TSH Passes Pre-Race Inspections

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let you know that Team Strong Heart has cleared the "final" pre-RAAM hurdle and has passed all of our official inspections for vehicles, bikes, etc. More detail on the blog later tonight...

On a completely unrelated note, see the pictures above for a "stunning" moustache/bike racer comparison between myself and Garmin Slipstream rider, Dave Zabriskie (thanks to Madonna and Andy for the effort)...

Tim

Pre-RAAM, Day Two, Race Across America 2009

The adventure continues, rather the pre-adventure continues. Today is/was day two of the pre-RAAM melee that will continue into Saturday and the eventual beginning of the Race.

This morning we met up with more of our crew, with Brett and his brood coming in from the Blythe time station. Last night those guys camped out at Time Station Three and watched the solo male leaders (see also: Jure Robic) come through. They apparently looked tough as nails, and they will need to be, only 230 miles into the 3100 mile race.

We spent a hideous amount of money on groceries at Costco today for our human flotilla (4 racers, 8.5 crew) and the crew has been hard at work laying the groundwork for 6 days of eating. I think we're all eaters with a severe bike riding problem... Along those lines we went out for an easy spin, got accosted by some teenagers (dang kids) and rode along the beach (love the salt and the sights).

Tonight we'll be eating the fruits of the crews hard cooking, chill out with a few brews and hopefully hit the sack for our big day tomorrow. In the morning we'll be out early for vehicle and bike inspections, team photos and every other detail that tends to rear its head pre-RAAM.

Thanks to everyone for your love and support. Stay tuned for an amazing show, put on by yours truly and EVERYONE on Team Strong Heart. This year will be something special, which is almost becoming the "standard" for the racers, crew and supporters of TSH.

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim

Postcards from Oceanside

Thursday Photos - TSH getting ready

Ben Popp - RAAM Soloist from MN

Ben Popp is a 2009 RAAM soloist from Minnesota. The soloists start a few days ahead of the team competitors and they are currently on the course.

Checking the RAAM leader board at noon today (Thursday) finds Ben doing very well currently positioned in 8th in a field of 21 solo starters. Good luck to Ben Popp!

Arrival: Oceanside, California

Well...we arrived in Oceanside this evening after much, too much driving. All-in-all, though, it was a pretty uneventful trip out from MN to CO and then out here from the mighty Rocky Mountains. We pushed hard to get through the 15 hours of driving, gorged ourselves on some Denny's (try the Pancake Puppies), and are now resting peacefully, anticipating the next couple of days.

Tomorrow we'll be hard at it, prepping the vehicles, getting a short ride in, meeting up with the rest of our team and generally engaging the craziness of RAAM head on.

We're ready. Are you?

Keep the rubber side down.

Tim

Team Strong Heart Arrives in Cali!

10:10PM (Central time): Andy Claflin, Team Captain for the 09 Team Strong Heart just reported in after arriving in Oceanside California. He is checked in to the hotel TSH is staying in and reports that the next set of TSH arrivals are only ten minutes away.

The remainder of the squad will pull in in tomorrow to begin final preparations. The race for the team competition starts Saturday. The team has very little time to relax while they get everything ready. Tomorrow (Thurs) they will have to prepare their vehicles and bikes for the upcoming pre-race inspections. That's only part of their preparations. They also have to shop for food, change oil,organize the RV, assign chores and duties, and the list goes on.

Stand by for more as the '09 Team Strong Heart prepares for the 2009 Race Across America!

Huntington Beach - random updates

June 17th.... Huntington Beach

Well, I can post from my phone to my personal blog but not this site. I happen to be at work waiting for my bike to show up from Fedex...and its two days late. I guess I cant complain and such as we have a wonderful ATS family here to keep me fed, warm at night, entertained and the such - thank you Trever and Raquel (and kids!).

The crew from MN/CO (Steve, Tim, Ed, Tom, Chris and Ryan) headed from CO this morning about 5am loaded to the gills and expect to be in Oceanside tonight...what a trip they had! They are in good spirits and moving quick and we are all ready to rock n roll.

The sushi from last night is sitting well - it wasnt that bad at all...I was expecting MUCH worse but it slid down smooth while everyone was watching for something to happen...dont worry guys, it was good and THANK YOU!

