I am setting out on a journey. It will take over a year to get there, and for a change on this one I am not going it alone. Some of you know I have qualified for a RAAM solo attempt, the Race Across America.
Widely considered one of the hardest things you can do on a bike - RAAM
takes in over 3000 miles and 8km of vertical ascent which must be
conquered in 12 days or less.
It is not a stage race - it's the ultimate baptism of cycling fire. From the time the gun goes until you cross the finish line the race is ON. It is up to you when and how you rest. And every minute the clock is still ticking, race time slipping through the sandglass.
And this is how I plan to do it....
Tandem.
Why? Because it is the hardest way you can. Harder than solo - but that will be a topic of a whole other post!
So the work has begun.
Our first race bike has arrived. It's a co-motion periscope. Very cool set of wheels, imported and available in Australia through Koiled. The guys at Calfee are making us some very slick carbon race frames to get us hammering for race day - but for now, the co-motion is the workhorse. Get to work!
We began with a fast and furious Crit race at our local, HPRW.
While it took a lot to ramp it up (understatement - the BURN!) once we were there we just rode away! Pretty exciting. Tandem riding is actually quite tricky and requires perfect synchronization of body weights and movements. Especially so at race pace!
There is a crazy amount of stuff to do. Learn to ride a tandem properly, build the team, secure additional sponsorship - maybe even make a movie! But I love doing it and the preparation is a key part of the overall adventure.
The current Tandem record has stood since 1990. Yes, that's 23 years people.
At this point the plan is to get there prepared, with the best team, and to cross the finish line becoming one of a very select group that have finished a RAAM solo, on a tandem. I know we will do that. But you gotta have a stretch target right?? :)
Ride on.
It is not a stage race - it's the ultimate baptism of cycling fire. From the time the gun goes until you cross the finish line the race is ON. It is up to you when and how you rest. And every minute the clock is still ticking, race time slipping through the sandglass.
And this is how I plan to do it....
 | |
| something wrong with this picture? |
Tandem.
Why? Because it is the hardest way you can. Harder than solo - but that will be a topic of a whole other post!
So the work has begun.
Our first race bike has arrived. It's a co-motion periscope. Very cool set of wheels, imported and available in Australia through Koiled. The guys at Calfee are making us some very slick carbon race frames to get us hammering for race day - but for now, the co-motion is the workhorse. Get to work!
We began with a fast and furious Crit race at our local, HPRW.
 |
| When we decided it was on, this is all they got to see (that's for you Jules!). |
While it took a lot to ramp it up (understatement - the BURN!) once we were there we just rode away! Pretty exciting. Tandem riding is actually quite tricky and requires perfect synchronization of body weights and movements. Especially so at race pace!
 |
| Drop it like it's hot.... time to ride off the front. |
 | |
| Harder than it looks! |
The current Tandem record has stood since 1990. Yes, that's 23 years people.
At this point the plan is to get there prepared, with the best team, and to cross the finish line becoming one of a very select group that have finished a RAAM solo, on a tandem. I know we will do that. But you gotta have a stretch target right?? :)
Ride on.
1 comment:
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Really looking forward to updates on this Rachel. Go GET EM!
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