Wow - Good Luck!

You all are Crazy! Go Team Kitten!

Good luck Team Kitten! We'll be tracking your progress.
--Robert Haywood

A very special thank you to our wonderful crew members for their friendship, professionalism and support as we travel across the country.
--Wendy Gardiner
<mailto:wgardiner@peteandwendycycling.com>

OK, The Blog is up! We can't wait to hear from you all! Thank you all for your great support! We look forward to hearing.
--Pete Masiel
<mailto:pmasiel@peteandwendycycling.com>

Can't wait for this thing to start already!
--Team Kititen

Susie, Thanks for the hard work
--Team Kitten

Can't wait for this thing to start already!
--Team Kititen

YAY!!! Good luck to you guys. All of us here at MVU ECC support you. You will be greating! You make us Proud!Keeping the faith from San Diego, Ca.
--Shannon King- CDF
<mailto:jcskiddo@hotmail.com>

Buena Suerte Chicos. Conquistalos! The Crew at Cal Coast Bicycles
--Cal Coast Bicycles
<mailto:info@calcoastbicycles.com>

Thanks for all the good wishes!!! Pete and Wendy are off on the parade route!! It was quite a festive start! As Team Kitten heads east. check for more "RAAM-blings" here.

Pete and Wendy I know you will do great. We are thinking about you every step of the way. Our prayers are with you. Take Care!
--Penny Smathers

Hi and Good Luck - We will be looking forward to your posts.
--Amy Stankus / Roman Stankus

Team Kitten passed through Time Station 1 at Lake Henshaw with an average speed of 15.48 m.p.h. Great Job!! Next stop, Salton City!

Team Kitten passed through Time Station 1 at Lake Henshaw with an average speed of 15.48 m.p.h. Great Job!! Next stop, Salton City!

OK = so who the bad bicyclist that went through the stop sing. I know it could not be Pet - right???

Dick & Edie

WOO HOO!! You 2 are off to a good start! One TS and One petal stroke at a Time!
--Paula

Hey guys!! Hope you are doing good! We are rooting for you!
--Shannon-MVU ECC

Tean Kitten rolls on towards Arizona! Passed time check three with an average speed over 15 m.p.h. Pete and Wendy both looking strong!! We decided the Salton Sea smells really bad!!!
We saw an owl swoop down and almost pick Wendy up and carry her away! I think that is against the "rules." Thanks to Los Jilbertos Taco Shop in Borrego Springs for their great food and allowing us to use their outlet for hot water!
Please send encouraging notes to Pete and Wendy here!!!!

Hi Pete (a.k.a. pet) & Wendy,

You guys have about a 60 mile lead or 4 hours of rest time. Take care.

BTW: Who did go through the Stop Sign???

Dick & Edie

It was Wendy, but it was Pete's enthusiasm that got the better of him!

The sun is up and we must be in Arizona! Stopped for a truck stop shower, coffee and EggMcMuffins! YIPPEE!

HELL YEAH. keep truckin' team kitten!!
--brett

Hey you 2.... from the UK!
I keep checking your progress, even in the middle of the night. Keep those wheels rolling, and ride safe.

Best wishes
Ann
--woolly
<mailto:aw005b5340@blueyonder.co.uk>

Wendy and Pete - Today was Mont Ventoux for the pros in Dauphine Libere. Hope you day is easier!!! Pulling for you here in Alpharetta, where I am now on a recumbent bike for 10 minutes in physical therapy. pedal hard for me!
--Jackie Tyson
<mailto:jbt@pelotonsports. net>

updates!! where are you/how are you doing?
--brett

Hang in there! When you finish, you'll have that for the rest of your life!!
--Jim Christensen

Hey Team Kitten! Great job so far! Keep up the pace, you can make it! Wendy, girl, your babies are just fine and they miss you much. You go girl!

--Tonya B. - Mayberry, GA
<mailto:tbullock99@msn.com>

Tell Susie to play REM's "Everybody Hurts" when you're feeling low. "Hang On" for all of us!

