Texan’s Adventure in Race Across America
An Interview with Stuart Nibbelin
TBC
member Stuart Nibbelin of Plano, rode in the Race Across
America (RAAM) this summer in the two-person mixed team
division with Tracy Fawns of Bend, OR.
The ride began on June 18 in Portland, OR., and
covered 2,980 miles to Pensacola Beach, FL. Nibbelin trained from December 1, 2001, until the start of
the race.
TBC:
How did the race begin?
SN:
During the course of the pre-race pageantry I developed
a sinus infection but did not realize it and on June 18th,
noon PST, we started the race.
Tracy and I alternated one hour at a time on the
bike - each had a van as well as a motor home as support
vehicles. At
night we would take sleep breaks alternating riding in
three-hour pulls/shifts so that the other could rest.
In the beginning we were doing quite well.
TBC:
When did the problems begin?
SN:
I noticed problems on the first night when I slept
- it was extremely hard to get motivated to get back out
on the bike in the dark and chilly weather.
When I was resting and particularly when I was
sleeping, I would have coughing attacks but I attributed
them to the climate.
We continued doing one-hour pulls on the second
and third days, taking catnaps and I continued coughing.
But we were having a blast.
TBC:
What was the turning point, when you knew you were
going to have to stop?
SN:
By the start of the 5th day, we had just come out
of Flaming Gorge in light rain and I was feeling very
sluggish. At
that point, Tracy took over and took us into Colorado.
When it came time for me to ride again, my legs
felt dead. But
it was time for Tracy to sleep so I took on my three-hour
shift and for each hour I road I felt weaker.
I had trouble dismounting when we traded riders
for my sleep break.
After my sleep break, I felt as if I hadn’t had
any rest and I had a fever but I got on my bike and road
for the next 2.5 hours.
Now I knew I needed antibiotics but I couldn’t
find anyone back home to prescribe me medicine because
it was a weekend.
At this point Tracy took over while I went to an
outpatient clinic.
After listening to my lungs and taking an x-ray
the doctor determined that I had pneumonia.
TBC:
After hearing the diagnosis, what did you do?
SN:
The doctor was a cyclist and advised me immediately
to abandon the race.
But he also knew that I was a RAAM racer and following
his speech about the risks of continuing, gave me an “atomic
bomb” antibiotic shot, and a few prescriptions and sent
me on my way. I
caught up with Tracy and we discussed what the doctor
had said and then I proceeded to get on my bike to ride
until Tracy returned from her rest. I road for one hour and had a frightening experience at the
top of a climb and came close to losing control of my
bike. I was
advised by my crew to take a nap and reevaluate.
The nap lasted two hours.
At that point Tracy had returned and we emotionally
determined that the risks were too high and quit the race.
The DNF (did not finish) was the lowest emotion
that I have ever felt and I even have trouble dealing
with it now - especially because we were in the middle
of the race. In
hindsight, the two of us and our crew had the time of
our lives.
TBC:
Will you do it again?
SN:
Absolutely!
But, probably not this coming year.
I’m already thinking about it and planning how
to make it a success.
I want to make sure that the next time I set out
I am prepared both physically and financially for the
event. The
logistics are mind boggling no matter what the size of
your team. I
will also find an experienced RAAM crew chief to handle
all my logistics and decisions during the race.
If I could, I would ride in 2003.
Riding in a race like this allows me to consider
myself an athlete with an extra feeling of accomplishment
