RAAM race report

As promised, I will try to tell you what occurred during this insane race. The race report is relatively long, but it took me only 13 minutes to read it. If one compares with the 12 days that took me to cross the USA on a bike, I think that it is a good bargain for you. Moreover, with all that it occurred during these 12 days, I could easily have written a book of 300 pages. So now, it is your turn. Attention, 3... 2... 1... 0!

I have just crossed in my support van the Del Memorial Bridge in New Jersey (prohibited to the riders), and I’m getting ready to get back on my bike for what seems to be a “promenade de santé” of 50 miles until Atlantic City, town of arrival of the Race Across America 2007. After all, what represents 50 miles when one has just made nearly 3,000 miles in 12 days through the United States, riding in the deserts of California, climbing the mountains of Colorado, crossing the high plains of Kansas, the numerous rollers of the Midwest and the steep walls of the Appalachian Mountains, standing temperatures from +110 ºF to +40 ºF in a few hours, avoiding the constant traps that offer the road like the potholes, the debris, the trucks and the raccoons!, sleeping finally only a few hours in the motels or on the side of the road. I tell to myself at this moment that these 50 miles will just be like an easy Sunday ride, a “piece of cake”, that the hardest part of the race is over and that nothing wrong can happen to me anymore. After all, I feel good physically, the weather is nice, and I have 3h to do it, with an average thus of 16.5 mph. My dream to finish the RAAM as a solo rider, the hardest bike race in the world (No, it’s not the Tour de France!), is on the way to be carried out after 3 years of effort. What I don’t know yet is that the dream is about to become a nightmare. These 50 miles will be probably for me the hardest mentally of the entire race. As for my team which is in the van behind me, they are about to live the most stressful 3 hours of this adventure.

For the 3rd time (2nd time in solo), I find myself on the starting line of the RAAM. After my DNF (Do Not Finish) in 2005, and in spite of a great 2^nd place in a 4-man team the following year, I know that this year I cannot fail, and that I must give it all to cross the finish line in Atlantic City. My winter training went very well, the crew team is experienced and ready, the sponsors were all lined up in time, and my family for the 1^st time will join me in this adventure. In short, all the lights are green when I start riding my bike in Oceanside, Ca for a 3,042 miles grueling journey through the USA. However, the RAAM, like the Everest or the Vendée-Globe Challenge for example, is one of these very rare sporting challenges where no one can predict what’s going to happen, even the best specialist in the world. There are so many different parameters to manage, that a simple grain of sand at the beginning of the challenge can become insurmountable after a few days and can lead to a DNF. But it is what makes also all the charm of this kind of extreme challenge. It is in the difficulty that we really know what we’re made of, and the RAAM is conceived to push the competitors to their extreme limit, and even beyond at times. I am aware of that when I ride the first meters of the race, but I am ready and I rely on my team.

The 1^st day of the race goes very well, thanks to a great weather and a temperature in the Californian desert lower than 110ºF. I decided, in agreement with the team, to ride fast and to accumulate a maximum of miles during the first days. I feel great, and it is a treat for me and the crew team which follows me to ride in a beautiful landscape of desert and canyons. In spite of several stops to eat, I manage to ride 340 miles the 1^st day and this without any sleep. I am in 13^th place out of 30 solo riders. My team is very happy because, contrary to 2005 when I had ridden only 280 miles and was 24^th out of 26 solo riders, this year they see me actually "doing" the race, and not a randonnee.

However, the 1^st big difficulty of the race, located after Congress, AZ, called Yarnell grade, a pass of 6 miles at 6%, is coming up. I decide to take my first sleep break before the pass because in 2005 I completely blew up during the climb. It was a wise decision because I climb up the pass without any problem, and I climb down immediately towards Prescott, AZ. After a 2^nd sleep break at the end of the night in Flagstaff, AZ, and after having ridden 233 miles for the 2^nd day, we move towards Utah and the famous Monument Valley

As in 2005, we have the chance to cross Monument Valley during the daylight. It is an imposing landscape that one can never forget. Rob, the crew chief and team doctor, takes benefit of this amazing view to take a picture of Estelle and me which will be eventually published at the beginning of August in the newspaper "Improper Bostonian", in the hope of publicizing the fundraising project. The 3^rd day goes without problem while riding 250 miles, which will bring us at the bottom of the Rockies in Colorado, and the famous Wolf Creek Pass, higher pass of the race culminating at 10,857 feet.

8 miles at 7%, here is very simplified my problem with Wolf Creek pass. In 2005, it took me nearly 3 hours, in the middle of the night and with a sluggish pace to make it to the top. In 2006, because of respiratory problems, I had not ridden 1 yard, leaving to my teammates the “privilege” to climb up the "beast". This year, I arrive at the bottom of the pass at the end of the day where the entire team waits for me, knowing that it is an important moment. The weather is very nice, and the colors in the pass are splendid. I ask Estelle to make an interview at the beginning of the climb, taking advantage of the imposing landscape and the still gentle slope. Everyone is hyped up and encourages me, knowing that this time I have the legs. Indeed, after only 1h20', I arrive at the top of the pass. All the team and I are very pleased, to have finally overcome Wolf Creek. With our surprise, we meet at the top Michelle Grainger, a pro cyclist who finished RAAM in 1990. She gives us invaluable advices, especially on how to deal with saddle sores that starts to bother me.

