Hey Guys -- Thanks so much for supporting our guys so very well here at the blog. They really, really appreciate it. (In case you missed it, see "Special Message from Richard" below in which he speaks directly to you about this.)
We're looking at what is probably our last full overnight. My eyes are welling up at the thought that we are actually going to finish this thing. But the thing is, so many things can happen and there is a long night and day tomorrow of tough climbing in the Appalachian Mountains. It's going to take a lot from the Units, and the Units have given so much already.
I am asking you to make a concerted effort to send notes of encouragement to them because they will be reading and/or being read to tonight as they ride. I will print as many of your comments as possible to transfer to the Follow vehicle during their long pulls tonight.
You have no idea how important your love and support and encouragement are to them (or maybe you do.)
Let's pull them through this!
World's Toughest Bicycle Race
Team Roster
Charlie
At the Atlantic Ocean at the end of the '07 PAC Elite Tour (with fans)
Richard
Celebrating the end of the road for the '07 PAC Elite Tour
15 comments:
Hey Richard, Jim
The finish is in site, you need to go hard and not hit anything. I know your tired, but the excitment the end will drive you thru. Keep the rubber side DOWN and you will put in a record ride. The crew has done a great job keeping riders on th bike and going strong.
Finish the Race
Walt Chapman
You have been working so hard...just keep it going! You are coming to my old home state, West Virginia, many hills but good memories. Charlie remember grandpa and just keep going. I'm so proud of both you and Richard. It's almost unbelievable how well you've done. The end is in sight! I'll be watching you and praying for you. You are terrific!
In rereading your comments I have to laugh at the possibility of a DNF because of a "shower accident".
And Richard, those big feet sticking out of the bed are so useful on the bike! "Keep rockin"
Love, Mom
OMG...somebody stop me... I just can't help myself....
Yes...ANOTHER MUSIC DEDICATION...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWptXUblA4E
Roll With IT - ~Steve Winwood
When life is too much, roll with it, baby
Dont stop and lose your touch, oh no, baby
Hard times knocking on your door, Ill tell them you aint there no more
Get on through it, roll with it, baby
Luckll come and then slip away, youve gotta move, bring it back to stay
You just roll with it, baby, come on and just roll with it, baby
You and me, roll with it, baby, hang on and just roll with it, baby
The way that you love is good as money
I swear by stars above, sweet as honey
People think youre down and out, you show them what its all about
You can make it, roll with it, baby
When this world turns its back on you, hang in and do that sweet thing you do
You just roll with it, baby, you just roll with it, baby
Come on and just roll with it, baby, you and me, just roll with it, baby
Now therell be a day youll get there, baby, youll hear the music play, youll dance, baby
Youll leave bad times way behind, nothing but good times on your mind
You can do it, roll with it, baby
Then youll see life will be so nice, its just a step up to paradise
You just roll with it, baby, you just roll with it, baby
You and me, just roll with it, baby, come on and just roll with it, baby
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now, if you don't just totally get off on that, I'm gonna slap that sore hiney of yours!
You guys are doing awesome! Keep on movin'....Charlie needs another jersey to frame and hang in his office.
Laura Stokes
Hey guys - your time is fantastic - you are doing great. Hang in there as not too much further to go (easy for me to say).
You both have my utmost admiration.
Take care and be well
Hey Richard,
At around midnight tonight you'll be peddling across the Ohio River into Parkersburg, WV. If you see a faint glow, it'll be one of our research sites--a low-level radioactive waste landfill. Maybe it will help light your path to Annapolis, or at least inspire you to peddle a little faster to escape the intense radiation! Just kidding, it doesn't really glow.
Love ya,
Jody
P.S. I've been trying to write a chapter for a book but keep getting distracted and flicking over to your blog. It would help if you'd pick up the pace a little and finish this thing so I can get my work done! Ha!
What?!!! Did you say you will be pedaling through the Appalachian Mountains???
If you hear Banjo Music....PEDAL FASTER!!!!
Hi - I'm John Homer - I work with Jody. you guys passed just north of another one of Jody's sites when you went through Oxford, Ohio. What an honor to have you and the rest of the RAAM riders roll through the area.
You're doing an awesome job - keep pushing! The blog is great, too.
take it easy - John
Here's an old but great joke..
JERRY FALWELL:
Because the chicken was gay! Isn't it obvious? Can't you people see the plain truth in front of your face? The chicken was going to _the "other side." That's what "they" call it: the "other side." Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay
too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media whitewashes with seemingly harmless phrases like "the other
side." That chicken should not be free to cross the road. It's as plain and simple as that.
KEN STARR:
I intend to prove that the chicken crossed the road at the behest of the President of the United States in an effort to distract law enforcement
officials and the American public from the criminal wrongdoing our
highest elected official has been trying to cover up. As a result, the chicken is just another pawn in the President's ongoing and elaborate scheme to obstruct justice and undermine the rule of law. For that reason, my
staff intends to offer the chicken unconditional immunity provided he cooperates fully with our investigation.
LOU DOBBS:
To steal a job from a decent, hardworking American.
DR. SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road?
Did he cross it with a toad?
Yes! The chicken crossed the road
But why it crossed, I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY:
To die. In the rain.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.:
I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question.
GRANDPA:
In my day, we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Someone told us that the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough for us.
ARISTOTLE:
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
KARL MARX:
It was a historical inevitability.
SADDAM HUSSEIN:
This was an unprevoked act of rebellion and we were quite justified in dropping 50 tons of nerve gas on it.
RONALD REAGAN:
What chicken?
CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK:
To boldly go where no chicken has gone before.
SIGMUND FREUD:
The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying sexual insecurity.
BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken08, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents and balance your checkbook; and Internet Explorer is an inextricable part of eChicken.
EINSTEIN:
Did the chicken really cross the road or did the road move beneath the chicken?
BILL CLINTON:
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What do you mean by
chicken? Could you define "chicken" please?
LOUIS FARRAKHAN:
The road, you will see, represents the black man. The chicken crossed
the "black man" in order to trample him and keep him down.
COLONEL SANDERS:
I missed one?
Sorry, it should start off with
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Why did the frog cross the road?
It was stapled to the chicken.
Sorry guys, that the comments haven't been very prolific from us, but you have been constantly on our minds and hearts. We are blown away by what you are accomplishing. We have just spent the last hour and half reading and re-reading the postings and wish we could have met you in Athens. You guys just kicked ass and got there sooner than we had planned. We had thought we could wave at you in Athens . . . NOT.
Imagine us waving at you at whatever point you wish - or all of them.
Truly, this is surreal. Are you truly biking across America non-stop! What an amazing feat - and adventure for all of you.
We discovered the map that shows where you are along the route and estimated arrival.
We are cheering for you each peddle in our waking moments - and maybe even in our dreams - which you probably don't have time for.
You will REM after RAAM.
In the meantime, just imagine us doing cheers anytime you need an extra push. Keep yourselves focused and Annapolis will be there before you know it.
Love you Richard - and Charlie, too - (since we feel like we know you through he postings).
Melanie and Suzette
You makr me proud to be from Cleveland Heights. Represent!
-- Ian Hoffman
It's night time in Arizona so I know you are at the highth of your last night's drive. Keep awake, keep moving-we're all amazed at what you have accomplished. You are almost there...Charlie and Richard I'm so proud of you both.
Love, Mom
Post a Comment