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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6-12-24 HOUR WORLD TIME TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
REGISTRATION
OPENS APRIL 15!
Midnight Pacific Time
Register Here: https://www.24hrworlds.com/
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SILVER STATE 508 and MOTHERLODE 200
REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW!
Register Here:
https://www.the508.net/
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Texas Hell Week
Wrap-Up
Overview The multi-day cycling event is comprised of Texas Hell Week (3 ride options per day for 7 days) followed by the Texas RAAM Challenge (two races - Stampede 200 and Longhorn 500). There were three evening seminars – Carrie Eckerman, a licensed massage therapist (LMT) spoke on the importance of body work for athletes ; Christie Tracy, a professional cyclist, spoke on training, injury recovery and motivation; and Fred Boethling, President/CEO of Race Across America (RAAM), spoke on crewing for ultra-racers. All activities took place at Hermann Sons Lodge in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Texas Hell Week – 2023 was the 29th edition of Texas Hell Week Texas Hell Week founder, Nick Gerlich, operated the event for 27 years – from 1991 to 2017. Prior to acquiring RAAM in 2006, Fred and Rick Boethling frequently began their cycling season with Texas Hell Week. When Gerlich shut the event down, a great many Texas Hell Week participants – including Fred and Rick - were disappointed.
In 2015 Fred and Rick organized the RAAM Challenge Texas. In 2021 they acquired Texas Hell Week from Gerlich and in 2022 they re-started the popular long-time Hill Country tradition that was Texas Hell Week and combined it with their RAAM Challenge Texas. Participants thanked us for bringing Texas Hell Week back. In the off-season, Fred met with 2022 event participants and longtime Hill Country cyclists, exploring how the program could be improved.
Participation was up - this year there were 135 participants from 18 states. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Riders told us they loved the routes.
Stampede 200 …
The Stampede 200 is a “double century” - open to solo participants. There are 2 loops: The Comfort Loop (101.1 miles with 5,320 feet of elevation) and the Blanco Loop (102.7 miles with 5300 feet of elevation gain). Each loop has 3 aid stations. Drafting is allowed. The race is open to solo riders as well as teams.
Three riders finished first with the same time: Men’s 20-29 solo racer, Greyson Gilbert (San Antonio, TX) and men’s 40-49 solo racers, Leonardo Nery (Winter Garden, FL) and Stephen Srayer (Johnstown, CO). All covered the 203.8-mile distance in 10h:45m (19.0 mph). They were followed closely by women’s 40-49 solo racer, Christie Tracy (Austin, TX), men’s solo 40-49 racer, Cesar Silva (Lewisville, TX) and men’s 60-69 solo racer, Kenneth Petersen (Fulshear, TX), all covering the 203.8-mile distance in 10:46m (19.0 mph).
For complete results … https://www.raamchallenge.com/results
Longhorn 500 …
The Longhorn 500 is a RAAM Qualifying race – open to both solo racers and teams. The Longhorn 500 is a non-drafting race. There are 4 loops: The Camp Wood Loop (235 miles with 12,700 feet of elevation gain), The Spicewood Loop (132 miles with 6,930 feet of elevation gain), The Center Point Loop (87 miles with 4,100 feet of elevation gain) and The Crabapple Loop (48 miles with 2,510 feet of elevation gain).
Finishing first overall was 2P-women’s 50-59 team “We Met in Texas” (Sylvia Maas and Tami Kerns both from CA), covering the 501.4-mile distance in 31h:12m (16.1 mph). The 2P-men’s 50-59 team “Tacos and Spaghetti” (Tom Guevara from CA and Giovanni Prosperi from OH) finished second overall in 32h:52m (15.3 mph). Solo racer Ingolf Micklisch (Cape Coral, FL) finished 3rd overall in 33h:23m (15.1 mph).
For complete results … https://www.raamchallenge.com/results
We were very pleased with this year’s event. Overall participation was up. Everyone had a great time. We are now looking forward to the 2024 event.
Look for more information in a future RAAM Newsletter.
More about Texas Hell Week … https://www.raamchallenge.com/
More information about Fredericksburg … https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/
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2023 Race Across the West
This year’s edition of Race Across the West should prove, once again, to be some great racing. There are a lot of new faces mixed in with a some veterans. It will be a good test of whether experience will pay off or whether the new blood will cross the line first.
Some of the highlights include Christie Tracy (USA) from Austin, Texas. Christie has paid her dues and stood a top many a podium, but this will be her first go at RAW. She has shown some amazing talent in 500-mile and 24-hour races and RAW is the next step. Also in the women’s field is rookie racer, Wendy Larsen (USA). Wendy will be the first female handcyclist to attempt RAW. We will also have the first tandem racers, Tandumb and Dumber (USA), racing this year. Tina Ament is a blind racer who finished RAAM on a tandem team.