The rest of Colorado goes without too many problems, by paying attention to manage the sleep, the food intake, and especially taking care of the saddle sores. I ride 225 miles the 4^th day and climb up 2 other big passes of the race, La Veta Pass (9,413 feet) and Cuchara Pass (9,995 feet) without problems. The descent of Cuchara while going towards Trinidad is for me an emotional time. Indeed, it is on this portion of the road that Bob Breedlove, veteran and a RAAM legend, had an accident and died in 2005. It is mainly because of this accident that I had decided to give up this same year. A memorial exists now at the site of the accident. In 2006, I had not seen it, but this year I pay attention not to miss it. I make all the descent at a moderated pace when suddenly, I see on the side of the road a white cross with an inscription in red. After having a thought for Bob, I continue riding towards the East of Colorado and the next state to be crossed, the very boring Kansas and his high cereal plains as far as the eye can see.

The crossing of Kansas is in general synonymous with head-wind or cross-wind. Luckily, it does not blow or a little this year, but the road remains terribly monotonous, absolutely flat and straight for miles and miles, interrupted with water towers from time to time. After 5 days of race, it is very hard to be motivated in riding in that brutally boring landscape, and for the first time I feel down. While arriving at Mullinville, KS at sunset (TS#25), my team gets angry at me. They are frustrated to see me slowing down and wasting an invaluable time to get back on the bike after a sleep break. The explanation is violent and allows me to “wake up". I ride almost all the following night, with only a 30 minutes nap in the early morning. While arriving on the highway which goes to El Dorado, KS (TS#28), I recognize the site where I had decided to give up in 2005. Wanting to do something “special” and to restart nicely my unfinished business 2 years ago, I decide to accelerate and literally to do a 25 miles time trial. My average speed goes up to 25 mph until, while taking the exit, I see the following van of Jean-Marc Velez, the other Frenchman of the race. From this moment, I give it all in order to finish in front of him at the Time Station. I passed him with less than 1 mile to go, riding at nearly 31 mph. I never rode that fast since the start of the race. While arriving in El Dorado, I am hyped up because I rode 290 miles this 6^th day, we passed the half way point of the race, I find myself in the 12^th place, I will join my family this evening, and more importantly I feel very good physically. Unfortunately, all the good things often come to an end, and mine will be brutal.

I finish my ride across Kansas (Yay!) at the beginning of the night after having passed Fort Scott (TS#30). It is there that I meet Anne-Cecile, my wife and Damien, my son (Estelle being with me since California). The emotion is intense, but we don’t have much time because the clock does not stop. The night is very difficult and I have a very tough time to keep my eyes open. After a 2 hours stop in the early morning, I set out again to ride across the rollers in Missouri. The day goes well, and after having ridden through Jefferson City and seeing the Capitol, I arrive at sunset in Marthasville, MO (TS#34), feeling good and in 13^th place. After a good meal, I set out again with the hope to ride well during the night. However, quickly I don’t feel well; my mind is very confused, and I have delusional thoughts, mixing dream and reality. I ride very slowly, trying to sort things in my messed brain. The hours go on and my situation is worsened. I stop twice in the middle of the night to sleep in the van, because I know that only the sleep can help me getting through this. Unfortunately, the debt of sleep is too important, and 20 miles before Greenville (TS#36), I collapse on the side of the road, incapable of going further. Fortunately, Rob, the team doctor, called by a crew member, arrives quickly, and places an I.V perfusion. Twenty minutes later, I set out again painfully towards Greenville where a motel room awaits me for 3 long hours of sleep. When I set out again, I feel much better and this feeling of living an awakened nightmare is forgotten (for a while!). However, I lost 5 hours during this incident, and also the contact with the other solo riders. I find myself at the back of the pack, but I was so close to a DNF that I put into perspective my place in the general rank.

The next day, I cross the end of Missouri, Illinois, and arrive in Indiana while having ridden 280 miles, much better than the 210 miles of the day before. In Indianapolis, I have the great pleasure to pass the last cut-off of the race with 6 hours to spare. Now there is only 800 miles to go, after having ridden a little more than 2,200 miles. Unless a catastrophe occurs, and in spite of the Appalachian Mountains to be crossed, I feel relatively good and confident about my chances to finish the race before the deadline. Unfortunately, nothing is ever acquired in a race as long and grueling as the RAAM, I soon will learn it with much pain.

