Welcome to the RAAM Newsletter! The place for the most up to date and comprehensive information about ultra-bicycle racing and much more. |
|
2023 RAAM & RAW REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Early Registration Ends 8/12
Register Here: https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/orsnew/reg1/
|
|
2022 Race Across the West Re-Cap
This year was the 14th edition of the Race Across the West. What a year! This year’s race was characterized by 4 things: 1) racers from outside the USA were back in force – riders representing 9 countries participated; 2) racers from just about every age group participated; 3) RAAM veterans were well represented – there were 4 RAAM veterans with 13 Solo RAAM finishes between them; and 4) there was an equal number of solo and team participants. We had a major re-route – 122 miles – due to a major wildfire north of Flagstaff, Arizona.
There were 22 solo participants (5 women and 17 men) and 6 teams (3 - 2P teams and 3 – 4P teams). Riders from 10 countries participated – Brazil, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Slovenia and, of course, the USA.
We have been fascinated by the number of Solo RAAM veterans who regularly participate in RAW. This year Marko Baloh (SLO), Leah Goldstein (CAN), Joe Barr (IRE) and Andre Rodriguez (MEX) participated. Baloh has 7 Solo RAAM finishes to his credit, Goldstein 3, Joe Barr 2 and Rodriguez 1. Goldstein has won Solo RAAM twice (2011 and 2021) and in her second RAAM had the distinction of becoming the first woman to win overall.
Participants experienced wide ranging weather conditions. The 20+ year drought in the American West continues. A wildfire NE of Flagstaff, AZ necessitated a re-route. We endeavored to keep the riding distance roughly the same. Riders left the normal route 45 miles NE of Camp Verde, AZ and were shuttled 55 miles to Winslow, AZ. From here they rode N across the Hopi Reservation and W across the Navajo Reservation to rejoin the normal route at Tuba City, AZ. The re-route was 122 miles with 5,190 ft of elevation gain. This replaced 132 miles with 4,975 ft of elevation gain.
|
|
RAW - Solo Race
The Solo racers left Oceanside mid-day Tuesday June 14. The 2022 Solo race field featured participants from 10 countries (Canada, Brazil, France, Ireland, Japan, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Slovenia and USA).
Marko Baloh (SLO) was the top male and overall winner, covering the 918.5-mile course in 2d:11h:29m (15.4 mph). Second place among the men was Yusuke Ochiai (JAP) in 2d:15h:34m (14.4 mph) and third place went to Fabio Silvestri in 2d:16h:2m (14.3 mph).
Yusuke Ochiai won the under 50 age group; Marko Baloh won the 50-59 age group; and Joe Barr (IRE) won the 60-69 age group in 2d:20h:53m (13.3 mph). Baloh’s ride set a new record for the men’s 50-59 age group and Barr’s ride set a new record for the 60-69 age group.
Leah Goldstein (CAN) was the fastest woman in 2d:23h:57m (12.8 mph). Silvia Maas (USA) finished second in 3d:5h:15m (11.9 mph). Both beating the previous record held by Seana Hogan.
|
|
RAAM - Team Race
6 teams, all from the USA participated. Team Kinetix won 4-Person 50-59 age group, covering the 918.5-mile course in 2d:12h:20m (15.2 mph); Team Suicide Prevention One won the 4-Person 60-69 age group in 2d:14h:46m (14.6 mph); and Team Alaska won the 4-Person mixed 60-69 age group in 2d:11h:29m (15.4 mph). The Team Alaska ride established a 4-Person Mixed 60-69 age group record.
|
|
AWARDS
Marko Baloh won both the King of the Mountains and King of the Desert Awards. Leah Goldstein won both the Queen of the Mountains and Queen of the Desert Awards. Yusuke Ochiai won Rookie of the Year. Rodrigo Alegre (MEX) was awarded the Lanterne Rouge for being the last official Solo RAW finisher.
Although the 2-Person team, Racing for Missing Children posted a DNF, the team was awarded the RAW Fundraising Award, by raising more money for a charitable cause than all other entries. Their charity of choice was the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children.
Congratulations to all!
