Day 9, January 13, 2002
SUPPORT TEAM UPDATE - MESSAGE FROM THE "RUMBLE STRIP"
Fun in the sun. Cruising America in a 30 ft. RV. All expenses paid. For a great cause. Amazing! We're in!
Ok so maybe the reality isn't exactly equal to the advertisement!
Our day starts in the cold and dark at 5:30 am. Kenn Rushton [the driver] loads the bags & bikes into the RV. Chrissy's film is rolling. Jennifer Currie lies in bed until Chrissy confirms that if she comes now she will be the second last person. Jeff's on the computer doing updates and sending emails to well wishers. Jeff arrives with ever darkening circles under his eyes and a smile. Cue Jennifer - who makes oatmeal, fruit salad, bagels, smoothies, and coffee! Food digested, advil popped, the guys are on their bikes as soon as the sun is up. The RV starts down the road at the warp speeed of 20 miles/hr riding on the rumble strip behind the riders to keep them safe. Legs pumping, butts rising, the endorphins have kicked in. These are two hard ocre endorphin junkies with a good cause.
We are their support team. This is our tale. Life on the rumble strip.
We're in the groove. We have a daily system and plan in place after 9 days on the road together. We prepare and cook the massive amounts of food required by the team on a daily basis to keep their bodies functioning. Water bottles are lined up with various sports drinks in wait of outreached hands at the window. Jennifer snaps digital pictures for the web in true paparazzi style. Chrissy hangs out the window with the TV video camera for a better shot. We honk the horn to get the boys off to the shoulder as another 18 wheeler blows by. We have abandon the walkie talkies that were used to reason with Jeff and Kevin and their over reaching goals and now we just follow, and follow, and follow.
Often we arrange media interviews for when we arrive and plan logistics.
And then we pull ahead and urge our riders to stop and eat. Reality checks have become an increasing necessity. "No you can't ride another 20 miles before you break, it's time to eat now" is the message we deliver. At the end of the riding day, dinner is immediately served in the RV to save time and maximize muscle recovery for the next day.
We then phone hotels at the next destination to get the best possible deal. Many of the hotels have been great giving us free rooms because of the cause we are riding for. When we get to the hotel Kenn unloads the bags, washes the dishes, and yes, even does the laundry! Chrissy film's Jeff and Kevin's closing thoughts for the day. Jennifer then gives both of them 45 minutes massage and stretch.
By 10 pm, too tired for tv, we check our email, call our loved ones and set our alarms for 5:30 am. As we lay down our heads for the night and reminisce about the day's events we smile and dream about the tomorrow's adventures!