Once the bike is here I will assemble and head to Oceanside and get my mind in the game. Not that crazy of updates yet but tonight will be more. I hope to have some pics going up of the RAAM start area once I am there. Enjoy the day - I should be online for a while until old blue shows up.

Andrew

T-minus.....

RAAM 09 - Team Strong Heart (partial crew/racers in MN less my dad)

Picked up the rental van today...yeah...in the pic...steve, andy, madonna throwin signs and ryan. packing now - arranging etc... leaving tomorrow morning before the sun comes up!!!!!!

Get ready to follow us!


Andrew

Team Strong Heart Spotted!

I bought my kids some TSH tech-tee's....available at Trailhead Cycle....and on Pete's last day of school, their class went to Cheapskate...gotta love field trips! I got a few pics sent to me of Team Strong Heart supporters out in the public making aware of our mission.

My kids are so excited and sad to have me leaving for two weeks but at the same time they are excited to be able to say that dad is going across the country. They love the shirts and want to wear them all the time. Hint - Peter is 8 and he is wearing a small shirt so you can guess at the sizes that TH has in stock. I have an XL and it fits great but a large fits good too.

I was just kinda struck here looking at the pic as to how grown up Peter looks...where did the time go? And speaking of time flying...where did the last 8 months go? Tomorrow is a ride with the kids on the dirt, pick up the bianchi, get stuff together and just chill with the family - a movie, some biking, some popcorn and making a fort downstairs...a full day is ready to be had.

I was able to ride with Trailhead at the parade in Champlin today - the idea was to ride whatever you wanted from the shop...I picked a new...old school...tandem. I ended up stoking from the rear but steering up front - stretched out over the bike...got the looks for sure. I heard SO MANY people from the crowd yelling - GO TEAM STRONG HEART!!!! Lots of friends I knew waiting to get some candy and to give support... Thank you Champlin/Dayton...it was fun and will be fun to represent Camp Odayin in less than a week on the road...yikes.

Start looking for pics/updates soon as we head to California on Tuesday!!!!!!


Andrew

We are gettin so close I can smell the salty air.

By this time next week - 11:51pm Tuesday the 16th (9:51pm PDT) I will be in Huntington Beach after a morning flight to CA. I will be staying with my buds at ATS and then driving to Oceanside in the morning to help start the soloists as a ride escort on Wed. How fun is that?

We are in the final steps of preparation...we are close...so close that I can picture myself on the start line with my team of crazies. Our steps to this point would not have been done without your help. So many have come together for our purpose - Camp Odayin. I cant even begin to list the people that have made this possible. You know who you are and if I start to list names it will go for a long time - just like the celebs that list off every person they know at the grammy's.

I will make a special note here to a few that have really pulled this thing together in ways that amaze me...the crew at SSF and Trailhead. They have helped in different ways but both are pivotal in our success....oh....did I almost forget the crew that will be working for cheap as they assist us over the entire 3012 miles? Yeah - they are my best friends!

June 20th is upon us much like the birth of a child - you cant stop it and it may hurt but it will get done. I'm sure there are better ways to picture this but you get the idea of course. The great thing about this is we are as ready as can be - crew, cars, training, endorphins, tactics, parts and tools and so on. Cheer us on and lift us up - this is all I ask.

Look for us out there on RAAM highlights and blog highlights - when you are sleeping...we will be biking!


Andrew

This Ain't No Tour

Enough Said...we are ready!

A month from now..meaning June 24th..we can expect to be in Missouri heading east. After the long stretch through Kansas we will be tired, weary, anxious, feisty, checking teams, bridging gaps, nursing sores, eating whatever we can, checking sanity, ready to finish, ready to win, smelling ripe, able to sleep on a moments notice, unable to sleep at all, thanking the crew, cursing the bike seat, lathering up on sunscreen, praising the Lord for Chamois butter...the endless cycles of this routine will continue until Maryland.

If you are like me, I was not able to sleep all that much when the 07 team was on the road...the same thing happened last year. I would find myself wondering, as I stared at the ceiling at 3am..." I wonder where they are now?" With these thoughts I would refresh the map and and check updates and realize that either Bernie was just getting done or Tim was still hammering away or Amy was dealing with weather...and so on. I hope you get sleep but really, I hope you are up late praying for us. Be it solo or team - this is an effort. I applaud the soloists as well as the teams...just to get this going is a race and an epic adventure.

