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Make Plans for 2023
Racers should be making plans now for the 2023 season. There are many offerings for the upcoming ultra-racing season – road races and time trials, seminars, virtual races. There will be a lot happening this coming year.
More Ways to Qualify for RAAM An increasing number of ultra road races are offering participants the option of riding self-supported (without a support crew). Effective January 1, 2023, riders participating in a RAAM Qualifying road race - which offers the option of riding without a support crew - will have the option of qualifying for Solo RAAM without a support crew.
2023 RAAM Qualifier Calendar – UPDATE We continue to work on the 2023 RAAM RQ Calendar. As of this date there are 41 events on the 2023 RAAM RQ calendar – 33 road events and 8 time trials. There are RAAM Qualifying events in 17 countries.
We have definitive 2023 start dates for 33 of the events. We know the month – but not the definitive date - for another 8 events. The remaining 2023 start dates will be posted on the RAAM RQ Calendar as soon as they are released by the event organizers. As always, there are another half-dozen events being evaluated.
Many event organizers are finalizing their plans for 2023 and updating their websites. As a result some websites may be unavailable from time-to-time. We will do our best to keep everyone informed. We will update the RAAM RQ Calendar and provide the updated information in the RAAM Newsletter as new information becomes available. The RQ Calendar on the RAAM website is the most authoritative source for information on RAAM Qualifying events.
View the 2023 RAAM Qualifier Calendar here … https://www.raamrace.org/qualifying-races
Virtual World Time Trial Championships – January 14, 2023 Get your season off to an early start with the Virtual WTTC! The event will be held at 6:00 PM GMT on January 14, 2023. There will be 3, 6 12 and 24-hour events. There will be solo and team events. Entry fees are very reasonable! Don’t miss this!
More info: https://theonlineeventscompany.com/vwttc/
RAAM Seminars In 2023 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. Following are the 2023 Seminar dates:
January 21-22, 2023 9:00AM to 12:00N (MST) each day
February 25-26, 2023 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.
https://www.raamrace.org/crew-seminars
Start planning your season now. Register early – take advantage of early registration discounted pricing. Early registration helps event organizers do a better job of planning and preparation. In the long run everyone benefits.
2023 is going to be an exciting year!
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