DGlenday

Thanks, I'll look into a few of those events. I've done several very long rides, including the National 24 hour race in Michigan, and am aware of several other RAAM qualifying events. I'm not as concerned about the training preparations as I am about the cost, and the mind-bending logistics.

From all I've read here, in books and from the conversations I've had with several RAAM finishers, it seems that a big sponsorship and a big, well-oiled crew are key to a successful RAAM.

Anyway - best of luck to Biker295 - we'll be rooting for you from the sidelines, and we look forward to hearing a lot more details before and after the race. I envy your opportunity, and (probably) your conditioning as well

DGlenday

Incidentally - RAAM comes through a town very close to me - the Mt.Airy control is one of the key points on the race, and very near the end. I've gone out there to watch the riders come through for a few years.

It's NOT a spectator event ... wait 2 hours, oh, look, a single cyclist just went by ... wait another 3 hours...

Still, several of the teams pull into the control area or use it as a relay change-over point, and it's fun to chat with the crews and the cyclists. And every time I go out there to watch, I start wondering (again) about what it would be like to compete.

Biker395 

Passing the first hurdle ... getting the vans checked out:

Biker395 

Hey, I got demoted!

I've always wanted to do RAW ... probably solo someday. This will be a chance to get a good look at the course and see whether it scares me away.

The check in and car inspection last night was interesting. One of our rider is a big strong ex-Navy seal who wins a lot of tris, but he's never done any endurance riding/racing. The other three of us have a LOT of endurance experience, but we ain't big strong Navy seals.

I'll probably drive the other riders and crew nuts taking pictures, but it should be worth it.

Looking forward to views like this:

Dudelsack 

Signed up for the app. Will be rooting for you.

cccorlew

Wow! Looking forward to your report on this one!

Gnosis

That’s a spectacular view, but it’s a dangerous stretch if the heat catches up to you during that stretch as there’s absolutely no shade.

Biker395 

We start tomorrow at Noon! Did a lot of stargazing today.

az_cyclist

Good luck, Biker395!

lhbernhardt

Sounds great. I think the RAAM and RAW team events are more about strategy. For example, you always let your best descender handle the descents, no matter how long, because there's very little physical effort involved, just technical coordination, and you can lose more time trying to change riders on a descent. The time gain by your best descender would be far in excess of the time lost by your worst descender. Climbs would be different. Today's ice hockey teams play short shifts, maybe 30 seconds, so lots of line changes in order to get fresh players out there, all doing 30-second sprints before the next line change. I think the same strategy could be used on climbs - get each rider to just SPRINT up their section of climb before the next guy takes over. The support vehicle just leapfrogs and deposits the next rider and picks up the previous one. You could even just alternate between the two best climbers just to simplify the bike changes in the rack. I think frequent rider changes, with each rider maintaining 40 kmh + on the flat is the way to go. Imagine a 40 kmh average speed across the US! Three riders on, one rider sleeping at a time. The possibilities are endless!

Luis

Rick@OCRR

Have a great RAW Vic!

Rick / OCRR

Biker395 

I have literally hundreds of pictures, and a lot of stories ... some good, some less good. But for now, here's a video of the last climb into Durango.

.be

DGlenday

Looking forward to hearing details.

skibum4ever

Hi Vic. I thought I might meet up with you here. Hope the race is going well.

We just bought a new tandem, so I'm on here seeking advice.

Dudelsack 

Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the race turns the minutes to hours?

Biker395 

Gordon Lightfoot! And a story about a sinking ship ... how appropriate!

More later, but here is my RAW summary in a nutshell:

1. At times, a complete cluster***k. There were times that incompetence that crossed the line into danger. We had a mutiny in Flagstaff and nearly didn't finish.
2. Awesome scenery.
3. Awesome start line festivities. The volunteers were great!
4. Got to spend quality time with some friends and got to know them just that much better. Honestly, this was the best part.
5. Great Bullshifter support at one of the time stations ... if you guys are listening ... you rock!
6. Unfortunately, some cheating ... and by people who should know better.

And lots of memories like this:

az_cyclist

The next meeting is this Wednesday. I will pass your comments along, Biker395

az_cyclist

Biker395, last night I gave the link this thread to the Bulls that were most involved in setting up Timestation 6. They really liked your comment.

Biker395 

Glad to hear it! Check out the photo of the day thread too.

BTW ... I want to contribute some $ to you guys, but was a little rushed to do it on the race. Is there someone over there I can send it to?