Welcome to the RAAM Newsletter! The place for the most up to date and comprehensive information about ultra-bicycle racing and much more. | |
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2024 RAAM & RAW Standard Registration Ends Soon!
The countdown for the 42nd Edition of the Race Across America has begun.
Will 2024 be the year that YOU take on RAAM? Or you and a friend take on 2-person RAAM? Or you and 3 friends take on 4-person RAAM? Or you and 7 friends take on 8-person RAAM?
2024 Race Across America and Race Across the West registration is open! Take advantage of standard rates until December 1.
https://www.raamrace.org/registration
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COME PREPARED...
RAAM ON-LINE SEMINARS
This year we are offering 2 early-season Seminars. These Seminars are on-line. Each Seminar has 2 sessions – one on Saturday and the other on Sunday. They cover the essentials of ultra-endurance bicycle racing.
2024 Seminar Dates
January 20-21, 2024 9:00AM to 12:00N (MST) each day
February 10-11, 202 9:00AM to 12:00N (MST) each day
The seminars were originally designed to prepare racers and support crew members for RAAM and RAW. We had been giving these Seminars for 12 years in-person. When COVID limited travel we began giving them on-line.
The Seminars are a tremendous benefit to racers and crew, solo and team, first-timers and veterans. They’re conducted by RAAM principals who have officiated, crewed and raced solo and team. Nobody is more knowledgeable when it comes to RAAM and RAW. They will cover every aspect of RAAM - the world's toughest bicycle race. You will be able to ask about every aspect of RAAM.
What is covered? Qualification, training, the pathway to RAAM, planning, objectives, budgeting, racers, crew selection and management, lifecycle on the road, sleep, packing, vehicles, bicycles, registration, media, pre- and post-race logistics, rules, officials, penalties, tracking, what happens at the start, race strategies, direct follow and leapfrog support, navigation, communication, weather, medical issues, hydration, nutrition, common problems and how to treat them, accidents, relay strategies, exchanges, problem-solving and what happens at the finish.
How will you benefit? You will be much better prepared for RAAM. You will encounter things you've never before experienced. If you are aware of the issues you may encounter, you will be better equipped to address them should they occur, or perhaps avoid them altogether. These Seminars will provide for a more rewarding overall ultra-racing experience.
The cost is very reasonable. Meeting and document links will be sent a couple of days prior to the Seminar. Don’t delay, each Seminar is limited to 40 people. Sign up will close the Monday before the seminar.
https://www.raamrace.org/online-store/Seminar-Reservations-c155059
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DUELING IN THE DESERT...
6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championships – Wrap-up
Every year, in late October, ultra-bicycle racers gather in Borrego Springs, CA for the 6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championships.
This year was the 12th for the WTTC. The largest field in the history of the race participated. The weather was perfect – clear skies and no wind. Everyone – racers, support crew members, fans and Borrego Springs residents – were treated to some great racing.
24-hour Race In the Solo race Stanislav Verstovsek (SLO) finished first overall with 523.2 miles (22.0 mph); Chris Stevens (USA) was runner-up with 510.0 miles (21.5 mph); and Jesse Hogin (USA) rounded out the overall podium with 505.2 miles (21.1 mph). Verstovsek, Stevens and Hogin finished 1-2-3 in both overall and the men’s category. Isa Pulver (SUI) finished first among the women with 451.2 miles (18.9 mph); Dorina Vaccaroni (USA/ITA) finished second with 441.6 miles (18.5 mph); and Christie Tracy (USA) finished third with 420.0 miles (17.6 mph).
