Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Dozing Through WV

Jeff has had a tough day leaving Ohio and covering ground in West Virginia. He was slow to get going after almost 3hrs of sleep (the most consecutive hours yet!) and then a 1hr nap around 3pm failed to revive him. Lots of ridge crossings today and apparently the downhills are too long and he's been dozing off on many of the descents--no crashes though yet thanks to a vigilant follow crew and the ubiquitous rumble strips.

After claiming caffeine was no longer having an effect on his wakefulness, Jeff downed a Cinnabon Latte and an iced coffee Gail whipped up for him and is now wired--just in time for nightfall. He hopes to pick up his pace which severely lags during his sleepy periods (coasting at 5mph seems to suit him fine).

Tom Jarding, a fellow Ultrasport competitor, made a surprise appearance on the course today to say "hi" to Jeff after tracking him on the web and making the trip down from his home in Pennsylvania 75 miles from Clarksburg, WV. They got to visit for about 15 minutes as a thunderstorm forced Jeff off the bike and into the van. Thanks for the great surprise, Tom, and see you on the trail next year.

The aforementioned thunderstorm abated the 90+F heat at about 6pm and the now 70F temperatures are perfect for riding as soon as the roads dry out. Jeff just came though Grafton and wants to bag two more time stations (90 miles) tonight before sleeping.

36 comments:

Unknown said...

Just 357 miles to go - about the distance from Fairbanks to Anchorage...way to go Jeff and crew, an amazing effort! Thanks so much for all the updates.
John G.

Tsunamic Minds said...

GO JEFF GO!! Less than 300 miles!!! See you soon!

Emily & Luke said...

Go like Eddie Martin running to CWebb with a paper satchel full of Benjies!!!

There was a brief article in the Anchorage Daily News about Jeff today: http://www.adn.com/sports/story/9032845p-8948464c.html

Keep up the great work crew!

Luke

Baily said...

Good job Jeff! Me and my Dad ride bikes all over Madison and I thought that was far. Your going across the whole United States!

mjo said...

Go, man, go! You're going to conquer this beast.

Or at least fight it to a draw. 200 miles and let the recovery begin.

I'd be at the finish line if I could, but it was interesting to see the race up close as you rode across the San Luis Valley last week.

Lee Oatley said...

We are waiting for the whole Team here is Atlantic City. Great job Team. Just a little bit more and you'll be here. We watched Attila arrive this afternoon. It was a thrill to actually see someone finish. We can hardly wait to see you.

Sandy and Lee

KenWoods said...

You've got less than 200 miles to go. Keep it up.

You can think of those last 200 miles as good training for the Fireweed 200.

Unknown said...

Less than 200 miles to go! Amazing job crew and Jeff this is an outstanding performance, solid 7th place for a first time runner, 1st American to cross the finish line...when you cross shout "Buyaaaa"

morgan said...

Alright you rockstar. Put this thing to bed so you can put yourself to bed. You're amazing - we're all sooooooo excited and impressed. You can make up bird names all you want after this, and even call them seagulls and we won't say a thing about it. You've earned it.

- morgan, mike, misha & zoe

terril said...

Jeff you are AMAZING! Heather and crew you are just as amazing. I am a great friend of Rob Sampson's and a fellow NRCSr. I have been following the entire race and I LOVE it and what you are doing! Keep it up and you are almost there!
Terril Stevenson

Ros said...

Wow Jeff! Homestretch! Just think...tonight is the last #%$@ night you'll have to ride through! Tomorrow night, when you lay down, no one is going to mess with you and tell you to get back on your bike. I'm putting bets you'll sleep for 24 hours straight. Hope there are some turkey drumsticks waiting for you at the finish. Sick of pop tarts yet? I'm sure its hard to imagine, but back here in CO, this whole race has been a nail biter...especially when it looked like Oyler was just back four hours a couple of timestations ago...but looks like you are back to putting some distance between the two of you. You keep turnin' those cranks and puttin' those miles behind you! I'm hoping Tim calls on the homestretch so I can hear the roar of the crowd as you cross the finish line!

Emily & Luke said...

jeff-

take off that andrew smith pouty face and keep riding.

E

jennica said...

"only" 110 miles to go. I have tears in my eyes thinking about how freaking exhausted you must be and how wonderful it will be to cross the finish line. I hope you have a huge turnout to welcome you and that you get a great massage and ....whatever food you crave- not poptarts. Great job, crewsters. You've done a great job hanging in there and being a cohesive unit and keeping Jeff safe!!
GO JEFF!!!!

