Jun 15, 2012

RAAM 2012: Friday 15-June-2012

Around April this year I heard of the opportunity to crew for a RAAM team. I jumped at it and after a few mail exchanges with the team got the confirmation that I am in. Last couple months have been a nervous preparation for the event. On the morning of Wed, 13th June 2012, I left for the US and two connections and 30 hours later landed in Los Angeles. Picked up the rental car and drove down to San Diego to catch up with a college mate. After breakfast on 14th morning, took a train up to Oceanside... almost there. 


Got into Oceanside early afternoon and met up with my team - The 4 Beefeaters from UK. We then proceeded to the pier for inspections. The scene at the pier was amazing - feverish preparations of the vehicles, bikes and kits to get ready for the inspections, the actual inspections, riders taking small rides, meeting with other teams, people at the beach - in all an invigorating and happy environment. We got our inspections done and headed back to the hotel. 


Evening brought with it what turned out to be a long 3 hour crew meeting. The crew chief, Jim Rankin went over the work assignments. I will be in the RV with Jim - working the schedule. We then went over the entire route with details of what to look out for between each set of time stations. The level of detail in the RAAM routing is just plain amazing. Check out the official 2012 directions here


Hit the bed at around 10.00 PM watching Crocodile Dundee on the TV. Woke up at 5.30 AM and writing this post. Hopefully the sleep cycle is now adjusted to the US times. 


Stay tuned for more updates once we start the race tomorrow at 12.00 PM pacific time. 
Inspection
Inspection
The support & follow vans with their bears
The RV

3 comments:

Shashi said...

Turns out I woke up at 5.30 AM EDT which is 2.30 AM PDT!

npn varma said...

Cool didnt know Vibhov is in Sandiago... Call me in advance when you reach near Louisville will plan a trip to meet you out there with the RAAM crew.

Unknown said...

It takes me 10 days to adjust to the time difference form India to US east coast. Good luck! I'll try to follow the race here too.