DC: Congrats on becoming the first solo RAAM woman finisher since Cassie Lowe in 2001. How did you do it? How much of a role did your crew chief Lee Mitchell play in getting you to Atlantic City?

Cat Berge

CB: I did RAAM with lots of pedal strokes, joy, pain, sightseeing, camaraderie and adventure. Lee was absolutely crucial in liberating me from all logistics pertaining to the crew so that I only had to focus on my own training, nutrition, bikes and finally racing. All the rest was in Lee's care - and I was so fully confident that he knew what he was doing - that I did not worry about any of that.

DC: How did you feel about Lee and your crew not telling you about Bob Breedlove's death until you finished? How did you take the news in Atlantic City? Did you know Bob very well?

CB: Since I had talked twice with Bob during the race, the first day for 15 minutes and then during a 25 minute delay at the construction site below Wolf Creek Pass, I had found him to be a very caring, friendly and mature racer. We found mutual interests and I discussed my ACL injuries with him etc. After five days of riding, and knowing that I do not take these losses easily, I was glad the crew did not reveal his death to me during the race. I now understand why they acted a bit strangely on certain points, when I asked about other rider information etc - and specifically asked where Bob was. In Atlantic City, I was shocked when I heard the news. The following day, I heard that a close friend of family, Marianne Astedt (described as my sporting hero on my RAAM & bio website) also had died. I felt unable to deal with any of it right after the race but three days later, lighting some candles in a chapel in Sedona, I prayed to God to take really good care of Bob and Marianne.

DC: I heard you hated to ride at night. Some people like George Thomas love it. How did you get through 11 nights?

Berge and UMCA Director John Hughes. After 1000 miles Berge is effortlessly climbing Wolf Creek Pass while Hughes struggles to keep up Carol Garnand photo

CB: At snail pace, with agony and lots of mental struggles! About half way through the race, we realized that it was no point in trying to get me to a certain point early nights, but to have the RV ready when my pace dwindled. I slept three hours every night, and was probably four hours off the bike for those breaks. In the early mornings I struggled terribly too, and we started with 50 minutes riding followed by 10 minutes nap. I tried to always to give my best - but there was not much at nights. Every night I had my crew play Selah's song ëPress on' - until the CD broke on us. Once the sun emerged I was back in action and happily spinning and purring with CATitude.

DC: Was Reed Finfrock responsible for getting you to do RAAM? What about your tandem partner Mark Patten? Did you try to get them on your crew? Did you talk to them at all during RAAM?

CB: Many people planted seeds. I think Steve Born has had a very major role in telling me that I could do this race, and then helping develop my ultra-racing skills including nutrition, training, mental preparation etc. Reed opened the world of ultracycling to me and has always inspired and supported me and so has Mark Patten. I have during countless hours with both learned so many valuable things that helped me through RAAM. Cell phone contacts were not always feasible during RAAM, but I knew they were there rooting for me. Michelle Grainger also supported me greatly with coaching, tons of advice and came to see me in Colorado.

DC: You formed a bond with Chris Hopkinson during the race. About how many times did you ride with him? Where did you give him the neck brace? After you gave him the neck brace, what if you needed it for yourself?

Berge cruising through Kansas Jeff Orlowski photo

CB: Chris, being another European, was a pleasant encounter on the course and we always spent our 15 minutes to exchange some thoughts and chat some. When I heard of Chris getting Shermerneck, I had no choice but to help him, since it is more important to care for others then for myself. Seeing Chris finish and his awesome performance and perseverance despite all challenges he faced was very inspiring for me. Chris deserved to finish more than I.

DC: Your left wrist got so swollen you couldn't shift into your big chainring. Where/when did this happen? What do you think caused it?

CB: Since I had worked hours on bike fit, with flat double-padded bars and aerobars on both the Titanflex and my climbing bike, I believe that the problem was due to standing too much when climbing on my climbing bike. I am an out-of-the-saddle climber and it was hard to force my body to sit on climbs.

DC: Your crew wore t-shirts saying they had CATitude. Who came up with this term? Can you give some examples of them and you living by it?

CB: Tracy Fawns sent me a home-made card where it said that I had a CATitude, and I just loved that. CATitude means taking every minute and living to the fullest and embracing the highs and the lows as part of life and sharing that joy with all people. All my team were just radiating CATitude - and if during those night hours - it was hard for me to find it - they were just totally there with loving encouragement.

DC: Cat loves her cats. How many do you have and how badly did you miss them on RAAM?

Paul Skilbeck (right) interviewing Berge's crew chief, Lee Mitchell John Hughes photo

CB: When I left for San Diego I hugged my 19-year old little female cat, Nineve with tears in my eyes. I was about to embark on the biggest challenge of my lifetime, and felt that I would have needed her along as comfort. I also have a 13 year old tabby called Wilhelm and the little stray, who adopted me, ëLittle Miss NoEears'. Patty Jo ensured an ample supply of Beany babies to cure my animal deficit. When I put one on the bike and waved it at Lee one night he said ëOh no - I knew this would happen crewing for a female rider!'. I guess someday - when I grow up - (If) I will part from my soft toys.

DC: Were you concerned when you fell off pace to break Muffy Ritz's rookie speed record? You were the only person in the solo women division. Did you race against other men? Did you care about where other riders were?

CB: I had wanted to finish in 10 days, but about half way through the race - realized that goal was probably out of reach. I was pretty upset at one point - maybe more because it meant another night on the bike. In Kansas I had the choice whether to start cutting back on sleep time to increase average speed or keep sleeping like I had. I had fun on my bike every day and was feeling strong. At that point I realized that I did not want to turn my ëdream' into ëa nightmare' and that I was going to continue doing what I was doing. It made me more relaxed and although the race took longer than expected, I had the race of my lifetime and loved every day. I stayed fresh, strong and lucid throughout the race. I wanted to know where other riders were and how they were doing, but did not directly race them. I think people will be more inspired by how I raced - then how fast I raced - and I want to inspire others to take on challenges and adventures in life.

DC: Why do you think so few women enter solo RAAM? Any idea on how we can attract more women into the race? There has only been one two-person women's team ñ the Twin Team in 2001 and they were 50+.

CB: I think women have different goals, aspirations and commitments in life that makes RAAM harder to fit into their yearly plans. I believe that 2 and 4-women team could be a pathway to greater women participation. I would like to see veteran women help out rookies by forming teams - and this would facilitate women participation in RAAM. I would like to do that myself - since there is greater satisfaction in helping someone else achieve their goals than to achieve personal goals.

DC: How long do you think it will take to fully recover from RAAM? What's next for you?

CB: My hand nerve injuries will probably take 4-6 months to fully recover. My legs are doing fine and I am commuting daily (two times 15 miles) on my cross-bike set up with aerobars to work. I am now training for my first marathon this winter and am running about 6 days a week. In a few weeks I will also start swimming. When I miss my bike rides I go inline skating, since that gives speed and wheels. But I really miss climbing the mountains although I have done some really wonderful hikes in the Sierras lately.