RAAM Pedals Through Ulysses

What is RAAM?

It’s a race all the way across America. It’s wild, is what it is. The stats listed above are just the basics.

Riders will need to ride 18 to 20 hours per day or more to make the various time cuts. With a maximum length of twelve days, they’ll need to cover roughly 275 miles (400 km) per day. The quick math on that is an average speed of just under 14 mph (22.5 kph), or 11.5 mph (18.5 kph) including stopped time. The fastest solo riders will go significantly faster.

The solo record is held by Christophe Strasser in seven days, 15 hours, and 56 minutes, with an average speed of 16.12 mph (25.94 kph).

The original concept runs all the way back to 1887 when newspaperman George Nellis rode across the country via railroad routes in 80 days. The more modern version began in the 1970s, when John Marino decided to see how fast he could get across the country on a bicycle. The first head-to-head race came in 1982, and there were four starters.

There are recumbent, handcycle, and singlespeed categories. For most, equipment rules fall roughly in line with triathlon. Aero bars are allowed and you can swap bikes all you want. The difficulty lies in balancing efficiency with comfort.

The RAAM Route

The event begins in San Diego and finishes in Annapolis, Maryland, running from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way are checkpoints that the riders must reach – time cuts, like a significantly more brutal version of the Tour de France. The first comes atop Wolf Creek Pass in the southwest corner of Colorado, which rises to over 10,800 feet (3,300 m).

After the heat of Arizona and climbing through Colorado, the race heads into the midwest, where the wind will be the greatest enemy. Prevailing winds run out of the West, providing a tailwind, but prevailing doesn’t mean always. A shift in winds across the vast expanse of the American heartland could make or break many riders.

The route heads through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio before getting into the larger hills and mountains of the Appalachians in West Virginia. A very brief stint in Pennsylvania leads to Maryland and the final drop to the coast and the finish line.