Sunday, June 21, 2009

"Calling All Angels"


I hopped off the bike after Dan and I finished our first 12 hour pull in Congress, Ariz. and said to Drew's Crew as they prepped to do an exchange, "My knees hurt, my neck hurts, my shoulders hurt, my feet hurt, and my butt is killing me...I'm having the best time of my life!" They high-fived me and knew exactly what I meant. I can only speak for myself, but this is simply an amazing experience. There aren't enough adjectives to describe the way we're feeling.

The weather has been perfect. An occasional whipping tail wind has helped the day-shift guys. Last night was cool and I think we did have a little help from, well, let's say, the “wind angels.” Last I heard all of our teams were doing awesome, holding amazing speeds in the 20 mph range. We were 20 minutes behind Team Sami and 13 minutes ahead of Drew's Crew. I am excited because tonight I get to see my friend, Chad Leathers, who has flown into Arizona with a friend. They will be shooting some video of all three teams.

Our song for this trip is called "Calling all Angels" by Train. It is an old song, but I heard it, and literally got goose bumps as I looked around at our riders and crew...and for that matter the other 38 "angels" that have showed up on this adventure. I guess you have to be here to understand it entirely, but the feeling of common purpose is prevalent everywhere...gotta go, we just caught a catnap here in Flagstaff, Ariz., and Bill and Billy are meeting us 50 miles east for the exchange for our next shift!

Life, is most definitely good!
Steve


Click here to view additional team photos.

Inspirational Night

We (the crew) had an inspirational night watching our guys hammer up those hills all night long. After a long night, we were all thrilled to see the sun come up just as we came into Hope, Arizona. It was such a profound moment. Seeing the slight glimmer of the sunrise and the sign "Hope" within minutes of each other. That moment had many different meanings. It remined us that the sun continues to rise when we are troubled, and there is always hope.

Our ultimate hope...finish the race: The Race Across America and the race to find a cure for NF! We hope, for a brighter future.