OUR CREW AND THE RACE AROUND IRELAND 2017

With less than a month until the RACE AROUND IRELAND things look really good.  Training has been consistent. The volume (time, distance and climbing) and intensity (speed and heart rate) all `spot on' and according to plan.

CREW:

We have assembled a very experienced and energetic international crew of six.   

Billy Broadfoot, Crew Chief: Billy is a lifelong road and mountain cyclist living in Prescott, Arizona. He is a carpenter and bike mechanic by trade and has raced, supported and crewed on many challenging and demanding events.  Billy crewed for me last August on the HooDoo 300, a demanding 300 mile, 15,500 feet of climbing 24 hour race.  He is an expert and innovative recumbent mechanic, helping to make `ideas' become `reality' in bike design and function.  In addition ... Billy is a `Steely-Eyed Rocket Man!!!

Andy Kerr, Crew and Head Navigator:  Andy is a competitive road cyclist from Wales, UK.  He crewed for Adrian O'Sullivan during Adrian's victory in RAI 2016 and is crewed for Adrian again during the Red Bull Trans-Siberian Extreme Race 2017.

James Chickos, Crew and Head Ombudsman:  Jim is from Raleigh, North Carolina.  I first met Jim when he was crew and I was Crew Chief for a solo recumbent RAAM 2013 race. He has since gone on the serve as RAAM crew and most recently as Crew Chief for a victorious 4 man RAAM 2017 team.  Jim has a wealth of experience as a cyclist and in cycling.

Pete Vance, Crew and Physiotherapist:   Pete is from Monaghan, Ireland.  He was part of a 4 man team that won RAI in 2010 and also competed RAI solo in 2015.  He crewed for a RAI solo racer in 2016.  Pete also holds the record in his age category for the 12 Hours with the UMCA in 2014. Pete's profession as a physiotherapist and his extensive racing and crewing experience adds a powerful strength to our crew.

Stephanie Doyle, Crew and Nurse:  Stephanie is a nurse from Bristol, Virginia, with a variety of useful clinical experiences including massage, wound care, dietary planning, multitasking and calmly handling crisis situations.  She was a crew member on a RAAM 2017 team and knows how to move a racer forward with a cheerful attitude and superb team spirit. 

David Tommons, Crew and MAJOR Mechanic: 
David has amazing cycling credentials.  In his own words:

"I've been mountain biking since it's inauguration, here, back in the nineties.  Competing at the first races ever held here and for my country.  I have been working at bikes for quite a while, specializing in wheel building.  I can build a wheel from start to finish in 17 minutes flat.  

I've helped out at the Grundig World Mountain Bike Cup in 2000, the Race Across America (RAAM) in 2014, The Race Around Ireland (RAI) in 2015 and at the 2012 Olympics in London.  

I am competitive and hold at least 16 King of the Mountain (KOM) records on Strava --- which are really hard to get unless you are Chris Froome.  The Apostle Paul said there is no point in competing in any race unless you can win it.  I agree."

VEHICLES AND SUPPORT:

Crewing is hard work.  Very hard work.  It requires energy, knowledge, capacity to work as a team and a genuinely strange sense of humor 😜.  As crew member Andy Kerr told me several months ago "You just ride the bike. We'll do all the rest."  `... all the rest' is demanding.

Recognizing this we will have two vehicles in support.  The first will be a campervan / RV (Celtic Campervan) (see below) that sleeps six and has a kitchen and almost all the comforts of home.   When crew are not `on duty' or in the follow vehicle they will be be able to unwind, relax and enjoy the Race Around Ireland for themselves.

The follow vehicle (below or similar) will also be large enough to carry the bikes, wheels, tools, food and water, clothing and other gear.  Two crew in the follow vehicle will handle navigation and driving.



Safe.  Smart.  Strong.  And with good cheer.  This will be an experience to enjoy and remember.