Timothy Case

RAAM 2009

2009-06-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

Check out the main blog for team updates and don't be shy about sending us personal messages of support to my e-mail address...tim@timcase.net.

See you in Annapolis!

11th Hour

2009-06-10T08:51:00.001-07:00

'Twas the night before RAAM and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for Andy Claflin.

Not sure where I got the reputation as the "enforcer" on Team Strong Heart, but I'll happily oblige. I'm having a very easy time these days getting ready for RAAM. No, I'm not bragging, it just seems like the miles have come on fairly easy, with a fairly low level of stress. I think I'm in the mode, from about now until June 20, where my energy and attention begins to focus, forming around the task at hand.

Last year at this time I was racing my bike across the country solo and my biggest concern was figuring out how I lost so much damned weight in the first 50 miles of the race (5 pounds) and how in the heck I got to Flagstaff, Arizona on a bicycle. This year won't be much different, although I'm hoping and praying that my ugly, festering friends (saddle sores, not you Andy), don't make a repeat appearance on my firm, white behind.

What a difference a year makes. Yeah, I'm psyched to be racing across the country again with Team Strong Heart. We have assembled, yet again(!), an amazing group of racers, crew and supporters, who have answered the call and have committed to what could quite possibly be the most insane and incredible sporting event ever devised. Cruel and inhumane were frequented words last year. This year it's all about the speed, the comradery and the sheer force of will that will power all of us from sea to shining sea. But I digress.

As each of us narrows out the last few days before jumping into the RAAM pressure cooker, take some time to get out and enjoy a ride before you enjoy riding at 3am in the mountains (yes they are mountains!) of Virginia, or enjoy speeding west to east through Kansas (a very large state indeed).

The Race Across America is an odyssey and adventure with no peer. It is unique, challenging and exposes pretenders from the very outset.

At the 11th hour take heed of what we are about the engage in and understand that the person you know leaving for Oceanside, or leaving from Oceanside, will NOT be the person you find in Annapolis, or back in CO or MN.

See you at the start line.

TC

Places In Between

2009-05-30T05:49:00.000-07:00

When I was young, the worst part of Christmastime was that dang piece right before the 25th, where the church-going had been churched the goose had been cooked and all we had to do was just sit around, get a full night's sleep and then see what Santa brought us in the morning.

In a little over two weeks we, Team Strong Heart, are headed out to California to begin another edition of the Race Across America, and yes, this is my new version of Christmas.

The challenge now, as the time winds down is, how much training do we do, do I have everything I need, where is that damn chamois cream from last year, etc. All the pieces have fallen into place in the past, but every year the stress level begins to build and the head starts to feel as though it will crack open and spill the contents.

If you, or someone you love, is about to embark on this journey, then I implore you to please have patience. We, the racers of RAAM, are a unique breed and our uniqueness will start to shine through as we get closer to the race. The sort of person who would agree to race his or her bicycle across the country is not the same workaday sort who you usually encounter on the street. The person who would agree to crew for that sort of person, well, that's just sick and wrong. So...what I'm asking for is a little peace, love and understanding from everyone out there who is rolling with a RAAM racer, organizer or crew member.

We are about to embark on an absolute odyssey of the mind and body. I can guarantee that the loved one you wave goodbye to in Oceanside is not the same loved one you will get back in Annapolis. Something ever so slightly changes when you are "forced" onto your bike at 3am in the middle of Missouri and that change is powerful to the person who experiences it first hand. The meaning of hard work, sacrifice, misery, teamwork, etc., all get mashed and rearranged along the RAAM route.

The places in between are where our integrity (and crazy, super fast, killer speed) shines through.

See you in Oceanside.

TC

Waking the Giant

2009-05-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to say, but wanted to move on from my last morose posting. The ups and downs of life have been weaving through many of our lives on Team Strong Heart. This is a very "testy" time of year for we who attack the RAAM-beast, whether it be the relay or solo beasty.

We're looking for crew, buttoning up the travel logistics and mostly trying to stay sane with approximately 6 weeks to the start of the biggest, baddest race of them all.

In Colorado we're trying desperately to get the race season started, what with the snow, rain, etc. that seems to descend on our region every weekend. I'm pretty much a lump right now. A fit lump to be sure, but it's hard for me to get really excited what with the clouds (physical and mental) that seem to move into my region every now and again.

I suppose the quiet moments provide the hardest truthes and lately the silence seems to be telling me that the hardest tasks, the dearest efforts and the greatest results all start with the same first step towards the finish.

Time to harden up and get a move on.

Keep the rubber side down.

TC

A few words

2009-04-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday one of my co-workers from Boulder Fire Rescue lost his only two daughters in a car crash near their home. Heading into yesterday I was totally wiped from riding much, maybe too much, reeling from that and really just kind of feeling crappy and tired. I pulled up to Station One on my bike ride home to say hello and found out what had happened that morning. He found out while working, getting the call from his wife who told him to come to the hospital. It was bad.

Haven't been sleeping much or well lately, stressed about RAAM and other random stuff that comes and goes but mostly comes on strong overnight when things get lonely, regardless of where you are or who you're with. Last night was a tough night. I have absolutely no idea what it's like to lose both of your daughters in an instant, the one basically dying on scene and the other waiting to have her organs donated.

I got called into work this morning and felt like that was where I needed to be. Figured I maybe got a couple hours of sleep last night, but still felt like I needed to come in and commune with the guys I spend a good portion of my life with.

Riding home from Station One didn't hurt as bad yesterday and really we shouldn't complain. Life is stressful. RAAM is inherently stressful and tests our mettle well before we turn over the first pedal stroke, enroute to Annapolis. It's odd, but I'd give up every single night of sleep for the rest of my life if my co-worker and his family could have their daughters back for one more hour.

It just ain't as tough as it could be.

Specialized

2009-04-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

Not much to write about at the moment. Watched the Paris Roubaix last night and was reminded that there are some major bad asses in European cycling. I guess we can all sort of get to that bad ass status in some manner, whether it's killing it on a group ride with friends, attacking the last hill at the business park criterium, whatever it is.

That's one of the great things about cycling. How many people watch NASCAR and then go out and race their family sedan at Daytona? Oh yeah, instead they drive like morons locally. I call those people my meal ticket, if you know what I mean. We, the cyclists, can go out, buy the bike that Lance races on (if you'd like to take out a second mortgage), get out on the road and imagine ourselves crushing the slopes of Hautacam or Alpe d'Huez, etc.

I don't dream in terms of climbing a switchback, I dream of wind, wet and cold cobblestones. I dream of windswept farm roads on a bleak day in northern Belgium (or Minnesota). And so, that is generally what I train for. Last weekend I rolled out with some friends for a tough, tough group ride filled with climbing and cold and rain and snow and wind. Those guys were climbing like mountain goats and I was struggling to maintain contact at all points, except on the way back when we hit a wall of wind and cold and rolling terrain. I even remarked to one of my miniature climbing friends that we had finally hit the part of the ride that I could enjoy, after 4 hours and into a nasty head/crosswind.

Lance famously said it's not about the bike and I say it's all about preference. Call me the "rolleur" of the group, the guy that gets up front and drags you home after many hours of hard riding. I'll never be pulling away on a climb (unless you let me ;)), but I'll certainly pay you back for dragging my ass up and over mountain passes by letting you get a sweet draft when the cards are down.

Last night I watched the hard men of the peloton enact their version of the "passion play," with their entire body quaking over the cobbles, but making it look oh so easy. Overnight I drempt I was bloody and battered and dusty, with grit and grime wedged in my teeth and ears, pounding out mile after mile of pave and when I leave work Thursday morning I'll jump on my bike and continue the dream.

Cruelty, Thy Name Is...

2009-04-03T20:05:00.001-07:00

The WEATHER is actually the cruel and unusual punisher this time of year out in Colorado. Boo hoo...we actually haven't had much of a winter and I've definitely been sporting a cycling tan since late February, so the past week or so has really thrown me, and much of Colorado for a loop. Between work and the weather I really haven't ridden much outdoors for a week, or so. The race last weekend was cancelled and this weekend ain't really looking much more promising (it's raining as I type). Yep, I said ain't.

So we all have choices. Not feeling 100%? Lots of work, not enough time? Weather got you down? HTFU. E-mail me for the acronym. Really, it's "easy" being an athlete when the weather's great, the wind is at your back and work is smooth sailing. I can count on maybe one hand those sorts of moments, in the past year, where I was dead-on, fully rested and kicking butt out on the road. Those sorts of moments are pure gold, but let's face it, how often do we find ourselves in that exact situation? We have progressive overload, periodization, etc., etc., all designed to get us to the start line of that "A" race fully charged and ready to go. But really, how often does that happen.

I know since moving out to Colorado from the crap weather capital of the U.S., Minnesota, that I've grown soft and accustomed to the March tan lines, but frankly, it is damn windy out here, like so windy that it might as well be 10 degrees outside, like if I open my mouth into the wind I look like that test subject from the Air Force gyrotron with my cheeks splayed against my ears. Like that kind of wind.

Blah, blah, blah. The true test of an athlete, in my little world, is what she or he does when no one is looking. How do you handle yourself when weather or work or family throws its worst at you? Yeah, I haven't ridden outdoors this week, except for a failed mountain bike ride a few days ago, but I'll have you know that since last Saturday, I've put in 12 hours on my bike, been to the gym 4 times and have posted about 20 hours of workout time in less than a week. What have you been doing? That isn't a brag or a challenge, because honestly, if you aren't on my team, I could care less what you're up to, but just understand that when you're watching the boob tube or getting shammered at a bar, chances are I and my team are on the bike, training or sleeping so we can get up and do it all over the next day.

We all have choices to make and weather this time of year sucks in many parts of the country. I read Jure Robic and others postings on various social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc. Those guys are pounding hard, day in and day out, following the righteous path of the endurance athlete who's answered the call, does what nobody else is willing to do and shows up on race day ready to kick butt.

So there...

Keep the rubber side down.

Tim

Back to It.

2009-03-24T18:06:00.000-07:00

Well...back to racing, beginning this Sunday we tackle the fabled and feisty Koppenburg course out in Superior, CO. Think an hour to an hour and a half of your worst nightmare...fast, fast descending, a massive, broiling peloton, dirt and gravel roads, and the Koppenburg climb...gnarled, rutted dirt and body strewn chaos. Really, it's just like that.

Anyway, I'm stressing about racing on Sunday...sure I'll do okay, even if that means last place, though I doubt I'll end up carrying the lantern rouge. We of Team Strong Heart and we, as cyclists, are a passionate group. Yes, we have the fire that drives us to spend much, much time on our bikes, at the gym, on the roads, away from home, across the country, etc. But there's so much more.

My orthodoxy is my training. My practice and my celebration is the race shared, won and lost with comrades. Our battles are fought in office parks, on city streets, on Route 66, across Kansas and 13 other states, on the trails, in the morning when our closest are still sleeping, done before most people even get to their second cup of crappy drip coffee. I've crossed many finish lines in life, actual and metaphorical. Racing has brought me there and maybe it has (or will) bring you.

Cycling and racing for the past decade has drawn amazing perspective in my life. I've seen some wonderful and terrible things racing my bike and riding with friends. We've even lost a few of our closest friends to the sport, gone away doing just what they wanted. I pray I'm that lucky. I was reminded just yesterday that even a bike brand can be painfully and wonderfully associated with those who've come...and gone. Thinking of you and your Bianchi Greg.

We are tied to this sport, irrevocably so in my case, because many of us know that the true finish line is always just ahead, sometimes out of reach and sometimes right in the palm of our hands. I get out there and beat myself up every single day for the kids at Camp Odayin, for my own health, for my loved ones (new and old) and for all of you who care enough to read this silly blog. I've fought and won, but lost more times than won. And that's made all the difference in my itty-bitty world.

See you at the start line and always, keep the rubber side down.

Tim

Moab, 2009

2009-03-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

A couple of my old teammates from Horizon Organic, John Shippey and Brandon Eifrid, invited me out to Moab last week for some hard training, desert style.

When I was riding through Utah last year during my solo RAAM bid, I remember telling my crew chief that there was "no way in hell" that he would ever find me on my bike again in Utah.

Well...how soon we forget our promises.

I'm a river guy, not a desert guy. I prefer the lush, almost squishy roads of northern California to the barren wasteland that is the American West desert. Think banana slugs, Stanford University and the Haight Ashbury district of San Fran. That's where it's at, at least for training camp.

Moab is a different place of sorts, the Mecca of mountain biking. The riding out there, on the road at least, is very dry, very hilly and pretty challenging. We set out to ride each day we were out there and it was a definite drag to get on the bike after 6 hours of prep and driving out from Denver.

Day one held an easy spin, but I knew immediately that the week would be a challenge, having just started to get better from a cold that was driven home by an earlier trip out to Vegas. Day two we hit the Lasal Mountain loop, which is a major pain in the ass. After the gradual 3-5% grade of the first ten miles, we a hit a section of road called "the big suck" or something like that. I had some other choice words for a 4000 foot climb that lasted around 5 miles or so. I'm sure my stats are a bit off, but let's just say that the climb was short, steep and I was cross-eyed much of the way. Up top the temps dropped quickly and we were faced with a cold, slushy and red mud filled descent into the canyon. Yikes. John hit a 2 mile stretch of snow and ice at full speed and nearly lost his life, if not his collarbone. I picked my way through that descent and we eventually made it home.

Other highlights included an "easy day" that featured a wicked headwind and a view of Arches National Park, steak the size of Texas a couple of nights, good beer, the Dave Chapelle Show on the tube and monster breakfasts of omelettes, more steak and some sweet oatmeal and grits. Did an awesome Canyonlands ride, Brandon got some mountain biking in with Alison Dunlap, Katie Compton, etc., and we all survived through the last day of TT'ing up and down Wall Street and Potash Road.

I've been back for a few days now and am absolutely psyched for the race season and RAAM to begin. John and I were driving back into Boulder after dropping Brandon off in bumble, I mean, Highlands Ranch, and we both agreed that no matter where we race or train, coming back to Boulder and Denver is always great, is our home no matter what team we race for and is a definitive privilege for us as cyclists.

Keep in touch, do great things and keep the rubber side down.

Tim

Welcome Back

2009-03-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Ahoy!

It's been a while since I've posted on this blog, which is really too bad. Much to talk about here...first of all, thanks to everyone for welcoming me back into the racing fray of Team Strong Heart.

Here I was thinking that I'd get to "sit back" and enjoy RAAM from the comfort of the chase vehicle, barking out orders to the crew, creating conflict where none previously existed, throwing my massive authority around our great country. Now, as it happens, I am going to have to do the same thing while also racing my bike with three other of the baddest and fastest brothers on two wheels (and yes Andy, that number includes you).

At any rate...I'm very happy to be back on the biking side of things.

Support Team Strong Heart. I can't say that enough, SUPPORT TEAM STRONG HEART. Camp Odayin is an amazing place. I know it. I've been there. The world that Odayin's staff and contributors (like yourself) have created for those deserving kids is wonderful and really brings home the idea that with enough support and encouragment, everyone can reach beyond their circumstances and become great. Chokes me up thinking about it.

I grew up with very severe asthma...the kind that kills. I was the kid in gym class who couldn't finish the run in gym class, couldn't be outside when the temps were high and I was definitely living in a bubble/humidity tent in the hospital when my young friends were out being young. I never had an adaptive camp experience like the kids at Camp Odayin get to have. My camp experiences pretty much sucked, except for the day when I was the fake drummer lip syncing "Hungry Like a Wolf" at the camp talent show. That day was great...the rest...not so great.

Look at the mission statement for Team Strong Heart. We are dedicated and passionate...bar none. We are building a legacy of hard work, determination and results...raising money for Camp Odayin while showcasing amazing talent on and off the bike. The Team Strong Heart that comes to you today for a donation or other sorts of assistance is made of world class people doing world class things for those who can't help themselves. Join us...

Stay tuned for a review of my recent visit to Moab, Utah for a cycling training camp and other random stuff from wild and wooley Boulder, Colorado.

Keep the rubber side down.

Tim

Halloween Head

2008-12-04T15:02:00.000-08:00

Well, I've finally gotten over being sick and tired and have moved forward in my training. To what you might ask? Well, I've been asking myself this question often in the past couple of weeks. Without tipping my hat or showing my cards or any other cliche you'd maybe like to hear, I have some big "stuff" going on in my life.

All I can say at this moment is that I'm cross training, maintaining old fitness and building new fitness for some challenges that may be coming my way in the near future.

We all have opportunities to get better, or at least slow down. When we train for our weaknesses, we get better overall. This past season I focused on (besides getting across the country in one piece), interval training. With the help of Erik Kenney of EK Endurance Coaching, I was able to train my weakness and get faster. Who would have thought that I'd be able to complete the Race Across America solo and then come back and finish all races entered, including cyclocross and multiple crits and other events?

