We caught up to Team RANS in Illinois (why we haven't posted before now is a long uninteresting story). It's rather hard to keep up with them at 25 mph. We encountered Rick Ashabranner (of solo RAAM fame) pedaling like a madman. Fast as he was going, he managed to pick it up a bit after some cheerign. A little farther up the road was Tim Woudenberg (2004-2007 Team RAAM) waiting for the RV to arrive so he could shower and sleep. Tim was cheerful as usual and quite glad to see the cheer squad (Adrienne crewed for Tim on Volae Wolfpack in 2006). Glenn Druery (2005 and 2007 Team RAAM) climbed out of the RV once it arrived to report that the race was going quite well. Karta Atehortua (Team RAAM 2005) also told us the race is going well. Team RANS should be finishing later today (Friday). Highest on the excitement scale was Adrienne getting to hug RANS crew chief, Sandy Earl (aka Fast Sandy). All looked quite tired, as one should look in Illinois, but rather happier to hear that Effingham High School had the showers open. RANS is and has been leading the 4man race for two days. Their nearest competitor is over 100 miles back. The very best part about Team RANS is that they're so darned comfortable on the bikes. Recumbents allow the riders to ride with nothing but sore legs. No neck pain, no hand pain, no butt pain. A pretty good thing for a 3,000 mile bike race. As an former upright riders, turned bent riders, Mandy and Adrienne can tell you that nothing in life could make us do more than 50 miles on an upright anymore... and thanks to the gang at Bentrideronline for the picture!
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