I set out again of Indianapolis after a 3 hours rest and ride very well until the moment I arrive in Ohio. From relatively flat, the road becomes tougher with a succession of never-ending rollers which hurt the legs very badly. I start to feel some pain in my left thigh. More hours and miles later, and in spite of the care of our Massage Therapist Deb, the pain worsens and it is with anxiety that I arrive in Parkersburg, VA (TS#46). There is less than 500 miles to go before Atlantic City, but there are now the Appalachian Mountains to cross. On the contrary of the Rockies, the Appalachian Mountains are successive short hills but very steep, and with only one valid leg, the task is likely to be very complicated. I cross Virginia State painfully, by stopping several times to “limit the damage”, and the entire team set up a meeting on the parking lot of a mall in La Vale, MD, Time Station #50, at the bottom of the hardest stage, with no less than 4 steep hills to be passed.

Against part of the team which was afraid of my reactions, Rob, the crew chief, tells me that, based on my average speed during the last 12 hours (7 mph), I would not arrive in Atlantic City, 310 miles away, before Saturday midday. That means that I won’t be an official finisher, but also that 2 members of our team will have to leave the race early because they have to take their flight for France in Boston Saturday evening. I set out again of La Vale while thinking about Rob has just said to me. And I conclude that I have only one choice: to ride as fast as I possibly can, in spite of only one leg in “working order", since the left leg is unusable, at least in the mountains. Either the right leg holds up in the steep hills which follow and I am likely to arrive before the deadline (Friday evening) in Atlantic City, or it does not hold up and I would have to give up, and we will all be in Atlantic City Thursday evening.

When I arrive at the bottom of the first hill, I found a good rhythm, but I’m anxious about this first difficulty. I climb up the hill in zigzag to save my right leg, because the slope is so steep. I am almost sure that the leg will not hold up, but with much encouragement from the entire team and in spite of the rain which now falls, slowly I managed to get to the top and climb down immediately on the other side. That first climb gives me confidence, and against all odds, I patiently manage to climb up the other hills of this section. Finally, there might be a slight chance that I can finish the RAAM before the deadline and I continue to ride on during the night, without any sleep. I arrive in the early morning in Pennsylvania, in the Amish country where, exhausted, I give myself a 10 minutes nap on the side of the road. There is only left now no more than 110 miles to be done in 6h, with an average speed of 18.5 mph. Not that obvious, but luckily the wind pushes me in the right direction. I ride the next 60 miles averaging 19.5 mph, and I arrive at the Del Memorial Bridge in New Jersey that I crossed inside the van, the bridge being prohibited to the riders.

The last 50 miles are completely flat, the weather is perfect, and I have 3h to do it, with an average speed of 16.5 mph. All seems to be on my side to finish the RAAM with a flourish. I start out this last straight line confident and happy to finish the race, with the support of my incredible team. Unfortunately, as in Missouri, after a few miles, my mind becomes quickly very confused, probably by the lack of sleep of the last 24 hours and the accumulated stress. I can’t think straight, and I am completely unable to realize what is going on. That occurs at the worst moment because time is now really limited and therefore it is out of question of stopping. At one time, I turn right without any reason, whereas I should have continued straight. The team which follows in the support van stops me and asks me why I turned. I didn’t have any idea. A little later, I see a Mac Donald restaurant, and I go straight to it, knowing that the last Time Station is a restaurant of this company. I stop in the parking lot and my team comes towards me, telling me that unfortunately it is not the good one. During a good part of these 50 miles, I didn’t stop telling my crew, through the 2-way radio, that we were lost, that we had already passed by there. They had hard time to convince me that we were on the right direction. Fortunately, in spite of my total incoherence and many stops, I was still able to ride at a good pace. Finally, after 2h49' of intense stress for my team, and of extreme confusion for me, we arrived at the access ramp of the highway which goes to Atlantic City, official place of the finish line of the Race Across AMerica 2007.

The relief at this moment is intense for everyone but is contained, because the stress of this last day was very important, and we don’t realize yet that it is over, that we succeeded. We will have to wait until the final banquet a few hours later, with the publication of the results by the RAAM officials, and the photograph of the entire team taken behind the banner indicating my time, to realize what we have just done. My official time will be thus 12 days 5 hours and 34' to ride the 3,042 miles from Oceanside, Ca to Atlantic City, NJ.

Even if I were alone to pedal, I could never have realized my dream without the devotion of my team. I would like here to thank from the bottom of my heart Rob, Jerome, Herve, Deb, Thierry, Fred, Christian, Sylvie, Anne-Cecile, Estelle and Damien. Those who gave me financial support to make this adventure a reality must also find here the recognition which is due: Axel Johnson, ISAC, Treestar, Coherent, Becton-Dickinson, Cytek, Wheelworks, Avis and the French Consulate in Boston. Moreover, it was a real honor to raise money on their behalf; May Partners In Health and Nashoba Learning Group find the means of their ambitions. I also thank John McClellan, whom I regard as my American brother, for his constant help and support over these 3 years. Lastly, nothing would have been possible without the support of my family, thank you very much, Anne-Cecile, Estelle and Damien.

Finally, a big thanks to you all who had supported me throughout these 3 years, and who has had the courage to read this race report until the end. But don’t go away now, because the next adventure is already planned! The next year will be the year where I will participate to the Ironman triathlon in Arizona in April, in order to try to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October. And the RAAM in the solo division is planned again in 2009!!!

