Gunnar and the Ultra Cykling Viking-Team continue to battle their way across America.
We have recived information that american readers of Gunnars Cykel-blogg are having trouble posting comments.
If you are following Gunnars race across America and want to give him some words of encouragement you are welcome to post them in our facebook group - "Gunnar Ohlanders cyklar RAAM" direct link http://www.facebook.com/groups/413297335347789/
Alice and the team will pass them on to Gunnar.

Järvsö 20-06-2012
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Johan Ohlanders

1500 Down...1500 To Go

Gunnar hopes off his bike, just for a moment, to celebrate the half way point of the 2012 RAAM. Pictures show our racer surrounded by his wife Alice and his crew chief Anders.

Halfway There!

2012-06-19

Thank you for all your comments!  We have been reading them to Gunnar when we pull up alongside him for transfers of water bottles, nutrition drinks, etc.  Your encouraging words are helping push him forward through the Kansas plains.  And for you readers in the States, if you want to post a comment, go to the end of the blog entry and there should be a section that says something like “kommentera” or “lägg till en kommentar.”  If you click on that heading, you should be able to post your comments.

Gunnar pedalled through 20-mile-an-hour (9 m/s with gusts up to 18 m/s) side winds yesterday to Ford, Kansas.  The heat during the day was up to 106 ° F or about 41 C.  It cooled down to about 87 F after dark, but the hard side winds persisted through the night and were still blowing when he took off again at 6:15 this morning.

We’re in the RV barrelling down the highway to catch up to Gunnar before he reaches the halfway mark (1469.7 miles) about 23 miles east of Pratt.  It’s 11:14 race time and it won’t be long before he has overcome yet another hurdle on his way to the finish line.  We’ll be pulling out our Swedish and American flags to cheer him on, and know that you will also be celebrating with us.  Heja GUNNAR!!!

We'll add some pictures later.  Alice O.

Out Of The Rockies

As you can see from the pictures the landscape is changing quickly as Gunnar charges from the Rockies to the high plains of Colorado and Kansas. Gunnar had to work extremely hard as he pressed on through two major climbs over the continental divide and then through Cuchara pass. Gunnar pumped over 1.6 kilometers in elevation change as he traveled over 210 miles through 4 time stations. His crew had never seen him so exhausted as he laid down at 3 in the morning but he was off again shortly before 6 am. as he pedaled his way in to the plains of Kansas. Temps have climbed above 40 degrees Celsius. At this posting he has put 194 miles behind him and wants more! Kaempa.

Climbing in the Rockies

Sunday, June 17

It’s Father’s Day in the States, so happy Fathers’ Day to all you fathers! 

Gunnar pushed on past Durango another 54 miles to Pagosa Springs before calling it a night yesterday at 2:30 race time.  Another short night of sleep and he was on the road again at 5:30 dressed in his winter clothes because morning temperatures were down around 10 degrees C. 

As of 12:00  race time Gunnar had passed TS17 at South Fork, Colorado (48 miles down the road) and was heading on towards TS18.  The 48 miles to South Fork included the ascent to Wolf Creek Pass at 10856 feet above sea level, and the Continental Divide of the United States.  Hurrah, Gunnar, you’ve come over half a continent!  Only a little over 300 Swedish miles (or 2032 miles) to go!

The scenery here in the mountains of Colorado is gorgeous, magnificent, rugged, and AWESOME!  It’s like Norway and Switzerland combined - only more so.  It’s cooler here in the mountains and a lot greener than it was in the dry of the desert.  But, that said, day-time temperatures are expected to be above 30 degrees Celsius.

Some sad news today was that one of the racers we had been following, the Czech Jiri Hledik dropped out of the race this morning upon reaching Pagosa Springs.  We are truly sorry for him and his crew.  But the statistics show that only one of two solo racers finish.  This truly is a demanding race. 

We’ve been reading Gunnar messages from the blog at stops.  He wants to thank you all for your support.  If you leave a message we’ll get it to him.  From all of the crew genom Alice O.

June 16 10:35 a.m. (MDT)

Don’t leave Flagstaff without enough good drinking water to last 275 miles (x1,6=km) to TS-14 in Cortez, Colorado!

