[tbc] Epic Transcontinental Bicycle Race Welcomes Largest Field in History

Mon Jun 4 23:18:00 CDT 2007

From: Race Across America (RAAM) Press Office
[mailto:jeff at stephens-marketing.com] 
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 3:47 PM
To: ride.with.tim at cox.net
Subject: Epic Transcontinental Bicycle Race Welcomes Largest Field in
History

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Contact:

Jodi Hall

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news at raceacrossamerica.org

Epic Transcontinental Bicycle Race Welcomes Largest Field in History

BOULDER, Colo. (June 4, 2007) -- More than 220 courageous athletes are set
to attempt the Race Across America (RAAM) later this month, in a non-stop,
coast-to-coast race that will pass over two major mountain ranges, through
the desert and across the American plains, and into the face of the severest
weather patterns on the North American continent.  

Now in its 26th year, the legendary event, known as the "world's toughest
endurance race," inspires men and women of all ages, who spend a year out of
their mostly ordinary lives training for the monumental challenge of
pedaling across the United States to test the utmost limits of their
physical strength, mental spirit, resilience and commitment. 

This year's notable field includes 46 men and women over the age of 50,
cyclists living with diabetes and transplanted organs, and one man with a
prosthetic leg.   "The Race Across America represents a victory over fear,
weakness, hardship and even disease," said Fred Boethling, a cancer survivor
who, at 61, became the oldest man to finish Solo RAAM in 2006.  "It offers
racers the opportunity to work towards an ambitious personal goal, while
drawing in others to give back to the community."

Time stations spaced every 50 miles along the 3,043-mile route offer a spot
for racers to check in, teams to switch riders on the road, support crews to
regroup, members of the media to gather interviews, and spectators to cheer
on these incredible athletes.

This year's Solo division promises an especially dramatic race with the
return of three former RAAM winners: 2006 champion Daniel Wyss, 2004 and
2005 winner Jure Robic, and 1997, 2000 and 2002 winner Wolfgang Fasching,
who has taken no less than third place every year since his Rookie of the
Year honor in 1996.  This year also sees the largest Solo Women's race
category in RAAM history, with five women going for gold, one of them at the
age of 60.  

Team categories will also offer up their share of suspense, as men and
women, aged 18-74, join up as teams of two, four or eight, to share the
pedaling across the country and attempt to finish in five to seven days
(compared with the 8-12 days of a Solo effort).

Their experience, and RAAM itself, is made possible by hundreds of
volunteers around the country who staff time stations and work on racer
support crews.  Each support crew includes 8-12 people and two vehicles, one
to follow the rider on the road and the other to check the route, track the
competition, run errands, and provide sleeping quarters. 

For those inspired by the challenge but lacking the time off, RAAM offers a
24-hour race on its first 500 miles, from Oceanside, Calif. to Flagstaff,
Ariz.  Competition for first place will be fierce among this year's four
teams of eight, who must maintain high speeds for a "short" but grueling
course that includes 22,000 vertical feet of climbing.  

The end result is millions of dollars raised for more than 30 charities
around the world, chosen by racers who fundraise as passionately as they
train, incorporating publicity events into their training schedule, naming
an honorary pedal partner (often a child) and setting serious goals of
raising more than $100,000.  

Follow the route and the action on the RAAM website's "live coverage," an
exciting, new feature launching Sunday, June 10.  This online report will be
updated every 30 minutes -- 24 hours per day -- with news and photos:
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kv5hvacab.0.joqkvacab.a8nriacab.3361&ts=S0249&p=htt
p%3A%2F%2Fwww.raceacrossamerica.org%2F> http://www.raceacrossamerica.org.

About the Race Across America (RAAM)

The Race Across America, known as the "world's toughest bicycle race", will
set over 215 competitors on a 3,043-mile route stretching from Oceanside,
California to Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Athletes race continuously day and
night, on their own power or sharing the challenge with a team, and a crew
of 8 -15 people following in support cars with food and supplies for the
race.  These courageous adventurers brave heat, wind, thunderstorms,
altitude, the dark of night, fatigue, and sleep deprivation, cross two major
mountain ranges, and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity.
The race is under new ownership in 2007.  The new management team is
comprised of long-time veterans of past RAAMs who have demonstrated a
heartfelt commitment to the race via their years of racing, crewing,
officiating, and volunteer leadership.  For more information and race
updates, see
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kv5hvacab.0.joqkvacab.a8nriacab.3361&ts=S0249&p=htt
p%3A%2F%2Fwww.raceacrossamerica.org%2F> http://www.raceacrossamerica.org.

###

CONTACT:

Jodi Hall

415.990.1324

news at raceacrossamerica.org

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