Crew Chief Joni Tooke next to the follow van with Dex's bike
You may remember that we helped Dex Tooke with his bicycle position prior to the Race Across America last year. We also sponsor him this year and help in every way we can. The 2011 RAAM starts next week and today Dex’s wife Joni, (crew chief, bike mechanic and head boss) brought Dex’s bike up from Del Rio for some last minute work.
I encourage you all to follow this awesome team as 61 year young Dex braves the elements to cross the continental US in less than 12 and a half days. His blog at ultradex.net was followed by thousands last year and this year will be even better.
The amount of training, logistics and effort to compete in the RAAM is unbelievable. The race is unbelievable. It is just insane and you will no doubt be very touched by this gentle guy who is most comfortable on his bike.
Crew Chief Joni Tooke next to the follow van with Dex's bike
This is a good thing, actually. The Race Across America is timed and once the clock starts it doesn’t stop. This means that stopping to eat, sleep, or anything else you may imagine is costing time! Team Dex is a nine person support system, with a follow van plus an RV for the crew. Normally the follow van is behind Dex every mile but for the first thousand miles, going through California, Arizona and Colorado, follow cars are not allowed. This means the follow car has to leapfrog forward to a stopping place, and then do it again and again. Dex is on his own and if he has a flat or a mechanical problem, he has to fix it himself.
Last year, Dex was ahead of the game until massive storms in the Rocky Mountains forced all to stop for many hours. It was so fatiguing to regain time that by the time he crossed the Mississippi it was not fun. I can’t imagine it would be fun anyway, but it must have been much less fun.
The Smokey Mountains provided another challenge, where Dex’s glasses fogged up in the humidity and he couldn’t see with them and couldn’t see without them.
GPS, radio, timers, and signs litter the passenger side of the follow van. This is communication central.
This year, with the experience of an actual RAAM attempt under his belt, Dex knows what he is up against. He also has some unfinished business as last year he had to stop with less than 100 miles to go because he would have run out of time. Barring a catastrophic incident, I predict that Dex will amaze us all, and maybe even himself.
Please do follow Dex on this tremendous achievement and when you are having a bad day, think about what it must be like to be on your bike 20 hours a day, 12 days in a row.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Kevin, Thank you for the mention and the article. Dex is riding RAAM now, climbing towards Flagstaff this morning, and I can tell you your adjustments, especially regarding his positioning and his saddle, have been invaluable. Thank you!
Great to hear from you! I hope things are a bit cooler today. Keep Dex aimed towards the Atlantic and we will follow you every step of the way.