Race Across America RAAM

Ah that wasn't what I was saying, I was trying to says that although its not as insane as the RAAM team doing 300 a day, some people (mark beaumount for example) managed an average of 100 a day in 6 months.

Not the first time I phrased it wrong, annoying trate of mine.

Ed, us armchair cyclists can't estimate what is 'impressive' or 'not impressive' or 'less impressive' when comparing different extreme events. All I can say is that I find it all extremely extreme and way out of my reach, and probably out of the reach of most people I know.

So, I had hoped last time I did RAAM I would be able to draw my way across america, but I wasn't well enough organized to do it. This time was different, so I though I would share my sketches and what not here.
Enjoy!

On the way from LAX to Oceanside, industrial wasteland

The start line

Prescott, AZ

Inside the RV (motorhome)

Outside Tuba City, Utah (near Monument Valley)

One of our riders, Jamie, riding up a hill in Colorado.

Durango, the first time cut off.
This is also where riders who made mistakes had to serve time penalties

Wolf Creek pass, the highest point in RAAM

The other side of the rockies

Although the RAAM is over 3,000 miles long, none of those miles takes you into a city. This is one of the small towns I woke up in.

Kansas, my arch nemisis

Two of our riders, enjoying a rare moment that they aren't moving

..Although the RAAM is over 3,000 miles long, none of those miles takes you into a city. This is one of the small towns I woke up in.

Kansas, my arch nemisis

Two of our riders, enjoying a rare moment that they aren't moving

...

Bats in the street light

Martyn, Driving the RV

The RV after the accident. We ripped the entire rear end off of it when it went into a ditch

Our crew doctor getting more paracetamol for everyone after the crash

Jamie, riding up another hill in West Virginia

The end of the race

Here are a few portraits of our crew:

Nick

Chappers

Penny

James

Jay Petervary talking about his solo, unsupported RAAM...That man is HARDCORE!
http://youtu.be/WqrV6TeAs-A

The discovery channel wrote a little bit on Jay's solo unsupported RAAM.
His last leg of the tour is the Great Divide MTB route and then he'll have completed 3 of the toughest bike races around all in the same year! Great achievement!
http://dsc.discovery.com/adventure/endurance-cyclist-rides-3000-miles-in-13-days-completely-self-supported.html
Nice shot of his RAAM bike too. :]

Wow that's real awesome, and MTB pedals to boot! that was an unusual choice for the RAAM.

Not really...when you're riding 3OOO miles unsupported you use what you trust and are most comfortable with. Jay does a LOT of mountain biking. Pretty sure he's using the same saddle he has on his MTB's too.

He may have done the RAAM route, but he didn't ride RAAM.

He was registered in the mens solo under 5O category, but decided just before the event to ride completely unsupported.
He set off at the same time as the other racers, and rode the same route...he now holds the record as the first completely unsupported solo attempt.

RAAM saw him as the first ever unsupported solo racer, that's good enough for me. :]

Just a shame there aren't that many people on this here 'cycling forum' that find his 'No idle tour' achievements as inspirational as me. :[

It's all those gears of his I simply can't abide..

Maybe if he'd had a spokecard?

That would placate me somewhat.

Just a shame there aren't that many people on this here 'cycling forum' that find his 'No idle tour' achievements as inspirational as me. :[

isn't it in the 'heroes' topic?

I suppose a lots of people here hasn't yet done a century before to fully understand just how hard the RAAM/Divide et all was (and of course hippy's 24hr TT).

Just a shame there aren't that many people on this here 'cycling forum' that find his 'No idle tour' achievements as inspirational as me. :[

Everytime I have a little wibble about the PBP I come and read this thread and look at things like the no idle tour to remind myself how easy it will be.

Been looking a lot recently.

Download Ride The Divide (I think you can purchase it through iTunes et all), perhaps that'll help too.

Everytime I have a little wibble about the PBP I come and read this thread and look at things like the no idle tour to remind myself how easy it will be.

Been looking a lot recently.

Just to help make you less worried.... :]
http://www.lfgss.com/thread70651.html