Brotherly Welcome IMG00240.jpg

What a surprise! Troy called Dave&I several hours before TS:42 Blanchester OH to tell us Chris was there with some friends of Kevin to support and encourage him to ride on. They had a banner with his name and all wanted his autograph. Here are some names for Kevin to remember: Martin Dressman
John, Amy, Stacey and Seth McFadden
Lon Downing
Diane Brener and others who's names I did not get.
I'm sure Kevin was quite surprised and glad to see his brothers face as he approached the station. To top it off the Dressmans opened their house for Kevin to clean himself up and rest for the West Virginia mountains to come.
All these folks have been following Kevin for years.
What way for a tough day to wind up and encourage you to ride on.

Gator
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IMG00241.jpg

Another photo of the welcome Kevin received in Blanchester.
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Fw: Oxford OH IMG00239.jpg

Kevins coach with some encouraging words of wisdom.
------Original Message------
From: John Hughes
To: Martin D.(Gator) Cochran
Subject: Re: Oxford OH IMG00239.jpg
Sent: Jun 17, 2010 7:19 PM

Tell Kevin I approve. Real food! I think O'Keeffe DNFd last time. Don't have my stats, we're in Telluride. And Strebel is a rookie. Kevin can take them both. Bob Gourmet, 2x RAAM winner, told me that if your not on the bike your not moving forward. Tell Kevin he's doing great and poised to move up. I want him to eat those fish sandwiches ON the bike! Lounge chairs are for the crew!

Cheers,
John
sent from my droid

gator@gatorcochran.com wrote:

>Here Kevin is grabbing a fish sandwich, fries and oj at TS:41. The official came over and they had a friendly chat.
>Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

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RAAM Day 8 Photo Album (click on photo)

Hospitality in Blanchester, Ohio

An extreme thanks goes out ton John and Amy McFaddin and Family of Banchester, OH for their incredible generosity and hospitality to Kevin and his crew. As Kevin shifts his focus from his sub 10 day goal to finishing as the top American, these kind people at time station 42 have taken care of Kevin's crew and have offered their home as Kevin is currently taking a 3 hour nap in the McFaddin home. The McFaddin Family embodies the true spirit of RAAM and are the core of why this race is the awe inspiring and humbling event that it is, and the reason why Kevin loves this race so dearly.


Please continue to post your amazing support for Kevin as he races across the Eastern United States towards Annapolis!

Oxford OH

Here Kevin is grabbing a fish sandwich, fries and oj at TS:41. The official came over and they had a friendly chat.
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Kevin!

Gator,

FWIW please tell Kevin that I check the RAAM page everytime I walk past my computer. I may worry now and them if I see him lose some ground but in the long run I have total confidence in him because I know he ALWAYS gives it his best effort. Looks like I may be coaching a high school cross country team this fall and guess what: Kevin and his story will be what I use to inspire those guys.

Mike DeLong

---

Thanks so much John! Your message really lifted Kevins spirit.
I will add you to the list will all the race moments we report.
Gator


Gator,

Please tell Kevin that I'm following his race closely and I'm very pleased with how he is riding. Smart! He's pacing himself well - among the smoothest splits of anyone.

Yes everything hurts but his hair. It's the same for anyone. Kevin is well positioned, he just needs to keep RACING to the finish

Many, many THANKS to you Ann the crew. What you do is SO important!

Cheers,

__,_._,___

Kevin & RAAM

Here's an inspiring note from a true patriot, Tim Copeland.
Tim thank you for your service and sacrifices that help keep our country safe and enable us to have the freedom to live our lives from those who would do us harm.

Gator


Gator...greetings from Korea. I am in the Army and have been in Korea
for just over a month. Prior to me coming to Korea, I was in Kuwait
for 2 years. I lived in Waldorf, MD for 6 years before that and my
grandmother lives in Annapolis. Anyway, I was in Augusta at Fort
Gordon from August 07-Jan 08 and used to ride my bicycle a lot while
there. I met Phil Cohen at his shop and also met Kevin while there.
I just want to say that what Kevin is doing really gets me pumped up!
While in Kuwait, I was able to ride my bicycle 9500 miles in the 2
years I was there. What Kevin is doing is really incredible and I
really wish that I could be there to cheer him on. I am with him in
spirit and I hardly get sleep just to keep up with his progress. Take
care and I hope to see you and ride with Kevin someday when I am in
Augusta. I will be there for 2 months, but I am not sure when that
will be.

Tim Copeland
US Army, Korea


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OHIO!

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Torturous Rumble Road

5 miles of freshly cut rumble road! For those of lucky enough to have ridden on this type road you know how it feels. We fear to ride on the left because we may get a penalty.
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Greensburg Bobb!

This is Bobb Zimmerman who's here to support the riders and crews. Bobb crewed for his brother-in-law John Buffington in 96. Can you believe the race was held in August that year and started in Irvine Calf. and ended in Savannah, GA. I can only imagine the torture for all.
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Re: Kevin!

Thanks so much John! Your message really lifted Kevins spirit.
I will add you to the list will all the race moments we report.
Gator

Gator,

Please tell Kevin that I'm following his race closely and I'm very pleased with how he is riding. Smart! He's pacing himself well - among the smoothest splits of anyone.

Yes everything hurts but his hair. It's the same for anyone. Kevin is well positioned, he just needs to keep RACING to the finish

Many, many THANKS to you Ann the crew. What you do is SO important!

Please add me to your email update list.

Cheers,
John

RAAM Day 6-7

RAAM Day 6-7 (click on photo)

Thomas Strebel

Kevin will be right at home at TS 41 & 42 in Ohio. Both are at McD.

GO KEVIN GO!

As we left Kevin we passed the Swiss rider Thomas Strebel about 5 miles ahead.
As I'm writing this we just passed the strong French recumbent rider Barbara Buatois currently first place in the womens division, sitting in a chair outside her support van looking well.
We are pulling into TS:40 to be ready for Kevins arrival. Will he be ahead of Strebel? Stay tuned!

Gator

Thomas Strebel

As we left Kevin we passed the Swiss rider Thomas Strebel about 5 miles ahead.
As I'm writing this we just passed the strong French recumbent rider Barbara Buatois currently first place in the womens division, sitting in a chair outside her support van looking well.
We are pulling into TS:40 to be ready for Kevins arrival. Will he be ahead of Strebel? Stay tuned!

Gator
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Good Morning GA Fans!

As you can see Kevin is still on his bike and heading to Greensburg IN where we will have yet another crew exchange. He was alert, smiling and gave us hand slap as he passed. Roger&Danny told us he had a nap around 1 am. He has been eating, drinking and riding well. When asked how he felt Kevin said he had read about another rider that said ever thing on his body hurt except his hair, and he knows exactly how that feels!
Gator
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