My very best regards to all,

Patrick

www.patrickautissier.org

PS: A first short video has been posted on the website, the pictures are posted on the website as well, and you will find here a summary in figures of my race.

Pps: The fundraising for Partners In Health and Nashoba Learning Group will finish December 31, 2007. So it is still time to give.

RAAM is over.....Thank god!

YES! Patrick did it…..with only 10 minutes to spare. It’s called time calculation on a top level. Now he is one of only 153 men around the world to have officially finished solo RAAM since 1982. When you know that 2,249 climbers have summitted Everest, being a solo RAAM finisher sounds pretty cool, isn’t it?

In the next weeks, the website will be updated with photos, short video and Patrick’s summary of his race.

To conclude, Patrick was right in his welcome message on this homepage:

THE THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM!

Thank you all for your support

Jerome

http://www.patrickautissier.org/

ps: The fundraising is still going on, so please help Partners In Health and Nashoba Learning Group getting closer to their finish line…

Day 4 - Race Across America

Yesterday, my dad went through the very challenging Wolf Creek Pass, whose summit is the highest point of RAAM. Patrick told me in an interview that he thought he was going to climb it in 2 hours. His guessing was off, he reached the summit in 1 hour 20 minutes! The crew was very surprised and delighted by this. At Wolf Creek Pass, we had the pleasure to meet Michelle Granges, a RAAM finisher in 1990, and who was named rookie of the year after finishing third overall. Everyone took pictures and got signed cards. After she and her husband left, Patrick started down Wolf Creek towards South Fork, Colorado. The plan was to go to Alamosa, the Time Station after South Fork, and get Patrick something hot to eat, like pasta or hot soup. But he got very cold and so we had to stop at South Fork to get him something to eat. The Time Station, a gas station, only had hot chocolate and hamburgers, not soup, so Patrick had to drink and eat what was there.

Estelle

Day 3- Race Across America

The third day of the 2007 RAAM for Patrick has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. He slept only briefly on the side of the road outside of Flagstaff and headed out into the desert highlands invigorated and rested. The road between the Time Stations 9 and 11 was long and straight. There were two consecutive 70 mile stages that left him tired and worn down. With only 18 hours to go before the first cutoff in Cortez, CO, Patrick was battered and broken. He developed saddle sores from the constant chaffing of the bike seat. His legs were stiff and sore. His skin leathered from the brutal sun, and his mind beaten from the constant grinding of the pedals. With much encouragement from the crew and his daughter, Patrick started into a series of three mountainous stages that weaved through Monument Valley and the Four Corners area which would bring him to Cortez, CO and the first cutoff point.

The first of these stages was one of the most beautiful on the route. The isolated two lane road spanned out the vast desert of Monument Valley. Huge towers of rock and mesas jutted out of the stark landscape in all directions. At one point Patrick and Estelle posed for a photo with this month’s copy of The Improper Bostonian and the spectacular landscape in the background in the hopes of getting the photo published and bringing publicity to Patrick campaign. The beautiful landscape was tainted by the brutal condition of the road, which constantly wore on the worsening saddle sores. After reaching Mexican Hat, UT, Patrick rested briefly and began again to ride uphill into the mountains as the sun was setting. As the evening settled into the night, a brisk cold headwind picked up, making the long day seem endless. Patrick rode into Time Station 13 in Montezuma Creek, UT beaten and tired, but remained upbeat. Encourage by the crew and the news that two riders were just within an hour ahead of him; he braved the night and got back on his bike. Setting out at midnight, he rode off into the dark night to attempt to complete the final stage before the first quarter cutoff. The stage was only 49 miles, but mostly uphill. The cold headwind had died down and the dark Utah sky was illuminated with millions of visible stars. After 1 ½ hours, he crossed the boarder into Colorado. He was extremely tired and signals the follow vehicle that he wanted to sleep for a few hours on the side of the road. The follow vehicle crew was also extremely tired, but Patrick was encouraged to continue on to complete at least half the stage before sleeping. With the follow vehicle urging him onward with the help again of Phil Collins on the sound system, Patrick pushed on ahead, conquering several steep climbs. He gathered more energy and confidence as the next 30 miles passed. Ultimately passing three riders who had stopped along the road to sleep. As he pedaled into Time Station 14 in Cortez, he looked and felt as strong as he had the entire trip. He had also surpassed the cutoff time by 9hours!

Patrick had overcome on of the hardest days physically and mentally as anyone could imagine. He was transformed from exhausted and beaten to confident and motivated. It was truly an inspiration to the crew to see him be so strong after 3 days. This was truly the inspiration that he needed to believe that he can overcome the RAAM.

Patrick rides on today into the Rocky Mountain, where the most challenging climbs of the route are located. If he continues to ride strongly as he did yesterday, he will surely surpass this challenge. Please continue to follow online at www.racecarossamerica.org for updates.