Life is good when you train your weakness. Trust me. So now I'm out there, in the gym, on the road, in the pool, whatever, training my weaknesses and getting ready to kick butt when the time comes.

Keep the rubber side down.

Karmic Slap

2008-11-16T18:58:00.000-08:00

I'm sick. I haven't been sick in over a year. Thinking that I was beginning to discover my new superhuman hero immune system that had lay dormant until it was realized post-Race Across America, I set out for a test.

I went to Vegas. Drank until I had to drink more to keep going, I stayed out until the not so wee hours of the morning, coming in for a brief rest when most are headed out to work. I ate crap and more crap and ate some more, just for good measure. I took a cab with my buddies to In- and-Out Burger and then came back to the hotel for a drink or eight. Red Bull gives you wings. Red Bull with top shelf vodka gives you loud, gregarious and mildly ridiculous wings. Wings that take you over and above and around until 5 or 6 in the morning.

I punished my body after coming back from Vegas. Wanted to teach a lesson to myself. I rode about 40 miles on my singlespeed road bike and then went to the gym to continue the lesson. I ran a 5k indoors and lifted and then swam 12 laps. It felt terrible and wonderful.

Then I went out the night before my latest shift, drank some more, got home much too late, slept for two hours and then went to work yesterday where we had what I would call a "mega fire," a fire that is big and punishing and smokey and dangerous. I was on the ladder truck doing "truckie" things, like the aptly named Vent Enter Search, which is basically an activity where you intentionally enter burning, smoke filled spaces, without a hoseline, looking for victims. I ascended high above the fire with my Captain so that we could get a good look at the fire and also to drop some water onto the top of the fire. Ever been up above a burning apartment complex at 70 feet with smoke and heat just an "armslength" away?

So today I'm sick. Apparently my superhuman abilities to refute sickness came at the hand of good living, enough rest, respect for my body and an understanding that when both ends of the candle are burning eventually the fire goes out.

Next time...more wax.

What Happens In Vegas

2008-11-14T08:48:00.000-08:00

So...I went to Las Vegas last week with some friends to pretty much undo the past ten years of bicycle training. Mission accomplished! A few more days of partying until dawn and I do believe that I would have died, with a smile on my face of course.

The first day out there we renamed Vegas "Awesome Town." If you've never been I suggest you get in your car right now and head over there. Okay, so it is a town of gluttony, debauchery and carousing, but that is what makes the place so special! I'll just leave it at that.

The last day I was out there (I stayed a day later than my friends to get a cheaper flight), I met up with Team Strong Heart coach Eric Kenney of EK Endurance Coaching. He had just completed what is termed the "world's toughest triathlon" out in Henderson, Nevada. Eric smoked the half triathlon, coming in 4th overall as an amateur out of something like 800 competitors, and I got to go to his awards ceremony the day I was traveling back to CO. The full version of the Silverman Triathlon features about 10k of climbing on the bike and super hilly terrain for the run. During the race the athletes were treated to a full compliment of weather from nature, including three foot swells out on Lake Mead during the swim. Competitive finishing times for the full version were around 13 hours. Yikes!

I'm debating about racing this weekend on my cx bike. My lungs still feel as if I was stuck in a coal mine out in Vegas (where everyone smokes) and I'm just not feeling combat effective quite yet. Back to the grindstone I go...

Keep the rubber side pointed towards the ground.

Tim

Vail Pass, Single Speed Style

2008-11-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

Team Strong Heart racer Eric Begin and I set out to tackle Vail Pass a couple of days ago on our bicycles. We've been there many times before, climbing out of Frisco up to the pass, which sits at about 10,700 feet, down into the Vail valley and then back up over the pass and out (usually to Taco Bell).

I took my singlespeed road bike out for the ride. Yeah, that's right. One gear, one speed (slow) and luckily a freewheel for coasting down the back side of the pass (times two). It actually wasn't that bad. The weather was sunny but dang chilly. It's amazing how the weather out here in Colorado is so divergent. Down by Boulder it was in the 70's and fair. Up near Vail it was windy and chilly. Oh well...

Anyway, we had snow to contend with in the shade and actually ended up walking part of the route when the snow really got tough. Mind you, it was only a couple of inches of snow, but you know, road bikes and road shoes aren't really made for that sort of thing. There was more than a couple of times where a cyclocross bike would definitely have been handy.

Well, we made it and now I have a hair-brained scheme to take my singlespeed road bike up and over as many mountain passes as I can. Call it my version of the "classic" 14'er Colorado brag.

Keep the rubber side down...especially in the snow.

TC

Boulder Cup Weekend

2008-11-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

Every year Boulder brings in the baddest local and national racers for a UCI Cyclocross extravaganza. Oh, and I also raced. The Boulder Cup draws thousands of spectators and some interesting Boulderites out of the woodwork. Just when I start getting sick of the "26 miles surrounded by reality," the Boulder Cup comes calling...

Yesterday's pain fest was held at the Boulder Reservoir. I'm not entirely sure what the deal was with the course designers, but they obviously had a "thing" for sand. The back half of the course was basically one big sand run, with a couple of barriers thrown in for good measure. I had a hard time getting a rhythm down, but ended up finishing 27th overall, which I guess is a-okay. To think I was racing RAAM four months ago.

Today's race was held at the Harlow Platts cyclocross course, set up against the flatirons. I was feeling pretty decent but couldn't uncork anything special during the race. For the uninitiated, it's amazing how hard a cyclocross race is right from the very beginning. If you don't hit it hard on the first lap, well, you might as well be resigned mid or latter pack riding. If you don't get the holeshot, you're "race" is done. The course was really fun and had it's own version of sand riding on the back half of the race. It was great to try and ride the sand parts of the course, though you were really screwed either way and got the life sucked out of you if you ran, or if you rode through. I did a little bit of both for good measure.

Just like any good cyclocross event, the race was only part of the fun. Mass quantities of PBR and Old Chubb turned an "ordinary" race into a wonder, and it was definitely great to catch up with some racing buddies, new and old. Guys dressed like bottles of Duff Beer, guys dressed like dolls and various stages of undress (see above) made this a great weekend of racing...

Tomorrow I'm heading up to Vail for some single-speed road riding. Stay tuned for that...

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim

Pics of My New/Old Singlespeed Road Bike

2008-10-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

Jay T. inspired me with his Headwaters 100 singlespeed race to go out and get a lingering project bike of mine done. This is what happens when an old cross bike gets a new set of lungs...

RAAM Fall Festival

2008-10-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

So I headed out to Terry Zrmal's house yesterday for the second annual RAAM Fall Festival. Terry is the Race Director for RAAM and the day was billed as a meet and greet for RAAM particpants and staff, past, present and future.

After fighting some crazy Boulder fall winds coming out of the west (think downhill riding at 10 mph), I made it to Terry's for the morning ride. It was a mixed group but everyone rode very strong as we hit a classic Boulder ride, the Fruit Loops... I was struggling from an interval workout the previous day but uncorked another hard ride, knowing that I'd get to "recover" today at work...

After the ride we ate BBQ (best part of the ride), caught up on things and traded stories about RAAM. David Jones, three time RAAM solo rider and great guy flew out to Colorado for the event and a few business meetings. It was interesting to hear his experiences and that of one of his crew people who was also in attendance for the party. I guess my crazy solo RAAM wasn't that unique after all...

Following the food we watched a rough cut of the RAAM DVD which will be out within a month, or so. The footage was spectacular, the commentary of the media crew was pretty funny and the whole movie was an engaging and moving recap of the 2008 Race Across America. That is my unbiased opinion...

It was encouraging to meet a couple of women from the Boulder based, Title 9 Cycling Team who are likely going to field a four woman team for 2009. I love sharing my experiences and limited understanding of the race with newbies and it was definitely cool to hear their questions and the blank look of disbelief as we told them about the race. The RAAM is definitely something to experience first hand. Seeing and feeling RAAM IS believing.

A couple of quirky things came out of the Fall Festival. I got an AMAZING workout/ride from a RAAM racer, Drew Clark who created what has to be one of the most insane rides I've ever heard about. I'll be posting the ride details in a few days, but the bottom line is that the ride covers about 100 miles, 14,000 feet of climbing and takes about 9 hours to complete. I'm looking to do the ride within the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for that. Also, I heard a fairly credible rumor that Lance Armstrong is going to be racing his cyclocross bike in Boulder next weekend, during the big time UCI cyclocross event.

So...all-in-all the RAAM Fall Festival was a success and a solid day of riding and reflection.

Keep the rubber side down...

TC

Pics from First Cyclocross Race of Season

2008-10-20T06:56:00.001-07:00

Who'd a thunk I'd be racing cyclocross this year???

So Long, Friend

2008-10-16T18:52:00.001-07:00

I sold one of my road bikes today to make way for a new Bianchi over the new year.

I know it might sound cheesy, but when you ride as much as I do, every time you saddle up on your bike I imagine it feels similar to what a jet fighter pilot feels like as she or he gets into their favorite plane. Nice and smooth and familiar.

I took my road bike many places and had some interesting experiences. There was the first time I did well in a road race. Really well. I was shocked and confused by what was happening in the race, being in a breakaway wasn't a familiar experience at the time (and still escapes me most races, even now). I remember the time my bike and I, okay I, made the poor choice to "outrun" an approaching front and storm in Minnesota. The storm won the race and as the front crossed my path it literally picked my bike and I up off the ground and threw us into a ditch. That was crazy!

My bike carried me through my personal "slump" of 2004 and 2005 when life got in the way of my riding and put me down a path that eventually led to dear old Colorado. The bike became my refuge, my respite and now cycling has become more important than ever in my own definition of Tim.

The bike and all my other crap got packed up and we headed West, young man, to pursue that dream. As the statesman from New York, Al Smith Sr., wrote many years ago, "Walk into that Eternal sunshine."

That bike stayed put on the bike of our support vehicles for RAAM, two years in a row and was rarely called into service, but for a few miles in Kansas. Anyway, it was there and ready to go.

Life happens, people came and went and come and go, but that dear old friend, my red bike, stuck around for the ride.

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim

Evidence!

2008-10-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

The preceding pictures prove and demonstrate why I will always be employed as a firefighter...it could happen in your own kitchen!

TC

Don't Know Much

2008-10-06T12:21:00.001-07:00

More Pics from Minnesota

2008-10-05T09:52:00.001-07:00

The Book

2008-10-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

Those of you who came out this past weekend to the Headwaters/Rainbow weekend might have seen the book that Michelle created to commemorate my 2008 Solo RAAM bid. The book is a pretty sweet dedication to our accomplishments some three months ago. Michelle did an amazing job of recapping our amazing experience, from cover to cover. She's not the greatest spellchecker, but hey, you can't have it all! ;)

Well...Shutterfly, which was used to create the book, has decided to include the book as part of its "Featured Gallery Project" area, which highlights some of the websites favorite creations. If you click on this link, you'll be able to review the book and maybe even order a copy if you would like one. Makes a great gift!

For 2009, I am being a bit more proactive on the media front and will be producing a series of videos that will cover the lead up to the RAAM, the race itself and the "wonder" that is recovery from the race. We're going to get the whole thing on "tape" and will be putting out a video and new book some time after RAAM '09.

See you on the hard road to RAAM, look for some more pics from MN and welcome to Team Strong Heart...

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim

Home...

2008-09-30T08:12:00.001-07:00

I love life out in Colorado. The weather, pretty much year 'round, is amazing. I can ride my bike out in the high plains east of the mountains or point the bike west and climb forever. I love my career at Boulder Fire, enjoy the highs and lows of helping people in very crappy situations and I love the women and men who serve next to me on the line. Life is good out here.

Michelle and I (and doggy) traveled out to Minnesota this past weekend for some bike racing and some reminiscing with old and new friends. Life in Minnesota is pretty sweet and I miss it out there. Unfortunately I'm starting to get used to the "fakey hippy environmentalist I'm from California and you're not" attitude out in Boulder, and so it was refreshing to go out to the "Land of 10,000 nice people."

The riding in Minnesota was spectacular. Many kudos to the organizers of the Headwaters 100 bike race and the beautiful bike tours also hosted that day. The race course was on some of the smoothest and safest roads I've ever raced or trained on and the scenery (when I had a chance to actually see it at 25-30 mph) was incredible. Saturday's road race was alternately tough and easy, depending on where I was sitting in the pack or what the terrain was like. Minnesotans know how to race and with few exceptions I was impressed with everyone's ability to stay cool when the tempo heated up. My Team Strong Heart comrades put on a good show and a special shout to John Rotach who can simultaneously race at the front of the pack and change out of a wind vest. Nice!

On Sunday, Rainbow Resort hosted the Laurentian Divide Challenge mountain bike race, which was a charity event for Camp Odayin and Team Strong Heart. I stupidly assumed before the race that because the course was being held near and around lakes that it would be a flat course. Wrong! Immediately the course climbs and heaves up and over some tough trails that are normally used as championship cross country ski trails. Think Olympic qualifiers, etc. So...I had brought my singlespeed Bianchi out to race with and there were a couple times where I was running rather than riding. Overall I turned out a good race, felt pretty decent despite the beer consumed the previous evening and I ended up placing first in the event.

Thanks to Rainbow Resort for hosting Team Strong Heart, Loon State and all the other people who showed up to race and support Camp Odayin. Michelle and I had an amazing weekend and will definitely be back next year.

Life in Minnesota is good. I was definitely reminded of that this past weekend. I dearly miss my friends and wish that the drive out there was a wee bit shorter. Packing up the truck and heading out there felt like a "mini-RAAM," and I was just as remiss to come back to CO as I was after finishing solo RAAM this past year.

Be thankful for who and what you have out there, all ye who call Minnesota home. Colorado has some altitude and some attitude, but y'all have some great bike riding, some great companionship and a wonderful place to rest your weary head at night.

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim

words to live by

2008-09-23T09:05:00.001-07:00

"It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, at least falls while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

--Teddy Roosevelt

movies

2008-09-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

Fall

2008-09-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

Next week I'll be headed out to Minnesota for the Headwaters 100 bike ride/race and also a charity mountain bike race out at Rainbow Resorts. Yeah, I'm the guy that races a century on a Saturday and then races his singlespeed mountain bike on Sunday. Not too bright!

I'm looking forward to getting out to MN after a prolonged absence. Actually, I can't remember the last time I was out there, though I suppose it had something to do with RAAM.

Team Strong Heart is looking more vibrant than ever for 2009. I'm ecstatic to be a part of the team again next season. Of course, your support is more than encouraged, it's demanded! Drop me a line at tim@timcase.net if you'd like to get involved with our organization.

I'm hoping to bring a bit of excitement to the weekend events in Minnesota. This has been a crazy year and cycling season, with a bit more to come from yours truly. Since the conclusion of solo RAAM, I've been obsessively plotting the next year out and am pumped to get going! Yeah, I know we've only had about three months to recover and rest up from my epic journey, but the time to plan is now...

At some point my physiology got me back on track post-RAAM. I'm back with intervals, long, hard rides and some mountain biking thrown in for good measure. I love this time of year. Although I've learned to embrace the heat (think Congress, AZ with about 2600 miles to go), I'm a sucker for the cold, wet fall. A part of me is hoping for some crappy weather next weekend in northern Minnesota. I do well in that sort of crud. Wind, wet and cold. Yes!

Having ridden and raced in Minnesota for a bunch of years, I can well appreciate the riders who get out the door from their warm homes in the dead of winter, just to eek out a few miles on the bike. I vividly remember some rides with the Loonies or racers from Squadra where we would ride for 45 minutes, drink coffee at the Starbucks by the U of MN for 2 hours and then ride home. Those were the coldest and the best days.

Racers out in Colorado are good. When you see a rider out here wearing a Garmin Chipotle team kit, chances are that guy's on the team. Some of my teammates on Horizon Organic resemble little horse jockey fellows who were born climbers. There is more bling on the average roof rack out here than a bike industry trade show. Go get something to eat and there goes the Rock Racing guys. Grab a coffee in North Boulder and half the HealthNet team walks in for some pre-ride brew. But....and this is a big but....alot of the guys here in Colorado can't take the cold. They like their riding hot and fast and did I mention hot. A chilly day in Boulder (see also: 45 degrees Farenheit) might drag most riders back indoors for a yoga or pilates class, but those are the days where I get the real work done. Perspective is golden and you really haven't lived 'till you've had icicles hanging from your facial hair or the corners of your mouth. I have Minnesota to thank for that.

I've never put in more miles on the bike than I have this year. Easily I've ridden over 10k miles for the first time in my short life. I've done some crit racing, will try my hand again at mountain bike racing, will hit the cyclocross season after coming back from Minnesota and did I mention I soloed RAAM this year?

