Race Across America Blog

Finish Line Video

Mon, 26 Jun 2017 07:08:00 GMT

Watch Team Cycling for Cameron cross the finish line after their gruelling marathon ride across America.

And 6 days 15 hours and 22 minutes later, they arrived in Annapolis, Maryland! by Corinne

Mon, 26 Jun 2017 04:06:00 GMT

The Cycling for Cameron Team making their way to the finish line in the very beautiful City Dock Waterfront area of Annapolis at 6.40 am on Saturday 24th June.And passing through the Finish Line was a very proud and emotional moment for Kevin and the whole team.

The Racers and Crew on stage to acknowledge their huge achievement in an astonishing time of 6 days 15 hours and 22 minutes which was a really fantastic time considering the previous two nights had been extremely tough in very heavy rain conditions.

Celebrations followed with a huge breakfast and lots of coffee!!

Fred Horwood's wife Gail joined us at the finish line as did Emily and Ellie, Andy Cooper's wife and daughter.

At the RAAM Awards ceremony.

Adil's moving tribute to Cameron.

Thank you to everyone for supporting and encouraging all of us all of the way.

It's Always Darkest (and Wettest) Before the Dawn, by Mark Colman with video from Adil Qureshi

Sun, 25 Jun 2017 09:15:00 GMT

The last shift of riding before the team's arrival in Annapolis was pretty miserable. Tensions were already high as one van went off course by 20 miles due to a broken iPad and missing the route changes necessitated by a closed bridge into Pennsylvania. After reuniting the vehicles and 4 riders about 10pm, the rain started to fall. We were hoping to avoid the aftermath of Tropical Storm Cindy, but to no avail. Near the Gettysburg memorial site, the rain got heavier and was driving sideways. Soon it seemed like the headwinds were 30mph and deep puddles were forming on the road, causing us to slow down and be less aggressive in racing. A crash at this stage would have been unforgivable. Take a look at Adil's video clip to realize how truly awful the weather was. But with only 150 miles of riding left to the finish, we just had to push through, and the remaining 8 hours seemed like eternity. I changed socks 4 times, which was pretty pointless since everything got soaked as soon as you got on the bike.

Thankfully, dawn broke on Saturday with a beautiful clear sky as the entire team of 8 riders met for the parade style escort to the RAAM finish, but that's another post. Before that, it's time for the finisher's banquet!

Friday Day 6 Continuing through West Virginia and coming into Maryland by Corinne

Sat, 24 Jun 2017 05:02:00 GMT

After a heavy night's rain last night from Indiana into Ohio, we were lucky to just have a bit of drizzle thoughout the day today. We continued through to West Virginia which was beautiful but with quite steep hills. These were some of the toughest climbs of the race so far! No wonder Chris is thinner than a pole now!

But we continue to make good headway and arrived into Maryland late this afternoon. We were surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains and some stunning scenary. Lots of climbing again but the thought of the Atlantic Ocean is keeping us going strong!

Virginia here we come by Corinne and photographs by John Rennison

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 13:04:00 GMT

Had an up-date early this morning from Kevin:

Just finished. Rode in heavy rain all night, so was not easy, but still on track for Saturday morning finish. Crashing now. Can't wait to see you and Sienna. Xx

Fred entering West Virgini, getting closer to Annapolis....

This is for the Birds by Marc Christensen

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 05:17:00 GMT

As we've travelled across this great country, we've been so lucky to see so many ecosystems and environments. Many reserves, National Parks, State Parks and other conservation areas. These include diverse habitats from coastal wetlands, deserts (one example was the Sonoran Desert) the Rockies and the floodplains of the Midwest. These habitats provide a diversity of life that are second to none.

This week, cycling the RAAM, I have had the time to identify Seagulls, Frigates, Terns, Myna birds, Mourning Doves, Hummingbirds, Egrets, Night Herons, Great Herons, Mallard Ducks, many types of birds of prey including buzzards, Bluebirds, Blue Jays, Scrub Jays as well as Robin's. So many I can't list them all here. My point is, I've been fortunate enough to grow up in an environment where I can appreciate our countryside which supports all of this wildlife. Supporting them is of the utmost importance. It is our duty as a human being and something we owe this wonderful planet that we live

I am doing this ride to help raise money for the Trust so that they are able to teach young people to appreciate and recognize the natural beauty of life that surrounds them and to help carry these fragile ecosystems forward for future generations.