The men’s field will see the return of Fabio Silvestri (BRA), who has won RAW in the past. Also, Shawn VanGassen (CAN) will shift gears from racing the WTTC to having a go at RAW this year. He believes his road racing background may be better suited to races like RAW. Alex Islay (USA) and Herve Talabardon (FRA), both RAAM veterans, both from different ultra backrounds, are racing solo this year. Alex has been part of a couple of very fast winning RAAM teams (Team Bahati). Herve is the oldest solo RAAM finisher at age 69. He is racing RAW in the 70+ division this year.
The team division should be exciting to watch. Team Infinity (Marko Baloh (SLO) and Ryan Collins (USA)) pairs a speedy veteran with a speedy youth, is expected to come off the line flying. They both have posted amazing solo races over the years, even competing against each other, and if the team works well should fly as a team. Team Rise, Shine and Spin (USA) is coming off a successful RAAM 4-person finish. Boreas (USA), while rookies to RAW, have put up some fast results at Race Across Oregon and Natchez 444. The all woman 4-person team Four Feisty Femmes (USA) brings a ton of experience from team RAAM, solo and team RAW and WTTC, etc. No doubt a talented roster of racers.
We expect another fantastic year at RAW and the racing should highlight the beauty and difficulty of the course.
Going into the race, those are the obvious stories. But there are so many great stories. We’re looking forward to some great racing this year. The thing to remember is … “Hey, it’s RAW - anything can happen!”
More information about RAW … https://www.raceacrossthewest.org/
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Five Late Spring/Early Summer RQs
Here are 5 excellent RAAM Qualifiers … 3 road RQs – all in Europe – and 2 time trial RQs – one in the USA and one in Europe.
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Race Across Germany – 2 Races
The Race Across Germany was organized in 2014 by Dieter Gopfert. The first race ran north-to-south, from Flensburg on Germany’s northern border with Denmark to Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Germany’s southern border with Austria. Later he added a second race, from Aachen on Germany’s western border with Belgium and Netherlands to Gorlitz on Germany’s eastern border with Poland. Both are point-to-point road races.
Racers pass through medieval towns steeped in history. Both are open to solo racers as well as 2-person team with a support crew or self-supported and 4-person teams with a support crew. Both have a 60 racer field limit. Both races offer live tracking.
Race Across Germany W-E (Aachen, Germany) – May 26, 2023 The Aachen to Gorlitz race is 800 km (500 miles) with 7,800 mtrs (25,590 ft) of elevation gain. The route runs west-to-east through the heart of Germany. Racers start in Aachen at the Marketplace in front of the town hall and finish in Gorlitz at Europamarathon event area on Elisabethstrasse.
Race Across Germany N-S (Flensburg, Germany) – July 7, 2023 The Flensburg to Garmisch-Partenkirchen race is 1,100 km (680 miles) with 7,500 mtrs (24,600 ft) of elevation gain. The route runs north-to-south through the heart of Germany. Racers start at the port in Flensburg on the westernmost inlet of the Baltic Sea and finish at the foot of the Bavarian Alps in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Olympic Ski Jump Stadium.
More information … https://www.raceacrossgermany.de/
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B-Hard Ultra Race (Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina) – June 9, 2023
Nikica Atlagic, national road, time trial and hill climb champion turned endurance cyclist organized the inaugural B-Hard Ultra. This year will be the 5th edition of the B-Hard Ultra. In the wave of new ultra races popping up globe, the B-Hard Ultra is unique in that it was designed to show off the very best of Bosnia & Herzegovina and attract tourists to that very understated and beautiful country.
The 1,215 km Ultra has 15,500 mt of elevation gain. Riders and their support crews will pass through National Parks, along rivers, by lakes and waterfalls, over the 1984 Winter Olympics ski-centers, and by UNESCO World Heritage sites. The terrain is hilly and absolutely stunning. Riders must finish in 90 hours to qualify for Solo RAAM.
In addition to the RAAM Qualifier, there are other options, including 200km, 300km, 400km, 600km and 1200km Audax Brevets, – 1200km, 600km and 200km, as well as a fully supported 124km women only ride.
More information … http://www.bhardultrarace.com/
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24 Hours in the Canyon (Canyon, TX) –
June 3, 2023
This year’s event will take place June 3 in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, located in the Texas Panhandle, approximately 25 miles SSE of Amarillo and 14 miles E of Canyon. Palo Duro Canyon is the most spectacular and scenic feature in the Texas Panhandle. The Canyon floor lies 800 feet below the surrounding Llano Estacado.
