Click this link to view some pictures taken
by Paris Golden before the race and at the
beginning of the race (it is in a pop up window)
June
19th
Jim has finished RAAM 2008, in 9th position a fantastic ride. He completes his second solo RAAM in 11days 8hour sand 18mins.
Jim is at timestation 51 -90+ miles to go.
Jim is now at ts 50 and going well, due to finish tonight, if all is well.
Jim
is at ts 48, he is doing FAB. Only about 6 more
ts to go, well done Jim. Jim is in 9th position
and is going at an average speed of 11.90.
Soloists are now finishing.
Keep going Jim.
June 18th
Due
to unforseen circumstances no report was able
to be submitted today. Thru
the night gmt Jim has now checking in at ts 43,
well done Jim
June
17th
Jim
has checked into timestation 41. Jure Robic has
completed RAAM in 1st position, well done Jure,
what an amazing athlete.
Jim has reached
ts 40 with an average speed between 39 & 40
of 13.09. Jim has now managed to progress into
9th position. Well done Jim. 61.4 mile to ts
41.
Jim
is through timestation 39, Mike emailed this morning
so between "We are back on the road with Jim and
he is going well after a brief powernap (90 mins).
He is back to looking strong and feeling good."
Jim is now on his way to timestation
39, Greensburg, IN is 63.2 miles from Bloomington
IN. Jim is through timestation 37 on his way to
Bloomington, IN 67.6 miles away. His average speed
from the start is now 11.56.
June
16th
Mike
has just contacted us: beween ts 36 and 37.
"We just came off an 18
hour shift and Jim is getting stronger and stronger
every day, amazing to watch. The 4 man team just
caught up with Jim between ts 36/37. We met up
with the crew at ts 36 which was good stuff.
They are shattered and have hardly had any sleep
at all.
We now have the main cameraman join us as of
today so that is great news."
Message
from Mike (10.18 race time - 15:19 gmt) : "We
just missed being hit by flash floods and a tornado
last night but it was very hairy and very thrilling
as well :)"
Jim is in
at 35 it is now 10.07 race time and he is progressing
on to timestation 36.
Jim is thru
time station 34.
Another message from
Mike just came in: 8.41 GMT (3.41 race time)
"We are 7.5 miles outside ts34 and jim is having
little nap. We are setting in about 10 mins so
we should be there within the hour (9.35am).
We are staying with him until ts35 where we will
be meeting the RV and swapping over and we can
get some sleep. We have been going now for 12
hours already and it looks like we will be with
him for another 5 hours."
Jim
is at Time station 33, his average speed between
32 & 33 was 12.68. The four man team are
are 32 so they will be passing Jim soon. That
will be great for them to meet up.
News from Mike in the crew:
"We are on our way to ts33 and just leaving
behind severe weather warnings of flooding and
tornados in Jefferson. Although it was behind
us by about 3-4 miles we could see it all happening
and could hear it as well it was just a real
loud rumble with the most incredible lighting
strikes. It was a little bit worrying when the
radio station was giving out emergency procedures
every 5 minutes but it was also really exciting.
:)
Anyway, we are out of the danger area and on
our way towards the mississippi river. Apparently,
we have to follow new instructions as most of
our route is flooded so at ts33 we will be diverted,
exciting. "
Paris
was sent this by Jim Glickert from Time Station
31 this morning: with this message:
Hi Paris. Jim looked fantastic when he
stopped this morning at the time station. He
was in great spirits, talkative and friendly--even
posing for a picture with Eric. I passed
on your words of encouragement to him. He's
truly an inspiration.
Sorry, again, not to have seen you. Maybe
next year.
I am a new spectator of the Race Across America.
In fact, I just heard about it this week in a local
newspaper. I will definitely be on the look out
for Jim Rees as he passes through Morrow, into
Blanchester! I live near TS #41. I will also be
cheering on Team Inspiration Ladies and Men!
Jim ~ You HAVE inspired me!
THANK YOU!
