We talk and hear a lot about the Bike Racers… But what and who keeps those racers safe, fed, energized, healthy and on the road?
This post is in honor of the crew. Those that train for their jobs like racers. Are held to the rules of RAAM as strictly as the racers. Without these members of the team a rider could not make it to Annapolis, MD.
What do they do?
- Mechanics- fix flats, all things bikes, gear, shoes, all about cables, lube and tire tubing.
- Drivers and navigators- move 3 vehicles with 15 people across the country safely, navigate all things from what the mileage will be for the next crews ride to where the whole crew will be meeting for crew exchange and sleep.
- Lead and follow vehicles-MAJOR for rider safety on all different dynamics of what the road will throw a rider. For every 2 woman team there are 4 crew members with them every minute they are on the road. These crew members move bikes on and off the rider van for every rider exchange (this has occurred on our trip about every 30minutes!!) they get their workout
The follow van is required to have the rider in their headlights at all times from 7pm to 7 am. This means they literally follow behind the rider sometimes right on their back tire! - Cooks- the logistics of feeding 15 people, 3 meals a day(sort of), on 2 different shifts at all hours of the day and night is mind blowing. Shopping, prepping, icing, storage it goes on and on.
- Crew Chief and Co-Crew Chief- the Last Word – they make sense of what many would consider to be organized chaos.
- We have also discovered that this crew can do amazing things with Duct Tape!!
The Crew-
Judy Thompson -Crew Chief
Kirk Johnson – Co-Crew Chief
Al Lemire
Mike Murray
Chris Thompson
Mel Dick
Deb Fregoso
Cathy Gibson
Kim Loosemore
Denise Alveari
Yvonne Arnold
Team Laughing Dog would like to Thank the families of these crew members for allowing them to be away and to help the team make it to the 3,000 mile mark and to bring awareness for the need of local and national help for those families affected by Autism.
Comments
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Keokee of Sandpoint, Idaho
Amazing. The pictures made me cry. Thanks for helping the girls in every way.
Congratulations to ALL of you. What teamwork!! Wish we could be there to cheer when you arrive.
Stevie and Charlie Crane
Kathi,
Only three hundred miles to go and you girls made it through the rain, wind, heat, cold, mountains and still the team Laughing Dog is absolutely fanastic. Here’s to the finish line and a fantasic job. We’re so proud of you and the crew. We send our love.
Keep pushing…almost there. We’re behind you all the way.
I’m speechless and in awe of all of you. What a “TEAM”!!
Im with Joan…knowing u guys r so close to the finish and learning a small amount of what efforts were made…has brought me to tears! Well done
You are all great!
Amazing effort, incredible dedication. Heads up for the big finish!
It does take a village! Kudos to all! So proud of you!
Just a “few more telephone poles to go” as my good friend Gina Pucci would say!
Great job we are SO proud of all of you!!!
“Just a few more telephone poles to go” as my good friend Gina would say!
We are SO proud of all of you. Congratulations!!!
Amazing!
Congratulations to the whole team! It’s been inspiring following all of you on the team laughing dog website and facebook page this last week….sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee and Shelby in my lap. Woohoo! Well done. Beautiful smiles.
So very amazing! The pictures made me smile through tears. How very proud you must all be!