Southern California - RAAM thank you's...

I just have to thank all of you for your support. I'm not sure that I knew what I was jumping into when I agreed to be a part of Team Beat Cancer and everyday I get a little closer to realizing the enormity of this journey. Thanks to those of you who volunteered to crew, those of you who helped recruit crew members by spreading the word, those who have listened to me vent and helped me work through the logistics of getting fourteen people and three vehicles across the country. We were in a bad spot financially at one point and so many of you jumped in and really saved us. I was touched over and over again by the generosity of the so Cal Bike Forums members.

I've been saying that the last two events, Heartbreak and Eastern Sierra, were really serving as a buffer between something that was just in the planning stages and something that is really going to happen. Now that those are behind me, I'm up to my ears in the final planning, overwhelmed at times, but trying to keep a cool head. I am taking breaks from the seemingly never ending tasks by coming here for a little bit of comfort and distraction and I wanted to take the time to thank all of you. Whether you donated money, showed support by cheering us on or just kept all of us in your thoughts, I truly appreciate it.

We have a great crew, including three Bike Forums guys who have been so helpful to me. Phil, Jason and James will be my eyes and ears during the race, keeping an eye on things when I'm unable to and taking on the endless miles of driving and navigating across the country. It is such a relief to know that these three will be there! As for my role during the race, I will be George's primary support, mirroring his movements. I'll be in the follow van while he's riding and in the RV taking care of him and then sleeping when he does. During my time in the follow van I should have plenty of time to blog and upload photos everyday.

www.teambeatcancer.blogspot.com (http://teambeatcancer.blogspot.com)

I hope that you will all follow along on this journey and check in often to the blog and the flickr page. If you want to send messages to the riders and crew while we're on the road, you can email us at teambeatcancer @ yahoo. com (remove the spaces) and we will pass along anything that you would like.

Okay, back to work! Thank you again everyone...you're the best. http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/grouphugg.gif

Brandy, I know you've done your homework and preparation and I think you should feel pretty good going in to this thing. All you need to do is crack the whip at those riders. You do have a whip, don't you?

Brandy, I know you've done your homework and preparation and I think you should feel pretty good going in to this thing. All you need to do is crack the whip at those riders. You do have a whip, don't you?

I knew there was something missing from my packing list! :p We have a garden sprayer and a super soaker...those might do in a pinch. ;) :D

BTW...you were one of the people that listened to me ramble on and on about RAAM while we were riding that one day. Thanks again for that! :)

To the volunteer crew, you guys rock! :beer:


We were in a bad spot financially at one point and so many of you jumped in and really saved us.
I assume this means you guys actually raised enough money to make it across the country and donate to cancer research? (May my professor and I apply for funding? We're doing cancer research.) Out of curiosity, is there even a budget for feeding the crew? Or do you guys get to eat a steady diet of PowerBars?

To the volunteer crew, you guys rock! :beer:


I assume this means you guys actually raised enough money to make it across the country and donate to cancer research? (May my professor and I apply for funding? We're doing cancer research.) Out of curiosity, is there even a budget for feeding the crew? Or do you guys get to eat a steady diet of PowerBars?

I'm happy to announce that we have a food budget now! It is going to take some planning to stay within it and feed 14 people for eight days, but we'll manage. We have some people who are preparing food for us before we leave, then a couple of people on the road who have offered to feed us as well. Some money has been set aside for an emergency cushion and after the race the proceeds above and beyond our expenses are being donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Breast Cancer Fund. Sorry Jason, no grants for you this time. ;)

Or do you guys get to eat a steady diet of PowerBars?

we just got a big donation of detour bars. try them. they rock.
http://www.detourbar.com/images/bg_home.jpg
(had to get that plug in there. they were very generous!)

Cool! I think if/when you guys need any help, just post on the forum! :lol:

Cool! I think if/when you guys need any help, just post on the forum! :lol:

Actually...

We can use some extra hands on Saturday in San Diego if anyone would like to help out! We will be prepping the bikes and the vehicles at that time. :D

we just got a big donation of detour bars. try them. they rock.


Mmm, Lokelani... I'm sold.

We have a garden sprayer and a super soaker

Here is the Super Soaker (http://gprime.net/video.php/supersoakerflamethrower) that I am bringing :lol:

and anyone that wants to listen to updates can tun in here (http://www.thefredcast.com/)

Actually...

We can use some extra hands on Saturday in San Diego if anyone would like to help out! We will be prepping the bikes and the vehicles at that time. :DOops, sorry. This Saturday I'll be out of town taking pics of my friend driving around a track out in the middle of nowhere (Buttonwillow). :p

Oops, sorry. This Saturday I'll be out of town taking pics of my friend driving around a track out in the middle of nowhere (Buttonwillow). :p

The race track is north of Buttonwillow and that is really nowhere. Actually, it's just off I-5 about 10 minutes from Buttonwillow. If you have some dead time come over to Bakersfield and we can go for a ride.

The race track is north of Buttonwillow and that is really nowhere. Actually, it's just off I-5 about 10 minutes from Buttonwillow. If you have some dead time come over to Bakersfield and we can go for a ride.Hey, thanks for the offer. I won't be able to ride that weekend though, since his car doesn't have room to carry a bike. :cry: I'll try to get my bike rides during the week.

I just have to thank all of you for your support. I'm not sure that I knew what I was jumping into when I agreed to be a part of Team Beat Cancer and everyday I get a little closer to realizing the enormity of this journey. Thanks to those of you who volunteered to crew, those of you who helped recruit crew members by spreading the word, those who have listened to me vent and helped me work through the logistics of getting fourteen people and three vehicles across the country. We were in a bad spot financially at one point and so many of you jumped in and really saved us. I was touched over and over again by the generosity of the so Cal Bike Forums members.

Whether you donated money, showed support by cheering us on or just kept all of us in your thoughts, I truly appreciate it.

We have a great crew, including three Bike Forums guys who have been so helpful to me. Phil, Jason and James will be my eyes and ears during the race, keeping an eye on things when I'm unable to and taking on the endless miles of driving and navigating across the country. It is such a relief to know that these three will be there! As for my role during the race, I will be George's primary support, mirroring his movements. I'll be in the follow van while he's riding and in the RV taking care of him and then sleeping when he does. During my time in the follow van I should have plenty of time to blog and upload photos everyday.

www.teambeatcancer.blogspot.com (http://teambeatcancer.blogspot.com)

I hope that you will all follow along on this journey and check in often to the blog and the flickr page. If you want to send messages to the riders and crew while we're on the road, you can email us at teambeatcancer @ yahoo. com (remove the spaces) and we will pass along anything that you would like.

Okay, back to work! Thank you again everyone...you're the best. http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/grouphugg.gif

I also want to give my thanks to all who gave us a little of their hard earned money so I could persue a dream. I can't tell you how much it means to me. Thank you

I can't tell you how much it means to me.
Yes you can... the proof is in your determination in about a week's time. Here's hoping you have a great race. :beer:

http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/grouphugg.gif
Have I ever mentioned how disturbed I get by smileys that hug so hard that their heads get compressed? One day, a smiley will hug another smiley a bit too hard, and the poor recipient of the hug will go SPLAT. :eek:

we just got a big donation of detour bars. try them. they rock.
http://www.detourbar.com/images/bg_home.jpg
(had to get that plug in there. they were very generous!)

id hit it!

gl brandy, take some nude pics for me.

ugh

um ya take some pics for me.