Many have asked - how do we do this? How do we plan this out? How many miles do you ride? Do you ride all night? I can answer some of these - tactics are best kept under wraps but in short....the race is 3012 miles. For the soloists...they race them ALL usually riding about 21 hours a day at least. OUCH! Our four-man team - which has TWO soloists from years past - will each complete about 753 miles in about 6 days. That is a lot of miles. Oh and yes, we have a bike going forward 24hrs a day...yes even at 3am.

Also asked...are you ready Andy? I think that is best answered in MD but I would have to say YES with a fist pump to boot. Physically I feel as ready as I can be and getting better each day. I will depend upon those that have gone before me to instruct on various things but I have to say that physically and mentally I am ready to put the pedals down to close up some miles. Geez, I make it sound like it will be a breeze...it wont but it will be fun.

The difference with the teams is that we will be racing at a faster pace than a soloist and trying to maintain that pace over 3012 miles is the trick...steadfast focus is the key - not to mention nutrition, rest.... Team Strong Heart 09 is ready to embark and ready to make this trip.

Follow us - cheer for us - yell at us to pick up the pace and welcome us home...

So whether you are in Iraq (love you Paul), resting with a beverage in MN, looking for dad on video clips while in New Hampshire, watching from the fire station in CO, checking the blog/site from the ATS offices (not during work hours of course), killing time in Stillwater or behind us in a follow vehicle... cheer for us and cheer for Camp Odayin...they are the reason we are doing this.

Head Honcho

The Guilded Armor of TSH09

THE KITS ARRIVED

Just so yall know what we will look like this year...these baby's are almost here and yes they are available to purchase but we didnt place a large order up front due to time and all other things associated with getting airborn. Its a full zip this year with some new design aspects - the big turtle and new sponsors...and of course some long time trusted sponsors. We wil have to arrange some sort of list/collection system etc if you want to order some kits. The T-shirts are actually Borah's Tech-Tee - its a micro knit poly shirt - NOT COTTON. Trailhead Cycle will have a handful for sale when they come in but the majority were for crew up front. We can order more and I am guessing SSF will have some prices for these soon. I will leave that in the hands of those who know better.

I dont have the bandwidth to collect orders right now so emailing me will result in failure - just sayin'. If somone in SSF can handle this - please do so we can accomodate those that are interested. I wont volunteer anyone.

I am jazzed, excited, nervous, worried, happy and ready to RACE! did I mention almost burned out?

Front of the Jersey

Back of Jersey

Shorts or Bibs rather

Tech-Tee

As of Today...

35 Days till RAAM

Yeah, I am almost scared to look at the RAAM site...like opening up the cell bill...you peek quick then close it up real quick to then deal with it later...you know the drill.

What I have noticed through this fight - and we haven't even gotten to the start line yet - is how much work there really is to do. Just when one pile is worked through - there is another to take it's place. Be it money, crew, logistics, reservations, expectations, oh - and training, tying up loose ends at work ahead of time, baseball with the kids, boy scouts, cub scouts, marriage, training, crew, logistics...the cycle repeats itself many times over...and sometimes a few times a day.

Where we stand is simple - together.

This time of preparation is nothing short of a team effort from our friends at SSF, past TSH racers/crew and current crazies that are working to get this ready. My hats off to you all. Oh, did I mention our sponsors and friends of TSH that have parted with their hard earned money and coveted time to help? You have seen us riding in shops, riding in the snow, riding at night, begging for money, telling the reasons we fight this fight (Camp Odayin), logging endless hours on narrow bike seats and for what? To be ready...to make TSH09 another winning adventure...to represent Camp Odayin with more of what has been in the past - success.

I cannot speak for our team - individually I mean - but we have a passion that transcends anything we have done before. Tim and Brett have done the ultimate - solo RAAM - but Steve and I are rookies in a brutal field. Our team has relied on prior teams and past experience to prep in all ways possible...and then there is another pile to contend with.