Clifford Federspiel (USA) was the fastest recumbent with 450.0 miles (21.6 mph). David Farey (USA) was the fastest riding a fixed gear with 252 miles (14.0 mph). Spencer Gough (CAN) was the fastest riding a single speed with 342 miles (16.1 mph). In the women’s race Laura Crawford (USA) was the fastest on a recumbent with 306 miles (16.1 mph). Yette Crockell (USA) was the fastest single speed with 235.2 miles (9.9 mph). Wendy Larsen (USA) was the fastest handcycle with 217.2 miles (9.1mph). Team See Possibilities (USA) was the fastest men’s tandem with 271.2 miles (11.4 mph). Tandumb And Dumber (USA) was the fastest women’s tandem with 216 miles (12.2 mph). The McDougall Green Machine (USA) was the fastest mixed tandem with 216 miles (11.4 mph).
EY Legacy Builders won the 2P team race with 469.2 miles (19.7 mph). We met in Texas won the women’s 2P team race with 428.4 miles (17.9 mph). Soch It To ‘em (USA) won the 24-hour 2P mixed team race with 410.4 miles (17.2 mph).
12-hour Race In the Solo race Ryan Collins (USA) finished first overall with 276 miles (23.1 mph); Monica Storhaug Bernhoft (DEN) was runner-up with 258.0 miles (21.6 mph); and David Potter (USA) finished third with 253.2 miles (21.3 mph). In the men’s solo race, Mark Schaefer (USA) finished third, behind Collins and Potter, with 235.2 miles (20.0 mph). In the women’s race Gail Matherly (USA) finished second, behind Bernhoft, in 230.4 miles (19.6 mph) and Paige Redman (USA) finished third with 226.8 miles (19.1 mph).
Joshua Cash (USA) was the fastest recumbent with 127.2 miles (10.7 mph). Richard Wolf was the fastest single speed with 171.6 miles (14.5 mph). White Owl (USA) was the fastest tandem with 176.4 miles (15.0 mph).
Ispeed Racing – Temecula Bike Shop (USA) was the fastest men’s 2P team with 267.6 miles (22.4 mph). Parsons/Mos (USA) was the fastest 2P women’s team with 240 miles (20.1 mph). Team Seedurr (USA) was the fastest 2P mixed team with 194.4 miles (16.4 mph).
6-hour Race Kurt Holt (USA) finished first overall with 145.2 miles (24.4 mph); Adam Goulet (USA) finished second with 141.6 miles (23.7 mph); and Ed Veal (CAN) finished third with 140.4 miles (24.2 mph). Louie Amelburu (USA) finished with the same mileage as Veal, but was 2m:37s behind Veal. Holt, Goulet and Veal finished 1-2-3 in both overall and the men’s category. Leah Thorvilson (USA) finished first among the women with 132 miles (22.8 mph), Marilyn Chychota (USA) finished second with 132.0 miles (22.3 mph) and Donna Phelan (CAN) finished third with 122.4 miles (20.8 mph). Chychota had the same mileage as Thorvilson but finished 7m:54s behind Thorvilson.
John McWhae (CAN) was the fastest recumbent with 104.4 miles (18.0 mph). Ivan Murat Altinbasak (TUR) was the fastest fixed gear with 118.8 miles (20.0 mph). Carlo Tannoury (USA) was the fastest single speed with 98.4 miles (14.6 mph). Maria Parker was the fastest woman on a recumbent with 117.6 miles (20.2 mph). Generation Gap (USA) was the fastest male tandem with 81.6 miles (14.9 mph). Sb Echelon was the fastest female tandem with 73.2 miles (13.1 mph). Team Dorton (USA) was the fastest mixed tandem with 96 miles (16.8 mph).
Thank you everyone!
More about the 6-12-24 WTTC … https://www.24hrworlds.com/
For complete results … https://www.24hrworlds.com/results-records
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ESCAPE THE CHILL...JOIN US AT TEXAS HELL WEEK
Hell Week Rides
March 24-April 1, 2023
LONGHORN 500 (RAAM QUALIFIER)
STAMPEDE 200
April 1, 2023
Registration Is Opens:
https://www.raamchallenge.com/
Come join us for a week of epic rides, ultra-cycling seminars, friends, and fun culminating with the Longhorn 500 and Stampede 200.
