[RAAM 2009 - Patrick Autissier] Tuba City, AZ

Saturday, June 20, 2009, 10:46AM

I am sad to report this will be the final newsletter of the 2009 RAAM Solo attempt for Patrick. Yesterday afternoon at Time Station 9 in Tuba City, AZ, Patrick decided with the help of his wife and crew, that he could not continue the race. This was an incredibly difficult decision. Yesterday's effort to mount a charge to return to form was met by harsh conditions on the road, extreme heat, and a total body fatigue that was insurmountable. With no strength left in his legs, no charge or spark from his body, Patrick realized that in this condition, he could not complete the race.

On Thursday, after a difficult Day One, the course led him through on of the toughest stretches of road along the course. A grueling climb out of the town of Congress, AZ up the Yarnell Grade covers 1800 feet of elevation over 7 miles. Later during this stage, there is an equally difficult climb, a slow steady 2000 foot elevation gain over 15 miles into Prescott AZ. Patrick struggled through the day into the evening, and upon reaching Prescott was overwhelmingly fatigued, exhausted and felt weak. Although, his mind was clear, his body was not responding well to the challenge. Patrick slept restlessly for two hours before, remounting his bike for the overnight ride to Flagstaff. This stretch covered 90 miles over two stages between Time Stations 6 and 8.

Around 1AM RAAM time, we left covering 25 miles in two hours. Relief came for the exhausted crew in the form of Sylvie and Anne Cecile. Although they had been awake already for 24 hours, they had far more energy then the rest of the crew, and their humor and encouragement from home, carried Patrick to the city of Cottonwood, AZ at Time Station 7. From there in the middle of a cold high desert night, Patrick began another brutal climb to Flagstaff through the Coconino National Forest, past the picturesque town of Sedona, AZ into the Red Rock State park, up the Oak Creek Climb. Around 25 miles into the stage, with another 25 miles to go to Flagstaff, Patrick was overwhelmingly exhausted and took a 15 minute power nap along the banks of Oak creek, nestled under dominating red rock cliffs. Upon awaking, Patrick struggled through the early morning hours to reach the top of the predominately uphill ride to Flagstaff. The crew struggled to revive a blown electrical system in the main support van. Upon reaching Time Station 8 in Flagstaff, he was exhausted.

After a long conversation with the crew at Time Station 8, he was determined to try to rebound after a short period of sleep in the support van in the shade of the only tree in Flagstaff. While the tree served it's purpose, the management of the Chase Bank in Flagstaff, which owned the parking lot where the tree lived, were not amused or supportive and asked us to move along. Patrick climbed back on his bike around noon to attempt to continue and rejuvenate his fatigued body. Half the crew met Guy, the most renowned car mechanic in all of Flagstaff to help revive the support van. He had only one tooth, but could sure fix a blown fuse in a hurry. The remainder of the crew could only follow at a distance in the other van, but supported him along the way.

Unfortunately, upon reaching Time Station 9 in Tuba City, Patrick could no longer mount any response from his spent legs, and with regret and sadness notified the crew that he could no longer continue. The crew, RAAM officials, and many of those who we met along the way were deeply saddened by this decision his withdrawal. However Patrick and his wife Anne Cecile were confident that this was the only and best choice to make.

Upon reaching Kayente, AZ, the remainder of the crew and Patrick reunited, shared dinner and reflected on the experience. Patrick has obvious sadness and regret, however after fighting illness during the weeks before the start, he realized that his body could not match his will to continue. Putting the ride in perspective, he has realized that his previous completion of the 2007 Solo RAAM, and his other successes with this race were amazing accomplishments. Despite his months of training (waking at 4AM to ride 40 miles before work three days a week, two hundred miles of riding over the weekends, a 360 mile ride over 24 hours in Sebring, FL) and months of logistical preparation were no match for the flu-like  illness that set him back weeks before the race. He takes with him a sense of pride for his accomplishments even without completing the race.

Patrick and his crew are now driving back to Boston, via Southwest Utah into Durango, CO tonight. While he has no plans to compete in this race in the future, I am sure he will be planning his next endeavor before the week is over.