RAAM - alien cultures and headwinds; the Nat Ross diary

In a departure from my typical racing season, which is usually filled with mountain-bike endurance and NORBA races, I took part in the Race Across America (RAAM) in June. The race started in Oceanside, CA and finished in Atlantic City, NJ, 3,043 Miles and 108,600 feet of climbing later. I rode in the four-man team competition on Team Beaver Creek-Vail with Zach Bingham, Jimi Mortenson and Mike Janelle.

Start: Tuesday, June 13th 5PM EST: Our four-man team was divided into two units of two riders each for maximum efficiency. Jimi and Zach teamed up for four hour legs during the day and five hour pulls at night. Mike and I rested in the RV while they were racing - until we relieved them of duty so they could put their feet up while we put the miles in. This was Jimi and Zach's third RAAM and Mike's second, I was the lone virgin on the team. We were by far the tightest team racing. Not only do we ride, train, and race together all summer, we play hard together all winter as well.