Most racers do it as a team
RAAM team tactics
In 10 weeks, that great sleep-deprivation bicycling event known as the Race Across America gets underway as the 3,008-mile endurance race begins in Oceanside, California, setting off for the first time to Annapolis, Maryland.
In addition to the men and women who pedal and suffer in solitude, there are two-, four-, and eight-person teams that complete the race relay style. Most of these are raising money for charity, and quite few are comprised of older bicyclists, possibility inspired by images of Lon Haldeman and Pete Penseyres from more than 20 years ago.
The Aged Wisconsin Cheese Heads, for instance, is a team of five men and three women who average 59 years of age. They'll race four at a time, covering five miles before switching with their teammates.
Older riders
The Sheboygan Press writes that the team is seeking to raise $50,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Here's just a few of the teams entering RAAM:
Colorado Flash is a team of four Denver-area women, aged 50 to 65, who are racing to show the desire to compete in athletic events doesn't diminish with age. The team includes Celeste Callahan, 65, a two-time RAAM finisher, once as member of the record-holding senior women's team.
Also promoting sport for older women is Serpentine Golden Girls, four women aged 55 to 65, from the UK.
Fixies
Gran Fondo Fixies: A two-man team from Georgia that is racing on fixed-gear Gran Fondo bikes.
Adventures for the Cure: A four-man team that is riding Surley Steamroller fixed-gear bikes on the route. They're raising money for American Diabetes, Kupenda for the Children, Blood:Water Mission, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Other charities
Team Backup UK for Cancer: A four-person team built around cancer survivor Andy Griffin. The effort is meant to inspire cancer patients and raise money for the Cancer Backup charity.
Team Inspiration of the UK is sending solo rider Jim Rees and two four-person and one eight-person team to RAAM. They're supporting the Bobby Moore Fund, which raises money for research into bowel cancer in memory of the popular UK soccer player.
Team Theraplay comprises four cyclists who are raising funds for Children's TherAPlay Foundation, an Indianapolis rehab clinic that uses horses as part of its therapy.
Roster
With 245 cyclists signed up for the full RAAM at the end of January, the 250-biker limit was almost reached. Another 41 riders were registered for the Race Across the West and the 24-Hour Challenge.
The solo riders might be heartened to find that three-time winner Jure Robic of Slovenia, last year's winner, is not currently among those registered to race this year. In addition to the 26 male and female solo cyclists, there are two-, four-, and eight person relay teams.
Check the RAAM roster for a list of riders and their websites.
Events
There are staggered starts over several days in Oceanside so the teams and solo riders will show up in Annapolis within a few days of each other. The start times are:
Saturday June 7, noon: Women and men over 60
Sunday, June 8, noon: Solo men, Race Across the West solos, 24-Hour Challenge teams
Wednesday, June 11, 2 p.m.: Teams and Race Across the West teams
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