Go Team Kitten! We are pulling hard for you, and will be with you in spirit.
Love,
Scott, Emma and Owen Bailey - San Diego

Go Team Kitten! We are pulling hard for you, and will be with you in spirit.
Love,
Scott, Emma and Owen Bailey - San Diego

Boy! We finally got out of Arizona, booked it through Utah and are now in Cortez, CO. It was close call to get by the time station here in Cortez, but we are good to go! Wendy is out riding on her way to Durango and points west. Pete and Wendy both have shown courage and extreme determination in the face of heat, exhaustion, dehydration, and wildlife on the road!! (skunk, deer, bats, snakes, dogs, you name it!) Will try to write more later. Thanks for all the good wishes they really motivate the team!

oops! Of course Wendy is nOt heading west, but east! guess it was a long night!
--Team Kitten

Actually that owl would be OK. A force of nature lke a tailwind. Remember to stuff bags of ice wrapped in towels down the backs of your jerseys in Kansas. We kept our lady going that way in 1988 when it was over 100 degrees at night there in Kansas. She gained 10 hours over the lady in second in one day.
--UMCA L80

Hi all, it's friday nite and I'm packing up. Should be in STL at 8:45 am tomorrow. I have a car reserved and will on my way to find you! I'll give you a call when "Dorothy" gets to Kansas! see ya soon, Paula

Pete and Wendy,
Hang in there. We're rooting for you in Ridgecrest.

Ron, Arty and Adam

Go, Go, Go we pulling you east from Atlanta.

--Tommy Hanks
<mailto:hanks@mindspring.com>

Over half way gang!Getting this far is a huge accomplishment! Finishing will be even better. Keep it up. SO proud of you both. We are keeping track of you daily. Pete I will have plenty of ice cream here for you when you return.
--Shannon King-MVU ECC

Good going Pete and Wendy. You cut the other team's lead down to about 70 miles with plenty of miles to go!

Wendy keep kicking Pete in the butt ;>)

We're rooting for you guys.

Dick & Edie
--Dick &amp; Edie
<mailto:dickgellner@bellsouth.net>

well, we finally have time to write. We have been so busy just trying to get a system together so we can be more efficient. We are in Missouri now, and Pete and Wendy are more focused and gaining time with every mile. We are having some rain, only two flats, heat wasn't so bad. But Kansas stinks! The other mixed team seems to be having some troulbe, so that will really motivate our "kittens." We shoud start gaining on some other teams so the shark fins will be out and hunting!
Thanks for all the good wishes and we will try to get on this computer more because we know you are all waiting for updates!

--Team Kitten

great job, pete and wendy! stay strong! san diego is pulling for you.
--brett

You guys are awesome!! Keep up the good work and STAY STRONG!

- Robin

You guys are rockin! Keep up the good work. CH 2 says great job. We're tracking your progress here at the dispatch center.
--Lisa Bilz

Great job, Pete and Wendy!! Keep it up!
--Trish
<http://www.southeasterncycling.com>

Congrats to your awesome success!

I got off my butt and on my bike Sunday morning and kicked my own *ss with the Aurora Coffee shop riders. Thinking about the amazing things you two are doing on RAAM, I can't complaint a bit about how sore I am :-)
You go, Wendy and Pete!!!

--Jay Libove
<mailto:libove@felines.org>

Pete and Wendy hang in there you are both doing an AWESOME job!!! We are thinking about you and tracking your amazing progress. What an INSPIRATION!
--Penny
<mailto:psmathers@fs.fed.us>

Thats great way to go Wendy - Pete
--Al Ponton
<mailto:aponton@adelphia.net>

Go Team Kitten ! ! It is so exciting keeping up with you on the internet ! !
--Doris J.
<mailto:dj1032@bellsouth.com>

After manning the Mississippi River TS 35 for 4 days, we've seen/spoke to a lot of riders and crew--you two were at the top of the list of upbeat, positive riders. You can really be proud of yourselves--we really were proud of what you're doing and the way you're doing it. Hang in there--It's all "downhill" from here. Brandon & Susie--you are an awesome crew--hope your other vehicle reached you before Greenville. Good luck to all.
--Janet &amp; Virgil Moehsmer
<mailto:vmoehsmer@charter.net>

Pete and Wendy!

I'm looking forward to being there when you cross the finish line in Atlantic City! You're almost here! WooHOOO!!!

You guys are ROCK STARS!!!
-Laura

You two are amazing. Less than a thousand miles to go. Such an inspiration!! Stay strong.
--Shannon King

You guys are still amazing! If you want to rest and take time off here in Philly, let me know!

Laura

Hey there Wendy and Pete. You two are so amazing; we are so excited for you. Keep strong.
--Coach Will and Nancy
<mailto:2dillrds@bellsouth.net>

1 206 - Team Kitten - www.PeteAndWendyCycling.com - DNF - Failure to meet cut off 38 2142.7 900.1 06/19 21:23 7 days 04:00 172:00:00 12.46 18.71

Does this mean that they are out of the race??