Day 6 - Detour delay but still making good progress through Indiana and Illinois by Corinne

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:06:00 GMT

Marc, Mark, Fred and Chris made good time on their overnight shift, taking the racers into Illinois, where they did a shift handover at 4am local time. The start of their shift was a little hectic as the bus did not make it to the handover point due to road closures before the other riders got there. So the other team had to keep riding and we did a flying handover 20 miles further down the road.

They made good time overnight, despite very poor directions that they were given for a route detour which took them off track for s short period of time.

Nicky Szaparay congratualtes Xandi Meixner from Austria. She is a physician and is a phenomenon in the ultra-endurance sports scene. She is making incredible progress as a solo-RAAM participant. Congratulations and good luck to Xandi!

Andy, Kevin, Nicky and Stuart are currently riding through Indiana and the team now has about 750 miles to the finish line. Terrain continues to be gentle rolling hills, which is a nice warm up for the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia which has some of the toughest climbing of the whole race. There is a storm forecast for tomorrow so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD by Corinne and photographs by John Rennison

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:38:00 GMT

Breakfast in Bloomington, Indiana after a long shift navigating and driving through the night. Stephen Jones and Nicholas Bespolka.

Adil Qureshi making breakfast for the group.

We are making great speed through Indiana and have about 750 miles to the finish line!

Bonnie Peake and Alessandra Suozzi preparing food for the shuttle cooler in Bloomington, Indiana.

Day 5 - An exciting Day as we overtake a 4 Woman team called "Quattrae Bavariae" by Nicky Szapary

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 05:30:00 GMT

We made really good headway since half-way point yesterday ... according to RAAM tracking we are averaging more than 20 mls./h which adds some 480 miles every day ... the shift with riders Chris Peters, Mark Colman, Marc Christensen and Fred Horwood had motored through the night ... their only complaint when Kevin Bespolka, Andy Cooper, Stuart Baldwin and Nicky Szapary took over in the morning was that they could not get by the 4 women team "Quattrae Bavariae" (who - by the way are no spring chickens but are determined to set a new RAAM record for 4 woman teams and are all serious competitors with lots of specialized equipment - like time trial bikes etc.).
When we started pedaling the countryside in the rolling hills of Missouri presented itself lush and beautiful and although the temperature was well in the high eighties/33 Celsius we are proud to report that our group after a couple of hours of trailing finally managed to pass the Bavarian Ladies in the mid afternoon handing over a substantial lead to the evening shift ...
We meanwhile have passed the 2,000 mls. marker (since leaving Oceanside on Saturday) and will soon be crossing the Mississippi into Illinois in the early morning hours ...
Severe weather warnings have been posted for the next couple of days on our track - we hope to dodge the worst though.
A lot of climbing is awaiting us in West Virginia and Maryland - let's hope at least the weather cooperates.

Eureka, Kansas - A beautiful start to Day 5 by Corinne and photos by John Rennison

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:09:00 GMT

Fred Horwood waiting with Alessandra to exchange and continue the race after having passed the half way mark. It's downhill from here!

Halfway There!

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 03:23:00 GMT

By Emily McKhann

The Cycling for Cameron Team is halfway home as of around 9pm CST!

They're well into Kansas, having outrun rain clouds and biked in 107 F heat today (practically balmy compared to 117 F in Arizona!).

If you look closely at the map below, you'll see T801 - the marker for the Cycling for Cameron team.

To follow their progess yourself, follow this link and type Cycling for Cameron in the search bar.

Incredible that last night the team was climbing the Rockies and tonight the sunset looked like this:

Congratulations Cyling for Cameron Team for biking HALFWAY!!

Made it into Kansas by Corinne and Photography by John Rennison

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 00:06:00 GMT

We made it to Kansas. The home of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. Beautiful long, flat stretches of wheat fields but also lots of wind. They are looking to average about 25mph. Hard work! They have just reached the 1,510 mile mark at 7.30pm on 20th June. Not far till the half way mark! Horray!