~carol
To Jim and Team Inspiration,
Great job ! Jim has made it through Camdenton,
MO. ( TS31 ) without
the neck brace and is ahead of last year's pace.
He has a two - fer
going on Father's Day. It looks like he is maintaining
his average pace
since leaving Prescott, AZ. and if he can maintain
this speed will
probably move up the pack.
The men's four man relay team should be nearing
the Camdenton T.S.
just behind Team Adventure for the Cure with
the woman's squad at
the Pratt, KS. time station.
This puts the entire Team Inspiration contingent
half way or more through
RAAM. Stay safe and keep the hammer down.
SoCalFan
Tell Jim that Mr Riley says "Hi and wish I was
with you", how about next year?
_________________
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just poor
choice of clothing"
lookin' for y'all here in rouzerville!!!
(or should i say "youse guys" as is said in some
parts of PA?)
ANYWAY, there should be a rouzing welcome for
you at this end of the race & a shirt for
y'all to sign -
Weezy
To Team Inspiration,
Jim received a well deserved round of applause
at his send off in
Oceanside on Sunday. The fact Jim is back this
year for round two and with such a large contingent
of riders speaks for itself. According to race
officials there are at least 35 riders / crew
representing the U.K. this year.
Be sure to check out the inspiring photos from
last year's RAAM taken
at time station 31 in Camdenton, MO. ( www.ts31raam.com )
where Jim
and crew had to improvise a neck brace to overcome
neck fatigue so he
could finish the race. One tough hombre and a
true champion.
Good Luck to Jim and the Team Inspiration male
and female relay teams
and crew. A great effort by a great team ! SoCal
Fan <top>
June
15th
FATHERS DAY
Jim
has gone through timestation 32.
Tracey
Jims partner emailed me saying "Just spoke with
Mike and spoke to Donna earlier. They
are gelling well as a team, I am surprised at
how upbeat they are. Jim has only had about
4 hrs sleep in 3 days or so. He is very
tired and hallucinating very badly last night. They
had a rough night as Jim was so tired. Jenn
Nic and Donna were screaming at him all night
to keep him awake. He was hallucinating
about being in some reconisance mission! Yes
he is losing his mind. Spoken with him
too as Sam wished him Happy Fathers Day which
choked him! Hoping it will keep him going
rather than break him down!!
Donna has commented that Jim is really racing this
year as he is being kept in great form by the team.
Mike said that he is really looking good, lost
weight since the start line and is in better shape
since being on the start line."
Jim
has checked into time station 31. This is on
the RAAM site from Eric at Timestation 31 - "This
morning we got to see one of last year’s
great stories in Jim Rees of the UK. This is
the rider whose crew constructed a brace to hold
his neck up after the neck muscles became badly
fatigued from the long ride. I had missed him
last year due to work but kept in touch by email
all winter, so it was very gratifying to meet
him in person. He’s looking well and in
good spirits and is well ahead of last year’s
pace."
I
have just picked up my phone to a voice saying
"aren't you going to wish me happy fathers day". I
haven't spoken to Mike since thursday last week.
Just
spoke to Mike who is in the RV waiting for Jim.
Mikes part of the crew are delighted to be able
to have a shower. They are really pleased with
how Jim is looking and the pace he is going.
Mike said back in Kansas they were aware of an
electrical storm coming, and because it was dark
when the lightening flashed they could see a
tornado in the storm so they stopped just to
be safe. There have been a few hairy moments,
and have become very aware when Jim drops off
to sleep while on his bike. Mike said he kind
of goes a bit limp looking and obviously stops
pedaling. So they have taken to giving him a
beep from the follow vehicle, this then makes
him do like a mini star jump on the bike, but
it does the trick. Communications has been a
massive issue with the crew, hense the lack of
contact. They are all focus and getting on with
the job. Mike said he has a massive admiration
for the RAAM cyclists, he cannot believe the
heights they are climbing, he said he couln't
even walk up some of the mountain sides they
are climbing yet the cyclists are out of their
seats pedalling away, awesome to watch - all
incredible atheletes.
