From the Drivers Seat: Forigners and Crank Addicts.

Wednesday, June 15th, was Team registration, and vehicle inspection at the Start line in Ocean City. It was really awesome to walk around and talk to all of the crews and check out their Support Vehicles, and the Bicycles...mmmm bikes ( Said in a Homer Simpson drooling voice).

I was amazed at the number of countries represented at this race. I talked with some great folks from Italy, Canada, Germany, Austria, and New Zeland, Lichtenstein (SP)

Early on Wednesday morning, before the registration, I meet some really great guys who were the crew for team “Crank Addicts,” (quite possibly on of the greatest racing names I have encountered so far).These gentlemen hail from island nation of Great Britain, and had just arrived late last night. I talked with Crank Addicts Crew Chief, Adam Payne while he was looking over his rental vehicle, making sure he knew where the spare tire and tools were stored, and trying to plan how to get to them after the vehicle is rigged up as a support vehicles. During our visit, after exchanging some less than appropriate jokes and stories, we got down to discussing the difficulties of arriving in a foreign country, and trying to get ready for a race. I hadn't really considered some of the logistical challenges faced by the crews from other countries. Understanding the rules of the road, road signage, even getting used to driving on the “Other” side of the road. Add to that, not really being familiar with store names and associating the names with what they might sale. Just another example of how RAAM is a challenge, from start to finish, and not just for the guy on the bike.

I caught up with Adam and the rest of the Crank Addicts at the staging area, on Saturday June 18th, about an hour before they were due to leave Oceanside for the Team Race. 

Good luck guys. I look forward to catching up with you out on the road, and in Annapolis.