RAAM Finishers Update

Race Across AMerica – update

Swiss Sweep RAAM

As reported, the under 50 solo men was won by Reto Schoch (of  Switzerland), setting a new RAAM pace record at 8 days, 6 hours, and 29 minutes, while “Trixy Dragon” (Trix Zgraggen) also of Switzerland, won the solo under 50 female category with a time of 10 days 13 hours and 59 minutes with an average speed of 15.05 and 11.79 mph respectively.

Solo Men <50:
The Austrians claimed 2nd, and 3rd with Christoph Strasser (Austria) finishing 3 hours behind Reto with an average speed of 14.82 mph, and Gerhard GULEWICZ finishing in 9 days, 11 hours, and 12 minutes with an average speed of 13.17.

Joan Deitchman (<50, CAN) finished today in 12:18:46 (d,h,m), with an average speed of 9.76 mph.

It looks like Janet Christiansen (50+,USA) will finish in about 2 hours.

Dave Elsberry (+60, USA) has finished well ahead of  Hans Georg Haus (+60, GER) in 12 days, 8 hours, and 44 minutes, while Hans finished 9 hours behind Dave to claim 2nd.

United 4 Health (70-74, USA) finished in 6 days, 13 hours, and 13 minutes managing an incredible average speed of 19.04 mph!

FOREVER YOUNG PAC MASTERS (75+, USA) finished in 9 days, 7 hours, and 11 minutes for an average speed of 13.41 mph.

John Williams (of San Clemente Cyclery) and his mixed team (60+, USA), Team Kinema, will finish today around noon our time. Go John! Go Kinema!

The record set last year of 6 days, 11 hours by the 4Raw Milk Cats will stand, as Love, Sweat & Gears finished in 7 days, and 36 minutes with an average speed of 17.75, well off the blistering pace set by the Milk Cats at 19.22 mph.

Solo leader board is here, while the team leader board is here.

All for now.
:-Sprocket

Big Ring Century in the OC

Title: Big Ring Century
Location: Laguna Hills
Link out: Click here
Description: 3 road rides of 100, 62, and 20 miles
Start Time: 07:30
Date: 2012-6-23
End Time: 18:00

From our previously unread OC Register, we learn that an inaugural Big Ring Century bicycle ride in Orange County is scheduled on June 23 to benefit children in Malawi, Africa through FaithQuest Mission, a World Vision partner that brings relief to children in poor countries. The start / finish is at the Crossline Church at 23331 Moulton Parkway in Laguna Hills between Lake Forest and Ridge Route.

Three routes are available; 100, 62, and a 20-mile family fun ride with support provided at rest stops about every 20 miles along the way in addition to marked roving SAG wagons on the course.

Mechanics from Jax Bikes will be on hand at the start location for any last minute tune up needs, in addition to being at each rest stop which will also have food and water.

Volunteers are always needed, so if you’re interested, send an e-mail to info@wearventana.com or fill out a contact card at the website.

Entry fees are the same ($100) for the 100 mile and 100k option, so get your moneys’ worth, go for the century! Entry for the 20 mile route is $50.

An all day event expo with post ride meal is included in the price.

Long Riders start at 07:30, short riders at 8.

See you there?

2012 RAAM Update

Update for the RaceAcross AMerica.

Dave Elsberry now has a 3 hour lead on Hans Georg Haus of Germany in the solo male 60+ category with 2,197 miles raced, but still has a 15 minute time penalty to serve. Both are in Indiana and soon will be crossing into Ohio. It could wind down to a sprint finish between these two!

Trixy Dragon” (Trix Zgraggen) of Switzerland, is still leading Joan Deitchman (CAN) by almost 350 miles and is on her way to W. Virginia. Joan is about to be caught by Janet Christiansen (USA) who is “only” 72 miles behind her, but is racing in the 50+ women’s category!

The under 50 solo men looks to be won tonight between Reto Schoch (also of Switzerland), or Christoph Strasser (Austria) as they make their way into the
next time station in Maryland. This could be a photo finish between these two
awesome competitors, but it appears Christoph was delayed by a tornado at the
Colorado border to Kansas, and was awarded a time delay meaning that Reto needs to increase his gap to an hour and 45 minutes to seal the win. If there is a
photo finish, the race goes to Christoph.

FOREVER YOUNG PAC MASTERS (75+) is being reeled in by the younger United 4 Health (70-74) and is currently 300 miles ahead with 2,612 miles under their belt. Will United close the gap or crack under the effort?

John Williams (of San Clemente Cyclery) and his mixed team (60-69), Team Kinema, have suffered a 15 minute time penalty and have completed 1774 miles so far. Go John! Go Kinema!

Burning up the course with a 24 mph average is Team ViaSat followed closely by Team 4Mil with 2,861.67, and 2,813.20 miles raced respectively in the 8-Person Open category.

In the 2-Person Mixed  (60-69) category,  RAAM Beau&Babe look to cross the finish line tonight with an average speed currently at 15.2 mph! Well done!

All for now.
:-Sprocket

RAAM 2012 Update

Our reporter went to Oceanside for the team start for the Race Across AMerica and files this report.

Great weather for a bike race! Warm sun, cool onshore breeze, and great vibes
despite the mounting tension to the team start of the toughest bike race. The
solo riders have been out for a couple of days, and there are a high number of
dropouts, reasons as yet unknown.

Dave Elsberry is doing fantastic, but is 50 miles and 7 hours behind the current leader Hans Georg Haus of Germany in the solo male 60+ category with 1,325 and 1,375 miles raced respectively.

Joan Deitchman is almost through Kansas and “only” 1,500 miles from the finish, but the solo female <50 seems to belong to Trix Zgraggen of Switzerland who is 1 hour behind Joan but is 300 miles ahead of her. Can Joan make the catch?

FOREVER YOUNG PAC MASTERS (75+) is 4 days and 800 miles ahead of the younger United 4 Health (70-74). Will United be able to fill the gap?

We also were surprised to see John Williams (of San Clemente Cyclery) line up with his mixed team (60-69), Team Kinema for another RAAM edition. Go John! Go Kinema!

We were also surprised to participate by riding the first 8 miles with one of
the teams, and to see Brenda Miller volunteering at the entrance to the SLR Bike Trail. Yay Brenda!

Before riding out, I was able to replace my broken cowbell (cheering too much) with one from SierraNevadaBrewing (who had “just run out” of samples), and got a wrist band and pin from the WoundedWarriorProject.  Did you know Sierra Nevada produces almost all of its power requirements on-site? It’s true, and I look forward to enjoying the results from this forward looking and sustainably-minded company located in Chico, California.

Pictures taken are available here with the following notes (l-r, top – bottom, 1-15):

1-3: seabirds flying in formation over the starting line,
4+5: 2 team cars totally decked out with speakers and lights,
6: Pete Penseyres and Race Director discussing the start,
7+8: John Howard and Bill Walton talking about the CAF
9: Winner (in my view) of the cycling fashionista category!,
10: Members of Team Bacchetta (blog), currently shredding their way across the country,
11:Young members of the 8 person Team Stormwind.com from Arizona, with an age range from 16-51,
12:One of the teams from Brazil getting ready to depart, with riders from Love, Sweat & Gears also,
13:Mike and Cindy directing traffic on the exit from the SLR Bike Trail,
14: An accident that happened just as I was getting my camera ready for the last team scattering glass all over the open lanes. We directed the racers on the sidewalk to get around the accident and over the bridge. Must be some ironic humor in there somewhere
15: Team members from Above + Beyond Cancer (blog) from Iowa relaxing at the park before their turn in the race.

:-Sprocket