RAAM – 1 day to go to the RaceStart…..WIth Pics

What a difference a day makes. The focus on today was welcoming Celine, passing scrutiny at registration, and final preparations. 

We started early with Roger and Dave trekking north to LA Airport in the Chrysler Catholic Bus to pick up Celine – they refused to drive the RV – everyone seems scared to drive the RV!  Luckily Celine wrote her full name on the immigration papers (unlike Stan) and passed through quickly despite wearing a man’s kilt and carrying a tonne of medical supplies.

Roger was grateful for Celine’s urgent medical assistance, although the local Diner asked what the Irishwoman in the carpark was doing on the ground checking out the toes of the man in the yellow shirt. Roger was also grateful Celine brought a spare sleeping bag bigger than Paddy’s parka.

Registration went well and we were complimented on our state of readiness, with an additional late minor request from the organisers the only hiccup.   Christine from RAAM was also really helpful, and somehow after a quick chat with Christine we all walked away spending lots on RAAM t-shirts. Gary endeared himself to the locals by taking Calax, our blow-up kangaroo mascot for a walk along the Oceanside beachfront.  The locals know well  and truly we are from Australia, even though we have a Scotsman, an Irishwoman, a Kiwi and a Jordanian in the team.

Mickey was keen to have an i-pod experience without an i-pod, so Stan was able to get hold of a speakers and a sound system with the help of Sam.  Well Done Stan! Some guys of Mexican extraction helped rig it up to the Catholic Bus in record time, and jumped  6 feet in the air when Roger tested it out with “Click Go the Shears” a prized personal choice from his CD Dance Re-Mix collection.  When they found out we were from Australia, they even complimented us on our good English. With our pumping sound system, we are now the Doof  Doof boys of the race.

The RV continues to make some team members nervous. Greg refuelled it without knocking down the service station, although there was a near miss at the rail crossing when the boom gates lifted but started coming down again for a train coming the other way just as the RV was halfway across.

Celine and Stan now have the assistance of Personal Shoppers at WalMart given what they’ve bought. At one stage the living room floor was unpassable with the amount of shopping, and the MickRooCrew now have their own carbon tax due to the volume of plastic bags. Dave was excited as one store we visited allowed him to ride their Beer Cruiser – a pushbike with 6 beer can holders welded to it. He’s ordered one for his next triathlon.

Celine has worked like a tornado in the kitchen, with our final pre-race dinner being fit for a king. Thank you so much Celine!

The MickRooCrew are ready, with a couple of minor things to address tomorrow. The Flying Scotsman himself is now in the zone and has that look in his eye. He’ll be fine at the startline tomorrow. Mickey rides off at 12.35pm on Wedneday, which is approx. 5.35am on Thursday in Sydney. Think of him climbing the hills on Day 1 as you tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen…..Mickey’s thrilled with your support and generosity, and will have a real crack at this race.

Welcome Celine!

Roger our emergency reserve for Mickey imparts tips at Registration







Team MickRooCrew

Our food supply will keep us Regular

Christine from RAAM with Crew Chief Dave

Mickey’s 5000km journey

Hurry up Rusty, I need to get cash out!

Some of stage 1’s early climbs in the distance

Mickey’s sponsor Shamrock Electrical is everywhere