Early Registration for 2023 RAW opened July 15 - register here …
|
|
The 508 – The Oldest RAAM Qualifier
The Race Across America – established in 1982 – is the oldest ultra-bicycle race in America. The 508 – established in 1983 - is the original RAAM qualifying race - the second oldest ultra-bicycle race in America. Today there are over 40 RAAM qualifying events – over 50 RAAM qualifying races in 20 countries. The 508 played an important role in the development of the sport of ultra-bicycle racing.
John Marino created the first RAAM Qualifier the year after he started Race Across America. The event changed locations, names and owners over the years. But most ultra-racers remember the Furnace Creek 508, the iconic event that started in Santa Clarita, CA, passed through Death Valley National Park and ended in Twenty-nine Palms. After a change in National Park Service policy, The 508 was moved to Reno, NV and re-named the Silver State 508.
Over the years, dozens of RAAM finishers have raced The 508. That tradition continued after moving to Reno. The first female Silver State 508 winner was RAAM winner Sarah Cooper. Others include Seana Hogan (6x RAAM winner and RAAM speed record holder) and Leah Goldstein (2x RAAM winner and first woman to win RAAM overall). Male Silver State 508 winners include Solo RAAM finishers Marko Baloh (7x), Rob Morlock (6x), David Haase (5x) and others.
Marko Baloh (SLO) holds the Solo Men’s record, set in 2014, covering a 510-mile course in 26h:24m (19.3 mph) and Leah Goldstein (CAN) holds the women’s record, set in 2018, covering a 506-mile course in 32h:26m:35s (15.6 mph).
But, perhaps the best way to race The 508 – certainly the most fun – is on a team. More about that in the next RAAM Newsletter.
This year will be the 40th edition of The 508. The race has hosted riders from dozens of countries and nearly every state in America. The 508 has a long history steeped in tradition. When the opportunity to acquire The 508 arose earlier this year, RAAM management responded quickly by welcoming the 508 back into the RAAM family and ensuring the tradition continues.
This year The 508 will start and finish at the Hilton Garden Inn, Reno, Nevada. Riders pass through 3 photogenic western towns – Virginia City, Austin and Eureka, Nevada. The route is an out-and-back measuring 508.8 miles with 22,574’ of elevation gain. The roads are good, there is little traffic, and there are amenities along the route – cell phone service, hotels and gas stations. The event will be held September 16-18 and is open to solo riders as well as 2 and 4-person teams.
Registration is open. The 508 starts in 2 months - September 16. Register now and help us celebrate the return of The 508 to the RAAM family.
Standard Registration Ends August 12!
Register Here: https://www.the508.net/registration-1
|
|
4 Ultra-Road Races in Asia
Ultra road racing in Asia is growing. Here are 4 very different events from 4 event operators – 1 in Japan, 2 in India and 1 in Sri Lanka. Each event is totally unique. The Japan Ultra Cycing Association (JUCA) operates the Race Around Aomori – August 20, 2022; Inspire India produces the Great Himalayan Ultra – August 26, 2022; Bharat Alacrity produces Shivalik Signature – November 5, 2022; and Yasas Hewage operates Race the Pearl – November 5, 2022.
|
|
Race Around Aomori (Shin Aomori Station, Japan) – August 20, 2022
The Race Around Aomori is Japan’s first RQ. There are 2 distances – 650km and 1,000km. Both are RAAM Qualifiers.
The Race Around Aomori 650 is open to Solo riders as well as 2 - 4-person teams. Riders will start and finish at the Shin Aomori Station, a 3-hour journey from Tokyo. The 650km (400mi) route with 10,348mt (33,950ft) of elevation gain passes through the most scenic areas of Aomori Prefecture, located at the northernmost tip of the Island of Honshu.
The Race Around Aomori 1000 is open to solo riders as well as 2 – 6-person teams. Riders will start and finish at the Shin-Aomori Station. The 1000 km (620 mi) route with 15,181 mt (49,806 ft) of elevation gain is a large loop around the boundary of the Aomori Prefecture.
