KEVIN'S POST RACE MESSAGE
Hey gang!
What a ride indeed! There’s so much to tell you about the amazing and horrifying experience but I have to get more sleep before my brain can put it all together. To say the least, it was a physical and mental undertaking that was far beyond what I anticipated.
As I said to the reporter at the finish, there’s no physical way I would have even finished the race if not for the tireless support and effort of my road crew. They were stubborn, loving, nasty, and caring all tucked into a bus and van creeping across the continent at 13 mph.
The last 24 hrs was a nightmare. I was hurting big time. All I thought about was the waiting embrace of my family. With every revolution of the pedals, I imagined my daughter, Julia, chanting, “Keep pedaling daddy”. When I finally touched them at the finish, the previous 10 days vanished. I wrapped my arms around them with a huge smile. It’s only with their encouragement and support that I was able to train, plan, dream and race. I could write pages about them.
Emotionally, I was energized by the outpouring of personal messages delivered by all of you through the web site. Over the entire last half of the race, messages were read over the loud speaker constantly. I kept wondering when the crew was going to run out of material. Thoughts of each of you broke the increasingly tedious miles bringing a mix of tears and smiles to my face while pumping adrenalin into my heart. I can’t thank you enough for your interest, patience and kindness.
By sharing our stories about cancer, personal loss and celebrations, we give each other permission to open our souls and let healing begin. Though there is no finish line in sight, our spirit and purpose binds us together in the race against cancer. It was this assurance that got me through RAAM. We need to act on our purpose. We need to improve the level of health care for women in our lives by funding facilities like the Betty Wallace Women’s Health Center in hospitals across Canada.
To everyone who donated to the Betty Wallace Women’s Health Center, thank you. Thank you. RAAM brought me ever so slightly closer to understanding the anguish that so many women endure through their cancer journey. Your donations will advance the care of thousands of remarkable women who have no option but to finish the race. Thank you for being the biggest part of my team.
I am proud to ride as part of Team RACE and encourage you, whether you’re a cyclist or not, to be part of this expanding movement. Join today at TeamRACE.com. Our strength in numbers will draw more attention from media, potential contributors, and health care decision makers. Fundraising for the BWHC can be a model for other places in Canada. Team RACE can help make it happen in your community. Vancouver is coming on stream this summer and interest has been expressed in other locations. Why not take the lead in your home town?
Get out of your comfort zone, live an active lifestyle and care for your community.
There are many more people I will thank over the weeks to come. Some gave moral support, some provided materials and sponsorship support, some stopped on the side of the road to hand us donations, some sent us telepathic messages, and some simply waved. However long it takes me to get to you, the longer you will have a place in my heart.
Now I have to find a burger.
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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