It is 9.30am GMT and Jim is
in at timestation 30, looks like he has had a
bit of a rest, a well deserved rest I would say.
Jim is on his way to time station 31 and Eric
and volunteers who helped Jim last year when
they had to build a support for Jim for his neck. www.ts31raam.com go
visit their site. They are great supporter of
JIm's, and well appreciated by Team Inspiration.
Thanks TS 31 Jim is on his way.
While we slept in the UK Jim checked in at time station 29, and had averaged between 28 & 29 13.23.
Jim is sitting in 11th position. Let us see what happens today. <top>
June 14th
I
have been away from RAAM a bit tonight to come
back and find Jim thru timestation 28, looking
good.
Jim is thru time station 27 - average speed
between 26 & 27
11.07.
Tracey has just spoken to
Jim today, he is very happy with his progress,
really up beat. The team are really working well
together, everything is great, all enjoying themselves
at the same time. How good is that, Jim is much
better health than he was this time last year.
They are progressing through tornado alley, Kansas.
Jim and the crew have now
checked into timestation 26. He is now sitting
in 11th position averaging at a speed of 11.46.
THEY
ARE AT PRATT MCDONALDS, HOORAHH!!!!!!!
They have checked into timestation 25 that Mike
has probably been dreaming about - MacDonalds
and plenty of it. RAAM site has pictures of Jim
at timestation 25, looking not too bad, no neck
brace. We are all so proud of them back here
in the UK. You go guys.
Jim is thru time station 25,
I would think he will rest soon. Only a mere
1510.5 miles to go, they are at the half way
mark.
I have just had an email from Jim's very good friend and crew member of 2007 RAAM, Paris. Paris traveled from Australia to be with Jim at the start of this years race - even better it was a surprise Jim new nothing about it, his crew knew. Paris says he hope Kansas is kind to them this year and is delighted that they are 10 hours ahead of their time last year. Even more exciting he has sent some brilliant photos, but you are going to have to wait for them...... check back they should be on later.
Now thru timestation 24 with an average speed from 23 to 24 of 14.52, well done JIm.
Jim has checked into ts 23. His average speed between station 22&23 was
11.63. <top>
June 13th
Waiting for news..... I have asked the news crews for some news..... still waiting. They don't write they don't phone......anyone would think they are busy.
Jim has been through timestation 22, averaging between 21 & 22
10.55. Jim has now cycled 1311.8miles in 4 days 20:32. So he now onto ts 23 which is in Plains, Kanzas, anothe rlong one 82.4 miles. This time last year Jim was still in Colarodo. He is doing really well.
Up to timestation 21 Jim has completed 1229.5miles. I have been worrying about Jim all night as they hadn't got into timestation 20 it seemed like forever, in typical friday 13th fashion all of a sudden the stats show Jim is thru timestation 21. Jim you are amazing certainly keeping us on the edge of our seats. Jim Rees is a true inspiration.
June 12th
Jim thru timestation 19 and on the way to 20.
Jim has just arrived at ts 18 (16.25ish GMT)- still hanging on some news, averaging 11.36 from the start of the race. Some how all bar a couple of the cyclists towards the back end of the race are taking in slower. Very interested to know why.
Jim is through 16 and 17 - we are hanging on some news back here.
Jim has cleared timestation 16, average speed 11.71 from the start. <top>
June 11th
Jims through timestation 15, they have really done alot today, no news from the team they have had a very busy day. Off they go to Time Station 16. Let's see what tomorrow GMT brings.
Horaah!!
good to see the guys in at time station 14, at
last, they've been travelling 70:02:00hrs up
to this point - last year same point 77:01:00
hrs. and so onto time station 15.
Jim
has now checked in at timestation 13 briefly
spoke to Mike, they are a bit disappointed that
they have lost time due to an electrical fault
on one of the vehicles. 44.8 miles to 14.
