Every year the hardest thing about preparation for the 508 is recruiting and ultimately selecting my support crew.  Recruiting?  Yes recruiting.  What there’s no line of people volunteering to crew?  No there isn’t.  Selecting is also tough.  During the recruitment phase I may receive several volunteers but I have to consider so many things before selecting you will ultimately be on the crew.  I have consider things like:

What is their experience?

What is their motivation for crewing?

What can they contribute to the team?

How compatible are their personalities?

I am proud to announce my support crew for the 2011 Furnace Creek 508.  Lida is an old  friend.  She’s also a triathlete who I coached this season.  She has reluctantly stepped up to be the Crew Chief.  However, I know she will make and excellent Crew Chief because she cares.  Carlo is also a dear friend and an athlete I coached.  He will make a great addition to the crew because he’s just one of the good guys who cares.  Jim, I met through my store.  We have had interesting conversations about ultras and I thought he would make a great addition to the crew.

I’m a total outdoor enthusiast but when I’m not “moving”, I’m an avid
quilter and reader.  I also volunteer at local events when I can and
enjoy doing things around the house and cooking; although I prefer to
bake cookies!  I’ve completed 6 double centuries, 5 Ironman
triathlons, and 6 marathons.  I’ve dabbled in xterra and cyclocross
racing and recently I’ve been enjoying the joys of trail running in
Colorado.  For base training, I do a lot of Crossfit and have competed
in the 2011 Masters Open .

I have travelled around the country and around the world hiking and
biking.  Some of my greater accomplishments include: a 9 month journey
all over the US camping and biking, through hiking the Appalachian
Trail, summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro, trekking to Machu Pichu, hiking to
Annapurna base camp and swimming with the sting rays in Grand Cayman!

The next year includes: about 5 or so cyclocross races, a local
Masters Crossfit competition, the Modesto Marathon, painting the
interior of my house, enjoying the training journey with friends for
the Rev 3 Cedar Point Iron Distance triathlon and finish making the
drapes for all the uncovered windows!  And or course – soaking up
Life!

A few of my favorite sayings/mantra’s:
It’s all relative.
Smiling is part of my survival kit!
Stay in the moment, it will change.
Always look good for the photographer.
No peeing in my shoes (hmmm, does George get off the bike to pee??
I’ll find out during the 508)
I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose!

Born July 23, 1972, a Programmer Analyst by profession for First American Corp, lives in Costa Mesa, CA.

A beginner cyclist to say the least, I probably bring the least experience to this team but I am hoping to offset my lack of riding and racing experience with my enthusiasm and dedication to the tasks at hand. George has been instrumental in my own growth as a cyclist and supporting him in this historic endeavor is my own way of saying thank you and showing my appreciation for what he has done for me. I am looking forward to relishing moment while I learn the intricacies of ultra cycling. I am excited to work with a great set of people and forging lifelong friendships. Lastly, I am looking forward to seeing my local hero endure pain and suffering on the bike. It is a a feat that I have yet to see hahahahahaha.

Architect, 68, avid cyclist, sailor/boat builder & mountaineer.  Ultra
cycling, randonneuring, became my passion several years ago after completing
the California Triple Crown several times.  Currently spending cycling time
at the velodrome where team pursuit is event of choice — training for 2012
Masters Championships at state and national levels.

Looking forward to George’s sixth 508 solo adventure!  I hope to bring the
wisdom of age to the crew while experiencing the event as an observer.  I
cannot wait for the sun to go down Saturday night and see it rise again on
Sunday morning while having kept a watchful eye on our rider through the
beautiful hours of night riding.  It is going to be a fantastic voyage and I
want to make it George’s best, most memorable 508 to date — hopefully
breaking the 36 hour threshold.

Jim Kehr
Laguna Beach, CA