Team Kalyra: Women's Cycling and Race Across America (RAAM)

The following is from crew member Lynn Rigney, relating (in the vernacular) how she was able to rescue one of our support vehicles when it ran out of fuel in the middle of the Colorado plains. Thanks for the story Lynn, and I can’t think of anyone more qualified to handle the situation!

Outside of Kim, CO we had the opportunity to meet some of the locals due to “power failure” in the rider rest mobile… Yep… we done lost power, Scottie, due to our fuel banks runnin out!  So Miss Wendell and I took off in the “shark” into the wild blue lookin fer a re-fueling station.

We first stopped at one of them there farm houses with the ol’ dog out front.  Yep, sweet thing she was… waggin her tail and askin for a pet and some lovin, which she got.  ‘Knocked on all them doors and no one was-a comin…

So, off we went down the road a piece to find the next place.  Yep, we did find a gentleman out by his trailer in shorts and no shirt takin care of his stuff.  “Morning” he said, “how can I help you?”  Well… I told him I was lookin for some diesel, and of course a can, to transport back to the “mothership”.  So be it… he don’t even live there, just visitin a friend who wasn’t home!

So…. we walked around the corner to find a local shop that was full of Combines and old broken down parts to fixin things.  Called and called… no one was around… I looked at Wendell, and I could see her eyes getting bigger… hoping that I wasn’t goin to end up in little pieces!… Sure enough about 30 seconds later an older gentleman came around the corner getting into his diesel truck. Read the rest

Post-RAAM: Jill, Mary Hershey, Becky and Melissa are driving two of the vans and most of the gear back to Santa Barbara from Annapolis. Mary Hershey submits this update and highlights of Jill’s recovery program…

As you can see from the photo, Jill has opted for RAAM in Reverse as we travel back across the states. We have tried repeatedly to get her off the bike to no avail. She will allow Melissa and Becky to give her feeds from the rear window from time to time.

Motorists have been enthusiastic and generous- she made a $1.63 in change yesterday. Actually, she made quite a bit more, but that is all she could catch in full TT position. It goes without saying that she will not let us stop to scoop up all her spoils from the interstate. She keeps screaming “This ain’t no tour, baby!”.

I am a trifle concerned for her mental health. She says she will not give up the good fight until she has brought in thirty grand. Will you get the word out?

We are a couple hours outside of Albuquerque and plan to be back in Santa Barbara saturday night. I’d like to get her back in the car before we hit the coast so I can start trying to scrape the winged road kill off her teeth before she goes back to work at the hospital.

Becky and Melissa were not expecting a two week gig and would welcome any crew members who would like to jump back on-the race continues!!!! The nighttime vigils in the motel parking lots as Jill pedals maniacally are wearing… Your donations to the campaign to Get Jill Off the Bike are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.

Stay tuned!

RAAM racer Avalon is currently in Bend, OR helping her youngest daughter, Somersby, prepare for her Junior Nationals Time Trial event. I spoke with Avalon earlier this morning. She is still working on recovering from the cross-country effort of RAAM, an event which she says has forever changed her view of the Universe. She rented a road bike in Bend and has been putting in time on the rollers and road as well as catching up on much needed rest. Primarily though, she is providing support, encouragement, and sage advice to augment Coach Rory O’Reilly training. Somer won this event last year and is hoping for a strong performance today. She’ll be on the mark at 11:27 this morning. Think good thoughts for her and tailwinds both ways!

Torrential storms, sirens singing, sacrifice and courage – a continual struggle to stay on course. Homer has nothing on us.

Team Kalyra arrived safely in Annapolis in the early hours of Sunday morning. The entire crew with some family and friends welcomed Jill, Avalon, Lisa and Sonia across the finish line with cheers of celebration and victory. The week-long race successfully completed, celebratory bottles of Kalyra were opened to commemorate the occasion. Woot! We set a new best for the women’s team age group. Way to go team! Read the rest

I’ve just heard from Jill moments ago, the team has crossed into Indiana and the weather is good!  Thanks to the great work of crew member, Wager, for getting all the racer’s soaked clothing washed and dried. They are in a new state, the bad storms are behind them and they are ready to rock and ROLL. Read the rest

Following the girls through southern Illinois to Indiana. After blunting cross- headwinds and a paralyzing lightening storm, the pink hurricane has regained it’s groove today. Riders and crew racing really strong.
Currently following Sonia through the night. Clocking her at a steady 23 mph by the light of our headlights. Fireflies and dear appear from the darkness to cheer us along.

Leaderboard Stats as of today
We are in Missouri and I want to first thank our donors for getting us over the hump — we have passed the 25,000.00 mark–but we still need to raise $75,000.00 for Girls Inc to achieve our goals–with are raising money, empowering girls and attempting to set a new world–so thanks for helping! Read the rest

I’m super ticked at Kansas. Our girls have been hammered by horrific winds, rain, and thunder as they’ve pulled through KS today.  I just picked this up from the RAAM FB page:  “Somewhere in Kansas, due to the storm, racers got to exerience a street full of fish, frogs and turtles! Wow, rough weather this year.” I spoke with Jill a while ago and she said she thought they were getting hit by a tornado.  SOS to our Esteemed Weather Whisperer Kent, fiance to Kalyra team member Angie Bell!  Kent, update, please!  Have they suffered the worst of it? What does the rest of their route look like? Read the rest

Thanks for the donations that are rolling in… but let’s get them rolling a little faster!  The Pink Tank is leaving them in the dust!

Congratulations to Dottie from Sealy, Texas who has won herself a bottle of Kalyra wine– is there be anything better? (Rumor has it that this is Jill’s mom! :-]

Read the rest

Thanks to Kate Meehan for finding this photo in the RAAM Gallery!  Go, Avalon, GOOOO!

Okay, everyone! Let’s keep cheering them on with our comments, whooping, hollering and donations!  Please help us cover our operating costs for this race, and insure that there is a nice infusion of funds for Girls Inc. Read the rest