We made it...

The team finished the race in 6 days, 3 hours and 48 minutes, beating their time from last year, and increasing their average speed. Way to go guys (and gal)!!!

We are almost done....

We are almost done. We are just north of Maryland. We've got about 18 miles ago. Making up time out on the road and we're setting up some different exchanges and if so we're gonna pick Karla. listen

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Racing to the finish...

Our team survived a brutal night climbing the Appalachian Mountains--ouch. They're battling it out for fourth place with the infamous "Team 607" and are expected to beat their time last year of 6 days, 9 hours and 20 minutes. Currently, the team has been on the road for 5 days, 18 hours and 21 minutes. I think they can do it!

We are in Maryland and...

We are in Maryland and headed toward the Finish. We've got about 120 miles to go. Jim is out on the road. listen

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Well, we are in the home stretch...

Well, we are in the home stretch, on the last day of the race. Things are going okay. Just had a little accident and went down in a tight corner coming down a steep descent, but he is okay. Nothing but a couple scrapes and bruises and bruised pride. Will keep you updated. listen

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Yes, we just pulled...

Yes, we just pulled in Athens, Ohio and we're crossing the Ohio State University campus beautiful. All the streets here are made out of bricks and Dave Ridoud(?) is out on the road and it is rough. But, he's doing good. listen

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To continue, it...

Yeah to continue, it got a little long winded on the last one, this is Jeff again. Yea, there will be 4 people that will be exchanging, so 2 people will ride till midnight (that would be Pete and Dave Rideout). Jim and Frank would be coming in to relieve them as well. So, well be praying for us.

(Sidenote from Jenna: The team sends two out on the road sometimes so they can take turns drafting behind one another, which gives one rider a break while the other takes the headwind. Then they switch. This provides momentum and keeps the riders warm, rather than taking turns and hopping in and out of the van and getting on the bike cold).

This is Jeff...

Well hello, this is Jeff and we are cruising across Ohio. Just about ready to go through the last time station on the border of Ohio in West Virginia and my stomach is already turning because I know what's coming in West Virginia and looks like Mike Bennett, and I would be taking all night long so we'll be doing all the Appalachians and...

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Good morning, this is...

Good morning, this is Jeff. We are in Bloomington, Indiana, the home of the Hoosiers! And we had a bit of a rough transition here, but we made it through it. We got Nick and Karla back on the road, there are fresh people, and we're hanging out here in the CVS parking lot, getting ready to take off in the motor home.
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Well, Mike and I have...

Well, Mike and I have one more hour to go. We just drove through Kenton, Indiana, little town, cute little Midwestern American dream home with Craftsman houses and sidewalks and big trees. Yeah, it is really, really pretty but nobody's up yet. I don't know why, few farmers up, but that's about it.
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Well, just flying...

Well, just flying down the road, getting in front of Jim who is on the bike right now and, well let me just say, one poor little possum just went to heaven. He didn't quite make it. We swerved to try to, well of course miss it, but he's dead. That's it.
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Hi, this is Mike. It's...

Hi, this is Mike. It's 3 A.M. Jeff and I have three hours to go. Things are going well. I just wanted to give you a little update. Seen some mice, believe it or not. I saw a couple of frogs and some more dead stuff, a couple of turtles, and we're doing well. We're in Indiana and it's pretty cool man.
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I got cut off. Anyways,...

I got cut off. Anyways, I was going to say we went to Missouri and it was gorgeous, very humid but very luscious and green. I like going to Missouri a lot. Anyways I'm looking forward to getting some sleep here in a few hours and then hit it hard tomorrow. We'll keep you posted. Good night. listen

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Instant Jott

Instant Jott listen

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Stats update...

The team is leap-frogging with Team 607 again, and both are neck and neck. I think it's going to be a close race to the finish between the two! The Germans seem to have a handle on the lead, having just passed checkpoint #40 in Ohio. Second place is held by Team Type 1 just one station behind. ViaSat is in third, and North Coast Cycling and 607 have passed #36 and will be making their next checkpoint in Indiana at #37. Our team is four days, seven hours and 11 minutes into the race...

Wanna know something crazy? The men's lead in the solo race is just 400 miles away from the East Coast, having started the race two days prior to the 8-man teams. Amazing! However, Pete's record will continue to stand. Here is the write-up that was posted on the main RAAM Web site...