Texas Hell Week - an early season tradition since 1991. Fredericksburg is in the heart of the world famous Texas Hill Country. There are 1000 miles of paved low-traffic roads. Ride to fitness, have fun!
COME ALONE … BRING A FRIEND … BRING ALL YOUR FRIENDS!
More info on Texas Hell Week: https://www.raamchallenge.com/
Register here: https://www.raamchallenge.com/registration
More about Fredericksburg: https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/
About Fredericksburg:
Fredericksburg and Gillespie County are the heart of the Hill Country. The city’s German heritage is on display at the Pioneer Museum, which features settlers’ homesteads and artifacts. In the town square, the Vereins Kirche is a replica of a 19thcentury German church that once stood in the city.
Fredericksburg is the epicenter of the burgeoning Texas Wine Country, home to over 100 wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms. Farm-to-table dining is the norm in Fredericksburg. The area has deep roots in agriculture and is home to some of the best farms, orchards and wineries around. There are over 100 restaurants. There are a dozen campgrounds and RV parks, 20 hotels/motels and nearly 1500 B & Bs, vacation rentals and guest houses.
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The VWTTC is back!
In collaboration with The Online Events Company and IndieVelo, on 9 December the gun will go and riders participating in 3, 6, 12 and 24-hour championships will set off in pursuit of glory...or maybe just getting to the finish line!!
New to this year, we also have a super cool 6-hour team relay challenge!
Whilst we will be joined by some of the biggest names in endurance cycling, this event is open to all, with separate categories for those with an eye on titles and prizes and those just looking for a monumental challenge.
Check here for more details: https://theonlineeventscompany.com/vwttc/
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INFINITY’S NEWEST SEAT
ADVENTURE A1X
The good folks from Infinity Seat, the official seat of the Race Across America, are here in Borrego Springs in support of the riders in the 6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championships. They’d told us about their new model, the Adventure A1X, so we were happy to see that they’d brought a few to show—including this really cool blue one.
The Adventure A1X is an ideal choice for MTBers, Road cyclists, Ultra-cyclists, Adventure cyclists, and the Weekend Warrior.
Easy maintenance, made from marine vinyl, the Adventure Series allows you to Wash and Go with your A1X Infinity Seat. No leather conditioner is required!
Great for those who want a non-leather material that can handle the stress of moisture, heat, and humidity, and exposure to salt and freshwater adventures.
It has a “hammock” feel with the ability to sit in the pocket; and to shift position on the seat. Ideal for climbing and long-distance.
The cyclist’s weight is distributed over the entire seat to accommodate: an aggressive forward pelvic tilt in the drop bars or aero position; an upright position or, if they have limited Spinal Pelvic Range of Motion.
It features our signature full-cutout design frame covered with 1/8 inch foam and individually hand-crafted in marine vinyl.
The dimensions are 10.25 in (260.35 mm) by 6.5 in (165.1 mm). The inside sit bone to sit bone is 130 mm max. Weight: 265 grams.
See the entire line of Infinity Seats at https://infinitybikeseat.com/
Infinity Seat: $50 Off
Use Code: RAAM$50
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UP YOUR GAME...
Get your NEW MERCH for RAAM, RAW the 508, the WTTC and TEXAS. All of the new gear from this year is now live on the Store. Take a look at the many great items we have in the on-line RAAM Store. We have jerseys, clothing, DVD's, books, posters and so much more!
Once items are sold out, they are likely sold out for good, so don't wait.
FINISHER JERSEY SALE!!!
All Finishers Jerseys from 2007-2017 are ON SALE NOW!
Includes RAAM, RAW and RAAM SERIES
We have a limited number of past years jerseys (2007-current). Of course, we will only sell them to verified official finishers. All of the years and sizes available are available on the Store.
Visit the Official Store Here
Deals from our Sponsors:
NIMBL: 20% Off of the Best Percussion Massager on the Market!
