Race Across America (RAAM) Sorry I can’t Make It This Year!
Posted on February 16, 2010 by Dave W
Unfortunately I won’t be able to make this year’s Race Across America (RAAM) it starts a little early for me. 
If you are not aware of it, I am currently in training for my first century bike ride.
I intend to have done it by July 2010.
I am already looking for my next challenge and thought of the RAAM. It starts in June which would be just before my training peaks for my 100 mile trip around the Pennines.
Whilst researching the RAAM I soon realised there would be more than the start date which would prevent me from entering.
It wasn’t the fact it was 3000 miles long with 100,000ft of elevation.
It wasn’t the fact that with only 2 hours sleep each night I would be suffering with severe sleep deprivation.
It wasn’t the stories of previous entrants suffering with hallucinations. Michael Shermer during the 1982 race hallucinated that trees were monsters trying to attack him.
During the 2004 race, Jure Robic imagined he was being chased by howling bearded men on horseback. The next year he was convinced that mailboxes were people threatening him. He even got off his bike to assault one.
No, it’s not the hallucinations or even the fact you could end up with a medical condition named after you.
Michael Shermer has managed this distinction. Riding through Illinois, his neck muscles failed him. He was unable to hold his head up. He had to ride with his chin on his chest, lifting his head with one hand when he needed to see the road ahead. He had to withdraw with 500 miles to go. Since then more riders have suffered with ‘Shermer’s Neck’
No, none of the above has put me off competing in the RAAM.
Getting to the starting line would be the biggest hurdle as the costs run into the 10’s of thousands. I thought of saving money by rowing across the Atlantic but realised that I would arrive at the end of the route and would have to first ride 3000 miles to the start.
Now that is what is putting me off!
If you would like more information about this extreme test of endurance, take a look at the official RAAM website.
Do you face any extreme events this year? Why not tell us about them in the comments?
Keep Moving
Dave W
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Discussion: 6 Comments
6 Responses to “Race Across America (RAAM) Sorry I can’t Make It This Year!”
Leave a Reply
marblehead
- 14th Mar, 10 02:03pm
Hi Dave!
‘Been awhile since I’ve been on the cycling forums, yours being one of them. Living throught the final days of the doldrums of winter, exclusively riding in my basement ’bout 15 miles per day. At least until now. I’m writing from Moab, UT, where I’ve enrolled in the Moab Skinny Tire Festival, a 4-day cancer research/prevention fundraiser (I managed to raise $500.00 in donations!). Just completed 50 miles yesterday, under cloudy and cool skies and ended up with the ol’ legs feeling like lead pipes. Awoke today to rain/snow mix so am likely to scrap today’s already altered event since I’m 58 and don’t need to run with the wolves anymore. Tomorrow’s ride will be into Arches National Park at about 40 miles and the forecast is for clear skies. Great fun and it’s good to be out of the 8,000′ elevation in which I live (still very much winter there!) and be with fellow health nut riders!
So, how goes the Century Ride training? Are you progressing well? I trust so. . .
Dave W (author comment)
- 14th Mar, 10 08:03pm
Hi MH
It’s good to hear from you again. Glad to hear you are still hard at it.
My training is just about to pick up. So far restricted to indoors and a few short outdoor rides. Hopefully spring will warm up and I can get my riding partner out more.
Let us know how you went when the 4 days are over. Good luck and well done with the fund raising.
Keep Moving
Dave W
marblehead
- 15th Mar, 10 12:03pm
Good to connect once again, Dave, and I begin a second and final day of riding here in Moab, UT, in a couple of hours. Will hopefully complete another 50 miles into Arches National Park despite a lousy and worsening cold! Yesterday’s planned ride was first a personal and then an organizer scratch due to rain/snow! Today’s much, much nicer and weather ought not to be a factor. I’m in the “Survivor” mode this day and will keep a much easier pace to simply get in the miles and try to enjoy the natural wonders ’round me. I could bag this today, of course, but raised those $$$$ from folks and feel some obligation to see it through. Stand by. . .
And so, you, too, are keeping up the training/preparation for your Century this season? Great! Can’t remember if you mentioned it in the past, but don’t forget that all-important interval training that can really make a difference. You, too, keep spinnin’/ridin’!
MH
Dave W (author comment)
- 15th Mar, 10 06:03pm
I am envious you are managing to get 50 miles in. I am struggling getting my riding partner out of his nice warm house and I have one or two distractions of my own to deal with.
I am confident that by the time England have won the world cup I will have done my century.
I am doing plenty of intervals indoors and have joined a spinning class which is good.
Have you seen the film about the subject of this post?
It is amazing. As a result of writing it, I was asked to review it and found it fascinating.
Keep Moving
Dave W
marblehead
- 16th Mar, 10 01:03am
Hey Dave!
Did view the YouTube segment, which is daunting, to say the least. Hallucinations come from sleep deprivation but certainly not the Shermer’s neck- not a pretty thing. You sure you want to take on such an event? Perhaps just a ride across North America, on your own schedule???? Successfully made it through the ride today, another 50 miles, which felt okay but I can’t hardly hear a thing right now because of the ravages of this lousy cold. Home tomorrow to heal up and get back on that bike in the basement! I’ll try to do a better job with staying in touch and you, too, keep up the great fitness work!
Dave W (author comment)
- 16th Mar, 10 07:03am
MH I hope you are feeling well soon.
I have no intention of doing the RAAM. I would probably die!
Whilst I am always one for setting targets, a 3000 mile ride, even at my own pace is unlikely to become one of them.
I may do the coast to coast here in the UK one day. It is around 175 miles so that should be more attainable.
My riding partner says he will take some time off work and cycle round Britain one day.
Keep Moving
Dave W