Day 2 - Race Across America

Day Two of The Race Across America for Patrick Autissier was a more typical day on the racecourse. Patrick and the team were riding high on the emotions and success of Day One; however the true challenges of the Race Across America became obvious.

Patrick rode out this morning from Time Station 6 in Congress, AZ into the vast stretches of Arizona desert. Fortunately, the weather was unusually overcast for this part of the country, leading to a more mild 95 degree day, rather than the usually 110+ blistering heat. The course was difficult through the desert with many steep climbs: the first of which was the monstrous Yarnell Grade, 5 miles of steep winding switchbacks immediately North of Congress, AZ. The course took a detour heading toward Prescott, AZ as there was fresh oil being laid on the traditional course. The riders had to pass through the isolated and desolated towns of Skull Valley and Kirkland AZ before climbing another punishing climb up 2000ft to the tiny town of Iron Springs, AZ.

As Patrick arrived at Time Station 7 in Prescott, AZ tremendously fatigued from lack of sleep and the grueling climbs. However he pushed on after sleeping for only five minutes at the checkpoint. Going North from Prescott, the course took the rider and crew into the Northern highlands of Arizona as the evening progressed into a cold night. Patrick stopped to sleep two more times as the night went on, once in Williams, AZ and again in Flagstaff, each time for only two hours. As the morning came on Day Three, Patrick, feeling more rested returned to his bike once again. He has lost some valuable time and distance on many of the riders, yet he remains in position to get back into the pack.

The challenge over the next 24 hours will be for Patrick to make the first quarter cutoff time in Cortez, CO. He must pass Time Station 14 in Cortez, CO before Wednesday June 13^TH at 14:00 EDT. The challenge for the crew will be to keep him positive, focused, and most importantly riding the bike onward.

Follow his progress online at www.raceacrossamerica.org and his own website www.patrickautissier.org. If possible, please contribute to his cause in the form of a donation.

RAAM departure

The Race Across America for Patrick Autissier is here! After over a year of training, planning and fundraising that Patrick made it to the starting line in Oceanside Ca. He arrived on Friday June 8^th to begin the final preparations for the 3050 mile race to Atlantic City. The crew has also assembled in California to assist in the many facets of preparation and execution of the race. The crew consists of three members who have traveled from France: Thierry, Fred and Christian; Jerome from the French island of Guadeloupe, Herve, a Frenchman living in Boston, and two Americans: Rob from Boston and Patrick`s own daughter Estelle.

The first 24 hours of RAAM have been exciting for Patrick and the crew. The race left Oceanside at 9:00 on Sunday June 10th. The start line was just next to the beach in beautiful Southern California. Amidst great fanfare from the hundreds of spectators, the riders rode along the beach before turning east for the long journey. The first 13 miles were in "Parade" format, with all of the riders in the solo category and 24 Challenge riding together to the official starting line. From here the riders left in 30 second intervals, climbing into the desert mountains of San Diego County.

Patrick rode very strong through the grueling first day climbs in heat exceeding 100 degree F. Despite the heat and the hills, a smile never left his face. He passed through time station one in fours hours and did not stop for a rest. After another tedious climb into the mountains, a long downhill descending 3000 feet of elevation, launched him into Borrego Springs, CA, a tiny dessert oasis where he stopped for a brief rest and quick bite. After this short respite, he rode 30 miles of relatively flat, straight, blazing hot roads through Eastern CA farmland. Patrick gathered a tremendous amount of strength, as the afternoon progressed. As the sun set on the first afternoon, he reached a plateau of energy and excitement as he rode through the most beautiful winding canyons while Phil Collins was blasting on the support van overhead sound system.

The crew members were also energized by Patrick`s enthusiasm. Estelle filmed the beautiful landscape and interviewed the crew with the new digital video camera. Jerome, the Team Clown, kept everyone laughing with his imitation radio voice. All of the others participated in figuring the logistics and preparing the equipment. The biggest challenge facing the crew this early on, is the small amount of space: all seven members must fit into two vans; with all of the supplies, bikes, food, clothing and each other.

The night set in as Patrick rode into Time Station 3 in Chiriaco Summit. He stopped again briefly for a quick bite of freshly prepared Pasta Salad made with extra love by master chef and crew member Thierry. He rode throughout the night, stopping only to sleep briefly for 20 minutes in Blythe, CA and again for 10 minutes in the desolate desert town of Hope, AZ.

The sun rose on thankfully overcast Arizona summer day as Patrick climbed into the desert hills coming into Time Station 6. He has stopped now to take a brief rest after a total of 341 miles in the first 24 hours!

Patrick encourages everyone to keep him in their thoughts as he continues on in one of the most gruely events ever attempted. Follow his progress online at www.raceacrossamerica.org and his own website www.patrickautissier.org. If possible, please contribute to his cause in the form of a donation.