Jim
is still on the way to time station 13 but news
by email has just come in from Mike:
Delayed
News from Mike, crewing for Jim - "we just had
a disaster / emergency, our follow vehicle had
an electrical fault and the rotating lights on
top of our car stopped working which meant that
as soon as it became dark we would have to stop
racing. We called into a garage in the Navajo
region and they sorted it out in about 1 hour.
We are now back on the road and on our way to
TS10".
Jim passes through timestation 12 - timestation 13 - -50.1 miles away, moving into the state of Colorado. On reaching time station 12 Jim has covered 769.1 miles. Dont' forget to visit www.raceacrossamerica.org for some great news on the other cyclists, and come back and see us from time to time.
Jim is just into time station 11 Mexican Hat with an average speed of 16.25 reading the news on the RAAM site seems to be a tail wind helping the cyclists along, not of course taking anything away from Jim. Time station 12 - 39.8miles away.
Jim is through timestation 10 arriving at this station at 21:08 race time, time station 11 Mexican Hat, Utah 44.7miles, a much shorter distance than between 9 to 10. Comparing Jim's stats with last year at Station 10 Kayenta last year Jim arrived in at 60.00 hours from the start, this year arriving in at Station 10 in 53:46 hours from the start.
To compare the changes in Jims stats from 2007 click here - it is quite interesting to compare, see the changes in Jim's rest patterns. <top>
June 10th
Jim
has just got into time station 9 starting to
speed up again, he is approx 3 hours ahead of
his time a Tuba City last year. Speed between
timestation 8 and 9 14.48. Time station 10 71.9miles
away. It is 16.30 race time so he will be getting
ready for late night cycling.
Jim is through time station
8, 72.0 miles to timestation 9, Tuba City. 562.5
miles into the race.
Mike(my
husband and crew member) is waiting for Jim to
come into time station 8 and has just sent this
message:
" This is much harder
and much, much busier than I had ever thought
it could be it is still an amazing experience.
Trying to get some sleep is a real challenge
as we are either shopping or traveling and
trying to sleep in the back of an RV whilst
driving along could become a new national pastime.
In saying this, we pulled into TS5 and the
people there were absolutely superb, they had
a large paddling pool, fruit (weird looking
thing which looked like a grapefruit but peeled
and tasted like a cross between an orange and
a grapefruit). They had real lemonade in cooler
boxes and gurkins and other bits and pieces
all for free. When Jim arrived at
TS5 one of the ladies manning the stand offered
Jim her room for him to be able to have a real
bed to get some sleep and also to have a shower.
Jim was going to sleep in the RV which was like
an oven at that point.
Last night my team (which now consist of Sue
Yu, Catherine and me) did one timestation from
5 - 6 and then donna and her team took over (Nic,
Jenn and Donna) for the last two timestations.
There are a lot of climbs and not a great deal
Jim can do with regards to speed as he can only
do what he can do so he is just pacing himself
and not doing what he did last year and tried
to keep up with the pack at the beginning. He
is looking very strong and going really well.
Tell Tracey that he
is getting her txt messages and they are a
great lift and helping him get through these
really tough climbs. He is currently at over
5,000ft after climbing up hills all night and
the altitude is playing tricks. I have just
been told by Donna that she has had to clear
his nose last night as he had a altitude nose
bleed which was only small but it just goes
to show how tough this is.
We are currently in the Safeways car park
in our RV waiting for them to come in (should
be within the next 1-2 hours). All the drinks
and food are ready to go into the follow vehicle
so that that team can jump out and we can jump
in whilst Jim carries on cycling. This is the
first time that I have had time to be able to
get out my laptop and send you an email.
I have got loads to tell
you and you are going to have to wait for the
stories as when I see you I am going to squeeze
the hell out of you. My motivation is that come
what may, I am going to be seeing you and Georgia
in NY in a few days time.
Your notes and info are really helping as
I get these on my BlackBerry and I am reading
them out to Jim as he cycles. Can you give me
another update in about 3 hours time.
