Meet the Crew: Beau!

1. Introduce yourself! Who are you?

My name is Beau Bearden.  Who are you is such a broad and unfair question you know.

2. How did you get wrapped up in this RAAM adventure with Dani and Kacie?   

Becoming a part of the crew came about in an odd way but it was meant to be I believe.  I was at group ride with Keith in January and as things were wrapping up he mentioned briefly something about crewing for PPP as we were talking.  I pretty much stopped Keith immediately and started asking him questions like when it was, how long it took, who else was crewing and telling him how cool I thought it was.  I have always enjoyed supporting friends in other races so it really struck a chord for me.  But I knew RAAM was way more than just supporting and cheering someone on.  When I couldn't get it out of my mind I called Keith and told him I really wanted to be a part of the crew and asked him to mention something to the Dani and Kacie.  After a couple more days of the idea consuming me I just reached out to Dani to let her know I really wanted to crew.  At that point we had some initial conversations and then Dani brought Kacie and Anne (Crew Chief) in on the conversation and it went from there. 

    

3. Which part of RAAM are you most looking forward to?  

Since I cannot wrap my mind around how someone can do something of this magnitude I am just looking forward to the entire experience and seeing things first hand.  I love endurance sports but RAAM is truly in a category all by itself so being a part of this is a once in a lifetime thing.  Just being there from start to finish and being able to witness Dani and Kacie cross the US on their bikes is going to be absolutely amazing. 

    

4. Dani is a dog person, and Kacie is more of a lizard/snake/bird person. What kind of person are you?  

I cheated and saw what Leslie wrote and I am for certain a unicorn person too!  Like in a really bad way.   But I do have a cat, Carter, who is really cool and sits like a human being. 

For real. This is his cat.

 

5. How are you going to make a unicorn appear in Kansas?  

Oh that cannot be revealed.  Top Secret! Sara and Klo got a preview at Ironman Texas but it’s going to be much better.  Or much worse depending on how you look at it.  At IMTX before I could get out of the car to cheer the athletes my friends would go speak to the nearest police officer to make sure they would not arrest me.  I did not get arrested but I was kicked out of a store when I went in to get something to drink.  Dani and Kacie will for sure think they are hallucinating.

I tried to get him to cough up a picture, but he would not acquiesce. 

6. What is your favorite kind of ice cream? (Kacie believes this tells you a lot about a person).

  Caramel, nuts, and vanilla.  You can throw chocolate in there but just a little.  I think it's called Turtle Tracks at the gas station but now I go to Stone Cold and just point at what I want.   Good stuff. 

7. If you could fill a swimming pool with anything, what would you fill yours with? 

  Coca-Cola.  I drink it non-stop.   Is there a 12-step program for this?  I need it. 

8. What kind of music are you going to be putting on your RAAM playlist. Yes, you will be creating a RAAM playslist, might as well start thinking about it now.  

  I am all about the mash ups that bring old school 70 & 80's together with new artists.  If it's a concert you will find me at the Kenny Chesney concert when he rolls though town.   Country is my roots being from Oklahoma but I am pretty sure the crew would kick me out of the car if I pull out Garth Brooks. 

Oh man, we heard some serious mash-ups on Heart of the South! 

9. Dani and Kacie are really counting on some glitter. At what point in the race do you think glitter will really come into play?  

When we had the crew retreat Dani mentioned something about glitter during RAAM and I actually wrote this down as a part of my notes because I thought it was such an odd request.  I have been thinking about this and have a couple ideas but nothing is set in stone.   I did go to Hobby Lobby and found all kinds of glitter for every type of use.  Who would have known?  Deciding how I will use it will have to come to me in a dream. 

10.  If you were abducted and taken to outer space, which planet would they take you to?  

Without question, Venus.  Thankfully you did not ask why. 

Is this why?

11. If you could have any one super power (other than sprinkling awesomeness on people because you do that already) what would it be?   

Not go #2 for 8 days 18 hours and 57 minutes.   

Ewwwwwwwww!!!

12.What is the longest you have been without a shower? Without brushing your teeth? 

  I have been on some long hiking/camping trips with little or no showers and brushing my teeth with my finger but I will say that has been a while. Most recent of course was HOTS 517 where I went 2.5 days without either.  It’s scary how bad we are going to smell.   So bad we are going to have to fart to make it smell good in the car. 

Please feel free to add any thoughts/jokes/things everyone should know about you! 

Competing in endurance races has been a big part of my life for many different reasons much like others who take on this crazy sport.   Part of it’s the challenge and part of it is how I feel when doing a race no matter how hard it is.  It’s really neat to be a part of such a great community and friends which lead me to be a part of Pedal, Power and Ponytails.   I know this experience and being a part of the team to help Dani & Kacie reach their goal will rank as one of the best experiences ever!  I can’t wait.