Both routes take riders from the Pacific Coast to the Sea of Japan Coast. They follow mostly minimal traffic roads along rugged coast lines with thick pine forests, birch covered mountains, large lakes, and rice fields and apple orchards that spread out from the foothills of the perfectly shaped volcanic cone of Iwaki Mountain.
|
|
Great Himalayan Ultra (Leh Ladakh, India) – August 26, 2022
The world’s highest ultra-bicycle race starts and finishes in Leh, Ladakh in the Himalayas at 11,500 ft (3,500 mt) above sea level. There are 2 distances – 600 km and 400 km. The RQ route is 600 km (375 mi) with 10,330 mt (33,900 ft) of elevation gain. The race is open to solo riders as well as 2, 3 and 4-person teams. All racers must arrive in Leh 10 days before the event (support crew members 5 days before the event) for acclimatization.
Riders start in Leh, a well known high altitude travel destination in Ladakh. The region is a high altitude desert. The route first heads south to Thiksey then turns around to head past Leh on NH-1 for Srinigar. The route heads past the Lamayuru Monastery over Fotu La, a high mountain pass (4,100 mts/13,400 ft) on the way to Kargil and Dras. Riders then turn around at Dras, the second coldest inhabited place on the planet, and head back to Leh via the same route. The road is well-maintained and incredibly scenic.
The route was developed by Divya Tate and Amit Samarth (2017 Solo RAAM finisher from India). Riders and support crews racing The Great Himalayan Ultra will be treated to THE most memorable RAAM Qualifying experience ever.
|
|
Shivalik Signature (Leh Ladakh, India) – November 5, 2022
The Shivalik Signature starts and finishes at Sukhna Lake, NE of Chandigarh, India. Chandigarh is in the State of Punjab, in the North of India, approximately 250km north of New Delhi. The City of Chandigarh was designed by world renowned architect Le Corbusier and partner Pierre Jeannerret.
The route is a NW-SE oriented loop, parallel to the Himalayas, featuring the Plains of Punjab and the Shivalik Hills. The 615 km (382 mi) course is relatively flat with 2,620 mt (8,590 ft) of elevation gain. Riders will follow the loop in a counterclockwise direction, leaving Chandigarh, heading NW through Hoshiarpur through Dasuya to Pathankot, turning west to the Holy City of Amritsar, then SE through Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Sirhind, before heading NE to Chandigarh.
There are 2 climbs – the first is between Hariana and Dasuya, a 1,000 mt (3,300 ft) climb to Kamahi Devi, and the second 500 mt (1,650 ft) shortly before dropping down to cross the Chakki River into Pathankot.
The event is open to solo racers as well as 2, 3, 4 and 8-person relay teams. Race Director Saran Preeti was a RAAM Official in 2017. She was a former lecturer in Physics, Punjab’s first female Super Randonneur, and the first female cyclist to ride the world’s highest motor road Manali - Leh. She operates “The Bike Shop” in Hoshiarpur.
Saran Preeti and partner Abhishek Kashyap have worked hard to put on a first class event. Don’t miss the party and medal ceremony following the event!
|
|
Race the Pearl (Dondra, Sri Lanka) – November 5, 2022
The upcoming race will be the 5th edition of the race. Race Director, Yasas Hewage, likes to say, “We are the only ultra-cycling event in the Indian Ocean!” Well, not quite “IN” the Indian Ocean, but very close - the race starts in Dondra, the southernmost point on Sri Lanka, and finishes in Point Pedro, on the northern tip of Sri Lanka, a distance of 600km.
Hewage is an accomplished triathlete, ultra-cyclist and businessman. He organized the Ironman 70.3 in Colombo; he is the founder 2 cycling events, Around the Pearl and Race the Pearl; and he is the founder of Spinner Cycling Café & Lifestyle Center in Colombo.
Sri Lanka is an island country located in the SW Indian Ocean, separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. The country has a documented 3,000-year history with pre-historic settlements dating back at least 125,000 years. It played an important role as a major trading hub during the time of the Maritime Silk Road. The Portuguese arrived in 1505. The Portuguese possessions were taken over by the Dutch, and later by the British. In 1948 Ceylon became a republic and in 1972 changed its name to Sri Lanka.
The multi-ethnic tropical island nation has a rich cultural history. It is a beautiful place. Race participants will experience scenic beaches, jungle terrain, historical ruins, and scenic paddy fields. The route is adjacent to 2 wildlife parks and it’s not uncommon to sight colorful peacocks and an occasional elephant. Race the Pearl will leave you breathless. The people are friendly and the food is great.
Race the Pearl is an initiative of Wheels for Wheels, a charity which donates wheel chairs to children with Cerebral Palsy.