Despite all of this, or maybe because of this, I'm feeling stronger and more energized than I have in a very long time. Don't get me wrong, beer is starting to work its way back into my diet (thankyou Cutthroat Porter and anything else from Odell's Brewery)and yes, I think I will have a second piece of pie, thank you very much, but with the change of the season, my leaves are changing to a hot and bright shade of red...

Keep the rubber side down...

TC

The word is yes

2008-09-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

Press Release: Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas: September 9, 2008

Today, Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor, founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) and cycling champion, released the following statement regarding his return to professional sports:

"I am happy to announce that after talking with my children, my family and my closest friends, I have decided to return to professional cycling in order to raise awareness of the global cancer burden. This year alone, nearly eight million people will die of cancer worldwide. Millions more will suffer in isolation, victims not only of the disease but of social stigma. After the passage of Proposition 15 in Texas, a $3 billion investment in the fight against cancer which is helping to make this disease part of the national dialogue in America, it's now time to address cancer on a global level."

Mr. Armstrong will discuss his cycling program and an international LIVESTRONGTM strategy on September 24th in New York City at the Clinton Global Initiative. A video statement by Mr. Armstrong is available at http://www.livestrong.com/lance2009/.

About the Lance Armstrong Foundation
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) unites people through programs and experiences to empower cancer survivors to live life on their own terms and to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. The LAF focuses on cancer prevention, access to screening and care, research and quality of life for cancer survivors. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF has raised more than $260 million for the fight against cancer. Join 60 million LIVESTRONG wristband wearers and help make cancer a national priority. Unite and fight cancer at LIVESTRONG.org.

Don't Call it a Comeback

2008-09-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

From: Velonews

Sources: Lance Armstrong coming back

By Neal Rogers

Lance Armstrong will come out of retirement next year to compete in five road races with the Astana team, according to sources familiar with the developing situation.

Armstrong, who turns 37 this month, will compete in the Amgen Tour of California, Paris-Nice, the Tour de Georgia, the Dauphine-Libere and the Tour de France — and will race for no salary or bonuses, the sources, who asked to remain anonymous, told VeloNews.

Armstrong's manager, Mark Higgins, did not respond to questions. And an Astana spokesman denied the report to The Associated Press.

"He is no part of our team," Astana team press officer Philippe Maertens told The AP in an e-mail. "Team Astana has no plans with him."

However sources close to the story have told VeloNews that an exclusive article on the matter will be published in an upcoming issue of Vanity Fair, expected later this month. Vanity Fair editors did not respond to requests for comment.

Rumors of Armstrong's return swirled at last week’s Eurobike trade show in Germany and this week’s Tour of Missouri.

The rumor speculates that Armstrong will reunite with former team manager Johan Bruyneel at Team Astana — a viable option given Armstrong’s long-lasting relationships not only with the Belgian director but also Trek, Astana’s bike sponsor.

According to sources, the Texan will post all of his internally tested blood work online, in an attempt to establish complete transparency and prove that he is a clean athlete.

The rumor, which has been rampant for nearly a month, gained legs when former Discovery Channel team director Dirk Demol signed with Astana for 2009.

“I am excited to be reunited with Johan Bruyneel," Demol said. "What Johan has been able to do this year with Team Astana is quite special and admirable and I look forward to being a part of his program once again. It will be a new team with some familiar faces, but I know the winning philosophy and structure have remained the same.”

Other rumors are that Armstrong will continue to pursue mountain bike racing, and may try his hand at cyclocross as well.

Should Armstrong return with Astana, it would bolster a squad that arguably boasts the sport’s best stage-racing team.

In Missouri, Columbia rider George Hincapie, a close friend of Armstrong’s and the only man to ride on all seven of the Texan’s Tour winning teams, simply smiled when asked what he knew about the rumor, saying, “I don’t know anything.”

Armstrong re-enrolled himself into the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s out-of-competition testing pool prior to August’s Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race, where he finished second to Dave Wiens, said USA Cycling chief operating officer Sean Petty.

USADA rules state that any athlete who wishes to come out of retirement must enroll in the USADA out-of-competition testing program for at least six months in advance of regaining eligible status.

A return to racing would no doubt bring large crowds to American races, and could perhaps save the Tour de Georgia, which is struggling to land a title sponsor.

Petty said that should Armstrong wish to return to racing, “it would be one of most exciting things to happen to American racing since he won his seventh Tour. Depending on his plan, if that is what he wanted to do, it would be tremendously exciting and would generate a tremendous amount of attention on the sport, and on what he’s doing. People would be very interested to see how he would do in a comeback.”

The last big-name rider to return from retirement was Italian Mario Cipollini, who signed with Rock Racing and competed at this year’s Amgen Tour of California after three years away from the sport. Cipollini failed to win a stage, but took third in a field sprint and said, “This finish means as much to me as any victory.” Following the race Cipollini had a contractual dispute with Rock team owner Michael Ball, and left the team.

Take Two

2008-08-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

I had a partially written blog entry from about a week ago. Basically the content of it was me whining about things far and wide, from the media coverage of Michael Phelps (don't ask, I was annoyed by the coverage of his eating habits) to the fascination with sports that most people only care about every four years unless you are a participant in said sports, know someone who is or have a kiddie in the development leagues of baseball, basketball, table tennis, etc.

For something entirely different, I had a pretty challenging and emotional ride today, riding from my doorstep in Idaho Springs up to the peak of Mt. Evans. If you've ever lived in Colorado, one of the first questions you may get asked from a new friend or acquaintance is something along the lines of, "how many 14'ers have you climbed?" I've always been exasperbated by this question. First of all, I don't climb. Never have and likely never will. I love the earth and the gravity that keeps me (usually) firmly attached to it. I cringe at the thought of a climbing rescue at work, though my paycheck reminds me that courage sometimes comes with a dollar sign attached to it.

So...I climbed my first 14'er today. Climbed it on my damn bike of course! The ride was pretty sweet, though my knees were definitely not liking the torque and tug of 5500 feet of climbing stretched out over 25 miles from my house. I really feel like I do my best "work" at altitude, as I feel stronger and more lucid the higher the elevation. The alpine environment is my friend, even though it may not be a tree's friend. As I climbed today I imagined myself in the Tour de France climbing Mt. Ventoux or some such thing. The weather up above the tree line was great, as long as you were headed up hill. About a week ago we got some snow up here and up along the road to Mt. Evans there was about a foot of the wet white stuff on the shoulder. Gawkers were stopped along the way to see some funky white sheepy looking things and some other random creatures having a meal at altitude.

The last mile or so of the ride up to the summit was pretty gnarly, filled with very narrow roads and a bunch of switchbacks. Coming down was pretty dang cold, but every foot descended seemed to add a degree of warmth.

I'm back at home licking my wounds or fatigue from the ride, but actually feel pretty awesome. I totally amaze myself sometimes and today's ride was one of those times. WTF? I'm that sick kid that couldn't finish the run in gym class and now I'm climbing a "classic Colorado 14'er."

Now if someone out here asks me how many 14'ers I've climbed, I'll just tell them to shut up and ride that thing...

TC

Check Yo Head

2008-08-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

www.doperssuck.com

School of Rock

2008-07-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

I went mountain biking today north of Boulder, after a day of wildland firefighter training. Mountain biking is what started this whole crazy thing for me. I had a friend in high school who raced for Cannondale and he introduced me to cycling. He rode his shiny silver bike, I rode a Huffy. He cruised up and over some crazy climbs (you know, there's alot of climbing in Chicago), I huffed and puffed and loved every minute of it.

I got to college and hit the trails up along the bluffs of the mighty Mississippi River. I thought I was a tough guy for riding singletrack, tearing along at what seemed like an amazing pace. My buddy Rene was a big shot rider for Schwinn and I still remember the day he got his brand new sponsored mountain bike shipped to our dorm. Damn I was jealous!

The Winona State Cycling club brought me into contact with those darn road riders. Stuck up, snobbish, the Grand Prix of cycling, blah blah blah. Those guys rode fast and furious. Our club hosted a criterium in Winona and it was really sweet to see pros like Robbie Ventura taking those four corners at breakneck speed. I rode my first criterium on a mountain bike with slick tires.

The story continues as I raced my mountain bike in Minnesota, got dropped, fought back, bought a road bike to train for mountain biking and then soon after started racing road bikes. The rest as they say is...

As I cruised along the trail today, high up in the mountains, my past crept up from the ground, vining up the wheels, around the frame and back into my brain. I looked off along the trail and saw a huge hawk flying along the ridge, keeping pace with me, or I with him...

2008 Race Across America Video

2008-07-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

Enough is Enough...

2008-07-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

www.doperssuck.com

The Next Stage...

2008-07-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

I met with my coach, Eric Kenny of EK Endurance Coaching last week to come up with a plan and sketch for the next couple of months. My goal is to get back into training so that I can do some road racing in August and then cyclocross in the fall.

The body is an amazing system. A few short weeks ago my body was really in a spot of bother and I was having a terrible time just getting the pedals to turn over. I was basically eating non-stop, always looking to stay seated or in bed and couldn't really stand much time on the bike.

Now, though, I'm feeling quite a bit better, highly motivated to get on with things and move into the next stage.

Post RAAM has been and will continue to be an amalgamation of moments of excitement, depression (mentally and physically), and hope for the future.

One of the best qualities of solo RAAM, for me at least, is that I have come back more passionate about the sport of cycling, excited for the next few months with the expectation that I will be stronger than ever once fully recovered and highly motivated for the end of summer, fall and winter months of training...

TC

And Some More...

2008-07-13T14:20:00.001-07:00

Suitable for Framing

2008-07-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

Oh Yes, More Pics

2008-07-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

More Pics...

2008-07-04T09:53:00.001-07:00

More RAAM Pics (and More to Come)

2008-07-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

B,B,B, Bernie and the Jets

2008-06-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

Bernie and Laurel Kaeferlein and family took the family truckster through Idaho Springs today on their way to Salida and Michelle and I had a chance to catch up with them for a bit. Bernie and I had the opportunity to be on the Team Strong Heart four-man RAAM relay team in '07. Aahhhh...relay teams. That whole thing seems kind of "quaint" and fun, compared to the battle that RAAM solo was for me this year. Perspective is pretty dang amazing.

I love RAAM! Over the past couple of days I've really come to the conclusion that I will be back at RAAM in 2009. Not solo, but hopefully on a four person relay team. Any takers? Seriously, drop me a line if you have ever wanted to do RAAM, or do it again. E-mail me at tim@timcase.net for more information. It's really not too early to start thinking about next year...

I was looking for a song that is a fair synopsis of my very personal solo RAAM experience this year...so go the Beatles:

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Black bird singing in the dead of night

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see

All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise,oh

You were only waiting for this moment to arise, oh

You were only waiting for this moment to arise
--------------

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more...

Tim

'Twas the Day After RAAM

2008-06-27T14:07:00.001-07:00

Well...what a difference a week makes. I'm sitting here at work, making overtime dollars, still licking my wounds (not literally, that's gross) and wanted to say hello to all of my supporters and "fans."

About this time last week we were keying up to push the final 26 hours into Annapolis and put the '08 RAAM in the record books. I've had some time now to process the whole experience a bit and I'm finding more to be enjoyed and some interesting stories from my crew from the RAAM racecourse. It's amazing, but I've already begun thinking about next year. Solo RAAM? Probably not, but I quite simply love that bike race. The RAAM organization is world class and they put on another show stopper in 2008. The course was amazing and terribly challenging, the race officials were gracious and kind and the HQ folks were incredibly supportive to my crew before, during and after the race. How could I not be a part of that again next year?

I'm healing up pretty well and am mustering the strength to ride the recumbant bike at the gym, do a bunch of stretching every day and begin making plans for the rest of my cycling season. Tentatively, I'd like to get back to road racing by late July, do some late season criteriums and then hit the cyclocross season in the fall.

I haven't touched my bike since RAAM, but I'm more excited than ever to get back on the bike. The bike feels like home to me and I actually miss riding right now, but respect the recovery and rehab aspect of solo RAAM.

Keep in touch, keep the comments coming and we'll talk soon!

Tim

More Random Pics from RAAM

2008-06-25T06:19:00.001-07:00

Just Got Home

2008-06-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

Howdy from Colorado,

Michelle and I rolled in (on four wheels, not two) to Colorado last night. Last time I was in this state I was pushing east through Durango and Pagosa Springs. What a difference a week makes!

I've had a few days of drive time to decompress from the RAAM and I think this process will continue for many moons. Literally everyone I've spoken with lately has bandied about the terms "hero," "superhero," "amazing racer," etc. I must say that I do appreciate the acknowledgment of what I've just done, but honestly I feel like an average rider and an average, everyday kind of guy.

I want you to understand that each of us can achieve victory in our own special and unique way. My victory came at the hands of 11 days of brutal, grueling and sometimes inhumane struggle for competition and survival. Your victory can come after a hard day at the office, dealing with a rude neighbor or working through a problem at school with your kid. David Bowie was and still is right, we can be heroes.

Your kindness, support and prayers fueled my fire across the country. The thought of Michelle reading me your comments while out on the road still brings me to tears and helps me remember that nobody is every completely alone. The solo RAAM experience is one of isolation and loneliness and so your thoughts and support cannot be underestimated.

My body and mind are going to take time to heal. I spoke with Bernie on the phone yesterday and told him that I'm feeling slightly weak and vulnerable. The past couple of weeks stripped me down to the bare essentials, quite literally I was a cycling organism, nothing more, nothing less. I wasn't a brother, a firefighter, a boyfriend or a son. I was a bare human, peeled of ego or malice or greed or any other characteristic that may manifest itself day in and day out. The next several months will be a rebuilding process for my body and my mind. Your continued support and understanding will continue to fuel my fire as I move forward.

Yes, I'm already making a game plan for next year and beyond. I've put the feelers out there for continuing the Team Strong Heart legacy and building on the amazing first few chapters we've put out there so far. Solo RAAM will probably not happen for me next year, but RAAM will happen in some fashion. Solo RAAM is still out there and yes, I do want to tackle that projct again. 2010?

I've already begun creating a "race recap" of sorts, trying to capture some of the infinite number of highs and lows during my race across the country. My writing hasn't taken me to Arizona quite yet and already I'm at about 5 pages single spaced.

Honestly, reviewing the race is a somewhat "painful" experience. I experienced many sorts of trauma during the event, but frankly, I wouldn't have changed any of it. From physical injury to firing crew members, to pushing through when I couldn't possibly muster anything more to turning the corner and checking in to the last time station. The 2008 RAAM was a formative and life changing experience.

I suffered so that the kids at Camp Odayin would and will eventually suffer less. Hopefully my efforts demonstrated to them, to myself and my crew, to my family and friends that when Tim Case is in your life, you have a dedicated, insightful and hardscrabble fighter who will go the distance when times are good and when times are bad.

The decisions and choices we make each and every day were encapsulated and pressurized in RAAM. Do you quit or do you move forward, do you rest or do you continue the fight, do you roll over and plead mercy or do you go on the hunt and push on, are you a person of integrity and character, or are you a person of deceit, will you be honest within your own limitations or will you try and be something you are not, will you lay down every single ounce of your self for others or will you pack things up and head home early, will you live and breath your passion for the sport of cycling or will you fold up and give in? Choose wisely.

In the upcoming weeks I'll be posting my recap of RAAM, along with photos and random thoughts from the saddle. I've decided to break the story up into three parts, coming from the three time stations we had to get to in order to continue on, Taos, New Mexico, the Mississippi River and then finally Annapolis, Maryland.

Stay tuned, keep me in your thoughts and always, keep the rubber side down.

TC

Why I'm Here

2008-06-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Many people have asked me why I am doing this race. Why take one rider (me), put him on a bike for 22 hours a day for 9 or 10 days, fighting weather and terrain, to get from one ocean to the next?

There are many answers to this question, of which I'll give you a few. I'm doing this race because I believe in the power of the human spirit to work against adversity and work for progress. For whatever reason, and no I don't believe in destiny, I was given the gift to ride my bike for gross amounts of miles and still feel good enough to get up the next day and do it all over again. My life, from birth, has been filled with moments where I was told that I can't do something. Those of you who know me well know that I had severe asthma growing up and lived a life of seclusion from other kids who were able to get out and enjoy the heat, enjoy the humidity and really find themselves out on the playground, on the field, on the courts, etc. My life now is one of inclusion, rather than exclusion, a life filled with virility, purpose and determination. When someone asks me how I can do this race, my gut reaction, from every cell, is, how can I not do this race? How can I not line up tomorrow at noon, turn over that first pedal and ride my way into the books? How can I not raise money for Camp Odayin and provide the quintessential summer camp experience for kids who are struggling with health issues in a manner similar to what I experienced? How can I not answer the call, step to the plate and all of those other cliches, and do everything in my sane and insane mind to get to Annapolis? How?

