Alcatraz Race Photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39357374@N02/sets/72157620749962678/

Escapee at Large

Earlier today, Robert Wright, a hardened Alcatraz convict escaped from the heavily guarded fortress prison. Wright swam from the island but was momentarily apprehended by able-bodied seamen in a US Coast Guard patrol boat, but Wright overpowered the crew and jumped back into the water and swam to shore. He then took off on a bicycle and led authorities on an 18 mile chase before abandoning the bike and running for another 8 miles before the search was called off. Wright is at large but due to extreme fatigue he is probably not very dangerous.

We're busting out of here today!

Videos from training ride

Here are some videos from my training ride. Please pardon the amateurish quality of the videos but I was gasping for air when I shot some of them and just plain in awe of what I was seeing in others. So, there are a couple of errant fingers across the lens, poorly focused shots (have to stay away from the digital zoom, and the audio is almost drowned out by the wind but the beauty of the area makes up for my mistakes. The last view I was standing on the GG Bridge and had to keep grabbing my bike to keep it from being blown away. I just can't describe to you what the wind was like. Keep your finger on the volume control as the wind gets pretty loud.

Training Ride

Today, I went for a training ride from the hotel down past the beach where we'll land on Sunday, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and up into the Marin Headlands. This was quite a ride with a good bit of climbing and some of the most ferocious winds I've ever encountered. I was running ZIPP 404's front and back and the medium profile still caught a significant amount of wind making for a very interesting ride. I was a bit nervous about the wind (especially the gusts coming through the gaps in the hills) to really take advantage of the long descent back to the bridge. So, I played it cool and came down pretty slow but WOW what an opportunity a two mile downhill presents. On the other hand, I was too busy gaping at the scenery of the Bay area to go fast.

I Have Wheels

The bike finally found its way to the hotel. After many days of touring the country, my bike is finally with me.

Many thanks to Jonathan Rigby who brought my bike to me today. Jonathan is a teammate who was entered in the race but he will have to miss it due to a business trip.

Thank you Jonathan!

I also owe a big thanks to Tim, John, and Derek at The Cycle Center in Five Points for helping me get prepared for the race and for helping ship the bike. Thanks guys!

Mission from Steven Kopp (Co-Captain Alcatraz Team)

Hello Team!!
We are just a few days away! I know everyone is ready for the race, but are you ready to serve?

We have been given a great opportunity to spread our faith and compete in a sport we all love. Our goal for "Escape" is to spread the WORD to our fellow competitors and spectators while trying to advance FCA Endurance's presence at this event. We want to put our best foot forward showing the race sponsors that we are not a threat, but an ally. By wearing our colors in the booth and during the expo we hope to show that we are a group of competitors that race for a reason...for the glory of GOD.

We have all been through troubled times, but we can rely on our faith in GOD for guidance. It is our faith that we can share with others. In their time of need, I pray that the people we meet will reflect upon something we did or said and open their hearts to the LORD.

I pray that each and every one of you have the race of your life. I hope that you swim fast, fly on the bike, and run like the wind, because the LORD knows I'll be trying to catch you! I hope that each of you will take some time over the next few days and give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon you. Pray for all of the athletes who are competing. Pray that our actions strengthen their relationship with GOD or open their heart. If we do our job right, we may never see the fruits of our labor...but that is the miracle of faith.

GOD BLESS!!

SDK

Bob's Mission

My bike and wet suit are in California (San Pablo) about ninety miles from my teammate's home. If all goes well he should have them Tuesday or Wednesday.

Praise the Lord, I was starting to worry.

Escape From Alcatraz Adventure

In February, I was given the opportunity to participate in this year's Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon representing the FCA Endurance team. At first, I wanted to graciously decline the offer but after reflecting on events leading up to the offer, praying about my fear of the water in SF Bay, discussing it with my wife, and speaking with our National Director, Chris Anderson, I realized I was being led to do this and I humbly accepted.

Many workouts and a few practice races later, I am as ready to go as I'll ever be.

I shipped my bike and wetsuit to a teammate in Danville, CA on Wednesday 6/3 via UPS Ground and due to a miscommunication regarding the destination zip code they have been touring the country since then.

Our trip begins Wednesday (6/10). We'll arrive in California around 6PM PDT and hopefully my bike and wetsuit will arrive the same day.