NOE’S RAAM UPDATES #1

June 11th, 2008

Noe’s at it again this year. And no offense but, this RAAM thing is just plain odd. Although I respect it, I do not understand it similar to not understanding Andre the Giant. I helped out one of the solo riders yesterday who came in the shop. Completely kitted up, he came in & bought a new, completely different saddle for his bike, put it on his bike himself (bonus points) and left. This was after asking him what the problem was with his current saddle. He replied “nothing, I just want something better”.

What Noe Says:

I left Oceanside on Sunday about 1PM-ish with the solo field. As always decending into the lower desert and higher temps from the central So. Cal Mtns. proved to be a formatable challange for all! Dehydration claimed many and even resulting in the eventual dropping out of two: Jen. Kreebs – Solo Female- Race Across The West (Oceanside to Taos – A new event this year) and Chris Malloy. What really gets everyone besides the relentless heat is the big-big climbs right after the heat of the desert! Prescott, where the elevations climb up to above 6000′ (considering that less than two hundred miles ago we were below sea level!) always gets everyone! After that there’s no rest as we climb climb climb into Cottonwood and Flagstaff ! From there its into the Four Corners area and the beauty of Monument Valley, Navajo and Hopi Country and of course the Valley of the Gods! (That’s where I slept last night and awoke to the “Gods”.)
My “Officials” assignment this year is to be the sweeper and bring up the rear of the solo riders. Now that the Teams have all left the West Coast; I’m starting to play catch-up with the rest of the solo’s and solo RAAM race officials. It’s going to be great to see everyone once again and see how the roads of RAAM have treated everyone. Once again, it’s a wonderful field of both National and International riders and thier crews; Great People surround this event and cycling in general.

Well my friends, it’s getting late (or is it early) and while I’m not at all sleepy, I should get some rest. I plan to find a sice nest for myself somewhere out here (between Durango and Pagosa Springs) in the majestic San Juan Mountains! Send warm thoughts, please

Much love and respect to all!
SALUDOS AMIGOS!!!,,,

Rock on Noe.

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