Pete & Jim Penseyres: On the North Coast Cycling 8 person team with his brother Jim, 65 year old RAAM legend Pete Penseyres is on his 9th RAAM. Only Rob Kish (19 finishes out of 20 solo RAAM starts), Fabio Biasiolo (5 finishes out of 11 starts) have more. Joe Petersen (7 finishes out of 7 four person team starts & 1 finish out of 2 two person team starts) also has 9.
Here are Pete’s RAAM stats:
1983 – 2nd place and rookie-of-the-year in solo race with speed of 12.09 mph
1984 – 1st place in solo race with speed of 13.29 mph
1986 – 1st place in solo race with record speed of 15.4 mph
1989 – 1st place in 4 person HPV team race with record speed of 24.02 mph
1990 – DNF in tandem race with Lon Haldeman after 952 miles
1996 – 1st place in 4 person 50+ team race with record speed of 22.12 mph
2006 – 4th place in 8 person 60+ team race with record speed of 17.23 mph
2007 – 5th place in 8 person team race with speed of 19.84 mph
2008 – ?th place in 8 person team race with speed of ? mph
non-RAAM: 1987 – set Transcontinental tandem record with Lon Haldeman with record speed of 15.97 mph
pre-RAAM: Transcontinental drafting crossing with two tandems (both riding the entire distance)
Pete’s brother Jim (artificial leg below the knee) is on his 6th RAAM this year:
1985 – 9th place (unofficial finish) in solo race with speed of 10.88 mph
1987 – 13th place in solo race with speed of 11.43 mph
1990 – 16th place (unofficial finish) in solo race with speed of 11.37 mph
2006 – 4th place in 8 person 60+ team race with record speed of 17.23 mph
2007 – 5th place in 8 person team race with speed of 19.84 mph

Hi, this is Jeff. We...

Hi, this is Jeff. We are in Illinois just about to Effingham but that is the name of the city and we are averaging real close to 24, 25 mile an hour, it's been great, the winds died down but we are doing good, moving right along and we are getting ready to exchange Pete and Dave of(?) the Vike(?). listen

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Well, we're on the road,...

Well, we're on the road, it just got dark, we are heading toward Effingham, Illinois and we are in a, I would guess I would call it a storm of June bugs(?), it is telling us that there are tad bit smaller than a June bug but they are definitely got a flying beetle and it's like a rainstorm of beetles and our windshield is looking pretty bad. listen

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Yes, we are putting...

Yes, we are putting in a pretty fast segment of the right ear. And averaging well into the mid 20s. I need to log(?) Dave right out is out on the road and still headed toward Effingham, Illinois. Gotta watch our for turtles, lots of turtles. listen

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Me legs are prickly....

Me legs are prickly. Mike. listen

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Me legs are prickly,...

Me legs are prickly, Mike. listen

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Hi, this is Mike. The...

Hi, this is Mike. The night crew just headed into Illinois. It was a little bit hectic, there was a detour and a lot of turns. Navigating was pretty difficult but we made it through, going over the Missouri River was awesome and we are--we made it throughout the hard turns and it should be free easy for a little bit anyway. Thats all for now. Bye. listen

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2/3 of the way there...

The team is sailing along, just passed through checkpoint #33 in Marthasville, MO. Way to go guys! They're four days into the race and making great progress...

Hi, this is a continuation...

Hi, this is a continuation of the prior blog. We apologize that the video isn't in the best quality on the internet. Sit back a little bit further and it looks a little better. But we have been having some problems uploading the wireless links, had been a little unpredictable on the road here. So anyways, hope you enjoy. Thank you, bye. listen

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Hi this is Jeff. I'm...

Hi this is Jeff. I'm sitting here and Mike is rubbing my legs for me, and we're watching the video online. We apologize, it's not the best quality. listen

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Been a while...

Sorry, it has been a while since the last post. Jeff''s phone is the only one set up to use the Jott service to send messages and it was low on batteries last night. We'll do mo betta. The good news is we got that video up... fun times.

Jeff and I are resting in the Motor home outside of a Coffee Shop in Jefferson City, Missouri getting some Internet action!! It is nice and humid here :) Last night went well... we pushed hard and picked up the pace a little bit. We saw a few armadillo's, a couple of turtles, a few dead skunks, a lot of bugs and scattered fire flies. I would be racing along and see random little flashes of light buzz on and off in the wheat fields to either side of me. I enjoyed that.

Thank you for all of your prayers, there haven't been any accidents, the team moral is high and the weather has been great so far. Please keep us in your prayers.

Praise God: We are safely over half way there!!! Yayaaaa!

So, I am interested in finding out what you guys out there would like to hear about... do you have any questions or are there things you would like us to include in each of the blog updates that we post??? Please let us know... we love having you included in this awesome adventure and want to keep you in the know.

Well, that's it for now... keep checkin in, we'll keep ya posted.

Fiddy Mikecycle Bennett

Yes, Frank, Jim, Mike,...

