2003 Furnace Creek 508 Webcast

204 miles. Up, Up, and Up.

A pass is made. Nearing the top of Townes Pass, Andrew "Blowfish" Bohannon passes Akita Ashabranner. Although the actual pass was made gradually, most impressive was the time he made up over the course of the 10-mile climb. Akita held a 15-minute lead as the two riders began the ascent, and Blowfish led by three minutes at the peak.

Showing the young bucks that age is just a state of mind, 51-years young Eric "Red Rooster" Wilson of Palmdale, California looked steady and upbeat as he climbed Townes.

Furnace Creek 508 and RAAM veteran Reed "Flamingo" Finfrock flashed his typical grin as he began the arduous 3000 foot vertical climb. The speakers on Flamingo's support vehicle stereo system pumped out a steady rhythm that matched the cadence of Reed's pedal strokes.

Just behind Flamingo was a hard charging Andrew "Octopus" Otto, off the bike for a brief respite at the base of the mountain. The multi-tentacled crew loaded fresh batteries into the bike lights, looking sharp in crew shirts bearing a logo designed by the Octopus himself.

As the sun sets over the course and darkness engulfs the field, thoughts turn toward preparations that must be made for nighttime riding. The pace of interactions between crews and riders slows—along with the pace of the riders themselves. Team dynamics shift. Rider and crew either forge their bonds or experience frustration that mounts along with their increasing fatigue. Patience can be tried—or rewarded. Champions rise to the occasion, necessitated by the demands of the Furnace Creek 508 course and conditions.

The webcast team takes a short (but sweet) pause to watch the scorching sun set and become only a memory.

- Greg Pressler