Our struggle isn't over but we are in the lead. So to all that I say...bring on the hurdles and the rings of fire...give me your best b/c thus far, TSH09 has overcome so much with the help of so many and we will reach our goal. When I look at the struggles I think only of one thing - Camp Odayin. No struggle I can deal with will ever match the struggles they overcome every day. I hope you feel the same way when you reach out your hand to help.

The promise that is shared by myself, Steve, Brett and Tim is that we WILL show honor and respect to the team - as a team. We will leave all of our effort ON the road - holding nothing back. We will think of Camp Odayin as it hurts and when it is okay - we will chase down the bl inky lights at night and will drive home a hard effort to be the best on RAAM09...best being measured many ways I suppose but we have a mind to win...and winning means we did everything possible to leave it on the road somewhere between Oceanside CA and Annapolis MD...I'm just hoping I leave the last bits closer to MD. :)

WE DO HAVE RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE

$5 gives you some "feel-good" reasons to spend to include: $900 gift card at Trailhead, Kurt Kenetic Trainer, Rainbow Resort stay and the HED Jet wheel-set - slightly used but stellar!

If you want some - email me and we can meet up andy.claflin@gmail.com

A Few Good People

Hey all,

Team Strong Heart is looking for a few good people to round out our crew roster for the 2009 Race Across America. Duties include, but are not limited do, making food for the racers, meeting irrational demands of other crew members, racers and race officials, drinking copious amounts of coffee and Red Bull at all hours of the day and night, helping drive across the country at 20 miles an hour, etc., etc.

Seriously, though, we are desperately seeking one or two more crew members for our effort this year. It is a tough job, very much a volunteer position, but pretty much the most epic experience you'll have between the dates of June 18 and June 27 (approximate dates and approximate level of epicness).

Team Strong Heart has an outstanding network of passionate people who organize, race and make this crazy thing happen, year after year.

Won't you join us?

E-mail Team Strong Heart member Tim Case, at tim@timcase.net if you're interested. You won't be disappointed if you do!

More from the Team or just general info...

Friends of TSH and Camp Odayin - I am honored to be here. Honored to ride for a cause that means so much to so many especially during a time when economic turmoil seems more the norm. Aside from the things that we cannot control, I have witnessed countless families give from the heart when it can easily be spent on personal forward movement - both family and companies alike. To all of you - I say thank you. To create such a list would be endless and please take this token of gratitude as sufficient.

We have added some crew members, we have made major adjustments, we have jumped through the rings of fire to only get a little burned yet we have prevailed...as a family. Our family is simply defined as you - our friends, co-workers and strangers that have devoted time and money for Camp Odayin.

We are moving into final preparations for equipment, travel, strategy, potential issues (normal), forms and so on. This process is daunting at times but when I see the children at Camp Odayin being able to enjoy their lives - it is all of a sudden a joy to struggle.

Our efforts are not done yet and we have miles/dollars to go to reach this end. I consider the race to be just getting to California....and the ride across this Great Nation the prize. I am reminded by the few from Camp Odayin that said " we will be watching and waiting to see Team Strong Heart cross this country" and I am truly inspired - and I trust that you are too.

Enjoy the weekend - ride well, ride safe and as Tim says - "keep the rubber side down".

Andrew

TRI-PLE Challenge - indoor triathlon for kids!

SILENT SPORTS FOUNDATION and RAINBOW RESORT Present the:

TRI-PLE CHALLENGE Indoor Kids Triathlon!

Saturday May 30th, 9AM
Maple Grove Jr. High School
7000 Hemlock LN N
Maple Grove, MN

Click here for details

family.

I was surprised the other day when I was informed of my dad's interest to crew for RAAM this year...well, not really surprised but surprised. To have someone so eager to share in this adventure is exciting. Well, dad came up with mom to our oldest boy's band concert and we had a RAAM strategy meeting and he was glad to take some burdens off of my back. Family - I suppose some can say that family is not all that easy (we have all been there) but when the chips are down / the motive is lost - that's when you are suprised by family when they once again swoop in and hold you close then encourage you forward. That's my dad.

So for those that desire to be part of an adventure that is like no other - come on in and join the group of those that support the chance to give kids dreams they can believe in at Camp Odayin.

Enjoy the weekend all and maybe see you on the road.

