Conference noted::bicycle

    Congrats John!!  Go for it...
    
    Eric

    	John Lee,
    
    	You're too much.
    
    	Scott

good stuff! Can I get the job of bringing the beer to the finish line? :-)

                                    ken

    Congrats John!!!
    

    congratulations

    Congratulations!
    
    Barry

    
       Congrats, John.
    
     I predict that John will do the distance in about 
     4 days and some change, setting a new record that 
     will stand for 200 years until broken by a 
     genetically-engineered humanoid consisting simply
     of a pair of thighs with a rudimentary brain.  8^)
    
     Seriously, I've got plenty of vacation time saved if 
     you need someone to chase you across the country in 
     a *four* wheeled vehicle.
    
    
                                        Steve

>     genetically-engineered humanoid consisting simply
>     of a pair of thighs with a rudimentary brain.  8^)
    
They're experimenting with this now - the major problem has been figuring
out how to graft on a set of Look cleats :-). I understand the engineering
team is thinking of giving up on this approach and going to the Time system.

                                 :-)
                                 ken

    
    Let me just interject a thank you for Ed's note and for the
    warm replies.  It makes a difference.
    
    One does need plenty of help for something like this, and so
    those who have volunteered or who have a notion to, that will
    also be much appreciated.  More news soon...
    
    cheers,
    -john

    Only one thing John, while doing RAAM will your daily mileage be
    greater or less than your usual? Just wondering. 
    
    I'd love to help but I'm on the wrong continent. How about I eat a
    banana for you?
    
    
    Rod

    
    Hi Rod,
    
    Feel free to eat the banana.  Any help is appreciated.  :-)
    
    To answer your question, it largely depends on whether there's
    a tailwind... or whether one happens to be descending the Rockies
    at the time.  :-)
    
    -john

Way to go John!!  With all the potential support (from Decies) spread out all 
over the world, to train the crew I guess we'll have to become a "virtual crew"
and train in our respective locations.  NOTES will help a lot...

Good luck John...

Kevin

    Good work John.  Maybe you should talk to DEC about wearing that 
    jersey -- you deserve some sponsorship if you do.
    
    MATT

    
    	RIDE ON JOHN !  Were with you all the way.
    
    					_Jerry

    It's interesting that another BMB'er is evidently doing RAAM next
    year - I recently received mail from Cathy Ellis (no relation,
    I assume), a Boston area cyclist, who is going to make the attempt.

    She's going to be coached by the guy who coached Nancy Raposo
    last year.

    Best wishes - it's certainly an awsome undertaking.  I think it would
    be really cool if both Ellis's won the event!

    [I'm amazed that anyone can ride nearly twice as many miles as I do
     each year and still have a full time job]

    - Jim

    
    Yes, I got mail from Cathy Ellis as well.  She is a strong rider,
    and shows good sense and determination, at least from my vantage point
    at Capron and in BMB.  I wish her well.
    
    -john

I'm sending you my support - please wear it at all times.

Seriously - best of luck, I look forward to reading about it.

Robin

    John,
    
    I've only just seen this. It's fantastic. All the best.
    
    Mike

    John,
    
    Good luck and best wishes with your attempt riding across country.
    
    See ya on WideWorldofSports.
    
    -Arthur

Cathy is a Charles River Wheelmen lady.

John is a Digit.

Both are real winners.

	~Mike

    
    Thanks, Mikes... :-)
    
    -john

    
    Since several people have asked, the 1991 RAAM begins July 27th
    in Irvine, California, and is supposed to take roughly the same
    route as in 1990, ending in Savannah, Georgia.
    
    The 1990 route passed within 50 miles of my folks' house in 
    Fort Worth, I now see by looking at the route-sheet.  
    
    -john

    Congratulations!!  A tremendous accomplishment to be invited to ride. 
    I live in Playa Del Rey, CA about a 45 minute car ride north of Irvine,
    and very close to LAX.  If you need any transportation or housing help
    on this end please don't hesitate to contact me.
    
    Don Seymour @LAO DTN 531-4425 or 213 827-5099
    

	I assume you'll be carrying a terminal and entering notes each 
day?  I think you can order an aero vt bike rack from DEC Direct.