The event was organized in 2007 by Ryan Parnell, Director of Operations and Special Programs for the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation in Amarillo, Texas. This will be the 17th year for the event. 24 Hours in the Canyon draws 750-800 participants and raises in excess of $300,000 annually for the 24 Hours in the Canyon Survivorship Center - 100% of the funds raised are donated to the Center.
This is the only simultaneous 24-hour mountain bike and road bike event in the country. Activities begin with a pre-event hill climb. There are both competitive and non-competitive activities, for people of all ages. There are 6, 12 and 24-hour races. The event is open to both solo riders and teams. The 24-hour RAAM Qualifier starts in the Canyon. Racers climb up out of the Canyon onto the Llano Estacado, ride a 98.5-mile loop, and drop back into the Canyon. They finish riding loops on a 5-mile course in the Canyon.
This is an exceptionally well organized event. Give this event a try – you’ll have fun and the money goes to a great cause!
More information … https://24hoursinthecanyon.org/
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Midt 24 (Snejbjerg, Denmark) –
June 17, 2023
Midt24 is a 6-12-24 hour time trial which takes place the 3rd full weekend of June in the heart of the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark. This year’s race will take place June 17-18 at the Snejbjerg Hallerne, a sports complex located in the village of Snejbjerg, a western suburb of Herning. The town of Herning – with a population of 50,000 - is the administrative center of Herning Municipality. Herning is a cycling center, home to former professional road racer and Tour de France winner, Bjarne Riis.
The Midt 24 course is flat and fast. The event utilizes 3 loops: Day Loop is 41.72km with 185mt elevation gain; Night Loop is 13.78km with 49mt elevation gain; and Finish Loop is 3.45km with 15mt elevation gain. There are drafting and non-drafting divisions. The races are open to solo racers as well as 2 and 4-person teams. Men must ride 400 miles and women 370 miles in 24 hours to qualify for Solo RAAM.
The region is known for moors and agriculture. Participants will ride through lots of green areas, colorful fields and charming villages. Food will be served throughout the event. Camping is available at the venue.
If you are looking for a mid-June 24-hour race, this is the place to be!
More information … https://snejbjergsgi.dk/midt24-dk/
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THE RACE SEASON IS HERE...
TIME TO GEAR UP!
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. Pick up your 40th Anniversary RAAM swag! 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.
We also have a limited number of past years RAAM & RAW finisher's jerseys (2007-current). Of course, we'll only sell them to verified 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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Race Across America and D•CURVE Optics Announce 2023 Partnership
Colorado-based D•CURVE Optics offers active outdoor cycling fans something new
Colorado (February 2023) – Race Across America (RAAM) is pleased to announce a new partnership with D•CURVE Optics. Both brands are recognized world-wide for their excellence in their respective industries. 2023 marks the 41st year for Race Across America – The World’s Toughest Bicycle Race. Riders come from around the globe to race 3,000 miles coast-to-coast across the USA. RAAM is the World Championship of Ultra-Cycling. . D•CURVE offers innovative eyewear that is geared toward sustainable, lasting products with original designs and exceptional quality.
The partnership will highlight D•CURVE Optics products. They have a range of eyewear for all types of riding.
“Ultra-racing means a lot of time exposed to the elements. Protecting your body, and in particular your eyes and vision, is of utmost importance. During RAAM racers will ride through the toughest conditions imaginable, from extreme dry heat into pouring rain. Your eys are vulnerable at all times and in all weather. D•CURVE Optics high quality products help eliminate the worry about protecting your eyes. We are excited to help expand their outreach further in to the ultra-cycling market,” said Rick Boethling, Executive Director of RAAM.
Andrew Strauss, D•CURVE founder and CEO, shared his enthusiasm for this partnership, “We know how much cycling fans love the outdoors−because we’re the same way. We wanted to partner with the type of outdoor organization that offers an experience where people get to utilize the roads on their bicycles.”
To learn about the D•CURVE story, and for more details and pictures of the RAAM series, contact the company directly at:
1-800-854-2072
info@dcurve.com
More About D•CURVE Optics
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.
Find D•CURVE Optics online and on social media at:
dcurve.com
twitter.com/dcurveusa
instagram.com/d_curve/
facebook.com/DCURVEGEAR/
linkedin.com/company/d-curve
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News
New Start Date for Bessie’s Creek 24 Race Series We just noticed the Bessie’s Creek 24 website indicates this year’s event will take place Friday, October 27. It will be great to have Bessie’s Creek back.
