After hours of calculations and crunching, we think we will be at the Manitoba Legislature at 2am, Central Time (Winnipeg). Come say hi.
If that changes, we will update again at Portage la Prairie.
TGE
We are just West of Brandon. We will give our Winnipeg ETA from Brandon and then again from Portage la Prairie. If you wanna come hang out with us at the Perimeter (and maybe ride to the Legislature with us) please pay your closest attention to this website. We’re not talking Sunday School paying attention, we’re talking Theology of Peace and Justice paying attention. Make it your homepage, refresh it every four minutes. Do what you gotta do. This is gonna be fun, I promise.
- TGE
This race would not have been possible five or 10 years ago — at least, not the way we’re doing it and covering it for you folks at home.
Here’s a look at some of the technological gear on board the RV and van:
2 laptops (Macs, naturally)
1 rocket stick (allows for Internet access from anywhere)
2 BlackBerrys
1 iPhone
3 GPS units
3 video cameras
3 digital cameras
5 heart rate monitors
2 CD players
1 TV
1 DVD player
…and numerous personal iPods and cell phones, plus all the requisite cords you need to plug in and charge these devices.
Kinda crazy.
The Cricket Speaks
In an exclusive interview, Craig Penner – the quietest member of Team CMU – discusses what it was like passing Arvid, whether or not CMU has won the race at this point and what he wants Arvid to know.
REGINA, SASK.—He is nothing if not quiet. The shortest, smallest and youngest member of Team CMU has made an impression on his bike-racing peers for his natural athleticism, relentless work ethic and quiet demeanour, earning him the nickname Cricket.
In an exclusive interview this morning in the RV, 27-year-old Craig Penner reflected on the Hot Pursuit so far. A construction worker who will celebrate his fourth wedding anniversary with wife Courtney later this summer, Penner had just finished eating breakfast at McDonald’s.
True to form, he kept things short.
Cricket, what was it like passing Arvid this morning at 4 a.m.?
It wasn’t very exciting – nothing really happened. I was just excited because it was one step closer to being done this race.
Do you think CMU has won the race at this point?
No, I don’t think so. I know I personally am not feeling any better as this race goes on. It could all go downhill very quickly.
Do you have any words for Arvid?
Sorry to pass you while you were sleeping. We could’ve at least left you a note.
We promised a second video last night. Bad idea. After 7 hours of uploading, it still wasn’t done. Now, four minutes later, it went up. Anyway, enough excuses about uploading in rural AB/SK. Day 2.
Team CMU surpasses Arvid Loewen in Swift Current
Cycling into first place highlight of otherwise uneventful day
Somewhere beyond MOOSE JAW, SASK.—Team CMU cycled into first place in Hot Pursuit today when team member Craig Penner overtook Arvid Loewen shortly after cycling through Swift Current, Sask.
Penner cycled past Loewen, who was sleeping in hotel at the time, at roughly 4 a.m. this morning. That puts Team CMU in first place of the three teams cycling from White Rock, B.C. to Winnipeg, Man.
“Never did we think we would catch up to – and pass – Arvid at this point in the race,” said CMU team captain Chris Huebner.
“It was a little anti-climactic because he was sleeping. We would have liked to talk with him and ride with him for a bit, so it was a little sad that we couldn’t do that.”
Huebner was quick to point out some tough luck Loewen has been experiencing as well as some of the things that have worked to Team CMU’s advantage in comparison.
“It’s too bad that he’s been struggling with rain, as well as stomach issues,” Huebner said, referencing the fact that early in the race, Loewen was having trouble keeping food down and, as a result, getting his body the proper nutrition it needs.
Meanwhile, Team CMU has greatly benefited from a five-man rotation that allows each rider an eight-hour break after they have completed two four-hour cycling shifts.
“That eight-hour break has been so crucial, and it’s something to look forward to during your second shift,” Huebner said. “There’s no question in my mind that it has increased our speed.”
“We’ve also got everything else figured out in terms of our crew and how they’re running things,” he added. “The guys in the van are amazing. It’s allowed us just to ride and not worry about anything else.”
July 19 at 7 a.m. until July 20 at 7 a.m. was an otherwise uneventful period that lacked the drama – the misdirection, the flat tires, the severe climbs, the rain – of the first day.
Team CMU cyclist John Brubacher described the day as “hugely morale-boosting.”
“It just seemed like the wind worked out in our favour,” he said. “And, it really is just all downhill from Lake Louise, so the kilometers fly by.”
Unless something goes terribly wrong today, the members of Team CMU anticipate that the rest of the race will go equally as smoothly.
“It really depends on the wind,” Brubacher said. “If it stays the way it is, the rest of the race should be pretty easy. That doesn’t make for riveting drama, but I’ll take it.”
The race is taking its toll on Team CMU, though.
“Cycling is starting to become a little less fun,” Huebner admitted. “It’s feeling more like work.”
Still, the members of Team CMU want to keep pushing themselves.
“I think we’re on a pace we’ll never do again.,” Huebner said. “I just want to go as fast as possible.”
Team CMU averaged more than 40 km/h. for much of the past 24 hours. If it continues at that pace, the team will arrive in Winnipeg in the middle of the night tonight – that is, sometime during the early hours of Wednesday, July 21.
In other news, the Winnipeg Police Service has withdrawn from the race. No further details are available at this time.
after joining the team this afternoon, this is some of the first video I took. He starts strong…
Paul and Jeanette Loewen, son and daughter-in-law to Arvid, have been in Calgary for the last while in support of Arvid. They caught up with us just after we passed through Calgary.
Check out the great video Paul made! It’s in our list on the right. He even used our good friend Del Barber for the soundtrack. Sweet. Thanks Paul.
I’ve now joined the team. I grabbed the footage taken on day one. Enjoy. I’ll have a video for day two up before I sleep.
darryl
Things overheard during Hot Pursuit…
“It wasn’t explained well, but it makes sense to me.” –Thomas finishes sharing a long idea with the group on Saturday afternoon.
“There’s, like, a weird something in the air, eh?” –Thomas describes the mood Sunday morning before Team CMU begins the race.
“All I know is that it works wonders on the armpits. It’s like a virtual shower.” –Jonny G discusses baby wipes.
“If you’re barfing today, that’s a problem.” –Jonny G, yesterday morning.
“When I hear the word ‘screwdriver,’ I don’t think of a tool.” –Harry.
“There were no physical confrontations, but some voices were raised.” –Chris describes to Darryl what happened when Kevin cycled the wrong way for a few kilometers yesterday morning.
Read more quotable quotes at www.twitter.com/TeamCMU.