	Good luck!    

	re last
	
	I think that it is a CSS item :-)

    Good luck, John.  And the thing that amazes me about you is that you
    make it look so easy!
    
    Nancy

                               That's Dedication



     If Race Across AMerica hopeful Cathy Ellis, from Cambridge,

     Massachusetts, doesn't win the 1991 women's RAAM, it won't be for lack

     of preparation.  Consider this:  In New England's harsh winter, Ellis

     spent up to eight hours a day on her wind trainer, watching, TV, with

     a fan blowing on her face.  She did her letter writing via a computer

     keyboard perched atop her handlebars.  And food and water were kept

     within arm's reach on a nearby table.



     Ellis is now outside, riding 600 or more miles per week, despite her

     job as a physical therapist.  On a given weekend, she'll ride 300 to

     400 miles; and during the week will go through three training partners

     a day, in 40- to 50-miles segments.  In May, Ellis estimates she'll

     put in 700 to 800 miles a week, while keeping up with errands, cooking

     and the like.  (Currently, friends are handling this part of her

     life.) After all this, the RAAM will probably come as welcome respite,

     win or lose.

                          ...but it may be worthwhile



     A little spice has been added to the format of the Ultra Marathon

     Cycling Association's 10th anniversary RAAM.  For the first time, RAAM

     competitors will have primes to motivate them.  Additional incentive

     comes from the provision that primes can only be collected from riders

     who finish.  This year's RAAM, starting July 27th, will wind from

     Irvine, California, to Savannah, Georgia.  This route was first used

     for trans-America competition in the 1990 RAAM, and the event normally

     uses a particular race route for two years running.



     "The Prime Scheme is designed to get more bike companies involved with

     RAAM," explained Jennifer Wise, marketing director for RAAM.  "It will

     give the RAAM riders more recognition and financial assistance."



     Bike industry sponsors supporting the $100 primes (in cash or product)

     are:  Univega, Avocet, Schwinn, Camelbak, Mongoose, Giro, XL

     Marketing, Time Sports, Ten Speed Spokes, Park Tool, Bicycling

     Magazine, Pace Sportwear, Exceed Sports Nutritionals, Blackburn

     Design, Union Frondenberg, Bellweather Clothing, Kreitler Rollers,

     Profile For Speed, Unipro, Specialized, Suspension Eyewear, Spenco and

     Yakima.

    
    RAAM'91 television coverage will be on the Discovery Channel
    
      8pm PDT (11pm EDT?) Saturday May 30th
      5pm PDT (8pm EDT?)  Sunday May 31st
    
    according to the Suspension News*.  Scott Critz may have posted
    these dates already, but in case not, here they are. 
    
    -john
    
    *(newsletter of Suspension Eyewear)

    WHat?  John!  You posted some "knowing" that it "might" be already
    here?  Waddaya think we allow redundant postings?
    
    :-)  :-)  :-)  It's been a loooo-o-o-o-ng day.
    
    ed
    

    So John, are you going to do it again in '92?
    
    My offer of housing for you and your crew in Irvine, still stands.
    
    
    Jodi-

    
    Hi Jodi!
    
    For a long time I was planning to do RAAM'92, but alas, it's not
    realistic for this year. My training seems to be going pretty well
    (intensity improved, mileage a bit under last year's) but the
    organizing has been tough (crew, sponsors, etc.).  I just came
    back from six weeks in England, and that was a big hole in getting
    support arranged.  For next time, I'm starting in November ('92).
    
    So... might your offer still stand for RAAM'93?  :-)  
    
    I'm shooting for that one.
    
    cheers,
    -john

    	Jodi (and everyone else):
    
    	I might add that the logistics of this race are beyond belief.
    
    	After last year's race, I talked to Cathy Ellis, who was the
    	winner in the Women's division. She said she was not going to
    	defend her title this year, and would probably never do it
    	again  unless "someone gave her a lot of money." She wasn't
    	talking prize money, either.
    
    	I also talked to Cathy's SO. He said, "No way. It's just too
    	much work preparing for the race."
    
    	It is, and remains, a logistical nightmare.
    
    	Scott	

    >So... might your offer still stand for RAAM'93?  :-)  
    
    Most certainly, John!  
    
    It's not the Irvine Hilton, but it's not $150/night either :^)
    See you all in '93.
    
    Jodi-