Rick's Riding Strong

This just in from Patrick Myall
Hi everyone,
Just spent the afternoon riding with the man himself:
Rick Rides Great Divide Gallery

Rick's doing good, he's in 3rd place out of 23 starters, with only 10 folks still in the race. He's just taking it a day at a time, but he's pushing to finish it, just riding it at tour pace.

My friend Dave "Moe" Meyer from Gunnison and I parked at Sargents around noon and headed up Marshall Pass from the west side. We found Rick heading down about 5 miles below the top, and we accompanied him for the next 35 miles or so out towards Cochetopa Pass. Around 6:15pm, at SR 114, we had a few MGD's and sent him on his way, he hoped to make Del Norte or else camp near Cochetopa pass.

Mary Anne, Rick sent the last photo out to you. Also, you should be able to copy these pics from the Picasa site to post to the blog, feel free to link the whole gallery if you want. Let me know if you have problems getting them.

cheers,
Patrick in Crested Butte

Quitting Cap

For those who listened to the race update yesterday and heard Rick say that he was putting his quitting cap on, here's the latest word.
It's not true, he is not bailing out of the Race, at least not yet.
He was having a hard day yesterday, but I think Southern Wyoming can do that to you. The highs and lows he's experiencing in this race are pretty extreme.
He told me that after he called in he drank a couple of Pepsi's, got back on the bike, and started feeling great. The ride was awesome, the scenery was amazing, and he was just plain enjoying being out there. He slept on top of a Mountain last night, and he was in good spirits when I spoke to him on the phone from Steamboat this morning. He said that maybe he just needs to increase the caffeine intake.
He's just taking it one day at a time right now, but things seem to be looking up.
This is one hard race that requires both physical and mental toughness. You have to admire all those guys out there.

pictures from the start

Some pictures thanks to Jason and Maripaz.
The last one was stolen from adventure cycling gallery 2007

GDR Update #2

Folks have been emailing and calling to ask for more information on how Ricks doing. I guess his updates to the official GDR voice mail have been "boring" according to some people. Typical Rick, all business...
I've been talking to him on the phone and things are going well for him considering this is probably the hardest thing he has ever attempted.
He's gotten lost a bunch of times,which means he's had to do a bunch of back tracking. He lost his map on a highway somewhere, and had a stroke of luck when a mechanic at a bike shop helped him find it.
There's been rain, snow, hail, massive winds, and there's a heat wave.
He says that the hardest part is dealing with the saddle sores. He's been putting in some huge days, 2 days ago he rode 165 miles. Yesterday he sounded tired, but who wouldn't. I have a feeling that along the way there will be days that are the worst he's ever spent on a bike, along with some other days that will be some of the best. Rick is super tough, and there's no doubt that he is capable of a challenge of this magnitude.
I'll post some pictures as soon as I get some. In the meantime here's a picture of the bike he's riding.

Great Divide Race Update #1

Rick made his way to Montana, via the slow Train. There were a few bumps along the way that nearly made him miss the start, but it all came together in the end. Jason and Maripaz from De La Paz coffee happened to be in Montana at the same time and picked him up at the train station in Whitefish on thursday. They also gave him a place to sleep that night and a ride to the start in Rooseville friday morning. Thanks Jason and Maripaz.
The race started on Friday at high noon. I spoke to him Friday night, and he sounded really good. It Looks like he's in about 3rd place right now.
You can read his updates, or listen to the podcasts via the links at www.greatdividerace.com
Some bodies are already breaking down, one guy was chased by a bull Moose, another had an encounter with a Mama Grizzly and her 3 cubs.
I think I'll sleep better once Rick is out of Montana.

Great Divide Race

For those of you who don't already know, Rick is leaving in a few days for Montana to attempt the Great Divide Race.
It starts at high noon in Rooseville on June 15th. Covering 2500 miles from the Canadian border to the Mexican border along the continental divide.
All self supported!!
He's super busy right now preparing for the event, and finishing up as many frames as he possibly can before he leaves.
Here he is taking a breather in the sun in front of the shop today.

There will be updates from the race at on various websites
greatdividerace.com
greatdividerace.blogspot.com.
mtbcast.com
Wish him luck!

Shots from the hood..

Heres a 29er Swamper singlespeed frame fresh off the blocks...This bike is going to Sluggo down at the Spokesman bike shop....

A close up of some pin-stripe work from Sampson

An old cross frame I put a new curvy top tube in and had it repainted and striped...

Check out this cactus flower... Usually only blooms once a year for only a day... smellz purdy...
Back to work..