Yes, Frank, Jim, Mike, and I are out on our evening session here. Just started out last six hours, Mike and I and we're out in the middle of nowhere in Kansas. It's very, very humid but the wind died down to nothing. We're moving along pretty good. Frank just finished the pace almost at 24 miles an hour average. So, that's gonna bump our speed up and that's it. We'll talk to you later. Bye. listen

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Hi, this is Mike again....

Hi, this is Mike again. Just got done with my second poll for this shift and pretty straight and pick my bike computers anatomy because it's saying that there was no help at the whole time still I goes going up anyways I am going strong and things are going well saw couple of peasants(?) and not much more than not right now a lot of bug on the road but will see what happens. listen

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Hi everybody, this is...

Hi everybody, this is Mike(?) again. Quick note: we just uploaded a couple of videos for you guys to check out. It's on top of the homepage there, so hope you guys enjoy that. Peace. listen

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Hi, this is Mike again....

Hi, this is Mike again. Quick note, we just uploaded a couple of videos on top of the homepage. Check them out and I hope you enjoy. Bye for now. listen

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Hey this is Mike. Jeff...

Hey this is Mike. Jeff and I just started our fourth day, we left from Pratt Kansas and we are headed down a long and straight road that's gonna go a while. Haven't seen any animals or anything yet, but it's nice out not to humid and hope you're doing well. listen

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Hi this is Mike, Jeff...

Hi this is Mike, Jeff and I just started our 4th day about 1 1/2 hour ago and we started in Prague, Kansas, had some free McDonald's and we are headed down a long and straight road, it seems like it's going to go for ever. That's all for now we will keep you posted. Bye. listen

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Hi,

This is Mike. Just got up after about 4 hours of sleep and some breakfast. Last night was pretty fun... saw a lot of Jack rabbits and had to break for an atelope or a deer.. iono, I was going to fast to tell. The support vehicle was able to scare him off the road using their horn and I didn't have to run him over ;) The other cool thing last night was the stars. It was amazing the whole sky was glowing.

So, I woke up this morning and found Nick's laptop in here and was able to go onto the internet for the first time during this trip :) It was a lot of fun to see all of your comments and text messages... it keeps me going:) I wanna say hi ti my Mom and thank her and a few friends for their support and encouragement: Thanks Chad, Brookie, the Chris's, Becky, Jenna, Vicky, Paul, Amanda, Shauna and of course Dave Spencer!! You guys are awesome and I miss ya... keep us in your prayers.

Jeff and I have about 4 more hours of r&r before we start our fourth day. My legs are still feeling good, I am a little tired and the changes in weather have my nose and eyes all jacked up. Aside from that all is well. Jeff reports that he is also well... he is editing some videos and if we're lucky we may be able to post a couple tomorrow.

Thanks again, you're great

Welp, see ya later!

ps Hey Bill, I hope I get to see ya on the side of the road in a couple days.

Speeding across the plains...

The team is heading into Kansas during this leg of the trip...thankful for some flatter road. Team 607 is back in the race and has also passed Checkpoint #22. Our crew has also picked up speed quite a bit, averaging 24.57mph. Way to go! They should reach the halfway point across the U.S. in a couple hundred miles. Awesome...

Yes, we just started...

Yes, we just started the length of the race of 300 miles of plains from New Mexico into Oklahoma. The mountains were so pretty, but we're ready for some flatter terrain. Frank and Pete are out on the road. He is doing good and this is Night Crew, keeping this thing rolling along. We will talk to you later. Bye. listen

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A note from Mike...

Here's the latest from Mike. The trip into Checkpoint #19 was indeed very hilly, and it was also pretty chilly after sunset. The front half of Mike's feet were completely numb. Not good for cadence! He just finished a 17 mile downhill, so they're truckin' along.

Reached Checkpoint #19!!!

The team has reached Checkpoint #19 in Cimarron, NM!!! They're 1,121 miles into the race, with an overall average speed of 20.08 mph. Way to go guys! They've quit leap-frogging with Team 607 and left 'em in the dust. They're now in 4th place, just two checkpoints behind the leader. A solid day! They have two more checkpoints to hit before heading into Oklahoma. Be sure to check the main RAAM site for photos, updates, and info on the race as a whole: www.raceacrossamerica.org.

Climbing through New Mexico

The team is in NM-- just left Taos and are 57 miles away from checkpoint #19…Jeff is just finishing a killer climb, and he’ll have a switch over, then the next person will have a couple of rolling hills.

Mike will be taking over and crossing the Red River. It's a chilly evening with a beautiful sunset! Jeff and Mike caught up on sleep today…please pray for us to pace ourselves, for safety, strength and endurance…

The team is busy leap-frogging with Team 607. Still no sight of the Germans in the lead. What will the night hold? We will see!

