? Did the snow just turn to complete slush up top, and everyone stayed below the snow line?
June 29th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
eh, “Bridger trek”, not “Badger trek” of course on that last post. Just call it spectator exhaustion kicking in…