[RAAM '07 - Patrick Autissier] Day - 3

In this last newsletter from Boston (and from me!), you will find:

1. Schedule for the last 2 days prior to the start
2. Thank you all
3. It’s time to donate
4. Coverage during the race

1. Schedule for the last 2 days prior to the start

Friday morning, I am leaving Boston, along with my daughter Estelle and Rob, my MD and crew Chief, for a one-way trip to Oceanside, CA. Jerome and Christian arrived Thursday afternoon, after driving 4 days the 2 vans fully loaded with bikes and equipments. 2 others crew members, Thierry and Fred, will arrive in San Diego Friday night from Paris, France. Finally, Herve, our Internet guru, will fly from Boston to San Diego on Saturday. During that busy day, we will set up the vans with an audio system and light system; we’ll put the logos of our sponsors, and make sure that everything inside of the vans is at the right place so that it won’t be a mess after day 1. Then, I am going to have an interview, a photo session and the bikes and vehicles inspection with the RAAM organization. In the evening, we will go to the start line celebration banquet in Oceanside where all the solo racers will be introduced to the crowd and a great buffet will follow. Finally, the day will be over and we will have a last and hopefully “good” sleep before the race begins on Sunday morning at 9:00 A.M. (PDT).

2. Thank you all

This project would not have been possible without the tremendous help and support of many people. I want here to thank them personally. First of all, thanks to the sponsors who provided the financial resources needed to participate to the RAAM; Michael Milligan from Axel Johnson Inc, Adam Treister from Treestar, Andrew Masters from Coherent Inc, a special thanks to Paul Robinson from ISAC, Steve Zyganti from Becton-Dickinson, Ray Lannigan from Cytek, Clint Paige from Wheelworks, Randy Ice from Spiz and Peter Daniel from Avis. I would like also to thank Mr. Francois Gauthier, Consul General of France in Boston for his constant support.

Before I drive them nuts, I would like to thank my crew members for their enthusiasm and support; Rob Miller, Deborah Luhrs, Jerome Pruneau, Christian Valentin, Herve Seux, Thierry St Léger, Frederic Ricol, Sylvie Gori, Estelle Autissier, Damien Autissier et Anne-Cecile Autissier. The next 2 weeks is going to be extremely intense for all of them and I can’t thank them enough for their support.

I would not even have started this RAAM thing 3 years ago if I didn’t have met John McClellan at the pasta party the day prior to Boston-Montreal-Boston, a 1200K bike randonnee, used as a RAAM qualifier. Since then, he has been incredibly supportive of my dream, we’ve created Athletes Racing for Charity last year, and we have a big plan for the future. I hope that everyone could meet someone like John in his or her life.

Finally, I want to thank my wife Anne-Cecile, and my children Estelle and Damien. I acknowledge that it can be tough to live with someone with big dreams, and it has been tough for them. However, I’m very pleased that this year Estelle will be part of the crew from the very beginning of the race, and Anne-Cecile and Damien will join us in St Louis, MO for the last 1,000 miles. Hopefully, they will see that RAAM is such a tremendous experience to live for everyone who takes part of it and together we will cross the finish line in Atlantic City, NJ.

3. It’s time to donate

As of today, $10,220 has been raised for Partners In Health and $620 for Nashoba Learning Group. It’s already fantastic but of course I would love to raise much more money for these 2 fantastic charities. I guess that, as I’m about to start this crazy race, it would be a good time for you to donate. Don’t forget that there is no small donation; it simply doesn’t exist for people in distress. Please go to make a donation on my website.

4. Coverage during the race

Our plan is to try to give you once every day as much information as possible during the race. However, depending on the availability of Internet connection, the free time of the crew and the race conditions, it might be difficult to do so. You will find all the updates directly on my website at http://www.patrickautissier.org/. The coverage will include newsletters written by Rob (posted on the homepage, and send via mass emails) and Estelle (on her webpage), pictures that you will find under Photos on my website, and hopefully small video clips posted on the homepage as well.

Most importantly for me, you will be able to send emails to either pautissi@bidmc.harvard.edu or Patrick@patrickautissier.org. Someone from the crew will read them to me through the PA system, probably at night when I would need to stay awake and fully energized.

Finally, a 24/24 live coverage (every 30 minutes!) will be available on the RAAM website at http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/. There, you will be able to follow my progress Time Station by Time Station.

Thank you all, and as would say my son Damien: “And now, let’s get the show on the road!”

Patrick

http://www.patrickautissier.org/

Becton-Dickinson Biosciences, new sponsor

I’m very proud to get Becton-Dickinson Biosciences on board for the second time in a row. BDBiosciences is one of the world's leading businesses focused on bringing innovative tools to life science researchers and clinicians. BDBiosciences join four others flow-based companies on this project and that mean a lot to me.

[RAAM '07 - Patrick Autissier] Only 10 days before the start

In this newsletter, you’ll find:

1. Cytek Development joins the pool of sponsored flow-based companies
2. More than $10,000 raised for Partners In Health
3. One-way ticket to Oceanside, CA

1. Cytek Development joins the pool of sponsored flow-based companies

Cytek Development, a company that develops and sells flow Cytometry product in support of the flow Cytometry community, has become sponsor of the project. With this kind support, Cytek Development joins 3 other flow-based companies and/or association, Coherent, Treestar and ISAC. I’m so proud of the involvement of the Flow Cytometry community in this project and fundraising, and so proud of course to be a member of this community (a.k.a FLOWers).

