the saddest phone call I've heard in a long time

I have been reading David Nice's blog for a while now. he is one of the racers of the Great Divide Race - the world's longest non-stop mountain bike race. Only, he races a fixed gear mountain bike. there are 2 other racers also on fixed gear, one being Matt Chester. I've also read matt chester's blog (which is no longer online) for a long time. we had once corresponded with him as g was interested in his frames. I always enjoyed his writing about a simple life and cycling. his posts were always thoughtful and never too serious. he posted a very honest and open entry before he left for the race. I wish him all the best out there. It started high noon, June 23 on the Montana/Canadian border. its a solo competition following 2,490 mile - and almost 1/4 million feet of climbing - on the great divide mountain bike route. it will end at the New Mexico/Mexico border. they carry all equipment necessary for the race, no support, no SAG and re-supply at small towns along the way. most riders take 2 months or more to finish it. kent peterson finished it last year on a singlespeed. Dave Nice took a bus from Denver, CO where he lives to Montana to begin the race. 3 days into the race, someone stole his bike (surly crosscheck if you know anyone in western montana that might see this bike) as he slept outdoors. here is his phone call about the incident. so like that. he is out of a race that has taken him months to plan and train for. I heard some friends were trying to get him another bike and supplies. but there's a lot to riding 2,490miles over mountains on a bike you've never ridden before....he's carfree so hopefully they can get some bike secured once he returns to denver. anyway: I hope he's able to regroup for next year and all the long rides inbetween. curses, evil mind-exploding curses to bike thieves. bikes are peoples livelihood, their transportation, their freedom. its beyond rude and awful to steal someone's bike. keep up with the Great Divide Race. racers call in and their calls get transcribed to text here. one guy already reported a run-in with a grizzly bear. yikes. info about the race mtbr forum and info bout the race good luck to the racers. it sounds grueling - but what a great challenge to put to yourself. makes me want to pack the bike and start riding for 3 months too.