KEVIN'S MESSAGE
I would like to thank my friends that are not on my crew during the race but have been part of the crew in preparation.
Ron Vanderleeuw, Andrew McMillin, and George McGuire of Gears Bike Shop for dialing in all my bikes and equipment to meet the regulations of Raam.
All my incredible team and staff at Gears Bike Shop; Andrew Blair, Scott Doel, Mark Freeman, Lauren Ramsay.
My Business Partner, Ira Kargel, for keeping Gears Bike Shop.com in business for 18 years, and her husband Mitch Kennedy.
All of the 9:30 am Spinning ladies for being the best training partners, for the last 7 years.
Life long friends:
Michelle and Dennis Dellios
Anne and Dan Ferko
Ingrid and Peter Lane
Neil Ostrom
Yvonne Camus
Johnathan Weisz
Jeff and Diane Rushton
Eric and Barb Jensen
Joanne Uhlmann
Mark Bonham
Greg Vanderspek
Paul DeVries for his support and commitment to Team RACE and our charities.
Peter Gilgan of Mattamy homes for generously supporting our Gears 24 Hour Spin and for donating his personal Tour Bus during a time in which he too has a charity ride that coincides with our race. His ride, called the “Tour De Blue” raises money ($350,000) for Marnie’s place at Sick Kids Hospital, and he sure could use his bus!!
Freddy Carlberg and Scott Graham of the Boomerang Group for all of their design support and website support.
Greg Shaw of Shaw Chiropractic.
Natalie Waller Naturopathic Doctor, Vitamin Pushes and Acupuncture
Larry Koury, President Specialized Bikes Canada and Dave and Tony and the whole Specialized Canada group.
Ellen Oatmeyer from Sugoi Performance Apparel and Brian Anderson from Sugoi.
Joey Layno Shimano and Greg Hammond of Shimano Canada.
My beautiful wife Rose, Julia my daughter, Andrew and Jonathan.
The other day I asked my wife Rosemarie why she was letting me do this Race and her response was simple yet powerful. “Because I believe you can do it”.
Thank you for supporting and believing in me Rose!
Remi, for cutting up countless vegetables and keeping me fed with nutritious meals.
My Crew
Dr Pat Hewitt, Chiropractor, Nutritionist and my left-brain. I believe and trust in all his teachings and I hand the keys over to my body, to him, tomorrow. Dr Pat doesn’t believe I can do it he knows I can do it and nobody knows my athletic body better than him.
Bob Langley, Teaching me the Hero’s Journey, making sure that I keep my head in the right place. He will have the answer when I ask “Why!?” during the race.
Ron Mitchell, for his level head and wanting to be on these rides for all the right reasons.
Peter Willson, for joining me on the journey of wanting to be a better man.
Larry Optis for being on 90% of the training rides with me, and not half wheeling me!
The rest of the crew, Jack Hewitt, Mike Macmurray, Mike Kolesar, Ken Falconer (The only Tour Bus driver for 10 days), and Ian Mackenzie for wanting to be part of the experience.
Alan Ford for his immediate initial support and belief in what and why we’re doing this.
Sandy Thayer for being persistent with the public relations.
Don Marland, life long supporter and friend.
Reverend James Cooper for taking the time to bless me at his church before this epic journey.
Trillium Hospital for supporting me without question and trusting that I will represent them with honor!
Sally, Linda, Kristin, Cynthia you are all amazing people that I love raising money for!
All my customers and Saturday morning riding buddies, especially the donors you all make life in our community worth living. Without all of you I couldn’t do this…
Kevin
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Post Race Reports/Articles
Read post race articles from Oliver Moore of the Globe and Mail, Danny Chew of RaceAcrossAmerica.org, and Race Crew commentary. Read More.
A Note From Kevin on Day 6
I must say I am both humbled and appreciative of each of your comments. They mean so much to me providing much needed energy to myself and my team. Read More.
Dedications
As the endless miles attack Kevin's legs and soul, he'll draw strength from
thoughts of these eight courageous women. Read More.
Kevin's Message
I would like to thank my friends that are not on my crew during the race but have been part of the crew in preparation. Read More.
The Quest
Team Race makes it official. Our intent is to break the Mens SOLO RAAM record. Read More.
Kevin's Gear List
I am packing some last minute items on the eve of flying out to start line and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Read More.
Kevin's Reflection from RAAM 2004
To compete in Race Across America (RAAM) was a dream come true. Read More.
The World's Toughest Race
Still the numbers are provocative and set ones mind to churning, and when the churning is done and the initial disbelief lingers. Read More.
RAAM DNF - The Noble Defeat
Today we will explore some of the DNF Dragons that have seduced, cajoled, and downright wrestled past RAAM riders to give up. Read More.
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