2. More than $10,000 raised for Partners In Health

As of today, $10,020 has been raised for Partners In Health. One could think that this amount of money won’t help a lot, in regard to the extreme poverty of millions of people around the world. However, do you know what Partners In Health can really do with $10,000? They can for example:

• Cover the costs of treating malnutrition for 100 children.
• Buy a year's supply of lifesaving antiretroviral drugs for 80 AIDS patients
• Provides clean water for an entire village

It is literally the difference between life and death for these people. So, please donate here. There is no small donation for these people.

3. One-way ticket to Oceanside, CA

We’re only 10 days before the big event will start, exactly on Sunday, June 10^th at 12PM EST. We’re going to pick up the vehicles tomorrow, load them with my 2 bikes and all the equipments that we will need for a 10 to 12 days journey. 2 crew members, Jerome and Christian, will leave Boston Monday morning and drive the vans to Oceanside, CA. They should be there Thursday night. The rest of the team will fly out to San Diego, CA next Friday. We’ll have Saturday to set up everything, make sure that the bikes are pumpedJ, and then we’ll be ready to go the other way, 3,044 miles east, to Atlantic City, NJ.

Best regards to all,

Patrick

www.patrickautissier.org

Important: You have received this email because I’ve got somehow your email address in my contact list. If you don’t want to receive anymore emails related to this project, simply click on this link, and send it. I’ll remove immediately your email address from my contact list.

Cytek Development joins the pool of sponsored flow-based companies

Cytek Development, a company that develops and sells flow Cytometry product in support of the flow Cytometry community, has become sponsor of the project. With this kind support, Cytek Development joins 3 other flow-based companies and/or association, Coherent, Treestar and ISAC. I’m so proud of the involvement of the Flow Cytometry community in this project and fundraising, and so proud of course to be a member of this community (a.k.a FLOWers).

[RAAM '07 - Patrick Autissier] Newsletter 05-22-07

In this newsletter, you’ll find:

1. 250 Miles in 14h30’
2. Treestar and Wheelworks new sponsors
3. A word from Pr. Robinson, ISAC President
4. Several documents have been added on the website

1. 250 Miles in 14h30’

A week ago, I did my last big ride, a 250 miles which was part of the Boston Brevet Series run by Tracey Ingle, treasurer of Athletes Racing for Charity. The route went to Meredith, NH, and back to Boston. There was a lot of rolling hills, and the weather was nearly perfect. I had very good legs until the end, and I was able to complete the brevet in 14h30’. That time gives me a lot of information, because 250 miles is the minimum amount of miles to ride everyday (per 24h) to finish RAAM in less than 12 days. In other word, once completely rested, I should be able to ride much more than 250 miles in a 24 hour period. Of course, I don’t know what will happen after day 5 – day 6 during RAAM, but at least this brevet has given the confidence that I need, and also tells me that I’m on target to finish RAAM.

2. Treestar and Wheelworks new sponsors

Treestar, the company that created FlowJo, one of the most popular scientific analysis program designed for flow cytometric data, has become one of my main sponsor. They were supporting me last year when we finished second place in a 4 man-team division. I’m very proud and honored that Treestar, like Axel Johnson, Coherent, ISAC and Spiz, continue their support over the years.

Wheelworks, one of the largest bike stores in the U.S, will provide me with most of the bikes equipment that I will need. In addition, they will do a complete maintenance of my 2 bikes in several days.

Remember that one of these bikes could be yours, IF you make a donation to either PIH or NLG.

3. A word from Pr. Robinson, ISAC President

Below is an email sent out to the Cytometry list on May 11^th, 2007

Colleagues:

Patrick Autissier is going to ride his bike across the USA to raise funds for those less fortunate than you or I.

ISAC is a proud sponsor of this effort. Several major companies should be sponsoring this and I hope you encourage your leadership to support Patrick - and I note that Coherent Lasers are already supporters. That's fantastic.

Patrick's ride will support Partners in Health.....I have absolutely no doubt that what Patrick is going to do at tremendous cost and frankly danger to himself is a humanitarian effort that we must support.

As ISAC president, I implore you to go to Patrick's website and make a donation. If you do, please note you are an ISAC member. Let’s make sure we as an organization support those that represent us....

You can donate at the bottom of the page

http://www.patrickautissier.org/index_files/Page806.htm

Paul Robinson

- -

J. Paul Robinson

SVM Professor of Cytomics

Professor of Immunopharmacology & Biomedical Engineering Director, Purdue University Cytometry Laboratories President, International Society for Analytical Cytology

4. Several documents have been added on the website
• Press Release
• Sponsorship proposal
• Flier (that you can post …..everywhere)

Best regards to all,

Patrick

www.patrickautissier.org

Wheelworks joins the team of sponsors

Wheelwork is one of the largest bicycle retailers in the country. They will provide most of the bike equipments that I would need to ride across the country, and they will make sure that the 2 bikes are in top shape. They are located just across the street where I live. How cool is that!

