Team Varmint does RAO! (Nutria + Hoary Marmot)

Official theme song!

Climbed Jubilee Pass at the 2008 Death Valley Camp

Rode 106 miles that day.

Furnace Creek 508 - two-man team in 2008

If Malamute and I can get in, we're going to race the 508 as Team Tibia. We're bringing back Team Tibia! (We were part of a 4-man team in 1999.)

Why the bit about "Tibia"? Three members of our old team had suffered broken left legs from accidents. Malamute and I both had car-bike collisions in 1998 and met on the internet to stage a "comeback".

It'll be great to be back on the 508 course, participating in yet another category! This will be my third 508...

-- Nutria

Race Across Oregon -- two man team in 2008!

I'm racing in the Race Across Oregon with the Hoary Marmot -- we're team Varmint. (I'm the Nutria.)

What's all this about rodents? These were the totems we used in the Furnace Creek 508. You see, they don't use race numbers. And you earn the right to keep your totem if you're an official finisher...

World famous Crew Chief (and Ultra champion) Sandy will be leading our crew...

This will be my 4th RAO. I rode on a 5-person team with Team GT, a 5-man team with Team HP, and on a 4-person team with Total Carnage... Now it's Team Varmint, a two-man 50+ team.

MVBC mileage leader for 2007

I racked up about 4500 miles in 63 rides with my local club, the Mid Valley Bike Club (see http://www.mvbc.com).

Presentation of the finisher's medal

Here's Chris presenting me the finisher's medal at 620am. I looked trashed but it was a good feeling to be an o-f-f-i-c-i-a-l   f-i-n-i-s-h-e-r! (Photo by Chris Kostman. Well, it was *his *camera!).

Another photo from the 508

Many thanks to John Henry Maurice who took the photo and helped me cross the finish line!!