That was the warning bike crews got in the route book for RAAM.  The desert is beautiful, but thirsty and unforgiving and services are limited.  Gunnar battled desert wind and both heat and cold yesterday as he biked from Congress, AZ to Kayente, AZ.  That’s 225 miles. 

Our ultra-cycling Viking took off this morning at 5:30 a.m. after 2,5 hours of sleep.  The goal for today is Durango, CO, 180 miles up the road.  Day temperatures between 32 to 40 Celsius, night temperature yesterday night down to 16 degrees C. 

Vi känner att ni är med oss på resan.  Hoppas ni har det varmt och skönt där hemma i Sverige.  Alice O.

Dawn Ride Through Monument Valley, Utah

Gunnar having to work hard to stay on schedule got up in the early morning hours and started his ride for Durango Colorado. One of the nicest parts about this race across America is some of the fabulous scenery you are afforded as you sit on your saddle and make your way across this beautiful country. The alarm went off at 3:30 in the morning and Gunnar was on his bike by 4 AM local time. Dawn through Monument Valley was breathtaking… Too beautiful for my words. The other good thing about riding that early is the temperature was much more comfortable for a Viking . With this leg of 180 miles Gunnar climbed more than one mile in elevation change. At this posting Gunnar is again out in the night's cooler air pedaling towards Pagosa Springs Colorado.

The First Leg

As Gunnar begins the first part of his journey this was very much the typical scenery. Very hot and arid conditions; temp Exceeding 40 degrees Celsius with a stiff headwind. The picture is of a "Dirt Devil" (a small tornado) in very arid conditions. He has had to climb over 15,000 ft of elevation and is due in to Flagstaff around noon this afternoon local time. Keep your thumbs up for Gunnar as he heads for the plains in the next leg of his race.

Race time!

After all the training, organizing and traveling Gunnar takes the final steps before he rides for a VERY LONG time. The picture is of him in the van just minutes before he Races Across AMerica. Gunnar was the racer third racer to pedal off for Annapolis. At this posting he is closing in on 342 miles.

The Team Is Primed!!(And really ready)

The team spirit among the crew is electric! We stand ready, shoulder to shoulder, with the team motto "All for one." we will follow Gunnar either to the finish line or to Valhalla. Gunnar and the team can feel your support your spirit behind us now as well. Keep us in your prayers and send us your positive energy, and follow us online.

Crew members Lasse, Alice, Anders, Arne, Susan, and Francis

Getting Ready to Roll

Gunnar has spent the last few days getting ready mentally for the race.  The rest of his crew has done the gofer stuff - finding sunscreen, outfitting the van, buying supplies, going through the route book, etc. etc.

The RV is a real beauty - sleeps 6 comfortably and has walls that slide out when you are parked.  I'm so glad that there are other people who are eager to drive it.  I probably won't be called to serve.

We are all pretty excited and nervous about this race.  Especially after meeting some of the other racers and their crews.   There are quite a few other bikers here at the Super 8 hotel where we are staying.  We talked to Gerhard Gulewicz from Graz, Austria.  He has raced the RAAM solo many times, and has finished second several times.  And his chase vehicle is outfitted with a sound system that can probably be heard in Järvsö when he turns the volume up.  So our little dinky speaker system made us instantly nervous.  People are nice, and every one has something to share.

We were down at the start yesterday for the racer's meeting.  Got a good look at the Pacific Ocean, and Gunnar got his feet wet in it.

Today is the start of the RAAM for the women and the men over 60.  Before that there is a photo session for Gunnar and the crew and an inspection of both vehicles.

Tomorrow is the big day.  Wish us luck and remember that Gunnar is racing for the Cancer Society.  Please be generous!
Alice O.

Getting ready

After putting his bike together Gunnar took it out for a quick test drive. It was a beautiful day, cool and a bit overcast, perfect for a bike rider. The smell of flowers and citrus trees in the air, augh!!! to be a rider!

Crewmember Francis

Oceanside

Jag och crew chief Anders vid startplatsen.

På onsdag börjar det.

Ready to RAAM ?

 Team Ultra-Cycling Viking ready to RAAM.