Treestar becomes one of my major sponsor for the second year in a row

I’m very proud to announce that once again, Treestar has become one of my major sponsors for this year’s race. I use their products all the time, and this sponsorship makes just a lot of sense. Welcome on board!

[RAAM '07-Patrick Autissier] HBS students raise $9,000 for PIH

In this newsletter, you will find:

1. Harvard Business School students raise $9,000 for Partners In Health

2. Make a $20 donation and get a chance to win one of Patrick’s bikes (value: $1,500)

3. RAAM preparation is going very well

4. I am still in need of sponsorship

5. What it takes to win/participate to RAAM (fascinating article about J. Robic, 2 times solo RAAM winner.

1. Harvard Business School students raise $9,000 for Partners In Health:

HBS students section F had their annual charity auction last week at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA. Among the items auctioned was a dinner with Mr. F. Gauthier, Consulate General of France in Boston. The event was a great success, as the students were able to raise a total of $28,000, to be distributed across the 3 charities selected a few months ago by the students. When all is said and done, Partners In Health should receive about $9,000. I would like to take this opportunity to thank deeply Pr. Nabil El-Hage, Jared Simon, Stephen Chan, and all the students from Section F for their commitment and support to my project.

2. Make a $20 donation and get a chance to win one of Patrick’s bikes (value: $1,500):

To boost the fundraising part of the project, I have decided to give away one of my 2 bikes that I will be using during the Race Across AMerica. This Decathlon bike is only 2 years old, in very good condition, and has a value of $1,500. In order to get a chance to win this bike, you’ll have to make a $20 donation to either Partners In Health or Nashoba Learning Group. But wait Patrick; what if I’m a 10 years old girl, I can’t possibly use your bike, right? OK, so below are the “options”:

a. You want to keep it because the size is just right for you, or you want to make a gift to a friend. I’ll take care of the shipping.

b. You don’t want to keep it, for whatever reasons. I’ll take care of selling it and you’ll receive at least $1,000.

Raffle information:

• $20 donation minimum to get 1 chance to win. Of course, $100 donation will give you 5 chances to win.

• You can donate to PIH and/or NLG.

• The deadline will be June 30th, 2007.

• The winner’s name will be drawn during the fall.

• There is a minimum of 250 $20 donations for the raffle to take place.

So now please donate here, because the money will go the charities and not in my pocket.

3. RAAM preparation is going very well

After RAAM in June 2006 (2nd place in a 4-man team division), I took a month off, and started my RAAM preparation in August last year. I went from 100 miles a week to 500 miles now. It means from riding 5 hours a week to about 30 hours a week. Of course, this time on the bike is in addition to my job at the lab, and spending some quality time with my family. With the winter finally over, I’d say that it’s a little easier to work this schedule. I basically ride now 3 times during weekdays from 3 AM to 6:30 AM, and I do 1 to 2 long rides during the weekend. Last weekend for example, I rode 220 miles in 13 hours (from 3 AM to 4 PM).

The other big component of the RAAM preparation is the sleep deprivation training. I went from 8 hours of sleep per night last August to 5 hours on average per night now. Some nights, I slept only 1 hour, do my training and goes to the lab.

All in all, my preparation is going very well. I haven’t been neither sick (except in my mind, but I think it’s too late to call a psychiatrist!) during the winter nor injured. I’m much more trained compared to 2005, and most importantly I know much more about RAAM, and what it takes to do it. So, we’ll see how it goes. The start is in 38 days, and counting…

4. I am still in need of sponsorship

I’m very proud to get once again Axel Johnson, Coherent, ISAC and Spiz on board for this project. However, my budget is not fully completed yet, and I’d love to get more companies and/or individuals committed to this wonderful project/fundraising. In addition to the intense RAAM coverage through their website (http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/) during the race and on mine as well, you can expect several articles in the general media in and around Boston (as in ’05 and ’06) as we are close to the start. Also a DVD of the race is planned and will be hopefully released during the winter.

You can contact me directly at 617-667-1562 or by email at Patrick@patrickautissier.org

5. What it takes to win/participate to RAAM

Daniel Coyle, contributing author of Outside magazine and author of the book Lance Armstrong’s war, has written a fascinating article in the New York Times in Feb ’06 about Jure Robic, a Slovene soldier who won solo RAAM 2 times. Read how Robic gets basically nuts during the race, because of lack of sleep mainly. FYI, Robic usually sleeps 9 hours in ….9 days of race.

That Which Does Not Kill Me Makes Me Stranger

Best regards,

Patrick

http://www.patrickautissier.org/

Important: You have received this email because I’ve got somehow your email address in my contact list. If you don’t want to receive anymore emails related to this project, simply click on this link, and send it. I’ll remove immediately your email address from my contact list.