The journey to the Race Across America started many moons before I got to Oceanside this year. The incredible work of Bernie, Greg, Neil, myself, Bill and all of our family and friends laid the groundwork for what is about to transpire and perspire. I am forever indebted to these fine individuals and, despite our distance, count them as brothers. Standing in Lake Henshaw, CA last year, waiting for my first turn in the relay, my heart pumping, literally a buzz in my ears, I knew that I had discovered a special and very necessary purpose in life. Riding four-abreast into Atlantic City with my compatriots, onto the boardwalk in Atlantic City, I was hungry for more.

So...the purpose and true reason for lining up tomorrow is this: I am putting my life and heart on the line so that others might live and prosper. THIS IS MY CALLING. THIS IS TEAM STRONG HEART.

Signing off for now.

Yours,

Tim Case
Solo Racer
Team Strong Heart

Postcard From the Edge, RAAM Style!

2008-06-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hello California!

2008-06-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

We made it! Well, at least to California. The drive out to sunny Oceanside was incredible, as usual. I'm always amazed at just how vast this country is and, of course, how damn hilly it is. My crew and I took our two team vehicles out on the road, stopped over in Cedar City, Utah and got to Oceanside yesterday afternoon.

To a fault, I'm a freak of control, the guy who has to have his hands in everything. So admittedly this sort of thing, having 6 pairs of hands to help out is a change of pace for me. Yesterday was a wake up call that over the next weeks I am going to have to trust my crew and trust their instincts out during the race. These 6 are extremely capable individuals, in and away from the race. They were chosen for their unique capabilities and will have the chance to step up and "answer the call." My own control "issues" aside, we and I am ready, physically and mentally.

Commitment, teamwork and excellence. Getting the job done right the first time, every time.

This is Team Strong Heart.

Finishing Touches

2008-06-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Well, we are putting the finishing touches on the rolling caravan headed to California this Wednesday. My climbing bike is complete and ready to go and I have one short ride tomorrow with Crew Chief Eric Begin before we pack and head out.

Of note, we've added a 6th and final crew member to our solo effort this year. Will Kauanui hails from Gunbarrel, CO where (I kid you not) he makes and sells surfboards. By Will's own accounting, he has crossed the U.S. by bicycle at least twelve times, including at least once as part of the "Great American Bicycle Race," the precursor to the Race Across America. In addition to riding his bike ALOT, will was a pro surfer and was rumored to have played pro-baseball. Will's input and hands-on knowledge of solo racing will be invaluable to our mission...

So...I'll be signing off for now. Look for a pre-race blog entry and then we'll be hitting the RAAM road on Sunday at noon.

Keep the rubber side down.

Tim

We Can Be Heroes

2008-05-21T19:46:00.001-07:00

"Furthermore, we have not even to risk the adventure alone; for the heroes of all time have gone before us; the labyrinth is thoroughly known; we have only to follow the thread of the hero-path.

And where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god; where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves; where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence; where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world...

The passage of the mythological hero may be over-ground, incidentally; fundamentally it is inward - into depths where obscure resistances are overcome, and long lost, forgotten powers are revivified, to be made available for the transfiguration of the world...

[Now] it appears that the perilous journey was a labor not of attainment but of reattainment, not discovery but rediscovery. The godly powers sought and dangerously won are revealed to have been within the heart of the hero all the time."

--Joseph Campbell--

Party On, Wayne!

2008-05-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

So...the, um, party, is about to begin. I'm anticipating a true out-of-body experience, all beginning on June 8. Quite honestly, I'm winding down the interest in planning and preparation, but we still have several more weeks to go, so the mantra "finish strong" will at least get me to the start line in Oceanside.

Everyone's support has been overwhelming and has made training for this thing alot easier. When I don't have to worry about food or time constraints or any such thing, the rest becomes very manageable.

I had a spirited discussion recently about the relative lunacy of climbing Mt. Everest. My position was that the craziness or lunacy of an event is purely in the eyes of the beholder, or climber, or whatever. To me, running 26 miles seems like approximately 26 miles too much to run, but of course, racing my bicycle across 14 states seems entirely legitimate. Whad' I say?

The idea that one man or woman can cross this country by bicycle and do it in 9 or 10 days is a bit suspect. The idea that I could convince every single person in my life that I should do that is also suspect, but I've learned what true friendship, love and concern actually is. I see this every single day I walk out the door to go train (again), every time I push away from the chow table at work and every time I get on the phone to chat about the race.

My deeply personal choice to race across the country for Camp Odayin is completely legitimate, if only because the people in my life have helped me reach that conclusion and will be there for me before, during and after the RAAM. Win, lose, or draw...

TC

Thank You!

2008-05-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to get out a quick note and thank everyone for their feedback and support of the great article that was recently published in the Yellow Scene Magazine.

Many of you have shared personal experiences with me regarding heart disease/defects and even how great it feels to get out on the bike every now and again.

Your support of Team Strong Heart is crucial to keep us and Camp Odayin moving forward.

Make no mistake about it, every single kind word, dollar donated and friendly offer of support means EVERYTHING to me and to all of us who have been working diligently on behalf of the Team and the Camp.

I'd welcome your comments at tim@timcase.net.

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim

Team Strong Heart: Amazing Race!

2008-05-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

Check out the feature story about Team Strong Heart and Camp Odayin, found on the cover and inside the Yellow Scene Magazine, an arts and entertainment mag in the Denver area...

Heart Case
by Jacob Harkins, photo by Ray Rushing

Tim Case rides his bike pretty much everywhere, every day. He owns a home in Idaho Springs, works in Boulder and has a girlfriend in Louisville.

He hasn’t ruled out trying to ride from Louisville to Idaho Springs every once in a while, just for kicks. Knowing this, I figured it would help if I got to know Tim where he is most comfortable, in the seat of his Bianchi.

We meet at Amanti Coffee in North Boulder on a breezy, early spring Saturday morning. The coffee shop is perhaps the capital of Boulder cycling. Most of the java drinkers are dressed in the geeky, barely socially-acceptable cycling gear: super tight spandex shorts, zip-up jerseys pelted with dozens of sponsors, and the always clacking cleats that ensure normally nimble athletes slip across the slick floor.

With some of the best rides in the region just to the north and west of this NoBo hotspot, the café has become the meeting place for Boulder cyclists. Everyone from the city’s seemingly endless line of pros to the more massive group of amateurs love to pedal out on the windy county roads.
Tim, a Boulder firefighter, seems a little uncomfortable with the scene—there’s an attitude of elitism that exudes from many of the groups setting out for a ride in matching attire.
He rides for the Horizon Organics cycling team as a semi-pro and has more endurance than a camel. Tim sports the requisite jersey, goofy farmer’s tan and smooth pedal strokes, but he doesn’t want much to do with the hordes of spandex-clad bike riders. He barely considers himself an athlete, let alone a gifted cyclist.

It’s hard to buy into the “not special” talk when you think about what he will be attempting next month, a solo Race Across America that will take him a mere 10 days.
Some motor homes take longer to get from the Golden State to Maryland. Frankly, I’m a bit intimidated to ride with perhaps the quickest fireman in Boulder.

I had just purchased my first biking jersey a half hour prior—simple white, no advertisements—and hadn’t been on my Bianchi in more than a year. I feel small next to guys with oak-thick thighs about to set off on a ride with a man preparing for a series of 300-mile days.

Tim reassures me countless times that I have nothing to be nervous about, but I can’t shake that anticipation.

We start cruising north on Foothills Parkway, the rolling foothills to our left, immense views of farmland and plains to our right.

This isn’t so bad.

About 30 miles later, my tune changes.

On our approach back to North Boulder, a stiff headwind batters us like a tidal wave, dulling our cycle strokes to a mere 11 miles an hour.
“This wind sucks,” Tim says, glancing over at his exhausted cycling partner.
That’s about the biggest complaint you’ll hear from Tim. He’d just the same deal with the adversity than fuss about it. He knows that when he crosses Kansas during the Race Across America in June, the wind will pound him. It won’t surprise him when snowflakes fog his sunglasses as he climbs the mountain passes around Pagosa Springs. Torrential downpours in the Appalachians are expected.For those last grueling miles of our far-from-difficult ride, I couldn’t help but wonder about the scope of his trip. We’d been away from the warm confines of the coffeehouse for less than two hours. Soon I’d be zipping home at 65 in my Mazda with a hot shower, bed and nap waiting.

Had this been the start of the race, we’d be a tenth through day one and only 1 percent finished with the entire trek. These thoughts dance through my head as the ride winds down and are as painful as the tenderness that had developed on my buttocks.

Tim likely wasn’t thinking too hard about miles 30 and 31, although it’s safe to assume 20 hours into any given day during the race he’ll be downright exhausted.

He can use the kids at Camp Odayin he’s raising money for as inspiration when he’s bleary-eyed at 3 a.m. in the middle of New Mexico.

Woody Hust may seem like your typical 13-year-old. An avid ski racer, heplays tennis, eats just about anything that’s not nailed down—steak and duck, especially—and reads books about war, baseball and history.

But he’s already undergone two heart surgeries.

“You don’t notice he’s a heart kid when you look at him,” says mom Heidi, during a phone interview from her home in Orono, Minnesota. “His insides are all mixed up.”
While still in his mother’s womb, Woody was diagnosed with a critical aortic valve, forcing doctors to perform a valvotomy at birth. Basically, his pulmonary valve replaced his troubled aortic valve and an implant replaced the pulmonary valve. When he was six, he had that implant replaced. Now, his aortic root is expanding, much like a balloon, his mom says. Woody will go under the knife again in a few months.

He’ll face procedure after procedure throughout his life.

But being the weird kid with a zipper scar emblazoned on his chest, who passes out if he overexerts, is far more difficult for a 13-year-old to endure than worrying about years of surgeries.

The first time Woody took off his shirt at the public pool led to a lesson in just how mean kids can be. The major scars were too much for other girls and boys to ignore.
Woody became a teasing target.

“When he actually swam on a swim team at the country club, the first time he took off his shirt in swim class; it was awful,” Heidi recalls. “He came home crying. They were staring at him as if he was a leper.

“He gets made fun of because he can’t run. In gym he has to walk the mile, and he takes a lot of heat for that…a lot of kids are really mean.”

It’s tough being the kid who’s different.

That’s why Camp Odayin has been such a blessing. That’s why people like Tim Case mean so much to the Husts.

“It’s like the best thing in the whole world,” mom says.

Six days, 15 hours and 13 minutes. Four cyclists had just pedaled across America in six days, 15 hours and 13 minutes. Working in tandem, each rider taking four-hour shifts, sprinting 20 minutes on, taking 20 minutes off, they finished the Race Across America in third place. They rode through the night. Under the blazing sun. Dodging the rain, wind and sleet.
Sounds like the battle cry for mail carriers or Lance Armstrong’s fabled U.S. Postal Service cycling team. Yet just a few hours prior to crossing the finish line of the toughest bike race in the world (apologies to the Tour de France), Tim, one of the four, came to a realization.

“We were 100 miles outside of Atlantic City sitting in the RV, and, off the cuff, I was wondering what kind of riding was in Atlantic City,” Tim remembers. “I realized I wanted more of it.

Everybody was wiped out—I wanted more of it.”

Sure, he had help throughout the challenge. It was a relay, after all.
Still, it’s not the type of race that leaves you with energy to keep going east after more than 3,000 miles of thigh burning hell. It’s probably a good thing the Atlantic was there, otherwise, Tim may have pedaled all the way to Europe.

“I was more confident on the bike than off, which is kind of a blessing and a curse,” he says during a casual conversation at an Old Town Louisville coffee shop.

The curse has led to his next goal, trying the race solo. He’ll leave Oceanside, California, June 8, cross the Rockies, Great Plains and Appalachians all by himself, riding 20-plus hours a day in an attempt to cycle the continent in less time than it takes most of us to plant a garden.

Tim’s not thinking about that despite being admittedly nervous about the first pedal stroke. He has the heart-troubled children who find summer refuge at Camp Odayin to keep him preoccupied.

When Sarah Sather’s mother, Barb, starts talking about the heart ailments her child faces, it’s handy to have a few medical books nearby for quick reference.
Sarah has a large ventricular septal defect (a hole in the bottom of her heart), a straddling micro valve (something Barb struggles to explain) and a blocked pulmonary valve.
Sarah’s heart is a one-pump operation.

Despite being just 8, Sarah has already undergone three major heart surgeries to ensure the blood from the bottom half of her body re-circulates. She will undergo another procedure in her teens and faces the daunting probability of having a full transplant in her 20s.
“We’re hoping for development in medical advancements,” her mother says, nervously.For now, Sarah is your typical child (almost) with sufficient energy. She runs around the playground of her

Monte Vista, Colorado, elementary school, playing “Cats” with a few of her close friends.

She loves pizza and spaghetti.

She has few activity restrictions, although there’s a constant worry in the back of her parents’ minds.

“We worry about her more,” Barb says. “We’re close to the school nurse.”

Despite the grave implications of a future transplant, Barb is focusing on one simple thing: “I

want her to live as full a life as possible.”

Sending her daughter to Camp Odayin for the first time this year is a good start.

Tim Case is driven. His whole life, he’s been told what he can’t do, starting with virtually every athletic endeavor through adolescence due to severe asthma.He loves proving people wrong.
“I couldn’t finish a run,” he says. “Proving people wrong; it’s sort of just continuing the story.”That resolve is why he is fairly confident about being able to pedal 3,008 miles virtually

’round the clock and possibly finish in the top five in the race.

But personal reasons aren’t the only motivation driving him. He doesn’t want to let Woody,

Sarah or any of the other 200 or so campers attending Odayin this summer down. Tim is riding for Team Strong Heart, an effort he helped forge a year ago to raise money for the camp through this extreme endurance race.

“I’m just an average, everyday rider. I’m just motivated. I have a good cause,” he says, in a statement that seems to become his mantra the more you try to pry details about his obsession with this challenge.

The cause is certainly a good one. The camp allows kids facing major heart ailments and death on a daily basis to be typical kids for once.

And since Tim’s the only returning member from a year ago, he has to balance supporting these kids, keeping the team strong (four new members will participate in the same relay he finished last year), and training for his solo ride simultaneously.

He feels the pressure of shouldering the Strong Heart load for a tiny camp for heart kids in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Camp Odayin is entering its seventh summer, offering kids the chance to forget about hospitals and mean kids who point fingers.

Campers face a wide spectrum of ailments, ranging from kids with a hole in his or her heart to one pre-teen camper already on her third heart.

Since medical bills for these families run as high as humidity in the Minnesota summer, Odayin charges just $25 a camper.

Offering overnight, day and family camps for children from all over the United States, it relies on funding from four sources: grants, donations, three annual fundraisers, and crazed athletes who seem to think riding a bike across the States in 10 days is fun.

Kids who attend have trouble playing with others. They cannot run for as long, stand the heat as well and have scars that “normal” kids gawk at. Battling severe heart disease when you’re 10 makes you as popular in grade school as the child who doesn’t bathe often.

That all changes at Odayin.

“We want to create a haven for these kids,” says Sara Meslow, the camp’s executive director. “It’s a place for these kids to be normal.”

Campers ride horses, take nature hikes, and participate in arts and crafts. They get to visit the lakefront beach—without a shirt on. Surgical scars become badges of pride instead of sources for ostracism.

There are doctors and a resident cardiologist on site, just in case. Three children have died in the camp’s six years—a sobering reality, memorialized with a plaque showcasing the names of the deceased.

“It’s probably pretty tough when you are looking at your own mortality,” Meslow says. “It’s a pretty tough time.”

Some of the campers know that fate is likely just around the corner for them—others could very well live a long and healthy life. But for these short weeks, all they care about is capture the flag, arts and crafts, and being 11.

Every kid deserves that much.

Tim understands what Odayin kids are dealing with, to a degree. As a child,he battled asthma severe enough that a bout with bronchitis almost killed him when he was just 2. He was hospitalized for a month.

“That was about as close to the edge as I’ve ever come,” he says. “Even though I was pretty young, I still remember it vividly. It set the tone through my adolescent years.”
Growing up, Tim couldn’t participate fully in gym, had to remain inside during heat waves and never considered himself a person with an athletic bone in his body. Sound familiar?

“I was that kid; I couldn’t do it,” Tim says. “It was very restrictive.”

He outgrew the asthma enough to try out for track during high school—still, his doctors thought he was loony. Now he’s serving in a profession, fire fighting, that puts a premium on lung capacity.Tim came to Colorado from Minnesota on a whim to test for fire jobs in the region. He

did well, and has been with the Boulder department for two years.

