Training & Nutrition - How DO you train for RAAM( Race Across America)

Hello Everyone,
Just a question on my mind. How do the solo riders that compete in RAAM train for the Race. I want to do the race as a soloist but not for a couple of years. Just wondering how intense the training is for them.
thanks- Gumballer9

1. What is your comfortable long distance right now? For example, are you riding centuries every weekend, etc.?

2. Have you started Randonneuring yet? The RAAM riders I know do a lot of Randonneuring events to get comfortable with the distances, etc.

3. Have you done a 24-hour race yet? The RAAM riders I know also do 24-hour races for practice, and as the qualifier for the RAAM, of course.

If you're interested in the RAAM, I assume you've been to this site already and have read through the articles: http://www.ultracycling.com/ ... and specifically, if you haven't been here already, you'll want to go here: http://www.ultracycling.com/siteindex.html#raam

My Links page lists all sorts of Randonneuring and 24-hour race sites if you need that information: http://www.machka.net/links.htm

And of course, this is the official site of RAAM: http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/home.php?N_webcat_id=1


I have several friends who have done the RAAM as a team, and I'd like to do the RAAM as a part of a team one day too, but it hasn't fit into my schedule or budget yet.

Just wondering how intense the training is for them.thanks- Gumballer9 I'm pretty sure there isn't any such thing as a "RAAM" training program. Typically, you train to become fit enough to attend and complete a RAAM Qualifying event successfully. Usually this involves riding nearly 400 miles in 24 hours for men.

If after you have trained successfully to qualify, then you will have realized the type of riding and training you prefer and you will expand and refine these training scenarios -assuming you have the luxury of time and money.

Good luck with that if you have a full time job or a family. People have done it but only with the full support of their bosses, teachers, families, etc. You cannot do it alone.

All you need to do is add a little commuting mileage. Ride about 100 miles a day commuting, except after work on Friday, take the long way home so that it takes you until Saturday night to get home, say 400 or 450 miles. Seemed to work OK for Pete Penseres (spelling?).

Ask Vireo, he competed in RAAM..

AnyOne Else competed In RAAM on this site???? -GuMBALLER9

AnyOne Else competed In RAAM on this site???? -GuMBALLER9

You might want to ask that question in the Long Distance forum:

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=231

http://www.kaisercycling.com/trainingforraam.html

http://www.kaisercycling.com/2008granfondofixies/training.html