Mark, Chris with Jim standing by to support.Chris waiting to exchange for Fred

Another day is starting.... by Corinne

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 16:27:00 GMT

Kevin, Andy, Nicky and Stuart just completed a gruelling nighttime ride. Crossing the Rockies in Colorado they climbed over 4 challenging Passes which were on average 9,000 feet high. Much deserved sleep now whilst the other team are busy carrying on the race.

Marc Christenson waking up earlier this morning after getting a few hours deep sleep after the hard climb of the Wolf Creek Pass on Continental Divide. Well done for cycling up 11,000 feet of vertical climb.

Beautiful Colorado Today 19th June by John Rennison

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 01:41:25 GMT

Thank you so much John for sharing all your wonderuful photos with us. You are capturing some amazing moments for us.

Megan and Kevin at Mexican Hat by Corinne

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 01:33:00 GMT

Colorado and the Rocky Mountains

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 01:22:00 GMT

We have reached the highest point during the RAAM race. Wolf Creek Pass is on the Continental Divide in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. It stands at almost 11,000 feet. A very tough climb. Kevin and his team are ahead of the racers wo are making their way up so that they will be in position on the other side to take over the night shift. Kevin, Andy, Nicky and Stuart will be cycling over 4 passes tonight, each with an average elevation of about 9,000 feet.

Well done Cycling for Cameron Team, fantastic pedalling! And good luck for tonight, we will be thinking of you and cheering you on!

A Day in the Life of the Cycling for Cameron RAAM Team

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 23:25:00 GMT

Thanks to John Rennison, we have a fantastic mix of photos that captured moments throughout a very busy Day Three for the Cycling for Cameron Team. Here are few of the best.

Bonnie and Marc waiting for the exchange and for Marc to start riding.

Mark about to take off with Alessandra directing traffic.

Chris waiting to ride at 4am.

Alessandra working to feed Team 2.

Mark (with a k) doing some important shopping.

Marc waiting for his next ride.

Snowy mountain tops ahead with Marc waiting to ride.

Chris and Marc exchange

Shower for Marc - happiness!

Mark and Marc

Alessandra on the go!

Monument Valley at Sunrise

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 23:00:00 GMT

The Cycling for Cameron Team could not have asked for a more beautiful morning. The sun rose in Monument Valley, creating a breathtaking backdrop of quiet and beauty.

Kevin cycles with the monuments all around him and sprinter van behind.

Day One: 117 Degrees!

Sun, 18 Jun 2017 19:34:00 GMT

By Emily McKhann

What a first day!! A few of the highlights:

Distance: With nearly 24 hours under their belt, the Cycling for Cameron team has travelled 475 miles and is ahead of schedule.

Landmark: Stewart did the big ride down the "Glass Elevator" toward Borrego Springs - a 4,000 ft ride downhill for more than 15 minutes. RAAM describes the Glass Elevator:

The Heat! Is an extreme 117 degrees F (47 degress C). Andy reports that it got so hot biking yesterday that his contact lenses dried up and fell out.

The Desert Oasis: The Bull Shifters Bicycling Club welcomed the riders with a time station that offered a very welcome cool down with showers and dipping pools.

Betty Lou. The team feels like rock stars traveling in "Betty Lou"

The sprinter vans (generously donated by AVIS) are incredibly well kitted out by the crew with drinks, sandwiches, fresh fruits, nuts, dried fruits and assorted power bars. The crew is doing AMAZING work organizing, navigating, driving, feeding and fueling everyone!

The sun rose at 445am in Vicksburg, CA and the team was welcomed by incredible desert scenery.

Today's Big Climb: The Cycling for Cameron team is on their way to the Arizona Plateau and will go through Prescott National Forests to Iron Springs. They'll travel 1100 feet in 6 miles, which the route map describes: "with more than 130 feet per mile this is the most difficult climbing west of Maryland. Really!"

LAST MINUTE PREPARATIONS

Sat, 17 Jun 2017 23:45:00 GMT

Lots of final preparations being done. Sharon, Chief Crew, gives Kevin some last minute information.