Use the Code: RAAM for a great discount on the lightest, quietest percussion massager on the market. It is an amazing tool for pre- and post-race massage. It is the ultimate piece of gear missing from your race kit.
Visit their website from more details: NIMBL
Spiegel Bikes: RAAM, RAW or WTTC SPECIAL EDITION CUSTOM FRAMES
And now YOU can get one too! We’ve worked closely with Spiegel to take the personalizing even further, along with their names, past RAAM finishers, or category winners can also have “Finisher” or “Winner” plus the year and their finish time on the top-tube too. “Winner” or “Finisher” status is subject to verification.
Check them out on the RAAM Store: SPIEGEL FRAMES
Infinity Seat: $50 Off
Use Code: RAAM$50
Infinity Bike Seats are based in Southern California – the largest market for all forms of world class cycling - road, mountain, triathlon and gravel. They offer a complete and innovative line of bike seats for all types of riders with innovative design and superior customer service.
For More Information: https://infinitybikeseat.com/
For a $50 discount use code: RAAM$50
D-CURVE OPTICS: 50% Off
Use Code: RIDES50
Headquartered in the music and outdoor mecca Denver area since 2016, D•CURVE creates and markets original, premium, great-looking outdoor eyewear and gear at a modest price. The company utilizes creativity, ingenuity, and exacting detail in crafting unique products, while promoting a healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle. Known for its dedication to innovation, D•CURVE provides active sport and outdoor lifestyle consumers a superior product that matches their personality, taste, and needs.
For more Information: https://dcurve.com/
For a 50% discount use code: RIDES50
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News
2024 RAAM Qualifier Calendar – Update Coming Soon We have been working on updates for the 2024 RQ Calendar. We should be finished before the end of the month.
Results
Bonneville 808 (Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada) – September 15, 2023 This year was the 7th edition of the Bonneville 808, Canada’s only RAAM Qualifier. The race was founded in 2017 by 5x Furnace Creek 508 finisher, Dany Bonneville. The event is held every year at Mont Tremblant, Eastern Canada’s premier ski area.
This year’s race was won by Felix Bertrand (CAN) who completed the 808km course in 32h:31m:46s (24.84km/hr). Runner up was Sebastien Sasseville (CAN) who finished in 33h:54m:58s (23.82km/hr). Congratulations!
The Bonneville 808 is a fund raiser for the Aleo Foundation, which provides financial support to student athletes – with the goal of supporting tomorrow’s leaders in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.
More: https://defi808bonneville.com/en/
6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championships (Borrego Springs, CA) – November 3, 2023 This year was the 12th for the WTTC. Racers from 18 countries participated in this year’s event. The weather was perfect – clear skies and no wind. In the 24-hour solo race Stanislav Verstovsek (SLO) finished first overall with 523.2 miles (22.0 mph); Chris Stevens (USA) was runner-up with 510.0 miles (21.5 mph); and Jesse Hogin (USA) rounded out the overall podium with 505.2 miles (21.1 mph). In the 12-hour solo race Ryan Collins (USA) finished first overall with 276 miles (23.1 mph); Monica Storhaug Bernhoft (DEN) was runner-up with 258.0 miles (21.6 mph); and David Potter (USA) finished third with 253.2 miles (21.3 mph). In the solo 6-hour race Kurt Holt (USA) finished first overall with 145.2 miles (24.4 mph); Adam Goulet (USA) finished second with 141.6 miles (23.7 mph); and Ed Veal (CAN) finished third with 140.4 miles (24.2 mph). More about this year’s event … See separate article in this RAAM Newsletter.
For complete results: https://www.24hrworlds.com/
Events Coming Up
Following are the events scheduled for the remainder of 2023:
Deccan Cliffhanger (Pune, India) – November 25, 2023
Coast to Crest (Digha, India) – December 23, 2023
For the complete RQ Calendar … https://www.raamrace.org/qualifying-races
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Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter! If you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact us at -info@raceacrossamerica.org
Tailwinds,
Race Across America Staff
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