It's a Team's Life
20 mph 3000 miles RAAM Day 6
The days are starting to run together as we are into our sixth day of the race. The guys had a rough climb over La Veta Pass in New Mexico and through these mountains. The strain from the climb over Wolf Creek Pass has taken a toll on the riders and the crew.
We made it through Trinidad to the slightly rolling hills and then flat land in Eastern Colorado on our way to Kim. Watching these guys fly in this area was a blast and as we watched the GPS hover at above 30 mph for their average speed we had a smile in our hearts which turned out to be short lived.
The riders made it to Kansas and the WIND.
Bob and I are from western Kansas and are
very familiar with the wind.
The riders
had never encountered anything like what they were now riding in.
The wind was steady from the south above 20
mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
The dirt
was blowing, farmers were cutting wheat, and we had a lot of farm and truck
traffic.
The riders rode at a slant trying to keep on the road and not be thrown about by the wind and the trucks. Several times my heart almost stopped, as they would go by a grain elevator and then come out the other side and be whipped around. At one point Mike held his bike up in the air and the wind almost pushed it straight out from him. Vehicles on these narrow two lane roads were in a hurry and some had no patience with the bikes and at times we feared for our rider’s lives. We watched as the average speed went from about 30 mph to below 20 mph and the riders were struggling to ride five miles.
The wind was playing cruel mental games with all of us as we watched the cyclists give it their all. We struggled to stay right behind them not to close in case they went down and not to far away so no one could get between the bike and us. The traffic during harvest is bad and the wind and visibility made matters worse. Needless to say as the day wore on all of our nerves were on edge. In my mind and I know Dr. Jeremy’s who was the other crew member in the chase vehicle these guys became hero’s as they never once thought of stopping.
We are having another issue with the RV, which is where all of us sleep, as the generator will not stay running. The refrigerator is running on gas and doing fine but it is very hot and no one is getting a good rest. This also means the microwave and the coffee pot do not work. Carol and Bob Ray who are the part of the crew in the RV are trying to find someone who can look at the RV as we are going through and not having much luck.
We have made it to Wichita, KS and to our halfway point and there is NO turning back. The riders receive messages when a donation is made to their charity. Since the ride has started many people have donated and each donation is thrilling to the rider and helps remind them of why they are they keep getting up and getting back on their bikes.
All of us have
the attitude one way or another we will all make it across the United States
and be in Maryland on Saturday the 20th!
Bob & Linda Caffee
Leased to: FedEx Custom Critical 

TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO
Expediters 7 years been out here on the road 12 years
Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle; 

Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;

Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;

Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.