Yet he doesn’t fit the typical firefighter mold, assuming one exists. He has three tattoos (one of them an admitted cliché, a near full-arm sleeve of a flame), isn’t overly muscular and won’t likely be featured as Mr. August on the charity beefcake fireman calendar anytime soon.

When the other guys in the house are watching the Rockies game, Tim’s head is usually buried in a book. Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy by Noam Chomsky, is on his night stand now. “A real light read,” he says of his selection. “I read a lot. I’m a voracious reader.”

Any doubts about his ability to be a firefighter based on his stature (he’s just 175 pounds despite being 6’ 2”) were doused early on. He can haul hoses up three flights of stairs with the best of them.He’s pretty good at that endurance thing, which should come in handy in June.

Tim is confident in his ability to finish, perhaps bordering on the always dangerous cocky. He also understands how easy it can be to fail. A bad crash, knee injury, dehydration: Pick your poison, these are just a collection of the many issues that could sideline the fireman.

But he has set this goal. And you know what, he’s pretty damn stubborn. He also shoulders the load of knowing he’s trying to raise money and awareness for Odayin and carry Team Strong Heart into another year of do-gooding. The entire camp will be following his progress.
He set a modest goal of raising $5,000—during a recent fundraiser at RedFish in Boulder, donations topped that figure. As part of the relay team a year ago, he helped raise twice that. But last spring, Tim didn’t have to worry about logistics of the race or being the spotlight of the fundraising drive. He simply trained. Tim remembers the team’s captain showing up on race day a year ago looking battered from dealing with Strong Heart logistics. It’s infinitely worse for Tim, since he’s going it alone.

“A couple of months ago, he was freaking out thinking we may have to pull out of this,” says Michelle Pearl, Tim’s girlfriend and the physical therapist/masseuse who will be part of the Strong Heart support crew that will drive across the country at 18 miles an hour while Tim toils.

Tim overcame those doubts. Basically, too much was riding on the race, and he knew he was in

no position to complain.

Woody and Sarah have it much worse. So do the rest of the Odayin campers. But because of efforts from Tim and plenty of other volunteers, all they’ll care about this summer are friendship bracelets, lakeside entertainment, marshmallows, ghost stories and building self esteem.
One of the great stories Sara Meslow tells is about Woody. His sister asked if she could come to camp, and Woody emphatically said “No.” She didn’t have the “special” heart required, he proudly told his sibling.

Woody comes back from camp each year beaming with new found enthusiasm and confidence. And he has plenty of people to thank for the Odayin opportunity, but few, if any, are going to the lengths of Tim Case.

Perhaps that thought will help Tim during his final push into Annapolis, 10 days after leaving sunny California when his personal gas tank is on zero.

Then he can take a rest—until he tries it all over again next year.

For more…
• While pedaling across the United States, Tim has volunteered to keep us apprised of his journey. See his blog, beginning June 8, on the Yellow Scene blog page.
• To donate to Tim’s cause, visit his blog.
May 2008

Crew Roster and New Addition...

2008-04-29T19:31:00.001-07:00

Well...now we are set...Shaun Smith has agreed to come on board as a crew member with the Team Strong Heart Solo effort in, oh I don't know, 39 days away.

Shaun is a great guy and a New Zealander (former?) to boot. He lives with his wife Erin in Louisville, CO and has a wicked accent.

Aside from Shaun my complete crew roster includes:

Michelle Pearl - Physical therapist and massage therapist by trade. She was recently voted "Best Massage in Boulder County." Not too shabby...

Kevin Case - One of my two brothers and a grad student who almost has his grad degree in hand. Kevin's making the trip out to Colorado to start our journey by way of Pennsylvania after he graduates from the University of Illinois.

Gordon Shaw - This gent is making the trip to support Team Strong Heart all the way from the UK, Glasgow University to be exact. Wow!

and Eric Begin - Eric's a co-worker of mine at Boulder Fire Rescue and a former cycling teammate of Tom Danielson at Ft. Lewis College. He's the de facto crew chief for my solo effort this year.

I cannot even begin to describe how lucky I've been this year finding these amazing crew people and coming across so many different supporters from all walks of life.

Let it begin!

Tim

Racing and a Party

2008-04-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Howdy,

Yesterday was a very big day for me personally and for Team Strong Heart. Woke up, washed the bike and headed out to the Primus Mootry Criterium, for what should be my last official race before the Race Across America in June. I had a great time at the crit and ended up doing exactly what I had set out to do...that is...stay upright, work a bit at the front, chase some breaks down, etc. We had a great showing from my Horizon Organic Cycling Team. Some of those guys even did a road race the previous day, with my teammate Aaron coming in fourth place and then showing up to race the crit on Sunday. Damn! I felt strong and very relaxed during the race, even though I was a bit twitchy with my folks and significant other out there to watch me and cheer me on.

Post-race we had to rush out to get ready for the Team Strong Heart fundraising party later in the day. We had a bunch of people come out to the Redfish to support my Solo effort and all of the efforts that Team Strong Heart has put in so far this year. We're estimating about 70 people showed up and many walked away with some incredible raffle prizes donated by 53 businesses in the Boulder area. We even had some extra last minute Smith sunglasses donated to us to give away. I was definitely jealous that I couldn't participate in the raffle.

Many thanks to the Runnin' Wild Band for putting in a stellar performance for our guests. The guys are still in high school but they can stand up against any live artist I've seen, including some of the music greats. If they keep at it, going at their current pace, you'll definitely be hearing from these guys...

Wow! We raised a bunch of money last night and the donations are continuing to come in. I've already met my personal fundraising goal, but we have a couple of huge personal donations coming in shortly that will blow our goals completely out of the water and set a new standard for next year.

Yep, I said it...next year.

Special thanks to everyone who has worked so hard on my, Camp Odayin and Team Strong Heart's behalf. And a special thank you to everyone who stepped up last night and showed up to support us at the Redfish.

You are incredible and the true heroes!

Tim

Fundraising Party This Sunday...

2008-04-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

We are poised to destroy our fundraising goals with a fundraising party this Sunday, April 27 at the Redfish Brewhouse in Boulder, CO. We're estimating about 100 people will attend this gala affair with live music from the Runnin' Wild Band and a silent auction and raffle from over 45 local businesses...

So...Redfish is located at 13th and Spruce St. in downtown Boulder. The party starts at 6:30pm with live music beginning at 8:00 pm. Entry is $15 at the door and kids are welcome and free to attend! The more, the merrier!

Contact me direct at tim@timcase.net with any questions, but we are going to have a guaranteed sweet time Sunday for a great cause, Team Strong Heart and Camp Odayin!

Tim

Breakthrough Ride

2008-04-16T17:43:00.001-07:00

Howdy from snowy Colorado,

Just a quick update for y'all regarding training for the RAAM, etc. Last Monday I hit my first hundred mile ride (113 miles to be exact), doing a great loop from Lafayette to Estes Park and back... To the uninitiated, this is a very scenic and very challenging loop with about 7000 feet of climbing and some pretty amazing stretches of road.

I was pretty nervous about the whole experience, testing out the legs, back, neck, etc. and putting my coaches theories and training plan to the test. Thanks to Eric Kenney for continuing advice and guidance on what's about to transpire in June. I've been getting itchy for longer rides, but Eric has kept me on a steady uptick in training. Patience, my boy.

Coming back through Boulder after the first 99 miles, I hit a stretch with a bunch of riders trying to make like a pro, if not ride like a pro. If they only knew.
These freddies hang on your wheel, take your draft and then blow past you like you're yesterday's news. I'm todays news dammit!

The friendly wave and smile from a rider coming up the other way on the road is worth its weight in gold, especially when the ride starts approaching triple digits. One of the things I really dig about Team Strong Heart is that we have always been and always will be a group of riders and supporters who believe in the smile and the wave, believe that the grass is green right here, right now, and believe that a bunch of "ordinary," everyday sort of riders and racers can make a real difference.

I'm up at 10k feet at my house right now, sitting under 5 inches of snow and counting, but my mind and legs and heart are moving towards the start line in Oceanside on June 8th...

See you at the party on the 27th in Boulder, CO...

TC

Photo Shoot

2008-04-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Don't forget our party on April 27th at the Redfish in Boulder, CO...should be fun and fortuitous.

Last Saturday was an interesting day, to say the least. Ever had a professional photographer's camera thrust in your face for a photo shoot? I did. Ray Rushing of Ray Rushing photography brought me into his North Boulder studio to take some pics for the upcoming edition of the Yellow Scene magazine, which is a glossy mag sent out and picked up by a ton of people out here in the front range.

Ray and I chatted about the RAAM and then got down to business, having me pose and contort to make it look like I mean business, which really I do, but you know to convey that via a pic is kind of tough. After the studio shoot, Ray, myself and the Yellow Scene editor, Jake Harkins, went out to rural Boulder for some more photos...it was a typical beautiful Colorado day and riders were out in full force.

Ray is a great photographer and excellent guy to boot, so if you're ever in need of a photo session, give him a good hard look. Check out his website and blog that contains many of his favorite photos and work he's done, and of course, yours truly.

Aside from the glamour shots, I've been hard at work getting everything in place for June, including going to Walmart to buy diaper rash ointment and baby wipes. It's amazing how much planning and development goes into getting a bike and a crew from point A to point B. Last year, with Bernie Kaeferlein at the helm on the rider side and Bill Nicholson managing the crew, all I pretty much had to do was raise some money and show up with a bike. This year has clearly shown me why Bernie looked so damned tired even before the RAAM actually started.

Kudos to everyone who has stepped up, last year and this year to get Team Strong Heart out onto the racecourse for Round Two. When I've needed it most, my friends, family and teammates have filled the loney void that comes with "too much" preparation, training and hard work.

See you on the long, hard road to Oceanside...

Tim

Save the Date: April 27th...and...80% Liquid

2008-04-03T16:28:00.001-07:00

Once again, don't forget that on April 27th, Team Strong Heart and yours truly will be hosting the first annual Team Strong Heart Got Solo? Fundraising Gala... We've gotten even more donations for raffle prizes from local supporters and businesses in the Boulder area.

See you there!

For something entirely different, I just received a massive shipment (see the attached photo) from Hammer Nutrition, my chosen nutritional supplement for this year's RAAM. Hammer Nutrition, albeit not a sponsor of Team Strong Heart, has generously offered a substantial discount to registered racers of the Race Across America...like...me!

Many thanks to Hammer for all of the data on their website and their excellent customer service in getting my order processed promptly and accurately. Heck, I spent over 800 bucks on powders and gels, etc.!

From all accounts, for solo riders the winning formula for nutrition during the event seems to be an 80/20 split, that is, 80% of your daily nutrition during the RAAM will come from a liquid source. Hammer Nutrition and their endurance activity gurus argue that there is ABSOLUTELY no way to replace every single calorie lost during an ultra-endurance event, such as the RAAM. Based on previous experience, I burn about 1k calories per hour during moderately intense (60-75% threshhold) activity on the bike. I am working off the idea of spending about 20-22 hours A DAY on the bike for about 9-10 days in a row. So... about 15-20k calories will be burned up in the process per 24 hour period.

Hammer Nutrition posits that we can only replace about 300 calories an hour during exercise without suffering adverse intestinal and performance effects. I am translating this idea into a mindset where the Race Across America will be an "exercise" in managing of deficits and caloric deficiencies. Hammer steps in with their products to offer replacements with adequate calorie and carb/electrolyte to protein ratios that will sustain from California to Maryland (a sobering thought).

This sort of "techie" approach is now becoming more crucial as we approach the start of the RAAM, which is some 70 days away.

See you on the road...

Tim

April 27th Fundraiser in Boulder, CO!

2008-03-31T17:59:00.000-07:00

Howdy from snowy Colorado,

Join myself, Race Across America SOLOIST and a hundred of your closest friends at the Redfish Brewhouse, Boulder, CO, on Sunday, April 27th at 6:30pm, for the first annual Team Strong Heart Got Solo? Gala.

We are going to have a raffle with a ton of excellent donations from Mix1Life, Boulder Beer, Boulder Creek Winery and Fox Theatre (just to name a few), a silent auction, light appetizers and a live performance from Denver's own, Runnin' Wild Band (they start at 8:00pm). These guys cover their favorite artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix while adding in their own tunes to boot!

Fifteen dollars at the door, kids get in free and donations will be going to Team Strong Heart and Camp Odayin.

See you there!

Tim
------------------------------

Aside from working on the party, we've been hot on the trail for donations to Team Strong Heart...thanks to everyone whose donated and will donate to the cause! Every single dollar counts and will help us reach our long term donation goals for Camp Odayin.
------------------------------

Training for the race has been going well, despite the erratic Colorado spring weather. There's an expression used amongst the powder-heads up in the mountains..."Never Summer." Yep, it's snowing like crazy up here at 10k feet with no sign of spring, other than the melt and runoff that turns a clean truck brown.

Down in Boulder the racers are chomping at the bit to get a turn at the front of the peloton. Had my first race two Sundays ago...it went pretty well despite the general nervousness of the field. Those first few races are always an exercise in attrition. My goal was to sit in, move around in the field a bit and stay upright. Mission accomplished despite almost getting crashed out three laps in (locked up the rear wheel to avoid the collision), slamming into at least one errant water bottle and generally holding on for dear life. The finish came in with a field sprint and no, that wasn't Tom Boonen off the front, just another Horizon Organic rider going on a flyer.

Man, I love racing!

Last Sunday we had the infamous Koppenburg circuit race scheduled, but woke up to rain/snow and a crazy chill in the air. Half the race is on dirt roads, including the notorious 17% Koppenburg climb, a la spring classic in Belgium. Long story short, the organizers had to cancel the race, it was just too dangerous, even for the "hardened strong men of the peloton."

Next up for me is the Deer Trail Road race 3/4ths through April...then...time to bear down and get some heavy, heavy miles in, in preparation for June.
See you out there...

TC

April 27th Team Strong Heart Fundraiser!

2008-03-20T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Lots to report from over here in the eventually-warming-up Boulder, Colorado.

The training is starting to heat up for June and I actually have my first race out here this upcoming Sunday, starting it all off with a criterium on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus...

I'm coming off a "forced" 7 day active recovery period and feel very strong, especially for this time of year. This recovery was without a doubt a complete revelation for my training. Thanks to my coach Eric Kenney, Horizon Organic teammates and good friends from Minnesota that I've spent years riding with for suggesting this rest and recovery. I came home from training camp in California and pretty much trained myself into a world of hurt. It's tough to slow down and settle in to recover and I ignored the classic symptoms of overtraining. I finally had a blowout ride where I struggled to get home after 85 miles and was broken.

Rest and recovery are keys to success, along with diet, sleep and plain old having fun on the bike. Believe it! I do...

On another, but closely related note, we've been hot on the trail of donations for Team Strong Heart and have scored a major victory by signing an amazing venue and band for the first annual Team Strong Heart Got Solo? Fundraising Throwdown (that's the unofficial title of the party).

We've contacted over a hundred companies and have received a lion's share of support from local businesses to raffle off products, services and even a "date with a firefighter model" at the party to be held at the Redfish Brewhouse in Boulder, CO on Sunday, April 27th.

Headlining the party is the Runnin' Wild Band. These guys rock and are amazing musicians to boot. Many thanks to Dean Pacello from Boulder Fire, whose kid Tony is in the band, for getting them to play for Team Strong Heart and our friends and family. Be sure to check out their website and scan YouTube for some amazing performances...

Save the date! April 27th is going to be a night to remember!

There's been a ton of work done already, with much more to go. About 80 days before the RAAM kicks off and we are definitely locked and loaded.

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim

Team Strong Heart Coverage at www.cyclingnews.com!

2008-03-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/mar08/mar12news

Here's the story:

Team Strong Heart to Race Across America for charity

Local cyclists riding for Team Strong Heart, from Colorado and Minnesota in the United States of America, will again compete in the 2008 Race Across America on behalf of their chosen charity Camp Odayin. Team Strong Heart was organised in 2006 for the purpose of completing the 2007 Race Across America bicycle race.

For 2008, Team Strong Heart has organised a four-person Mixed relay team, headed by Team Captain Amy Xu. In addition, returning Team Strong Heart racer Timothy Case will be competing in the Race Across America in the Solo category, a first for the Team Strong Heart Organization.

The team is hoping to raise $100,000 USD for Camp Odayin during its RAA campaign. Camp Odayin provides residential, day and family camp experiences for children with heart disease.
The Race Across America is a bicycle race that covers approximately 3100 miles, 110,000 feet of climbing and 15 states.

