Race Across America 2011

Well, exactly 30 days to go - shite, where's the time gone?!!!  On June 15, I'll be lined up on the Oceanside start line with 99 other competitors, looking to complete possibly the hardest endurance event out there, the RACE ACROSS AMERICA!

I must admit that ever since finding about this race, I’ve been mesmerised about what it would be like to participate…and now in 2011, the actual chance to experience it has come about.  And now with just over 4 weeks to go, the doubts, the concerns and the questions are more prevalent than ever…so the optimist in me continues to take a constant battering at the moment.

But why shouldn’t I be positive – aside from the sponsorship side of things (which I’m sure we’ll get there in the end), the training’s going well; the organisation behind the scenes is progressing; and the support crew assembled is a brilliant mix of very different personalities.  And the continued support of my wife and family, my mates and the extended support crew, will make huge differences before the start line is even reached.

So, here’s the standard blurb:

·         Race Across America is the world’s top endurance cycling event – the 2011 race is the 30th edition of RAAM

·         There is no other race in the world like RAAM.  RAAM is the true test of speed, endurance, strength and camaraderie, the ideal combination of work and fun!  There is no race that matches the distance, terrain and weather, no other event that tests the spirit from beginning to end

·         Racers must traverse over 4,800km (3000 miles) across 12 states and climb over 170,000 vertical feet

·         RAAM is about 30% longer than the Tour de France and racers must complete the race in roughly half the time allowed for the Tour De France

·         RAAM 2011 commences at 12pm Wednesday, June 15^th, leaving Oceanside, California, and finishing in Annapolis, Maryland

·         Racers have a maximum of 12 days to complete the race, riding 400-550km (250-350 miles) a day, balancing speed and the need for sleep

·         Very few solo racers finish within the allotted time of 12 days to earn the distinction of RAAM Finisher – to finish within the allocated time, riders typically ride for 20 hours per day and sleep for the remaining 4 hours!

·         RAAM is open to professional and amateur athletes alike

·         RAAM is a race!!!

·         RAAM is one continual stage, similar to a time trial – even when sleeping, the clock is still ticking!!!

·         NO DRAFTING allowed!!!

We’ve got the following breakdown of which I’m in the solo category:

·         Solo – 47 competitors

·         2-man team – 9 competitors

·         4-man team – 32 competitors

·         8-man team – 12 competitors

…so a total of 100 competitors, which should make for interesting viewing all round…

More to come shortly…