I see that their time are stil given and counted - in last place - was there flooding on the MO River???

Dick & Edie

Pete and Wendy
You made a valiant effort. Be proud, and kick ass next time! Semper Fi from Atlanta
--Tommy Hanks
<http://www.tommyhanks.com>

Its an awesome accomplishment to qualify and ride. Sorry the time checks caught up with you but you still get a well deserved pat on the back from me! Good Luck in the future
--Whatabout
<mailto:rjseitz@yahoo.com>

Pete and Wendy,
The journey is usually more interesting than the destination. What an accomplishment to ride as far as you did. I can't wait to hear about it. We are proud of what you were able to accomplish. I look forward to hearing about your next adventure. Mike Wien
--Mike Wien

Hi Pete & Wendy,

Trust you guys are A-OK! Great effort - I know you'll be ready for next year's ride.

Dick & Edie
--Dick &amp; Edie
<mailto:dickgellner@bellsouth.net>

A Great Accomplishment..2192.3 ! ! What a Journey ! I hope you keep Journals. Hope to talk to you next trip to Birmingham.
--Doris J.
<mailto:dj1032@bellsouth.com>

Pete and Wendy,
Have been watching your cycling advantures for a few years now. Tom Hanks introduced you to me a while back.
You both are beyond amazing and I am proud to have met you in person.
I know that whatever goals you set for yourselfs, you will achieve them over time. It may take a couple of trials, but your increadible focus, team work and persistance will certainly pay off.
Wishing you both the very accomplishments and wishes you wish for your selves.
With admiration,
Alek Szlam
--Alek Szlam
<mailto:aszlam1@bellsouth.net>

Hey guys! Wow! 2192.3 miles! You've come so far! What an accomplishment - You'll make it next year!

Love to you both - Tonya B.
--Tonya B. - Mayberry, GA
<mailto:tbullock99@msn.com>

Hi everyone, this is Wendy and Pete. On Tuesday, we reached our time station at 4:33 a.m. when the cutoff time was 1 a.m. We called in the time, were given a confirmation number and actually thought we were allowed to continue. Then we got a call from RAAM HQs telling us we had to DNF because of missing the time limit. To say that we were heart broken is definitely an understatement. We were inconsolable at this store in Indianapolis where we were freshening up and getting ready to make the transition to Pete riding the next few hours. RAAM has been a dream of mine and Pete's now for 2 years. To put in 110% of effort and still come up short is difficult. My drive and determination has seemed to slacked off somewhat, although, it could be just plain sadness that's clouding my thoughts.
I'll write up something about our adventures. And believe me, there were plenty of them! And we know we are so fortunate to have the abilities that we do and the opportunity to see many parts of our beautiful country (although we're not so thrilled with Missouri!). ;o)
After sleeping lots in Indianapolis, we're heading back home now with a new respect on what we can accomplish by going after that drive and determination deep within ourselves.
Thanks to all who followed our journeys and who posted wonderful comments. We really appreciated them! Many thanks to our wonderful crew who kept us rolling. And thank you to our major sponsor, Suzuki, for their contribution to our team.
Wendy and Pete
--Wendy and Pete

great effort, wendy and pete. you'll get 'em next year.
--brett

How are you guys doing??

Dick & Edie
--Dick &amp; Edie Gellner
<mailto:dickgellner@bellsouth.net>

Hola you guys!!
How's the body doing? :)

Trish
--pronge
<mailto:plronge@gmail.com>

Tinker said it was the hardest thing he had ever done last year. He's back doing 24 hour mountain bike races this year. So don't feel too bad.
Still a damn good job guys !
Gerr
Atlanta/Denver
PS,
I'm the old dog saver guy that you guys helped with a rescue that time on cycleworks ride.
Don't let it get you down.
Hey try some of the not timed (timing is silly for something that hard anyway), but even harder unsupported conti divide mountain bike race, no idiot car traffic hazzards, but a mountain lion and grizzly every now and again !
http://www.greatdividerace.com/
See you guys soon.

We're back from RAAM and want to thank everyone who supported us on our journey across America. We had some issues early on such as my bonk at the end of the 2nd day, followed by Pete vomiting 3 hours later after drinking bad coffee. We regrouped and stopped at a hotel to rest, recover, and to have a "team meeting" where we revised the strategy and even switched pace vehicles. This was in Arizona.

Things were going pretty good after that. We were 21 minutes late to the cutoff in Cortez, but they let us continue. Colorado was difficult with the climbing, high altitudes, and roads that looked like down hills but were actually climbs!