Fiddy Mike reporting...

This is Fiddy Mike reporting... I just hopped back in the truck after my last ride, and we were able to have an average speed going downhill with a tailwind at 27mph. Fun! Thanks for your text messages. Send us a comment on the blog too! Thanks for your prayers...

Hi, this is Fiddy Mike...

Hi, this is Fiddy Mike reporting in. Jeff and I just started our shift for today the third day at 6 p.m. ram(?) time but 3 a.m. over time we go until 6 a.m. ram time 12 hour shift. _____ New Mexico and we started off pretty good and we're heading toward house and there is some headwind we did... listen

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Heading into Taos...

At 983 miles into the race, our riders have passed checkpoint #17 in Antonito, CO, and are heading into Taos, NM. They're making good time, averaging 20.23 mph---middle of the pack. Good job guys! Keep up the great work!

The Blowout...

8:11 am- Mike’s first blog: Can I just say something? Just waking up after taking a rest after riding all night. Legs are feeling good…We had a beautiful AZ sunset before heading into Utah…we passed team 607 and continued through the night and got into Colorado which is pretty cool.

This morning while we were sleeping, our motorhome took a corner kinda tight and blew out a tire by going over a curb. We're getting that fixed and should be back on the road soon. This shouldn’t affect any of the riders…

8:28 am- Jeff
Mike and I came in from our night ride and got some sleep…we are in Durango CO getting our motorhome fixed. Then we’ll head out and Mike and I go back on the road for our shift. It will be a rough day because I had 2 hours of sleep and Mike had 4. We had such a rough day leaving Flagstaff and heading into Durango. Rough, rough winds. We got motivated though, because we passed the team that was ahead of us, and blew out time separation from them.

Heading into Utah Tonight...

The team has passed the 10th time station in Keyunta, AZ (hey, now I know where my friend Keyunta gets his name!). They're heading into Utah tonight with an average speed of 20.52 mph. They're 634 miles into the race with just a few more to go...well, more like 2,380. No sweat, right guys?! Jeff's having trouble getting reception with his cell to call in through Jott, but hopefully we'll have some updates from the team soon!

Yes, we are headed towards...

Yes, we are headed towards Tube City, Arizona. Pete Penseyres is out on the road and we have a real strong side wind, but he's still moving along good. After all, he's Pete Penseyres!!!

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The team has passed through the Flagstaff, AZ, checkpoint and is dealing with some climbs- feel the burn! They're 24 hours into the race, heading toward checkpoint #9- Tuba City.

Team stats so far...

The NC Cycling Team has reached Prescott, AZ, and is currently averaging a speed of 21.22 miles per hour. At 401 miles into the race, they're tied with a few teams in second place.

We just left Prescott...

We just left Prescott, Arizona, and Dave is out on the road. He's doing great and we're heading toward Cottonwood-- our next sign station. Everybody is doing good and Jeff and Mike had a good night's rest, Jim and Frank are going in for some rest now. Talk to you later.

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We're in Arizona!

Everyone is feeling really good! We made it through the complicated shift change and now we have part of our team sleeping in the motor home. We're ready to head north on I-10. We just passed over into Arizona about 5 minutes ago (1:30am your time). We had to pick the rider up because this is the portion of the race where the road construction is going on and about 20 miles down the road, we'll put Mike back out on the road and let him go. That's your report for 4:30 RAM Time. Thanks for your prayers!

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We're about 20 miles...

We're about 20 miles out of Wise(?), we got a nice tailwind. Everything is going well. Frank Peters is on the road right now and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. listen

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We passed Borrego

Hi everyone! We've passed Borrego. Pete just had a really good pull. A lot of good tailwinds and we're making good time. It's pretty hot down here, but everybody's doing good.

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Nick just smoked up Old Castle Road...

Nick just smoked up old castle. He made it up in 23 minutes. He almost caught the leader. He was within 100 yards of the ____ and by that time we hit the top of the hill. He made up a lot of ground. Signing out.

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Jim and Carla just came...

Jim and Carla just came in and Nick made the hand off and he is gonna climb for the next 7 minutes to the top of Old Castle Road in Valley Center.

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We are on the road,...

We are on the road, we are getting ready to make the first exchange. Jim and Carla have written the first leg of the race on Camino del Rey and Nick is getting ready to take over and climb the next 7 miles up Castle Road.

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Well, we just started...

Well, we just started the race. The race started just before 2:00. And, most of the guys are out on the parade ride. We're headed toward the Bunville(?) Bridge in order to have the official start. Talk to you soon. listen

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It is the night before...

It is the night before inspections and we're just about finished getting the cars all ready. It's getting very exciting and only a few more things to do before we take off. listen

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