                                                Bara att sätta dit tempopinnarna

                                        På ett fåtals begäran, En kvalitetsvideo från Björskas.

En ny fas

Ja då var den intensiva träningsperioden över. Nu kanske man får lite tid över för att packa och meka cyklar några dagar.
De sista två månaderna med träningsveckor på cirka 25 timmar har slitit på gubbkroppen. Men det har varit roligt nästan hela tiden, utom på regnvädersdagarna.
Lasse har varit jättebra att motivera mig och på att lägga träningsscheman.
Väderleksrapporten från en typisk dag i ökenstaden Brawley i östra Californien. Där jag cyklar igenom om tolv dagar.

Slutklämmen

Sista crew-mötet ikväll inför RAAM.
De flesta frågetecknen har nu rätats ut.
Vi hade ändå en del frågor och funderingar som vi framförde via skype till Catharina Berge.
Catharina är den enda svensk (hittills) som klarat RAAM inom maxtiden. Hon körde 2005 på 11 dygn 11 timmar.
Det är otroligt värdefullt för oss att få höra hennes synpunkter på olika detaljer som vi undrar över.
Om en månad landar vi på Arlanda, tänk så mycket som ska hända innan dess.

Straffrundan

Dagens uppdrag från Lasse, cykla 10 timmar i RAAM-tempo.
Ett litet straff för utebliven träning igår, då jag hjälpte yngsta dottern flytta.
Nu kändes dagens tur absolut inte som något straff. Solen sken, fåglarna kvittrade och den sydliga vinden var svag. Körde 84:an till kårböle klättrade sedan upp till 510 m.öh innan jag rullade in i Los. Favoritfikastället Willmars Bagarbod var svårt att passera utan stopp, cykeln nästan styrde sig själv dit. Men fikarundorna får vänta till efter RAAM, nu gäller så korta och så få stopp som möjligt. Fortsatte genom vildmarken ner till Voxna. Tog därefter en genväg från Edsbyn över metropolen Ryggesbo hem till lilla järvsö.
En mil grusväg (bild) förde tankarna till Mille Miglia och 'La Strada Bianca' som jag åkte med Johan och Kalle för snart två år sedan.
Hemma igen efter 9:50, 25 mil och 19 minuter av cykeln.
Dags att mata flasklammet.

Snart dags att tagga ner.

Ännu ett dygn med jobba, sova, träna. Dessutom var jag till Rotary i Järvsö ikväll och presenterade min RAAM-satsning.
En vecka kvar av intensiv-perioden nu. Sedan blir det softcykling i två veckor och efter det, - in i dimman.

Genrepet

Så var då genrepet inför RAAM avklarat. Åkte iväg strax efter 18 på lördagskvällen. Jag på cykel Anders, Alice och Lasse bakom i följebilen (campingbilen). Vi åkte östra sidan av Ljusnan ner till Segersta, sedan Ockelbo, Torsåker till Uppsala. Jag trodde jag hade cyklat de flesta vägarna här i södra Norrland, men Anders hade hittat en del nya fina dragningar. 

Det var riktigt kyligt under natten med -3,5 grader som bottennotering. Jag fick leta djupt i garderoben för att hitta de lämpliga plaggen.

Fåren måste ju ha mat. Kombinationen av fritidsbonde, cyklist, brandman och vårdare är inte alltid helt lätt.

Anders hade planerat en fin rutt på cirka 65 mil. Här efter halva sträckan vid Gamla Uppsala.
Gravhögarna tyckte vi var ett passande ställe att rasta på för Team Ultra-Cycling Viking :-)

 Vi vände norrut igen i den bitande vinden. Passerade Forsmark och Gävle. Därefter gamla Rikstretton upp till Ljusne. Det var jobbigt med den hårda motvinden och det blev till att gräva djupt för att ta sig framåt.

 Servicen från mina medhjälpare var dock förstklassig.

Så efter drygt tjugofem timmar kunde vi parkera på gårdsplanen här i Björskas. Alla ordentligt trötta och några erfarenheter rikare.

Genom natten med gunnar

Det här är det vi kommer att se i natt. En röd prick. Har kört 13 mil på 4 timmar