5 days and 8 plus hours until the start. Great! I need about 5 weeks and 8 days to get in shape, but it's been that way since 2002 when I added Pelican to my growing list of multiple-personalities. Oh well. Somehow, everything seems to come together in time for the launch (as in around 30 minutes after the first boats hit the water), although the first couple of days often qualify as 'training'. I'm watching the weather reports, monitoring the water guages along the Suwannee, and keeping my fingers crossed that I manage to get at least a few of the 'must do' things crossed off before Saturday............
UF2012 Race Reports for Pelican
(4 posts) (2 voices)-
daved
Memberhey pelican,
ever since we camped out at the end of day 1 within 100 metres of you i've been amazed at your tenacity and the variety of craft you commandeer...way back in 2003...and now i see stuff that you were testing way back then in production today and selling well at the london boat show...you are a true pioneer,,,and a damn nice guy too!
wishing you well from old blighty,
daved
Posted 1 year ago # -
It's great to hear from you, daved. And many thanks for the kind words. Nice guy? If so, perhaps I should credit my training. After 9 tries I finally passed the anger management class (idiot instructor was a moron just like my stupid probation officer). I'm a work in progress, but showing improvement. Last time I saw you I think it was when you gave me a lift from CP2 in the midst of an EC when I had to pop back to Tampa for a work related program. Anyway, it's been too long since you were making the annual trek to Key Largo. Hopefully, you'll make it back to the start one of these days. It would be great to see you again. Then again, perhaps you should be commended for having come to your senses. The rest of us are still working on it!
All the best,
Pelican
Posted 1 year ago # -
Here it is just 36 hours until the start and I'm still getting work related chores completed before setting out for possibly a month long trek. I'm ready to go, but far from ready to leave. Time constraints have left little time to train, so Saturday and possibly Sunday will find me trying my best to will favorable winds. I'm sure I'm not alone. The bike is packed, supplies are organized, and the combined load weight is well withing the specs of the cart I'll be using for the portage. Last time, I was almost 100 pounds over the limit. No wonder I kept bursting the tires. From what I've learned from the local outfitter, Woods Landing just west of White Springs will be the closest I'll be able to put in and still be able to use the pedal drive. That's the point where contact with the bottom will be with sand instead of limestone. Of course that could change with a rise in the water level, but I'm taking the bike in anticipation of a 70 to 100 mile portage. My back-up plan if there's an equipment malfunction will be a good pair of walking shoes. Since the UF2010, I've been almost obsessed with the portage part. I'm not worried. The adrenaline will start kicking in tomorrow and will be in the red zone at the start on Saturday. That's the drug I'm counting on to overcome those southerly winds.
Posted 1 year ago #
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