Meet the Support Crew

Crew members are crucial to the success of RAAM.  They keep the riders safe, help them to pass the torch to each other without missing a beat, and do a 100 other things to make sure everybody keeps moving forward as fast as possible.  I hope to catch them in action along the way and report in detail.

This year all of the Viasat riders are riding in RAAM for the first time.  Each of them works for the company too.  Not so among the crew members.  For instance, take:

Barrie Adsett - Barrie has a ton of experience working as an independent endurance event organizer and is serving as Crew Chief for this year's Viasat RAAM team.  "I enjoy the competitiveness ... and the logistics of planning for possibilities is my inspiration."  Barrie says an advantage he has is that his "body adjusts quickly because I participate in other sports where we sleep deprive ourselves.  He hopes that the race will leave him with "a fun trip across the country and some good stories to share afterward."

Richard Becker - Richard says he got involved in this year's RAAM because he "wanted the adventure of seeing America and to help others to accomplish their goals ... and be part of something bigger than the everyday routine."  He plans to stay awake during nighttime shifts with lots of rock 'n roll.  For those contemplating riding in future RAAMs, Richard advises: "Stop talking about doing it and just do it."

Becky Cawood - Becky is Andrew's wife and she says she will crew for him and Joab.  Why is she going along?  "To stay married," she says.  "My husband signed me up.  I had no idea what I was in for - pretty excited to be part of the team."  Becky plans to stay awake during nighttime shifts with "lots of sugar."

Roger Fastring - Roger wants one day to ride in RAAM and this year hopes to "get a good idea of what I'd need to do to ride."  He loves cycling because it puts him out in "God's creation....  I've learned that you really appreciate the environment around you when you tour on a bike."  Riding on vacations has allowed Roger to experience the little restaurants in small towns and the smells, such as "the smell of the ocean or the light crusty salt feeling on my skin after a full day coast ride."

Dave Landry - Dave is a former high school English teacher.  He is also "a former marathoner and bezerker," he says, "so [the race] seemed like a cool endurance test that a geezer like me could help with."  Dave is going along "for the pleasure of the game.  Coffee, guts and POE (purity of essence)" will keep him going.  To future riders: "Train, train, train and then go out and do it.  Carpe Diem."

Steve Moore - Steve, who is training for a marathon, wants to ride in RAAM one day.  Friends from Viasat have been bugging him to jump into the race for several years.  So this year is a chance to see all aspects of the race.  Once underway, he says, he hopes to get "lots of regularly scheduled rest and relaxation.  Since my first shift starts at 1 am that will not happen, so some good stories and new friends will be more than adequate."  Conversation is one thing that Steve figures will help keep him awake.  When he rides, "catching the person ahead of me" is what inspires him.

Steve Schaefer - Plan ahead is what Steve preaches to crew members when they must navigate.  "Navigating accurately is more important than saving seconds" by riding faster.  Even more crucial is safety.  And during the race, says Steve, a two-time RAAM rider, "eating is hard.  Sleeping is hard.  Riding will take care of itself.  After riding, eat anything that seems appetizing to you."  He feels lucky; currently he is not scheduled for night shifts, though that may change as the race goes on.

Jeff Smith - Jeff is not worried about staying awake.  "I think we will be plenty busy enough keeping up with the riders and keeping them on the race route, making sure exchanges go smooth" etc.  "I am also a night owl but don't ask me anything about the morning hours before my first cup of coffee."  Jeff is not a rider, though he works for Viasat and hopes that by going on RAAM as crew member he will get to know other company exployees and help the team along.

Terry Walsh - I do not yet have a response from Terry but am hoping to get to know him along the way.