Race Across America RAAM

Anyone done it? Anyone know anyone else who has done it? Anyone have an opinion? I might be going as part of a crew, kinda looking for more information before I say yea for sure.

details??

It's a race for fucking mentalists and not the kind that solve murders on channel 5.

Yeah, winner last year did it in 5 days. We are planning it in 8.

What do you mean part of a crew? support crew? The support crews tend to pootle along at 15-20 mph behind the cyclist for 3000 miles.

Yeah, winner last year did it in 5 days. We are planning it in 8.

Is that a team time or solo? Team I'm guessing off the top of my head.

Tommy, would you go on a crew if you were asked?

The best solo was 8 days and change. It averages out at 8/9 days for the fastest solo'ers, typically averaging 14mph... Badasses.

The best solo was 8 days and change. It averages out at 8/9 days for the fastest solo'ers, typically averaging 14mph... Badasses.

badass maybe but also bad math.
This guy did it right:

"German rookie Dr. Michael Nehls placed 7th in the solo RAAM with a time of 10:22:56 and a speed of 11.46 mph. He slept a total of 45 HOURS to set a new RAAM record for most sleep! Riding just 15 hours per day, his on the bike speed was 30 kilometers per hour or faster than half of the teams. He told me that more sleep is a safer way to do RAAM, especially for rookies. I must say, out on the route, he did seem to be the most alert and happiest of all the solo riders I saw. Skipping sleep his first night, his night time routine was: At a motel, soak in a hot tub and shower before getting 5 hours of quality sleep, and eat a leisurely breakfast before starting to ride. The stop was about 7 hours. He also took a shower in the afternoon followed by a 30 minute nap. He felt he improved the 2nd week as he trained into the race. In the early part of the race, he would pass 6-7 riders per day, and as things got stretched out later in the race, he would
pass 3-4 riders per day."

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/wordpress/?cat=31

RAAM is utterly bonkers.

it's not the distance (I'm not afraid of a long ride myself), it's the speed at which they do it.

For a 4800km route I'd be looking at about 15 days solo. As an Audax you'd get 24 days.

Some years down the line I'd be interested in a team version but, again, I'm a relative plodder not a racing snake.

Tommy, would you go on a crew if you were asked?

If the opportunity came up and I was available I'd give it ago if i where you (obviously depends on your commitments in the uk). Would be an amazing experience even just as a crew member. I think it would be inspiring to see that level of commitment and to help people achieve their goal. As I said though it would all depend on personal commitments.

I agree with Tommy, it's a race for loons. If you can still function normally after 5 days of massive sleep deprivation* then this is the race for you. Hallucinations** are commonplace.

*ideal for parents of a newly born
**ideal for those who like to experience mind bending without the use of potentially harmful substances

**ideal for those who like to experience mind bending without the use of potentially harmful substances

that just takes all the fun out of it.

I think Brixton would be ok with my going, only other commitments I have are watching out for the cats. I'm sure I could get someone to feed the cats.

@hoops - you do get to ride your bike whilst doing it though, so some fun involved.

I won't be riding, I'll be mechanical support.

what about emotional support?
everyone needs a good cry now and then.

I reckon I'll be emotional support too. As well as Nutritional support, logistical support and psyciatric support.

IF I go.

Oh yeah, it's a two person team, one man and one woman.

Crewing RAAM would not be my idea of a holiday but it'd certainly be an interesting/different way of seeing some of the country. The ride itself is silly although I like what the guy did that sohi posted about. Makes it sounds almost pleasant :)
Just make sure your wrenching skills are up to par when the psychotic, sleep deprived maniacs are hassling you for a derailler change when they've almost run out of time to make a checkpoint.

That is another thing I am worried about, although I can switch out mechs and cassettes and cables, I'm not very fast at it. If I would be the only one with mechanical ability on the ride, I don't think I should go.

Just make sure your wrenching skills are up to par when the psychotic, sleep deprived maniacs are hassling you for a derailler change when they've almost run out of time to make a checkpoint.

Would that be a Nutattack?

That is another thing I am worried about, although I can switch out mechs and cassettes and cables, I'm not very fast at it. If I would be the only one with mechanical ability on the ride, I don't think I should go.

Depends on how high-strung they are. If they're looking for a world-class mechanic, don't go. If they're happy with what they're letting themselves in for with you, do go. If they're not clear about your level of ability to start with, make sure that they know before doing anything else. Communication is essential for such a close relationship on the road, and if it fails from the off, that's not a good start.

I have a meeting on tuesday.

So, we'll see, I guess. I got very excited about it at first, now I'm in the comedown this could never work phase.