From what I can determine from the website, the Furnace Creek 508 starts this Saturday. http://www.the508.com/info.html

I believe my friend, Francis, is doing this ride, but I just emailed him to determine for sure.

Good luck to any rider (member or lurker on here) who is attempting that ride. Be safe out there. :) :beer:

Actually, Francis is riding! Yippee! He's going solo, of course, because he loves to suffer.

http://dbase.adventurecorps.com/individualTd.php?e=135

I didn't realize that this race started so close by (Santa Clarita)... hmmm... could almost see the start (7am), and still make it up to Big John's 4 counties ride.

If you do swing by, take pics of the riders about to start and post. :)

I think Vireo is doing it fixed and David Jones of SFVBC, (and RAAM solo finisher at 61), will be there.

And Ron Smith on a recumbant too, yes?

Probably.

Good luck to all those participating in the 508!! :beer:

Isn't Phil doing it as well?

[EDIT] Guess not. Can't find him in the list.

Vance,

You so want to do the 4-5 counties ride. Epic in the making.

I didn't realize that this race started so close by (Santa Clarita)... hmmm... could almost see the start (7am), and still make it up to Big John's 4 counties ride.

come on down I'd be glad to see you

I'll be there, crewing for Jim Verheul and Michael Wolfe. Ron Smith is riding with another guy on his Bacchetta recumbent. I think there's like 3 solo recumbent racers and 3 or 4 recumbent teams this year. Gonna be fun. Finishing loading the van right now and making my last minute detail list.


Vireo: no denny's this year ok? :)

Vireo: no denny's this year ok? :)

Cute. GOOD LUCK. See you out there....

Good luck George and any other SoCal BF riders. And props to markw and any other SoCal BF crew members.

:beer:

Cute. GOOD LUCK. See you out there....Good luck!

Hey, in case any of you guys are interested, here is the link to the webcast: http://www.the508.com/2007web/

I'm going to be checking it throughout the day to see how Francis, George, Ron and David are doing. Man, all those guys (and gals - the women representing!) are incredible athletes.

+1,000,000. Kudos to all doing this.

I didn't realize it, but Dan Crane is in the Furnace Creek 508 hall of fame! He's another ADO Gang rider ... really cool guy! My friend Juli is also there, but not solo. I told her how crazy she is when I saw her at Lighthouse.

Okay, so I realize that this is NOT the point of riding the 508, but after looking through the photos of the racers at the start line, I'm going to whip my butt in shape for next year. That is like a pure smorgasboard for me. :D

I'm just amazed at the bent riders ...

http://www.the508.com/2007web/shows/show03/images/DSC03216.jpg

I see a guy pulling a trailer. Are you allowed to do this ride completely self-supported??? I thought not.
...Or he is the support for another rider...?:D
BTW, that's a nice 700c wheeled trailer he's pulling.

Good question, George. But I do not believe you can ride self-supported.

Good question, George. But I do not believe you can ride self-supported.

I remember reading that under their ride rules & regulations.

I remember reading that under their ride rules & regulations.

There are a couple races (Texas 500, Adirondack 500 and Hoodoo 500) that you CAN race self-supported. The Texas and Adirondack routes are short courses that racers do loops on. The Hoodoo has 500+ unique miles.

What a race. If you ever get a chance to crew for one of these, do so. We finished at 2:31 yesterday afternoon for a 29:31 total time. 1st in 2 man recumbent, 5th 2 man, and 8th fastest overall. There are some fast guys out there. Our rider passed at least 6 riders on Townes pass and his split of 5:45 for 99 miles was one of the faster times for that section. Lots of fun, and TIRING. Desert climbs seem to go on forever. :) Congrats to everyone who participated and finished, or even didn't finish. It's a grueling event.
Pics of our guys out there are here:

http://www.wolfenet.org/gallery2/v/Bikes/FC508