I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out).
"The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget."
Mario Cipolini
"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
John F. Kennedy
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
Nutria Nails the Furnace Creek 508!
Mark's Mug Shot.
Receiving last minute instructions from crew cheif Sandy Earl while Joanne looks on.
Mark flys through the "windmills" on Tehachapi Pass.
Climbing Towns Pass.
Not having fun on Salsberry Pass.
Having fun crossing the finish line at 6:20 am Monday Morning.
Chris Kostman awarding the coveted Furnace Creek Finishers Metal
Nutria and crew.
The Furnance Creek 508 - The Day Before the Race
I am crewing for Mark "Nutria" Newsome as he attempts to finish The 508 solo. Mark crewed for me last year, I this is my way of thanking him for his hard work supporting me.
Sandy Earl, Crew Chief Extraordnaire, is our team leader and Scott McClellan fills out the team. The Van (known as "Eggplant" because of its color) is packed and ready, Mark is trained and rested and the weather looks to perfect for racing. It all goes well, Mark will roll into Twentynine Palms 36 hours after the 7:00 am start tomorrow morning.
(Not so) secretly, I wish I was the one racing again.
Other Oregon racers include:
Hugh "Dall's Porpoise" Gapay, 43, Cornelius
Greg "Gorilla" Geser, 54, Sisters
Del "Spider" Scharffenberg, 62. Portland
George Thomas, 2-man team (with David Holt)
Michael Wolf, 2-man recumbent team (with Jim Verheul)
Hugh is a rookie at The 508, while the rest are all veterans. In addition, Del Scharffenberg is a Death Valley Cup holder. To win this, you must finish both the Badwater UltraMarathon and The 508 in the same year.
Knoxville Double
That's me smiling as I ride pass Lake Berryessa on the 2007 Knoxville Double Century.