RAAM Solo

Awsome Anne - utterly awesome keep going!! well done support crew.

Is Ann still going the web says dnf or is that because she will run out of time?
If you are still going Ann keep at it not long to go now

You ROCK lady!!!!
We hope to see you again!!
I am SO VERY SORRY i had to leave TS 49 before you got there, but i am SO delighted that you did get there and beyond.
NEXT TIME you do the race, and you need campy parts or a water bottle holder or whatever, you get a message to TS rouzerville, and, if the needed part/product exists, we will do our darnedest to have it there for you.
(My kid manages a repair department in our LBS 90 minutes north of the TS, and when he raced on a team, his team called me "team mom").
The same goes for anyone needing chamois cream.
We just need to know a racer needs something BEFORE i get to the time station.
The first year i worked the time station, i even made a run for shaving cream -- some things i can find locally.
Again, Anne: you are amazing -- i spent a week off the bike after my 11-point landing --
Truly, do think about coming back to a future RAAM!!!!!

Ann, you have done fab!! I thought you said you didnt want to be 50? It has some advantages if you will get record for fastest woman over 50!!!
We are looking forward to the party...

GO ANNE !!!! Finish it!

You are awesomw!!!!!

Come on Ann. Not far now.
It might not be official but we all we'll all know you've done it.

Keep them pedals turning.

If I could, I will make 100 copies of myself and cheer you in person all the way to the finish line! Come on, you can finish this!!

Keep it going Ann, you just have to finish now. So close now. After what you've been through they should extend the time. The support back here for you is immense

Following your progress and supporting! You ou can break the 50+ woman record!

Hi.
I've been amazed by what Ann has gone through and has kept going. She's my vote for what RAAM is all about for this year.

I've been watching your success throughout the race. You are so impressive....saw the DNF w 130 miles to go....I am so sorry...I just hope you are ok. You have been my inspiration to consider going solo afer 2 team (4) RAAMs (06 and 08). You are an amazing cyclist...I hope you are proud of what you have accompished!

Auntie Ann, we just want to give you a big hug, you are great, and we dont mind if you do it again next year to become an "official finisher" love from us

it certainly beats being bored for a day sitting in a lecture theatre being told how to wash your hands!! we will support you all the way if you go for it again, i cant believe what you could have achieved without that stupid pile of gravel!! Jen wants to be in your crew!!!

Ann, you are a winner, you are a star you would have made it if you didn't have a tumble but all the same you are our cycling hero. I constantly went to the GCCC web site to track your progress, the mount of hits must be huge.
We done team. I hope you keeping cycling to the end' just to say you have cycled across america.

Luv you all lots

Ann you are magnificent. It has been so fraught this end, anti windman has no hair left for wind to flow through and I am silver grey. When you get back to blighty we will go shopping for handbags

Keep going Ann although you did not make the cut off it looks like you've got a record. We realy wish we could have been there for you. What a achievement. Another record for Wooly.

Ann: We've been watching your progress for days.
We are excited to hear that you will likely be the fastest 50+ woman to cross the US, even with your DNF.

Hang in there!!
You are soooo close.

Come on Ann. We are with you all the way...and can't wait for the celebrations when we see you. You are a star and we are so proud.

Jason & Lucy, Jacquie and Stephen, et al

go get 'em Ann!
We were the last 4-person finisher last year; we lost one rider in Kansas, and finished with 3, so we know a little of what you're battling. Go for it!

Really sorry to hear you won't get an official finish time but sincerely hope you keep going and get the 50+ record.

The winners of each category's stories are amazing, but Ann's story truly impresses me. The fact that she will keep going and finish just for the sake of it after all she's been through, that to me is a true champion! Go Anne Go!

Woooooooo!!!! well done you know that you could have easily done this race if it wasn't for that gravel. curse that gravel!!! you'll just have to do it again next year! :0 ;)Keep going and you could still break that 50+ record!! think of that. REMEMBER there are several bottles of PINK WINE and the DALMATION - FRAN (we had to sell the other one) waiting for you!! :):):):)MMMMM.....PINK WINE. X.X.X

Absolutely amazing effort throughout. Well done, I am really pleased for you.

RAAM webpeople PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep updating her progress on the leaderboard!!!! I'm VERY sure I'm not the only one that wants to see her finish!!!!

I wonder if you have the record for the most comments, too, the support for you is massive, and you tried to keep it just a personal dream....time for bed, i expect you will be finished and ready for sleep in a proper bed by the time this hits the screen!!!!

keep it going Ann a real WTTA hardrider in fact the only WTTA hardrider!

Ann - you have battled through everything amazingly well - such determination to get back on that bike after your accident.

A comment from the office today was that "this is the stuff that movies are made of". Who would you have play you?!

We hope you smash the 50+ record but you are a winner whatever you do!

here's what my favorite cycling web site posted today about Anne who got to annapolis TODAY --

"And it is with great regret that I must report Ann Wooldridge as a victim of the time cut-off. The Briton, a long-time member of Gloucester RC, fought tooth-and-nail to stay in the race after sustaining several injuries crashing into a drainage ditch in Montana. Unfortunately, she narrowly lost out to the time limit, being ruled an official DNF in Rouzerville, PA, a mere 140 miles from the finish.

Despite this, Wooldridge fought on to finish “unofficially” in Annapolis and to secure the fastest crossing for a 50+ woman.

In this whole race, from all the categories, her story has been one of my favourites. I admired her quiet tenacity and focus while riding, while the fact she is a fellow Brit also helped to endear her to me; I was really hoping she would make the finish, against the odds after her nasty tumble. After coming so close to an “official” finish in Annapolis, we dearly hope she returns in the future to banish any unfortunate memories from this year’s race!"

that's by Andy McGrath -- (thanks ANDY!!)
http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=15096

i echo Andy's thots -- see you next year Ann!!

Dear Ann,
well done! Next year have some porridge for breakfast to keep the thunderflies away.

What a ride and what a story, I won't give up untill its finished,
marks you as the real 2009 RAAM champion, over 50 and out of time or not.

A FANTASTIC ride Ann. You should get a special medal for courage - also Toby and the Team!

Incredible courage Ann. To carry on and finish after everything you'd been through is truly inspirational.

Ann,, You are a real inspiration to all... You have not just completed the hardest race in the world, but it was under such extreme conditions... After a crash like that, many would give up, go home, and sit in bed... But you had the extreme courage and determination to carry on... And thats what makes you so amazing...
Hope you recover soon, and also hope you will be back on the saddle ready for next year's RAAM!
All the best Ann,
Matthew.

Just one notice to all viewers of these comments...
To sponsor Ann, please see www.justgiving.com/raceacrossamerica
www.justgiving.com/raam_sja

Thank you.,