Dateline: Your Hub.Com

2008-03-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

Ripped from the headlines...

http://denver.yourhub.com/Boulder/Stories/Fundraising/Story~440115.aspx?IsDraft=False

Timothy Case, professional firefighter for the City of Boulder, will be competing in the 2008 Race Across America in the solo division as a member of the Team Strong Heart organization.

http://www.teamstrongheart.blogspot.com/

Team Strong Heart, which is a collection of bicycle racers and supporters whose goal is to raise $100,000 in tax deductible donations for Camp Odayin, located in northern Minnesota. Camp Odayin provides residential, day and family camp experiences for children with heart disease. The camp offers the opportunity to strengthen self-confidence, gain independence, develop life skills, and meet other young people with similar health, emotional and social concerns. More information about Camp Odayin and to make a donation, please visit http://www.teamstrongheart.blogspot.com/ and http://www.campodayin.org/.

Team Strong Heart was organized in 2006 for the purpose of completing the 2007 Race Across America bicycle race, http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/. The Race Across America has been termed the "world's toughest sporting event," by Outside Magazine. It is a bicycle race that covers approximately 3100 miles, 110,000 feet of climbing and 15 states.

We encourage you to visit the Team Strong Heart website and make a donation that goes directly to Camp Odayin. Join Team Strong Heart and Camp Odayin across the country. Every single dollar counts!

http://www.teamstrongheart.blogspot.com/

Dateline: Rocky Mountain Sports Magazine

2008-03-07T13:25:00.000-08:00

This was posted online today in the Rocky Mountain Sports magazine, regarding Team Strong Heart:

Local Firefighter Competes in Race Across America
Written by: Rebecca Heaton

Timothy Case, professional firefighter for the City of Boulder, will be competing in the 2008 Race Across America in the solo division as a member of the Team Strong Heart organization.

Team Strong Heart, which is a collection of bicycle racers and supporters whose goal is to raise $100,000 in tax deductible donations for Camp Odayin, located in northern Minnesota. Camp Odayin provides residential, day and family camp experiences for children with heart disease. The camp offers the opportunity to strengthen self-confidence, gain independence, develop life skills, and meet other young people with similar health, emotional and social concerns. More information about Camp Odayin and to make a donation, please visit www.teamstrongheart.blogspot.com and www.campodayin.org.

Team Strong Heart was organized in 2006 for the purpose of completing the 2007 Race Across America bicycle race, www.raceacrossamerica.org. The Race Across America has been termed the "world's toughest sporting event," by Outside magazine. It is a bicycle race that covers approximately 3,100 miles, 110,000 feet of climbing and 15 states.

Alan Shimel Supports Team Strongheart

2008-03-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the best exposure can come from interesting places. Alan Shimel, world network security expert and host of a very well-surfed blog, StillSecure, After All These Years, has posted a story and link to the Team Strongheart cause...

Please check his website out and support Alan Shimel supporting Team Strongheart!

Keep the rubber side down!

Tim

How Peace Coffee (TSH Sponsor) Runs Things

2008-03-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

Dateline: Clear Creek County, CO

2008-03-04T19:57:00.000-08:00

A strong heart: firefighter plans solo effort in cross-country race
By Vicky Gits, Clear Creek Courant

Tim Case has a firefighter job in Boulder and owns a house in Idaho Springs, but what the 31-year-old spends most of his time thinking about is getting from Lake Henshaw, Calif., to Annapolis, Md., on a bicycle in about 10 days.

Ten days traveling solo across the country translates into 20 hours a day on the bike with two to four hours of sleep a night.

“Usually about half the people that attempt it solo don’t finish, but I don’t intend to be one of those people,” said Case, one of only two dozen people who are registered to compete as solo racers in the 2008 Race Across America.

Beginning June 8, Case will be bicycling cross-country in the “world’s toughest sporting event,” according to Outside magazine. It consists of 3,100 miles, 110,000 feet of climbing and 15 states. Categories include eight- and four-person male and female relay teams, mixed relay and solo.

Case’s goal is to help a group called Team Strong Heart raise $100,000 for Camp Odayin, a residential camp for kids with heart defects and their families.
Sponsored by Medtronic, Team Strong Heart is a collection of bicycle racers who came in third in the relay portion of the 27th annual Race Across America last year.

This will be the first year Case has attempted to complete the route as a solo racer, and he is definitely obsessed — in a good way.
“Every single day that I wake up, I’m thinking about this race. It seeps into everything,” Case said. “When I go to work in the morning, I’m thinking about the race. Every single day you just try do things that let you get a little closer to your goal. It’s like climbing Everest.”

“The great thing is I’m just an average, run-of-the-mill person who knows how to set goals,” Case said. “The most important thing is to have the mind-set (that) I’m going to be on a bike for 20 hours a day.”

Case suffered from severe asthma when he was growing up. “So when I think about Camp Odayin, I see a bit of myself.” Every kid and counselor at the camp has been diagnosed with a heart defect, and campers come from all over the country.
“Activities are adapted to their needs. I know what it’s like to be the kid in class that can’t finish the run,” Case said. “It gives them a three-week experience as a normal kid.”

What’s his training regime? Case spends a lot of time riding the bicycle outside, getting a lot of sleep and staying active. He races 15 to 20 times a year with a bike team in Boulder. Last week he took vacation time to go and train in California where the weather’s better.

To get through the race, Case will have a van and a crew of six people. The hardest part is after dark. “Overall it was extremely tough, mentally and physically, to get through the late and long nights. It’s very lonely and isolated out on the road in the middle of the night,” Case said.

He doesn’t necessarily live only on power bars and sport drinks.
“Food is a process of trial and error. There’s nothing like a cupcake at 3 o’clock in the morning.” He said his first real meal after the race last year was a double bacon cheeseburger with large fries.

For information on the race, visit www.raceacrossamerica.org

I'm Going Back to Cali

2008-02-24T18:16:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Just got back from an amazing trip out to California to train with my Boulder team, Horizon Organic. Four of us made the trip out to NorCal to ride bikes, hang out and check out a couple stages of the Tour of California.

I'll post some pictures very soon, but here are the stats: 8 days, 40 hours ride time, 505 miles of riding, 40,000 feet of climbing.

One of my teammates, Dave, is an employee at Google and sort of hosted the trip out in Mountain View, which is where he spends quite a bit of time for his job. If you've never made the trip to that part of the country, I STRONGLY recommend it.

The riding is incredible. The roads and terrain are wildly overgrown. Most of the time you feel like you're riding through a rainforest, with huge mossy trees, banana slugs, salamander looking things, lush tree canopies and some of the best bike riding I've ever come across. Many times we would climb and climb and soon (after 15 miles of climbing), we'd be above the cloudline.

The Bay area is sweet, with great restaurants and an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. For the first few days of our trip the weather held pretty well but then the rain set in for the remaining 5 days or so. We stayed determined to fight on our bikes, despite the weather, and so we put in some very, very difficult days in the saddle (think wind, rain, cold, hail and assorted other conditions). It was often times "warm" enough (50's) to sweat up to the top of a climb, only to get frozen on the descent. This sort of freeze thaw cycle is bad for asphalt and bad for our bones. Towards the end of the week we were hopeful that the weather would turn in our favor, but alas, no such luck.

We got to see a couple of Tour de California stages and we had fun picking out the local Boulder riders from the peloton, including several former riders from my team, Fred Rodriguez and Scott Tietzel. Following the first individual time trial stage we stopped by Palo Alto Bike Shop. I was looking at some wool socks, turned around and saw that Mario Cipollini was standing behind me. Pretty soon there was a crowd gathered around watching him shop at the shop.

Watching those guys climb up Mt. Hamilton and Sierra Grade made really appreciate the speed and finesse that top level professionals can carry, even 90 miles into a road race. They whisked past us and were smooth as silk, despite the road gradient (20-23% in some areas) and the pace that the leaders were setting. Besides seeing the racers, hanging out on the slopes of Sierra with our bikes, wine and sandwiches made me long for a stage or three of the Vuelta Espana. The rolling caravan, half a dozen helicopters and ravenous fans screaming the names of their favorites had a decidedly European feel to the day.

After a dedicated training camp I'm feeling back on the ball, I mean bike and I've even begun working on my cycling tan lines that drive the groupies crazy. ;)

So...back to the grind we go. The race season starts out here in a few weeks, the
weather is starting to change for the better (and hopefully for the permanent) and we're all getting tuned in for the next chapter of riding, training and racing.

Stay tuned for the pics and video coming very soon...

Roll Up

2008-02-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

I've been watching the temps in Minnesota drop, or stay dropped and not missing that at all. Life in CO is good, with snow days up in the mountains (check out the snow levels at Wolf Creek, 150 inch base???), warm days in the front range, but man the wind is a nasty little thing that I wasn't really warned about before I moved out here. It is viciously windy out here in the early spring as if we're getting kicked in the shorts one more time before summer roles around.

Kudos to all who are answering the call for donations, sponsorships, interviews, etc. We have an amazing thing going with Team Strong Heart and my little heart goes pitter-patter whenever I think about June.

I'm headed to California this Friday for a 10 day spring training camp for my Boulder team, Horizon Organic Cycling Team. As usual, this time of year we really put some thought into how much time we're on the bike and how much time we're digging around in the fridge. I think our bodies still want the winter poundage, but our minds are looking at that first race and wondering how the heck we'll get through.

Somehow we manage. I vividly remember those early season races in Minnesota, with the wind, the rain and sometimes the snow. One year I came in 10th place down near Rochester, MN because I was the 10th rider to finish. Half the field literally dropped out after the first lap because it was damned cold and sleeting. Yikes!

Pushing through the stress of trying to get ourselves, our sponsors, our crew and everyone in our lives across America will be worth it when we get to that last time station in Maryland and see the Atlantic inlet in the distance. What we do now will determine how we do later, whether it's our first race of the season or that pernicious little race called the Race Across America in June.

I really wouldn't want it any other way... You?

TC
---------------------

Humphrey Bogart: A man takes a drop too much once in a while, it's only human nature.
Katharine Hepburn: Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we are put into this world to rise above.

THE AFRICAN QUEEN, 1951

Brain Freeze

2008-02-03T12:35:00.000-08:00

Back on the bike and into the gym I go. I'm psyched with all of the new and returning sponsors for Team Strong Heart and I'm a bit suprised that there are only about 16 weeks to go before the race!?!

It's been kind of cold out here in CO, but I really can't complain too much. I mean, I'm in pretty good shape this year and the thought of riding in one more Minnesota winter chills me to the bone. Last week I had to pull my arm warmers off because I was getting too hot. Poor ol' me!

I'm finding a returning focus to the bike and am feeling pretty good heading into the "final" swing before the race season starts out here in CO.

Keep on keepin' on, I suppose.

Hasta!

TC

Florida 15

2008-01-27T15:15:00.000-08:00

Okay, so not literally 15 pounds, but I recently returned from a south Florida vacation (think homes that the Gotti family used to live in, turquoise water and weather so beautiful you just want to package it up and bring it home with you) and have found that I'm a bit slower on the bike than when I went out there.

Went for a 70 mile ride in CO today and man, the weather was downright perfect. 55 degrees, a bit of a head/cross-wind, and a TON of riders out there. Saw a bunch of teams but was shy to ride with my own given the poundage I just returned with (and a raging sunburn on my chest that is now peeling and itching like MAD).

Tuesday night I get to pick up my new team clothing from Horizon Organic and am psyched! That and I'll be in Cali in a couple of weeks riding and watching the Tour of California with a couple of my teammates.

Hope everyone is doing well and you know, we turned the corner with the new year, so no pressure, 130 days until RAAM. Yikes!

Who Hates Training Indoors???

2008-01-11T14:52:00.001-08:00

An Average Day at the Chalet

2008-01-06T19:58:00.001-08:00

Welcome to 2008!

2008-01-03T18:15:00.000-08:00

Work it, make it, do it,
Makes us harder, better, faster, STRONGER!

Work it harder make it better,
do it faster makes us stronger,
more than ever, hour after
hour work is never over

Times Gone By

2007-12-31T08:22:00.000-08:00

AULD LANG SYNE

Words adapated from a traditional song
by Rabbie Burns (1759-96)

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

Ditch!

2007-12-26T12:53:00.000-08:00

I've been very blessed over the past several years to have put roots down in a wonderful part of the country, the Colorado Rockies. I bought a house up at 10k feet in August and have fallen in love with all things West. Did I say all things?

I've driven into a drift of snow and/or a ditch twice in the past three days, the pipes at my house froze this week and took a day, or so, to thaw and then there is the crazy amounts of snow, the howling wind and the bone-chilling cold to contend with. What's not to like?

Like one of my neighbors told me recently, "we crazies need to stick together." Yep.

I hope the holidays have been everything you and your family could ever wish for. My holidays have been great so far, having been adopted by a co-worker and his family over the Christmas holiday. Firefighting takes no holiday and so I found myself at work yesterday, on Christmas, watching the Simpson's Movie and trying to cram down another traditional holiday burrito. Caught a cold overnight and now I'm up at my chalet warming up and thawing out, just like the pipes.

Bring each other close this holiday season, now and forever. It's warmer when there's more than one...

Tim

Holidaze

2007-12-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

Just sitting here at home debating when and how to ride indoors on the rollers today. I snowboard and have alot of fun every time I'm out in the dry Colorado powder, but the bike keeps calling my name. I've had kind of an odd schedule recently with business in and out of work. Consistency hasn't been my strong suit but I think we (the non-winter athletes) give ourselves a "free pass" this time of year, what with the weather and the holidays and the you name it. I have a real hard time accepting down time. Yep, I have to accept down time and don't readily take it. A bit of a secret is that I have the Race Across America, and my Boulder team, on my mind every single day. The RAAM creeps into your bones and I find myself feeling very insecure every now and then with respect to the RAAM. I'm going to race (not ride) my bike across the country next June. Looking out my window June seems a long way away. Looking on my calendar is an entirely different story. I'm wondering what the Jure Robic's and Rob Kish's of the world are doing right now as I sip my coffee and type on the big glowing box.

Better get riding...

TC

P.S. - I like this song by the Old 97's. It reminds me of the asthmatic, hard puffing, weak little kid who grew up to become a firefighter and bike racer.

Friends Forever

I was a debater
Was not a stoner nor an inline skater
Was not a player nor a player hater
I was just a bookworm on a respirator
Who’s to say that’s wrong

I was in the chess club
Didn’t have a swimming pool much less a true love
Didn’t have a dalliance much less a hot tub
I was just a brain whose brain would never let up
Who’s to say that’s wrong

The twelve years after five
Are years we’re lucky to survive
Hang in there friends forever
In memory far away
Hang in there friends forever
In memory far away

Went out for the football team
Found out the hard way you can’t live your Dad’s dream
Had pretty thin skin to be in the machine
Then I found a guitar and the rest’s a fanzine
Who’s to say what’s wrong

The moral of the song
Is that the high school kids are wrong
You know they have been all along
Come graduation you’ll be gone
Hang in there friends forever
In memory far away

Inchoate, etc.

2007-12-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

I love the word inchoate and met the embodiment of that word recently. Everybody's always getting somewhere better...why don't we smell the roses or the stinky person next to us?

For something entirely different, the weather out here has taken a turn for the, well, wintry. So, indoors we go! I've been at the gym alot and bought some Spinnerval dvd's to pass the time. Sore butt anyone?

Not much new to report. I'm headed to Cali in February with some teammates from Horizon Organic. Looking forward to the trip and now I have the first target to strike...need to be ready to train and ride and drink. Rinse, wash, repeat.

Off to bed...

Tim

Come and Gone

2007-12-02T14:11:00.001-08:00

A co-worker of mine at Boulder Fire told me recently about the sudden and unexpected passing of ultra endurance bike racer, Mike Janelle. Some of you may know Mike from his exploits as one of the members of the Catlin/Beaver Creek 4-person Race Across America team. Yep, the team to beat for the past several years.

By all accounts, Mike was a rider and human full of life and vitality. This was cut short the day after Thanksgiving as his pregnant wife found him dead of an apparent heart attack, at 40 years old.

Mike's death reminds all of us, myself included that we have but one life to live and must take this into account every single second of every single day.

Keep the rubber side down.

Tim

Don't Be Like This Guy

2007-11-26T21:52:00.000-08:00

Turkey, stuffing, beer, CU football, more beer. Enough said.

Get On It

2007-11-13T09:02:00.000-08:00

Getting back on the bike after a prolonged absence is a bit like breaking the seal on a can of spaghetti sauce. You have to force that sucker open with all your might and feel ridiculous that that can of sauce is kicking your butt. But it does and yes, you are weak.

I've started riding again after about a 2 month absence from riding, spending most of my time in the gym doing strenght training and the like. Went to Copper Mountain last week for the first day of snowboarding this season. I know that's not exactly a cardio workout, but my quads were pretty toasty after a couple of runs on the packed, man-made early season groomers. Looking forward to the "pow pow" as they say out here, but heck, no snow on the ground means an "opportunity" to get some early season bike riding in.