Whit said...

Jeff, Dreaming of the finish line is probably a bit surreal at this point. Believe me, you are almost there! Keep it up! I look forward to seeing your fancy bikes back in Boulder soon.

Whit

Emily & Luke said...

You're almost there Jeff and crew! We've been checking the standings fanatically tonight watching the progress. Keep on rolling. Stay awake and stay safe.

Go like Barry coasting in from the 5 yd line with Fontes smiling on the sideline.

Luke and Em

DavidG said...

Less than 100 Miles and your picking up the pace.
Great job Jeff and crew!

Ros said...

I know it probably doesn't seem like much, but my right finger is getting rather sore pushing the "refresh" button to see when you hit that last time station. Plus, I'm late for work, but am afraid if I'm away from the screen, I'll miss something. Go Jeff!!!

mjo said...

I just want to ask Luke to leave CWebb out of this. Anyway...

Finish line's in sight, go Jeff, go like Scott Skiles through the plate glass window at the Quality Dairy with a bag full of Double Dribble donuts in his lap at 2 a.m.

Tsunamic Minds said...

Hey, congrats Jeff! Just saw you finished. Heather...change of plans..give me a call. i'll try to call you later.

jennica said...

You're DONE!!!!!! Way to go Jeff and Crew! Great job keeping Jeff safe and pedaling and somewhat awake. I'd like to hear details on how the first good sleep goes.

Ed Plumb said...

jeff--congrats to you and the crew! What an achievement man. I cant wait to hear the stories from race. Not quite sure what to do with myself now--I can finally stop checking your blog and the race website hour after hour. Ed..

mjo said...

Yahooooooo! Way to go! Restorative Fat Tires are chilling in the fridge for you here in Big Elk.

Unknown said...

Congratulations Jeff and crew! I knew all along you were going to make it, you are no quitter! Please keep this blog to add some post-race notes...is there a video clip of Jeff crossing the finish line?

Brenda Couturier said...

CONGRATS!!! Great job. Now you and you crew can go to bed and get some well deserved sleep. I can't wait to hear all the stories that you didn't have time to write about.
Brenda

Unknown said...

Congrats Jeff and crew. You guys did great. Now Jeff is the most famous person that I know. He is also a finisher. WAY TO GO....

Baily said...

Hey Jeff congratulations that you finished! You did a very great job. That is a long way to go. My daddy said he was proud of you too.

Emily & Luke said...

Way to go Jeff! Way to go crew! We are pround to know such a tough customer. The #1 American finisher; that's nothing to shake a stick at. Hopefully everyone (especially Jeff) gets a bunch of sleep and then some good pizza while in pizza country.

You finished like Cleaves and MoP in 2000.

Closed circuit to mjo: nice one on the skiles reference.

Luke

Kelly Smith said...

Congrats Jeff!
You are awesome.
I'm proud of you. I hope you get some much needed rest.

Way to go Jeff and Crew.
Kelly Smith

Unknown said...

WOW!!!!!
Congratulations Jeff and crew!! Plus you finished on Solstice - How cool is that!! why most of us in Fairbanks will be up all night, I hope you get much needed R&R!!
Traci

carlhutch said...

That was such an impressive performance Jeff.You are a stud.

morgan said...

YAAAA-HOOOOOOOOO!!! You done did it!! Now sleep. Sleep like Rip Van Winkle...

You just gave yourself a hell of an early birthday present! Well done, Jeff. You are truly inspiring.

- M & M & M & Z

Jodi Crubaugh said...

Way to go Jeff! :)

Anonymous said...

Unbelievable performance Jeff. I am in awe of you.
Over the years I followed RAAM from the fringe, but never really comprehended what you guys go through until following your journey this year. What an incredible race.
I don't suppose you want to go for a ride when you come through Colorado on your way home?
Congratulations.

Kraig

UltraRob said...

Congratulations on a great rookie finish!

Unknown said...

AWESOME JOB JEFF and CREW!!! We are so proud of you all!!! Very impressive Stars and Stripes article. Rest up and enjoy!

Helen D.

Emily & Luke said...

The Anchorage Daily News had an article today posted online about Jeff's finish. Here is the link:

http://www.adn.com/sports/story/9053361p-8969492c.html

Check it out.