Utah was beautiful. I loved Monument Valley! How beautiful! The scenery couldn't be more spectacular! We cruised through all the giant rock formations where everything was glowing in orange, purple and pink at sunset.

Western Kansas smelled like crap...literally. And the crosswinds weren't as bad as I expected them to be. I actually enjoyed riding most parts of Kansas, except this long highway to hell where we had no cell phone service for most of the day, so no communication with the other pace vehicle, or with RAAM officials, or family...etc.

We enjoyed the rain in Kansas since it had been a while since we showered. Missouri sucked. There was this long, flat, road with rough pavement that went on and on for days. We were on this just after sunset and into the evening trying to outrun some rain. All of a sudden our flat road had about a 10% grade in it! I was pedaling this part, was in my easiest gear climbing up at dusk, it was sprinkling rain, foggy and my entire body was shaking when I got to the top!

Pete and I took turns riding this road. He did the down hills and even hit 50 mph at one point (earlier in Arizona) and passing one of our pace vehicles! I did some of the climbs in Missouri, although, I had to run/walk several of them because they were just too steep, or maybe I was just too darn tired!

Indiana was fine until I fell asleep on my bike in Terre Haute. And then Indianapolis sucked. Up until this point, all of the roads seemed to have a purpose. They traveled from west to east. Not there. We zigged and zagged through all these neighborhoods and I swear we criss-crossed the same road at least three times! One of the roads was under heavy construction. It looked like the pavement had been raked, and I pedaled cautiously through there trying not to break my ass!

We discovered a math miscalculation (can you believe it?!) on Monday afternoon and knew we were against the 8 ball that day heading to cutoff #3 in Indianapolis. We attempted to ride the 200 miles in 10 hours that we needed to get there in time, which also included riding at night. We kept riding after the 1 a.m. cutoff hoping that the officials would praise our determination and let us continue. They didn't. We were devastated! We had about 700 to 800 miles remaining to do in 85 hours! Pete or I could've done that amount SOLO, but they insisted that we were out of the race.

Oh, I forgot to mention that in Missouri, the crew coming to relieve the current crew on duty hit and killed a deer with the vehicle which caused some body damage and some engine trouble. Not only was the vehicle messed up, but they were both upset about the deer.

They had to find a Ford dealership, deal with the issue (which turned out to be something minor like resetting a computer setting), and catch up to us. By this time, the crew working had been up for 24+ hours!

So we were tired, delirious, and obviously had no mathematical skills.

Immediately after RAAM, I had no desire to ever ride my bike. In fact, I almost left it outside of Meijers store in Indianapolis! But we figure that it obviously wasn't in the cards for us to finish, and we learned a lot from our mistakes. Regardless, we now know how to do RAAM as a 2-person team.

Besides the disappointment, the experience was truly an adventure, and we're thankful to ha
--Kitten
<mailto:wgardiner@peteandwendycycling.com>

Continued...

Besides the disappointment, the experience was truly an adventure, and we're thankful to have been given the opportunity to do the race.

We had a wonderful crew consisting of caring, talented people and we had a tremendous amount of sponsors who helped us make it to the starting line. A special thank you to Suzuki for coming through at the last-minute with their sponsorship of us.

Pete and I wish to thank all of our friends and family who called and sent blogs cheering us on and checking on us.

We'll kick RAAM's @ss next time!

Pete And Wendy
--Kitten
<mailto:wgardiner@peteandwendycycling.com>

Not much happening these days, just riding and getting over RAAM.
Wendy rides in Georgia, check out http://atlbike.org and look for "Kitten" to find her where bouts; or in the North GA mountains!
Pete rides in San Diego or where ever time finds him. He recently did the Death Ride in Markleeville, CA (129 miles and 15,000 climbing). He still rides with his Tuesday/Thursday Coffee group and with the Ramona Fun Riders on Friday's and will even show up at an occasional www.cyclo-vets.org ride.


--Pete
<mailto:pmasiel@peteandwendycycling.com>

Well it's been a couple of months since RAAM. I've riden with Wendy since. I was the crew caption to start but had some medical issue's and I am now sorry I had to leave. There is so much about RAMM that most people do not know about. The riding aspects about our team was there. Both of these people could make it. I blame myself now for their not completing it. I knew what was needed but did not get there in time to help. Other things added up after that. I love both of you(mostly Wendy she has great legs!) lol. I'l tell you more someday. The crew did it's best and wish I could have done more. Thanks Wendy for the ride last weekend since I've been off the bike for a month.
--Don
<mailto:Dmayne4692@aol.com>