My Boulder team, Horizon Organics presented by Al's Barber Shop, is starting to get out and go for organized group rides on the weekend. The e-mails are starting to ferociously hit, with taunts of "I'm faster than you and it's November" coming at a rapid pace. I had to skip out last weekend due to a nasty little cold I picked up while working an overtime shift at work. At least I was getting paid to be sick.

So, here it is mid-November and I'm already stressing about putting miles on my bike. When I hesitate to ride, all I have to think about is the 2008 Race Across America, and I just jump right back on like a good soldier.

I'm headed out for a ride today out by Golden, nothing fancy, but it is miles and those count this time of year. Into December and January my Cat III team will be picking up with the devils who ride Cat I and II for our team, so I need to ride early and ride often and turn those pedals over.

Keep the rubber side down.

TC

Re-Up

2007-11-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

Just got back late last night from a quick vacation down to Florida to visit Grandma Case. Was greeted with super high winds, geriatric drivers and a bunch-o-rain.

Spent a few days resting and recovering from a CRAZY couple of tours at work, which culminated in a rather large apartment fire where my comrades and I rescued 4 people from the third floor of the building that was on fire. Check this out...

Decided to go for a run and remembered, quite immediately, just how much I love cycling and just how much I hate running. I just don't get it. Okay, I was running on the beach and all, but my Chariots of Fire delusions just didn't cut it after a while.

Well, the e-mail flurries from my Boulder based cycling team are falling into my inbox just as readily as the white fluffy flurries dropping out of the sky up at my mountain chalet, I mean, house. Planning for 2008 is already underway, the biggest local announcement being that my Wild Oats Cycling Team will be sponsored by Horizon Organic for 2008. No Wild Oats (vis. Whole Foods buying them out) means no sponsorship. No worries! Horizon Organic is a solid company and my team will be going strong through next season. For heaven's sake, our first group ride of the year is already this weekend! So much for the "off season."

Team Strong Heart and yours truly have a whole bunch of work coming up with sponsorships, donations, budgeting, etc., but we are all extraordinarily excited about the upcoming year. There isn't a day that goes buy without thoughts of the 2008 Race Across America.

Bring it!

Tim

Crash and Freeze

2007-10-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

I'm sore. Nope, not sore from an "epic" bike ride out in the ever-colder mountains of Colorado. No, I'm sore today because a couple of nights ago I crashed my motorcycle. Yeah, I'm the guy that rides his motorcycle until the snow and ice starts showing up on the ground. Actually, that's already sort of started out here, but not enough to keep me of the motorbike.

I was about a half mile from my house, riding home in the chilled mountain air when a huge buck jumped out in front of me. Mind you, I've had this sort of thing happen before and yes, it is freakin' scary when some unknowing creature crosses its path with an unknowing human on his bike. Usually it's just an affair forged out of letting up on the throttle and sort of dancing around the deer or elk or coon, or whatever. This time, though, I was on the dirt/gravel road near my house and so my reaction, whatever that was (I can't exactly remember what happened), sent me and bike sliding across the road. I ended up in the ditch after slamming my head, shoulder and knee into the ground. By grace, I was wearing all of my protective gear, save the riding pants I bought a while ago.

So...long story short, I got home in the dark of night, my shoulder is really sore, even today, my right knee is swollen but going down and my neck is getting better.

With that in mind, I've been taking it easy from working out. Yesterday I played basketball with some co-workers and took them to school, especially in the paint. Bottom line is, don't let the gimp get ahead of you because he will get the points at the basket. I tried jumping on the bike after b-ball, but my knee was telling me not to for very long so I went home...

Headed to the Race Across America Fall Festival tomorrow, hosted by the gracious folks at the RAAM organization. As you may have noticed, Team Strong Heart has made a HUGE impact on the RAAM organization and we have a ton of momentum headed into next year's event. I'll get y'all an update on the partay tomorrow, etc.

Keep the rubber side, pedal and motorized, down...

TC

Band of Brothers

2007-10-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, yet again I don't have much to report on the training front, other than that I've been in the gym, out for a fall hike and the mountains to the west of my house are, well, snow covered. In a couple of weeks I'll be headed into Boulder for a Race Across America "meet and greet" with the organizers of RAAM, several current and former racers and staff. It'll be a great fact-finding mission for my own solo effort as well as the 4-person mixed team that Team Strong Heart is building for '08. Stay tuned for a an update on how that whole thing unfolds...
-------------------------
The meaning of family and friendship has changed dramatically for me since moving out to Colorado almost two years ago for my job. With the cross-country move, the new job, new friends, co-workers, etc., I have had to adjust to breaking bread on Christmas Day with my "new" sisters and brothers at the firehouse while not doing the same with my family in Chicago, have adjusted to sharing the highs and the lows with those same folks, with joining two new cycling teams, one for the Race Across America and one for the "everyday" sort of training and racing that we like to do out here.

Family has extended to include those at the firehouse and those at the local bike race. Joining Team Strong Heart about a year ago expanded that definition and I'm a firm believer that my life is much, much better for it. Now, when my heart is broken or my strength (mental or physical) is failing, I have a richer bank to draw from and to pay back in every little way that I can. I know that I can count on every single person who has chosen to be in my life with my life, quite literally. When the call for service comes in at work and when the starter's gun goes off at the local criterium, I have an enormous sense of support and a foundation for truly wonderful things.

I've had an interesting turn of events in my personal life as of late and the past couple of weeks have proven to me that no matter what road I'm traveling down I am never alone in those efforts and travails. Thanks to all of you who care enough to read my ramblings, support Team Strong Heart and keep an ear to what is happening with my solo RAAM training and TSH in the upcoming year.

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim

What brings YOU here?

2007-09-25T18:49:00.001-07:00

Okay, not much to report on the training front other than I've been off my bike for a bit of time and in the gym doing some strength training and core body work. Not terribly exciting but it definitely feels good to change up the pace and get back into the gym on a regular basis. The snow is starting to fly up by my house and this morning I was greeted to a quarter inch of ice on my truck.
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Now for something entirely different. There comes a time when one must assess what brings them to a certain point, if they are comfortable with that point and how they will resolve any conflicts which arise when they deem themselves uncomfortable with that point. I speak in code, however this sort of "crossroads" moment is relevant in sport training and even interpersonal relationships (the most recent example for me, recent as in THIS MORNING). How do we decide what to do when the "cards are down?"

I've been labeled through numerous tests as having the quintessential "field marshall" personality, which is a personality that lends itself to taking all available information, processing said information in an efficient manner and making decisions on the spot. About a year and a half ago I said YES! to joining Team Strong Heart and have never regretted that choice. TSH is an amazing organization that is as vibrant as ever. Great choice!

I know what brings me to Team Strong Heart and will keep me here. I know what brings me to the people closest in my life, even though those people don't always reciprocate that choice (again, in code, most recently I found this out this morning via e-mail (thanks AKB!)). Think about what brings you to the table, whether that table be the dinner table surrounded by family, the table of your local bar with friends, or the table you share in an RV traveling 18 miles an hour across the country.

Sorry for the ramble, but enjoy these song lyrics that came to mind as I closed my e-mail at 4:45 this morning and stumbled out into the misty cold of Mt. Evans, Colorado...this may uncode what I just mumbled about...

GOODBYE: Drive By Truckers
These cities blur before me, a swirl of colors leaned against the sky
Gone so far away and I never really told you good bye
I know it's kind of lame but sometimes things just turn out that way
We were the best of friends and I'll always remember you that way

We started out with nothing, but wild plans and big ideas and dreams
You were quick to swing the hammer and always fast with some ingenious scheme
Sometimes we argued violently but forged it out of bedrock into steel
Our foundations were so solid and our instincts based on something very real
I feel so damned nostalgic every time I think about those times
I forget how it became that I wouldn't recognize you on the line
I start to feel so guilty but goddamn it I swear to you I tried
To bridge between the distances before I left without saying good-bye

I have friends I met last weekend and friends I've had since I was eight
Friends I've said goodbye to and friends who unexpectedly passed away
And nothing is disposable; at least it's never been that way for me
Its not like you were an acquaintance that I could say never really meant anything to me
No we were really great friends and I always thought that it would be that way
Yet I wonder if I'd know you if the guy that I saw last walked in here today
And I swear until I die, I never would have expected you and I
To grow so far apart and leave without ever saying good bye

Transitions

2007-09-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

This too shall pass...

Per my cycling coach, Eric Kenney, whom you'll be reading about on this website very soon, I'm supposed to be off my bike as much as possible. Getting fat...check! Actually, I've been in the gym working on lower body and core strength in this transitional phase of training. I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn't fairly pleased with being able to not ride copious miles day after day, as has been my routing throughout this year. So...I currently find myself fighting through a post shift workout, doing battle with the old ladies and their sign-up clipboards at the recreation center and generally doing battle with my need to always have food and drink in my mouth despite not having the activity level to support my latent hunger.

Transitions!

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On a completely unrelated note, last Tuesday, September 11th continues to be a day of mourning and struggle for many in the public service arena. America remembers the heroes and victims of 9/11 and I personally mourn the loss of 343 of New York City's bravest from the FDNY. I count them as part of my extended family and just wanted to include a quick note remembering those who were lost and those who struggle with that loss years after the fact.

Last week, Denver Fire hosted a memorial stair climb at the Qwest building which brought approximately 200 professional firefighters, including five of us from Boulder Fire Rescue, to a challenge of climbing 110 stories in our full firefighting gear, carrying tools and wrapped high rise packs (dry hoseline, spare air bottles, forcible entry tools, etc.). The women and men of the Colorado Fire Service paid tribute to those lost on 9/11 and worked in unison to carry themselves and about 80 pounds of gear each to the top of the Qwest building. Thanks to all who attended and to those who gathered to support our profession.

I'd like to leave you with this in remembrance of all we have and will lose:

Not of the princes and the prelates with periwigged charioteers
Riding triumphantly laureled to lap the fat of the years,
Rather the scorned - the rejected - the men hemmed in with spears;

The men in tattered battalion which fights till it dies,
Dazed with the dust of the battle, the din and the cries,
The men with the broken heads and the blood running into their eyes.

Not the be-medalled Commander, beloved of the throne,
Riding cock-horse to parade when the bugles are blown,
But the lads who carried the hill and cannot be known.

Others may sing of the wine and the wealth and the mirth,
The portly presence of potentates goodly in girth; -
Mine be the dirt and the dross, the dust and the scum of the earth!

Theirs be the music, the colour, the glory, the gold;
Mine be a handful of ashes, a mouthful of mould.
Of the maimed, of the halt and the blind in the rain and the cold -

Of these shall my songs be fashioned, my tale be told.

-John Masefield
"A Consecration"

Bjorn Turoque

2007-09-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

Got done with my shift this morning and decided to go for an easy bike ride outside of Boulder... I completely forgot, but there was a HUGE charity ride going on, the Buffalo Bicycle Classic.

I think that we, the guys and gals who race across America or ride all the time, buttoned-up in our lycra and shaved legs, the riders and racers who are sponsored or maybe just get an extra discount due to our repeated visits to the local shop, tend to forget that there is a significant segment of our great sport that serves the people who simply ride for the fun of it, or ride their bike because their knees are shot from running, or maybe they ride because they want to remember what their old Schwinn felt like long ago. These are the people who pay full price for their gear and still wear their Livestrong bracelets, years after Number Seven.

I saw a massive amount of these working class heroes out on the road today as I rode past on my team bike, eating my grossly discounted Powerbar and wearing my Castelli team kit. I think we tend to get way too serious every now and again and force ourselves out onto the bike because we "have to." When was the last time you earned a paycheck from riding or racing your bike?

Look, I am a serious rider and take my sport with one part passion and one part lunacy, so it was refreshing to get out and chat with some of my comrades in sport who don't shave their legs (men or women), and who actually have never ridden on a bike made of carbon or Scandium. These are the true heroes of our sport and the people most likely to offer a friendly wave or a warm hello on a chilly, overcast Boulder morning.

This and That

2007-09-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it's been while since I've posted, but in all reality not much has happened out here. I finally got back to work last week after having been out on injury leave with a broken foot. Back to work...check!

I've essentially decided that I'm done racing for the season. Being lazy...check! Actually, the lazy thing isn't entirely true. I've been getting back on my mountain bike a bit and generally enjoying myself alot more on the bike. There's a certain amount of pressure that comes with training, so even if the pace on the bike doesn't slow, per se, the riding seems much more enjoyable.

My friend Eric and I tackled Vail Pass a couple of days ago... It was a beautiful day, but we had both gotten worked the previous night at Boulder Fire. I had seven calls between 10pm and 3am and he had two. So, needless to say we were a bit less spirited than usual. I'd never ridden the Pass before, which is a 50 mile climbing ride from Frisco to the city of Vail. The route travels what used to be I-70...not sure of the details, but someone's painted all sorts of Euro-style messages on the climb out of Vail, which is pretty funny and kind of cool. There is a cottage industry out here of dropping tourists off at the top of the Pass and letting them ride down into Vail, coasting the entire way. This must be fun for them, but I'm into the climbing AND the descending, so out of my way Texan!

Fall is in the air up at my place on Mt. Evans...overnight the temps are in the 40's and it helps to have a wood stove, chopped wood and a warm blanket.

I forgot to mention in my last post that when I was in Chicago and at the US Pro Criterium Championship, I ran into veteran Team Strong Heart Crew Chief, Bill Nicholson. Running into him reminded me of my new found friends in Minnesota and the support that everyone on Team Strong Heart continues to receive. I'm very thankful for the TSH opportunity and everywhere it has and will take me...

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim

Food, Gas, Lodging

2007-08-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Got back late last night from my "epic" motorcycle ride, from my home on Mt. Evans to my parents home out in the Chicago area. My butt and knees are sore, but I'm generally none the worse for wear. Not sure how I stayed on the switchbacks up to my house late last night, but I'm here and that's what counts.

The road is an interesting place to be, especially by motor vehicle. I think that we cyclists are lucky, in that we get to see the back roads and the less beaten path when we get on our bikes. Those two pedaled wheels take us places that the truck driver and the college aged road tripper only has a vague notion of. My motorcycle only has a 3.5 gallon tank, so I had to stop every 130 miles or so and fill up on petrol. The rest stops and gas'n gos of America are a swarthy point on the endless roadmap of America.

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Thanks to everyone who has wished me well for the 2008 Race Across America. Team Strong Heart is a growing organism full of life and vitality. Look for some wildly exciting events and opportunities in the upcoming months.

I'm placing a call out for volunteers for my crew for next year, so if you'd like to help out, drop me a line. I promise the race will hurt me more than it will hurt you. ;)

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When I was out in Chicago I had the opportunity to go watch the US Pro Criterium Championships in Downers Grove. The course was rain-slicked and there were crashes on every corner. Heck, I even saw an uphill crash. Brings back memories of corner number 7. An excellent recap of the race can be found on the Cyclingnews website. Of note, a 20 year old from VMG Cycling (yes, THAT VMG) won the Elite race on Saturday night after a vicious crash in, yep, corner 7.

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So, I'm off for a ride now...should be interesting...haven't touched a pedal bike in 6 days...

Keep the rubber side down...

TC

Miles and Miles

2007-08-18T06:46:00.001-07:00

Riding a motorcycle designed for the track across the country is less than advisable. Consider the implications of sitting on a hardened seat, bouncing along the highway at 80 miles an hour, tucked into a position that renders the knees and lower back completely trashed.

Those of you who ride and race bicycles generally know what I'm talking about. Those of you who have raced RAAM know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Long distance rides and races, of the pedal and non-pedal variety expose the rider to all sorts of new aches and pains, perhaps, that would not revealed during shorter rides. This is probably one of the biggest issues to tackle for the endurance racer and there really isn't a good way to illicit these aches/pains without putting some long miles in the legs and back and neck, etc.

So, after about 19 hours or riding my motorcycle (the miniscule gas tank made stopping every 130 miles a necessity), I made it to Chicago. Rode straight through the heat of Nebraska and the downright cold and dampness of an Iowa overnight. Hadn't felt that kind of chill since the Race Across America and while at first I was nostalgic for the humidity and the night, it soon became a cumbersome task to wipe the mist off my helmet visor and keep the brain awake.

Blah, blah, blah, I made it, but it did prove an interesting comparison between long distance motorcycling and long distance cycling.

Sunday I'm gonna go check out the United States Pro Criterium Championships in Downers Grove. I did that race several years ago and had a blast, up until the last corner of the last lap. Prior to the race it had rained and the course was damp, especially in the corners. The last corner headed into the uphill finish has a section of cobblestones in the exact apex of the turn.

Wet cobblestones plus a bunch of zealous racers equals disaster.

