Going Long and Hard.
- Thread starter Steve Vai
- Start date
He was the one on the Fat bike, right?
Juggernaut
Master of the Metaphor
The insane amount of stress and uncertainty about making it there, shortened window to prep (build) the bike, zero time to acclimate and the fact that we don't have the topography or regular availability snow for training make this task super human.
Jim doesn't need to win, he needs to finish in order to advance his position towards his Alaska dream. There's a high probability he's had at least one mechanical with the abbreviated build time.
I've never worried about his mental, physical or emotional ability to complete this task, I am concerned about his wilderness survival skills. Recognizing when rest/sleep is the best course of action and taking it is important too.
Fingers crossed for the second half of the course.
Jim doesn't need to win, he needs to finish in order to advance his position towards his Alaska dream. There's a high probability he's had at least one mechanical with the abbreviated build time.
I've never worried about his mental, physical or emotional ability to complete this task, I am concerned about his wilderness survival skills. Recognizing when rest/sleep is the best course of action and taking it is important too.
Fingers crossed for the second half of the course.
GSTim
Formerly M3Tim
I thought so too, but with 301hp looks like it does 0-60 in 5.8 with a 14.3 Quarter.
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/toyota/camry/2018/2018-toyota-camry-first-test-review/
P.S. Go Jim!!
Why?
rick81721
Lothar
Jim's at 7th right now, could move up if he blows by the guys at the "man cave". I thought he talked about this last year, spending your entire life in flatlands makes it so much harder to compete in something like this. Just the acclimation alone to 1+ mile elevation takes weeks. Jim has to move out of stinkin NJ!
That grill is hideous!
Not a given.....competition to get in the 350 is very high.....Bivying last night would have helped his cred....but finishing this does not guarantee entry
gtluke
The Moped
Just the mental stress from the delayed flight, plus flying. Just being anxious for days straight and then jumping right into a hardcore race. Seems really though on the body and mind. Having a whole day to assemble the bike and settle in would probably do wonders.
GSTim
Formerly M3Tim
Juggernaut
Master of the Metaphor
Absolutely true. You can do everything and still not get in. I was coming from the other direction.... You're less likely to get in if you don't demonstrate mastery of the elements/distance on a consistent basis.
I get that. I think you need to look at it as an adventure though. Getting on a plane (without kids) to go ride your bike is a vacation.
As far as putting together your bike, I don't think anyone else is as prepared for that. 🙂
Kaleidopete
Well-Known Member
Jim Finished! Congradulations
qclabrat
Well-Known Member
I'm not the athlete that Jim is and elevation and schedule change impacted me lots last year at a race in Kunming China. About 6200 feet and I was sacked by the climbs and distance. It was temperate and only 75 miles, but still very off from game.
gtluke
The Moped
I just did it this week so I'm still feeling it. Jim at least knew his bike was there but flying with my bike stresses me the hell out ever time. I get such a relief when I see it pop out on the conveyor. I don't relax till I get out of the rental car place. I stress myself out with the clusterfuck of a way I weasel myself into a luxury suv while paying for a compact. I got boned this time but was able to return a few days later at midnight and swap out my sedan for a Cadillac suv at no charge but for days I was stressing that too since we had planned to sleep in it the second half of the trip.
You seem to travel enough that you're probably totally used to it by now. But I couldn't imagine traveling with kids either.
Steve Vai
Endurance Guy: Tolerates most of us.
Worth it. I'm toast right now but the bad luck clusterfuck didn't end with the flight. My bike showed up without the rear through axle. Called every shop in a 200 mile radius ending with a 4 hour round trip drive, 1 speeding ticket, no dinner, and getting to bed at midnight. I needed that 5 hour break in Yellowstone. Will detail more when I wake up in a few days.