More … https://www.bessiescreek24.com/
Romantika Uz Beas Announces 2024 Start Date Event organizers Saran Preeti and Abhishek Kashyap just sent us the 2024 start date for Romantika Uz Beas – March 11, 2024. Romantika Uz Beas is a 600km race which takes place N of Delhi in the foothills of the Himalaya. Racers start from Chohal Lake near Hoshiarpur in the state of Punjab and follow the Beas River through Himachal Pradesh. The race is open to solo racers as well as 2, 3, 4 and 8-person teams. Look for a feature length article in a future RAAM Newsletter.
More … https://bharatalacrity.com/romantika-uz-beas/
Results
Race Across India (Srinigar, Jammu and Kashmir, India) – February 1, 2023 This is Race Across India’s first year as a RAAM Qualifier. The race runs N to S across India. Solo RAAM veteran Amit Samarth (IND) finished first, and established the RAI course record, by covering the 3,612km distance in 6d:23h:39m (21.5km/hr). Mahesh Kini (IND) finished second in 8d:19h:59m (17.0km/hr) and Atul Kadu (IND) finished third in 9d:21h:4m (15.2km/hr). Kadu rode the entire distance on a single speed – very impressive!
Bobba Ravindra Reddy (IND) won the Solo 50+ category finishing in 12d:14h:42m (11.9km/hr). Special recognition goes to Shubham Das (IND) and Dhiraj Kalsait (IND). Both had medical disabilities and both finished this epic race. Congratulations to all!
More about Race Across India … https://raceacrossindia.org/
Florida 500 (Jacksonville, FL) – February 24, 2023 This was the third year for the Florida 500. The race is growing and beginning to attract an international race field. This year the race field attracted RAAM veterans Joe Barr (IRE), Dorina Vaccaroni (ITA) and Marko Baloh (SLO). Riders were blessed with a tail wind heading S down the Atlantic Coast. Barr, a Solo RAAM finisher (2014 and 2019) finished first among the Solo riders, covering the 533-mile distance in 27h:4m (19.7 mph). His ride established a new course record, breaking the previous record set by Marko Baloh. Paul Wickward (USA) finished second in 28h:49m (18.5 mph) and Ingolf Micklisch (USA) finished third in 30h:17m (17.6 mph). Dorina Vaccaroni (ITA), a Solo RAAM finisher (2022), was the first woman, finishing in 31h:55m (16.7 mph).
A 2P team comprised of Mike Garcia (USA) and Andres Rodriguez (MEX) set a 2P team record finishing in 24h:49m (21.5 mph). Rodriguez is a Solo RAAM finisher (2018) and the first Mexican to finish Solo RAAM.
The Florida 500 is organized by 2011 Solo RAAM finisher, Alberto Blanco (USA). This is the right race, in the right location, at the right time. This race has great potential. We have great expectations for the Florida 500.
More about the Florida 500 … https://sites.google.com/view/florida500?pli=1&fbclid=IwAR3RxVw6jlJ1NWUS-1H6V-yOZYNjUWYJ_8iGhzZdhQRPpwLsHoCAr3fYhCc
Longhorn 500 (Fredericksburg, TX) – April 1, 2023 Ingolf Micklisch (USA) won the Solo race, covering the 501.4-mile distance in 33h:23m (15.1 mph). Earlier this year, Micklisch finished third in the Florida 500 (see above). Micklisch will be racing Solo RAAM in June. (see separate article re-capping the 2023 Texas Hell Week/Stampede 200/Longhorn 500 in this RAAM Newsletter).
More about the Longhorn 500 … https://www.raamchallenge.com/
Events Coming Up
Following are the events scheduled for the next 10 weeks of the 2023 racing season:
Race Across Paris (Chantilly, France) – April 20, 2023
Race Across Italy (Silvi Marina, Italy) – April 29, 2023
Race Across Belgium (Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium) – May 11, 2023
Race Around Denmark (Aarhus, Denmark) – May 15, 2023
Niederosterreich (Weltra, Austria) – May 19, 2023
Joe Barr 500 (Derry/Londonderry, Ireland) – May 20, 2023
Race Across Germany W-E (Aachen, Germany) – May 26, 2023
24 Hours in the Canyon (Canyon, TX) – June 3, 2023
B-Hard Ultra (Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina) – June 9, 2023
RAAM-RAW (Oceanside, CA) – June 13, 2023
Midt 24 (Snejbjerg, Denmark) – June 17, 2023
Race Across France (La Touquet, France) – June 22, 2023
Race Across The Alps (Nauders, Austria) – June 23, 2023
For the complete 2023 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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