The guy in front of me took the corner hard, his wheels slid out from under him on the wet cobblestones and he slid across the field. I was sitting top ten headed into the finish and then I was doing my best impression of an acrobat. I landed on one guy who broke his shoulder, the guy who hit me ran over my arm, his tire burning my arm and breaking his wheel, and about 30 other guys ended up in the pileup. I was carted to the finish with my broken bicycle where my upset parents sat waiting to see what had happened to their son.

Memories...anyway, I'm returning to the scene tomorrow to check out the pro men and talk to some vendors about the 2008 Race Across America.

Thanks for reading...

Tim

Moooon River

2007-08-15T21:15:00.001-07:00

Last minute, I've decided to head out for another sort of endurance ride on two wheels...I'm going to ride my motorcycle out to see my folks in Chicago. The trip is about 1000 miles each way, which I now understand is about a third of the way across America. Ask me how I know that, please... I think the time away from the bike and the rest will do me some good. Plus, I haven't seen my family in a while, so it'll be great to hang out with them. I even get to help my youngest brother, Patrick, move into his freshman dorm. Pretty sweet...

Over the past couple of days I've had some decent riding. I'm really starting to like the ride from Idaho Springs out to Winter Park and back. I read today in Velonews that Winterpark has something like 600 miles of mountain bike trails, which is pretty astounding for one community, even for a community in Colorado. The climb up to Berthoud Pass is pretty sweet, though I'm finding that this time of year the return climb from Winterpark will usually involve some sort of rain. Yep, got rained on again several days ago, but had a blast as usual, climbing up into the clouds.

Today I rode with my friend Eric, and even convinced him to ride some flats out and around Boulder. I'm finding that my new digs don't really allow for riding on any road that resembles a flat, so I need to take it when the opportunity presents itself.

I found a super funny advertisement for Northwave shoes in the latest edition of Velonews. It's titled something like "Northwave Powers" and features Tom Boonen dressed like Austin Powers. It's towards the back of the mag...check it out. Tom Boonen looks, well, special in his velvet and lace suit. I think he looks better in a green jersey, but what do I know?

And now for something entirely different...several days ago I put down the deposit and registration for the 2008 Race Across America. Solo baby! Stay tuned to the Team Strong Heart website for some more exciting updates about 2008 and Team Strong Heart. You won't be disappointed.

Keep the non-motorized and motorized rubber side down...

TC

Settling In

2007-08-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

Just bought a house a couple of weeks ago out west of Denver in Idaho Springs. The view to the left is off my deck. I definitely don't live in the town proper, rather I'm perched up on the side of a mountain at about ten thousand feet. If any of you have seen or heard of the Mt. Evans Hill Climb road race, I'm about 2 miles off the course. The road to Mt. Evans is labeled "America's highest road," and my house location has presented some interesting "dilemmas" for me and my training.

First off, the weather up here is completely different from the weather down in the valley. I left for a road ride a couple of days ago and at my house it was a cool 62 degrees (usual evening temps are in the 40's right now). When I got down into Evergreen the temp read 92 degrees. Yikes! At the house I'm in a sweatshirt and jeans. Down there I'm sweating my butt off.

Next, what do you do when you live two miles down a dirt/gravel road and it rains every afternoon at your house? I tried riding from my house on my road bike, it rained while I was away and by the time I got back to my house I (and my bike) looked like I had ridden the Paris Roubaix. I kid you not, it rains EVERY afternoon here. So now I'm driving my truck to the end of the dirt road and jumping on my bike from there.

Lastly, like I mentioned before, I live off the highest road in America. So EVERY time I ride I get about a 10 mile climb back to my truck and house. That which does not kill you will only make you stronger, I guess.

That being said, there are some amazing rides out this way. I rode Idaho Springs to Winter Park last week, 70 miles and two times up Berthoud Pass. It was really fun until it started to rain and then it became miserable. Ever try riding down a mountain pass in the freezing rain, able to see your breath and not feel your arms or legs? I was shivering so much that my jaw hurt. When I got home I was so cold that I was standing in the shower with only the heat on and yep, I was shivering.

I love it!

---------------

I have some great news on the solo RAAM effort front, this week I secured a professional coach who will be guiding my training efforts for '08 RAAM as well as the rest of the cycling season. Eric Kenney is a full-time professional coach who also races for my team, Wild Oats presented by Al's Barber Shop. The organization he works with, Performance Training Systems is a world class coaching and training group for all types of endurance athletes.

Eric and I will be targeting races next season and building a solid training plan around the concept of completing the Race Across America solo, while also completing a season of racing with our Wild Oats team.

Stay tuned for more details on our training plans and efforts.

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That's all I have for now.

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim

Bike 'Er

2007-07-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

I'm still laying low from work...the docs from the city still won't let me come back to work, broken foot, but that hasn't kept me off the bike.

Today's the first day in a while sans "Le Tour," and I was supposed to be taking a rest day after having ridden almost 300 miles on the road bike in the past three days. Actually, since being cleared to ride from my doc about ten days ago, I haven't ridden less than 60 miles in a day (I'm not doing the math, math makes me tired). Instead of resting today, I went on a mountain bike ride up in Nederland with a couple of friends from work. We road up some steep fire roads and eventually found the "secret path" that one of my more annoying friends had been "leading" us to for several thousand feet of climbing (maybe an exaggeration).

Along the way we found: a partial jaw bone and teeth from some unknown animal, a wild tundra with flowers that resembled a Monet painting, trees that attacked our progress unexpectedly and yes, we eventually found the "secret path." We got rained on on the way back to town, ran into some honkeys in a really nice Toyota 4x4 (save money on the dental plan, buy a nice truck), talked about work and relationships and how you know when you've found "it," etc., etc.

Dropped back into town via Boulder Canyon, got some T-Bell and went over to Amante to write this and finish a great book I've been digesting, 1491 by Charles Mann.

I got into this sport as a mountain biker and by golly, it's great to get back to it every now and again.

Just read that Iban Mayo tested positive for EPO.

www.doperssuck.com

Velo Scum

2007-07-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

Ad nauseum and almost without question, the national media has been reporting on the "woes" of the Tour de France and the "downfall" of the sport of cycling.

When was the last time you took an illicit substance to enhance your performance? When was the last time you put any noxious substance into your body other than the drip coffee at the office or that nasty sandwich from Subway?

Exactly.

The month of July should be the most cherished of months for cyclists across the globe. Instead it has become a shade of itself, a farce, a time when everyone from the Cat V rider getting dropped at the local crit, all the way up to Discovery Channel racer who would not wear the Yellow Jersey today questions what is and has happened to the world's greatest sport.

Celebrate the heart of cycling by encouraging your neighbor to get out and ride his or her dusty ten speed, wave to the auto driver that lets you go first at the four-way stop and take your kids out for a ride around the block, hammer up the next climb like Contador hammered on that not-so-great Dane a couple days ago.

Get out and celebrate OUR passion and steal it back from the dopers, the accusers and the nay-sayers.

Great Divide

2007-07-23T17:58:00.000-07:00

Sitting in my favorite coffee shop in Boulder, Amante Coffee (www.amantecoffee.com) watching the Tour and thinking that it would be pretty damn amazing to get out there and do that sort of thing, even for a day.

But...we have that opportunity, we being anyone who owns a bicycle. We have the ability to ride just like to Euro pros and now we can even go to the local bike shop, sign for a second mortgage, and walk out with essentially the same bike that the pros ride. So what's your excuse?

I have a broken foot and my ortho doc has released me to go back to work. Unfortunately the city docs that I work for don't agree, so I guess I'm off work, and getting paid, at least until some time in August. I'll spare you the details, but I'm scrapping my way forward with that whole thing and in the mean time I've been back on my bike since last Thursday.

With my proposal to ride solo in next year's RAAM I've been put into an odd spot mentally and I suppose physically. The thought and idea of racing my bicycle across America all by my "lonesome" seems wildly outrageous, but not really impossible, per se. Honestly I find myself reflecting on this year's race and how I was feeling along the way. Perhaps I find myself in a position where if the body is put into a taxing situation with no expectation of "let-up" outside of abandoning the race or crossing the finish line in Atlantic City, then the body will pay the price and will follow the will of the participant, i.e. me.

Team Strong Heart was formed with only the expectation that we finish. Perhaps that is where I will start for next year and then work forward from there. When I tell the story of Team Strong Heart to people who weren't somehow involved in the effort it always strikes me that a word that comes up is "heroic." Maybe David Bowie is right.

And so...I get up each morning with the expectation that the wheels will turn and the arms and legs will burn.

2008 RAAM Announcement

2007-07-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

So after much consideration and a series of "sleepless" nights I've decided to attack the 2008 Race Across America as a SOLO rider.

I recently had a revelation that spurred my interest in the SOLO aspect of the race and believe that I will be well suited and prepared for next June.

You might be thinking "this guy is crazy" and you know that I actually appreciate that thought because it acknowledges the lunacy of racing a bicycle 3100 miles in a very short amount of time. I'm choosing to carry the momentum from our 2007 effort and parlay that excitement, intensity and passion into next year.

Of course, my race effort will not be possible or complete without a complement of crew and supporters for the journey. If you would like to be a part of this Team Strong Heart endeavor, please contact me directly at timothyleecase2005@yahoo.com or through your Team Strong Heart contacts.

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim Case

Wounded Eagle

2007-07-15T17:26:00.000-07:00

Alrighty then...

So I was doing laundry late last night and guess what I did??? That's right folks, I broke my damn foot! Sweet! I was walking down the stairs in my basement and hit a bitty half step, rolled my foot, heard an excellent snapping noise and the tendon in my foot snapped a bone in two places. After it happened I went to bed and woke up early to go to work and could feel the pedal pulse throbbing down there. The ED doc thinks I'll be out of commission for 4 to 6 weeks from work and perhaps as long off my bike.

Fall riding anyone?

You know, I had gone on an amazing road ride out on Peak to Peak Highway, and was generally having an a-okay day. Heck, it was even my birthday yesterday! Happy birthday to me. What do you get the man who has everything? A pair of crutches!

If anyone has suggestions for recovery while maintaining my cycling fitness with an immobilized foot, drop me a line. This is pretty much a nightmare come true, especially after RAAM. Luckily the Tour de France is in full swing and those badboys are in the mountains as I type this.

I miss Lance and Jan...

Goodnight and goodluck.

TC

The Day After Christmas

2007-07-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

Remember when you were a kid and you had a birthday or a holiday where there was at least one gift that you received? I remember the sound of the wrapping paper crumpling in my hands, the sound of the ribbon straining as I tried to tug apart anything standing in the way between me and the gift. When I finally got to the gift I thought it was the best moment in my young life, how could this get any better. I played with the gift, inspected it from various angles, slept with the gift and then........BAM! The next day there was a major letdown, because you know what? NO more gifts until next year! A sort of melancholy crept in because the power and emotion of getting that gift wore off, almost overnight.

The 2007 Race Across America experience, the crew, the race, my teammates, the connections and pain and wonder and suffering and joy was like a big ole' gift that somehow I was lucky enough to receive. We rode across the country on our bikes, drove our sore behinds back to Minnesota where I met up with several long lost friends and opened up new connections, did some riding, drank some coffee, watched some bike racing, etc., etc. Could it get any better than this?

As I sit typing this I'm at work, working the job that I love in one of the most beautiful places in this country (I can say that now, having visited 14 states recently), yet I can't help but feel a sort of melancholy for this too feels like the day after Christmas.

My cycling form is starting to come back and I've found that the 80 miler just doesn't feel that long anymore and the next hill is just that, a hill. Perspective is a blessing and a curse. For about a week, several weeks ago, I received the gift of being able to race in the "world's toughest bicycle race," with a collection of some of the most genuine, down to earth, intelligent, complicated people I've ever met.

What each of us decides to do with this gift is solely our responsibility. I've chosen to tackle the 2008 RAAM on a two person team. Ever since I got the call from Bernie that he wanted me on Team Strongheart I've been thinking about RAAM and ever since I've gotten back to Colorado not a day passes where RAAM isn't still on my mind. I've decided to take the gift of RAAM and use it, keep it and tuck it away for those times when riding feels more like a job and that hill seems like a mountain. What will you do with the gift?

Why I'm Here

2007-05-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of bad luck during some races, lack of will at others and then the usual assortment of ups and downs that keep us cyclists/masochists coming back for more. I've taken some time recently to reflect on where I've been and where I'm going...

So here we are, just a couple of weeks to go before the start of the race and I just want to affirm several things, both for my benefit and the benefit of any poor sap who might be reading this. Here are some random thoughts on what brings me to the 2007 RAAM and Team Strong Heart...

Why I'm Here:
-For the kids and counselors and anyone who might be remotely impacted by Camp Odayin
-For my own psychological benefit, knowing that I can compete and achieve success on and off the bike
-For my parents, who raised me to believe that the hardest fought victory is sometimes the sweetest and most satisfying
-For my cycling teammates, present and past, who have taught me the meaning of friendship, selflessness and courage, on and off the bike
-For my friends off the bike who have shown me hospitality and generosity through the entire RAAM training and development process
-For my co-workers at Boulder Fire Rescue who understand why I need to eat that organic pasta and push away from the chow table when "Trainwreck" is being served up
-For my roommates in Boulder who put up with my incessant mess of bikes and gear at our home
-For the one friend in Boulder who is always up for a coffee and a ride, even if he whines through the entire ride about how tired he is
-For the people I've met, ridden with, trained with and bounced ideas off of along the way
-For the selfless crew who will help us get across the nation in one piece
-For my teammates on Team Strong Heart who will be sharing this arduous, epic race with, from beginning to end with no questions asked

I am forever changed by all of you and I am ready to lay it on the line on June 12.

Frozen Dinner

2007-05-06T17:29:00.000-07:00

Well it had to happen at least once racing out here. Today I was dropped and dropped out of my first Colorado race. So far this season has been looking great...I've had decent early season form, have battled a few colds but nothing too bad and have been looking forward to the RAAM and a great season of racing. So I suppose today was a foregone conclusion and was just a matter of when, as opposed to if.

I was blasted right off the line and I believe that I wasn't mentally prepared to race in mid-40's rain/slush/heavy wind. I spent most of the day trying to recover from overnight at work where we were shelled with 4 calls resulting in about 3 hours of interrupted sleep. In between naps before the race I kept checking the weather which of course looked fine until about 20 minutes before the race when the rain and wind picked up, resulting in a terribly cold field. Right off the gun the pace was ridiculous and it appeared that 2 riders got off to an early break. I had 4 other teammates with but wasn't able to make any sort of attempt at even sitting in. Today's event reminded me that it's: A. early season, B. Colorado racing isn't what I'm used to quite yet, C. good to eat some humble pie in a new race environment with a new team.

Back to work tomorrow, with a couple of heavy training days sandwiched before the RAAM simulation next weekend. I'm headed to the allergist on Thursday to see if I have any recurring or treatable allergies. My breathing has been hard/heavy, especially in the morning, which may be a diagnosable problem. Time will tell.

The next big race weekend comes on the 19th and 20th of this month, just a couple of short weeks away. Have two big criteriums to battle through and should ante up for at least one of them, especially since my team (GS CIAO/Wild Oats Presented by Al's Barber Shop) is co-hosting the race on Sunday. It would be special to race the North Boulder Criterium to a top 5 finish or ride in support of a teammate who may finish strong. Time will tell?

I'll check in post RAAM simulation, early next week...until then...

Keep the rubber side down.

Tim

Critacular

2007-04-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Just came off racing a crit in Golden, CO that was packed with riders eager for some recognition and a bit of cash money. I didn't make it into the running for greenbacks today but had a great race and accomplished exactly what I set out to do, namely, survive, move around in the field, try some aggressive moves in the field and at the front, but mostly survive. We had a field that was approximately 70 strong for our afternoon race. I had a couple of teammates along for the race and it was great to see some familiar jerseys in the pack (speaking of which we are styling in our new Wild Oats Presented By Al's Barbershop team kits). The course was a 1k rollercoaster ride with some nasty road conditions, especially across the last sweeping high speed corner headed into the uphill sprint to the start finish (for the Minnesota readers think a cranked up version of the Opus Crit course). I was scared to take a look at the speedometer which was working OT to keep up with my wheel magnet.

Anyway, the race went well and I'll be back at it on May 6 for another crit, this one out in Broomfield, sponsored by Rocky Mounts (also one of my CO team sponsors). Have a hard week of training planned upcoming...big miles, big days out on the road. I'm also starting to think about mountain bike racing and getting back on the trails. I've got a new team bike coming out to me sometime next week (Bianchi San Lorenzo w/full DA and Ritchey accessories, Rolf Prima wheels, etc.). Although my wallet doesn't think it's great, I'm definitely psyched for some new gear to beat up on. All in all, not too shabby...

Keep the rubber side down...

TC