Inspired at lunch and showing my co-workers some RAAM

I had the chance to enjoy a cup of chili from Potbelly's and then settled in for some inspiration on RAAM. I cued up this video - promotional on youtube for RAAM 08. What I saw was the neat side / painful side and inspiring side of this...and I am sure my thoughts don't even come close to what actually goes on.

With that I say there are some really great moments caught on film about racers and crew and how this type of event - racing or crewing - will change your life.

Change you can believe in...Team Strong Heart makes change and cashes in.

One thing I have been told from the beginning - "you will have rings of fire to jump through all the way to Maryland." That is true and with each trial or ring - you become more aware, you bank on the success of overcoming that obstacle and THEN....when the dust settles you are able to be proactive instead of reactive.

The latest change came in a big way - it was a racer change. This is not the best "change" to make with 3 months to go but we were ready to make that change if need be. So with great pleasure, I am honored to be able to ride with Tim Case and the crew this year on 4-person RAAM.

Our line-up is as such - Andy-MN, Tim Case-CO, Steve Dahlke-MN and Brett Walker-NH. I am not placing them in any specific order at all - because as a team we are on a level playing field. Our talents may be varied but our hearts are in this 100%.

So - for those that don't know us all that much - I will introduce you to the 09 team.


Me - Andy. First time RAAM guy and the past years have brought me through many trials to get to this point and I am very excited to be here. I live in Dayton MN and ride out of Trailhead Cycle with the prior TSH teams. This race means more to me than I thought due to having a heart defect when I was born that corrected itself by age two - I can relate in a small way to Camp Odayin b/c of this my parents are so excited that I have a chance to pay it forward for the kids at Camp Odayin. Though my heart condition is totally resolved - I still think at times that I would have benefited from a place like Camp Odayin - and guess what...I do benefit from Camp Odayin today b/c of the gift they bring to the great and crazy kids that step foot on their grounds. This race is for you Camp Odayin!


Tim is no stranger to RAAM and especially TSH. He completed RAAM 07 in the 4 man team and then the remarkable solo event in 2008 - overcoming many many obstacles along the way. He is the new addition to the race team this year and we are pretty pumped. He has the heart of a lion and is the self-proclaimed Warhead on Wheels. Living in Colorado and saving lives for a living - he has also the compassion needed to persevere through the rough times that will come. We will all lean on his experience and respond when he cracks the whip. Tim is on task and not taking this role as a casual one - we are in it to win it and most importantly leave it all on the road. Don't pick a fight with this guy - he will not back down. Perfect for RAAM. He often talks about how much Camp Odayin means to him and this side of Tim is most admirable. Glad to have you back Home Skillet.




We know Steve as Snack Food Steve... long story but a good one. Steve is the sleeping giant of Trailhead. He knows what to do and honestly is the most level headed of the group (my opinion). Down to earth, solid and doesn't know when to give up - so he doesn't. Ask anyone - Steve has an uncanny ability to just push you with a smile and a nod. Steve has taken this RAAM 09 as serious as anyone and I have had the great pleasure to know him and ride with him consistently - a true companion on the road and off. He will surprise you and did I mention he wont give into the word quit?


Brett Walker - from New Hampshire. Our friend from afar. Many don't know Brett at all but I have had the great pleasure to get to know him a bit over the past few months. Don't let the fact that he is in the financial world fool you into believing he lives in the office - his passion is the open road for hours and hours - in fact he is an accomplished RAAM soloist (07) and MULTIPLE 12 and 24 hour racer throughout the year - nationwide. His most noteworthy accomplishment is when he beat the Amish gal up a hill in Pennsylvania in 07 RAAM...LOL. That pic is funny and Brett - you are a welcome addition to the team. His motto is simple - at the start line he states " this is my race to loose." Kind, funny and focused and realistic. I will accept your counsel as gospel.


So that is about it - we are moving forward to June and still need your help. We have overcome so much this year already but as a community we can come together on this - despite the times at hand. We want this community - that stretches from Colorado to New Hampshire - to reach deep to support our cause. Camp Odayin deserves all our efforts both on the bike and off. Will you answer the call?

See you on the road and look for updates. If you are looking for ways to help - be it CREWING for RAAM, Donations for TSH, Raffle tickets, Vehicle donations or assistance - we are all game.

Andrew