There is a 24-hour and 48-hour race. The 48-hour race has a mandatory rest stop in Dambulla. The event is open to solo racers as well as 2 and 4-person teams. The 24-hour solo race is the RAAM Qualifier. Francois Comptdaer (FRA) holds the solo course record, having covered the 600km course in 23h:49m:20s. Solo riders completing the 600km course in 24 hours qualify for Solo RAAM.
|
|
RE-STOCKED AND READY...
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.
Deals from our Sponsors:
Rudy Project VIP:
HERE’S HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN ACCOUNT TO GET UP TO 35% OFF OF RUDY PROJECT GEAR (including single vision prescriptions):
- enter your info + code: RAAM
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
|
CUSHION-AID: The Official Saddle-Pad of the Race Across America
Cushion Aid is a unique saddle pad made of silicone gel, designed to improve performance, comfort, and stability, while also helping to prevent saddle sores.
This development of this unique product was inspired by the experiences of Christian Echavarria, a very accomplished ultra-cyclist whose 2019 rookie attempt at RAAM ended with a DNF that landed him in a Kansas hospital with massive, infected saddle sores. “Something had to be done about giving the butt a better ultra-cycling experience!”
RAAM 2021 entrant Jerry Schemmel shares his thoughts, "I have battled saddle sores for years and have experimented with every kind of short and lubricating gel out there. I never dreamed I could virtually eliminate saddle sores with a simple, featherweight attachment to my saddle. This product is ingenious.! And the bonus is you get stability in the seat and more power to the pedals! I love it!!"
Designed to increase the contact area and cradle the ischium bones on the saddle to reduce micro-sliding, prevent saddle sores and provide comfort during long rides, the Cushion-Aid is available in 4 modes.
The Saddle-Donut Pro is meant for traditional road bikes and comes in either a men’s or women’s model. Both are designed specifically for the physical aspects of each gender. The Tri Saddledonut Pro is shaped to provide support for the ischium and pubis bone as needed for the more forward and downward leaning position of triathletes, time-trialists, and for the many ultra cyclists who use the TT position for the flat terrain.
Cushion Aid
|
|
News
Inspire India Announces 2022 Deccan Cliffhanger Start Date The 2022 edition of the Deccan Cliffhanger will start November 26, 2022 in Pune, India.
Results
Race Around Niederosterreich (Weitra, Austria) – May 19, 2022 Christoph Strasser (AUT) finished first, covering the 600km course in 16h:36m (36.1 km/hr). Rounding out the men’s podium were Sebastian Michetslager (AUT) and Robert Muller (GER). Elena Roch (AUT) was the top woman, finishing in 21h:15m (28.2 km/hr). Rounding out the women’s podium were Sabine Kornelson (AUT) and Angelika Kuhn (AUT). This was the 3rd win for both Strasser and Roch. Also, Strasser and Roch both set course records. Very impressive!
Race Across Oregon (The Dalles, OR) – July 16, 2022 This year’s RAO was a 502.4-mile loop in North Central Oregon SE of The Dalles. The route featured 37,648 ft of elevation gain. Riders started and finished in The Dalles. Paul Wickward (USA) won this year’s Race Across Oregon, finishing in 36h:13m (13.9 mph). Congratulations, Paul!
Events Coming Up
Following are the events coming up in the next 8-10 weeks:
Road Race RQs
Race Around Austria (St. Georgen im Attergau, Austria) – August 8, 2022
Mann Powered 380 (Cumming, IA) – August 13, 2022
Race Around Czechia & Slovakia (Vsetin, Czechia) – August 13, 2022
Tortour Ultra (Zurich, Switzerland) – August 18, 2022
Race Around Aomori (Shim Aomori Station, Japan) – August 20, 2022
Great Himalayan Ultra (Leh, Ladakh, India) – August 26, 2022
Hoodoo 500 (St. George, UT) – August 26, 2022
Cascade Ultra (Arlington, WA) – August 27, 2022
Race Across UK (Inverness, Scotland) – August 27, 2022
Time Trial RQs
Mid-Atlantic 24 (Washington, NC) – August 13, 2022
Helnaes24 (Ebberup, Denmark) – August 20, 2022
Texas Time Trials (Glen Rose, TX) – September 9, 2022
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