Finally, can you please let me know when it
is fathers day as I have no idea what time it
is or even what day it is.
Just had a call from the
other team to say that they are nearly here so
must go and get ready for the madness that is
going to hit."
Jim is now through
ts 7 - timestation 8 is flagstaff and is 53.3miles
away.
This
morning I have woken up in the UK to see Jim
has gone through ts6, and find an email from
Mike saying
"Jim is now in bed and having a 2.5 hours sleep.
I will then be going back out with him again for
another 100+ miles. He is in good shape right now. It is "bleeping!!!!!"
hot, 130 degrees.
Must go I am the next driver and I need some sleep.
We haven't slept for 36 hours."
Jim arrived at ts6 having
traveled 401.4 miles at 1.20am race time approx
6.20am GMT lets see what happens today.
If
you want to get a message of encouragement to
Jim go to the discussion forum on the RAAM site
and leave a message on Jim's blog, I will endeavour
to get the message to him. <top>
June 9th
Jim has reached time station 4, average speed between 3 and 4 - a whopping 17.35 - I text Jim's partner Tracy who said "thats more like it". The crew are very keen to see how everyone else is doing in the race, so we are feeding them all the great stats and information available from www.raceacrossamerica.org. If you are watching Jim - you have got to have a look at the leaders and the tight race they are running.
Jim is through timestation 3 now onto timestation 4 which is not as far as the distance between 2 and 3 just over 54 miles I believe. Jim is travelling at an average speed of 13.70 considering the heat he is doing great.
Just spoke to Mike 8.33am GMT - Jim is looking strong, he has had a couple of cramps, he is has to keep hydrated. Mike said the crew have been putting their hands outside the vehicle to hand something to JIm they say it is like having a hairdryer blowing against their hands. It is hot hot hot. Mike said on the start line when they left Oceanside, Jim had by far the biggest cheer as he had the crew and cyclist from Team Inspirations four man and four lady waving him off. Of course their race starts on Wednesday.
Jim has gone through time station 2 and is well on his way to time station 3 which is 88.4miles/142.2km.
Mike fromJim's crew emailed at 3.52 GMT this morning - from Time Station 2 to say that he was waiting at Time Station 2 and heard that Jim and a couple of other cyclists had got lost and had also had a puncture, but is back on track.
Spoke to Mike this morning all ready and comfortable with what they have to do, race begins 3.00pm (not GMT)from Oceanside USA. Jim started at 3.22pm, time station 1 is 87.9km/54.7 miles from the start, coming in at 19.27pm. The race has begun they are through time station 1.
TS 02: Brawley, CA
88.2miles/141.9km - to timestation 2.
Today was vehicle inspection
- which they passed, again a very hectic day
getting prepared for the race. Not much time
to even send messages.
A very special friend arrived to see Jim today
for a couple of days before the race. Paris from
last years crew and very good friend of Jims
traveled from Australia to see Jim off on his
race. Jim was mightily surprised.
Brilliant news all the rest of the crew and
cyclists of Team Inspiration arrived in Oceanside
today. <top>
June
5th
RV's and vehicles paperwork was being sorted out
and the Solo Team were going to being their
journey with all vehicles to Oceanside.
Jim was putting his bikes
together, it was a long day for them all, lots
of paperwork.
Funny Stories about their
first night in LA
"Donna.................and
the plumbers" I think I will leave that
one to Donna <top>
June
3rd, 2008
Flight
leaving for LA with Jim Rees and the solo crew.
The soloist crew will be
setting up the vehicles and getting everything
prepared for checks and double checks. HOW EXCITING!!!
Leading up to this day the
crews and cyclists from Team Inspiration have
been raising money all over the country. We would
like to thank local sponsors supporters from
Biggleswade, Stevenage, LA Fitness Stevenage,
Pedals Cycles in Biggleswade and many more. Main
sponsor Vitabiotics Wellman and Wellwoman, once
again a big thank you for your support.
The rest of the crew will
be following thursday. <top>
