Techies!!!

Klaus Rothe, my technical advisor, and I, the dumb Dell PC guy, have started our annual but late search for the best and/or cheapest way for internet connection for the RAAM tent Tuesday June 15 to Saturday June 19.

Two years ago, we had hit and skip wi-fi reception thru PC Max by accident, and last year we had wi-fi reception from 8 to 8 thru the College Mall. This year Klaus even has me talked into buying an Ipad for the event, but alas, no wi-fi at 8:30pm in front of the CVS.

He has mentioned that the best option is Mi-Fi but it is quite expensive for poor little me [unless BBC would flip the bill]. A phone card - 3g ubs port would be great to use but I don't have one and I don't have a laptop.

I asked Sprint and Verizon for assistance last year and was denied, but Klaus will try to strike a deal this week, but I'm not expecting any cooperation there.

Klaus would love to have any kind of brainstorms in this matter so we can serve the tent and crews and riders with RAAM info 24/7.

Thanks for any help out there.

Motivated

Well, I'm now into this RAAM thing full tilt. I knew that the motivation would kick in the closer it came. Just e-mailed out press releases and notices to bike shops and our Bloomington Bicycle Club. I'll be leading a Breaking Away Descriptive Ride this Sunday and will plug RAAM again. This is our 3rd year and I think the racers and crews are looking forward always to come through Bloomington, the metropolis of RAAM!

It's raining on this hot and humid day in May, and I really need to start getting this RAAM thing in gear. I don't know how the RAAM racers do it? Needing to stay focused and on a plan for 10 months knowing full well it will be torture for 8 to 12 days in June! My hat's off to all you guys and gals. And, let's not forget the crews and officials. I crewed for Bubba Jeff Stephens in 2001 and what an experience. That was hard work and was not a vacation.

Indiana girl and the Indiana nights

Sandy Earl will be the first woman to attempt RAAM solo on a recumbent. She hails from Oregon, but she's originally from Ft Wayne, Indiana. Went to Snider High School way back when. I kind of feel a kinship as I lived in the Ft Wayne area for 25 years. She's no stranger to ultra-cycling. She still holds the women's mileage record at Calvin's Challenge and I think her 504 totem is a leopard of some sort. Her folks are coming down to our time station to cheer her on. The VIP seating will be reserved for Ma and Pa!

Are they worthy?

Well, Rupp and Gerbig have finally fielded their 4 man team, the Hoosiers. But, the other two are from California and Colorado. Dave Tanner seems to have retired from ultra-distance events. Would love to see a true Hoosier team. I've got a few names to suggest for 2011!

Time Station Tidbit

Jure' Robic has the most experience with the roads between TS 38, Sullivan, IN and TS 39, Bloomington, IN. Why?

2010 is the 3rd year that Bloomington has been part of RAAM. Robic won RAAM rather handily in 2008. However, in 2009 the route was changed due to possible road construction, but Robic's crew had Jure' ride the 2008 route. Hence, he was penalized 30 minutes for riding off course and it was his third penalty, and the time penalties accummulate. Thomas Wyss was actually now ahead of Robic in Bloomington, IN!

2010 route is back to the 2008 that goes through Solsberry on rather hilly terrain.