Danny Chew.....

WE LOVE RAAM. But the reason we organize a TS is because we like meeting and offering our services to the people who follow the racers across the country, including the crews, officials, and reporters. We especially enjoy seeing familiar faces pop out of the various vehicles as they get to our location.

One of our favorites has been Danny Chew of Pittsburgh PA, two-time RAAM winner, RAAM reporter and the unofficial statistician for RAAM. He's been good to stop each year and to answer emails when we had a comment or question.

In 2006 Danny stopped in and sat around and chatted for quite awhile. Then it was time for him to work. We tried to get him connected to a wifi signal we were "borrowing" from the neighborhood but it was down. In true RAAM spirit, Danny picked up a chair and walked to McD's one block away to access their wifi, which they used to leave on after closing, and it was free. Oh, did I mention that this little episode was at 2:00AM?

Just about then our webdude, Jim, was passing by McD's on his way back to the TS. When he got back he said "There's a guy sitting on a box in McD's diveway using a laptop". I explained who Danny was and what he was doing, and at that moment I saw a light go on just above Jim's head, as though he was thinking.. "A two-time RAAM winner-legend is sitting in a parking lot in a stange town at 2AM, working?.....No prima donna here".......or at least Jim LOOKED like he was thinking this.

But we won't be seeing Danny this year. In the fall Danny had herniated disc surgery and was off the bike for five months, an eternity for a devoted cyclist, especially when that cyclist is aiming to ride a million miles in a lifetime.

But maybe the time off was a good chance to stop and reflect. There's a perception, not unearned, that ultra-athletes are running from something, maybe a deamon from their past....who knows. Even Lance has mentioned this.

I don't know if Danny has these issues or not, but he's taking time away from RAAM to go on a 10,000 mile 4-month trip with an 18 yr. old nephew, including Alaska. Time away from the intensity of any project, including work, can only be healthy.

Have a good trip, Danny. Stay in touch.