[OrRando] Heroic RAAM Racers struggle to beat Friday afternoon deadline

[cecilanne at comcast.net]

Ride, John, ride!!!!

Cecil "mentally pedaling" Anne

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "David Rowe" <david.readytoride at gmail.com>
> Heroic RAAM Racers struggle to beat Friday afternoon deadline
> *
> Atlantic City - June 21, 2007 -
> *
> 
> The 26th Race Across America will come to an end Friday afternoon. All the
> racers must arrive in Atlantic City, NJ by 5:00 p.m. EDT today for an
> official RAAM finish. In order to finish the race as an "Official Finisher"
> all racers must finish their 3,046 mile journey in an elapsed time of under
> 295 hours.
> 
> 
> RAAM has crowned champions in all divisions within the last 3 days; however,
> the heartwrenching struggle of the racers in the rear of the pack always
> produces heroic stories. The possible heartbreak of missing the deadline
> after 295 hours of non-stop racing produces great drama for RAAM racers,
> crews, and fans. So we expect a lot of serious digging for the extra power
> to get them across the line in time, and some real tear-jerker finishes.
> 
> This year, the number of racers "on the bubble" and fighting for an official
> finish is significant. We expect 7-8 finishers tomorrow between noon and 5
> pm. Go to
> http://stats.raceacrossamerica.org/2007/predictions/TS/57.html<http://rs6.net/tn
> .jsp?t=hva4mbcab.0.4ai4mbcab.a8nriacab.580&ts=S0259&p=http%3A%2F%2Fstats.raceacr
> ossamerica.org%2F2007%2Fpredictions%2FTS%2F57.html>
> to
> see the estimated times of finish. As you can see, the racers with times in
> red will need to really work in order to get to the Finish by 5 p.m.
> 
> 
> The new RAAM website
> (http://www.raceacrossamerica.org<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=zfbsebcab.0.0.a8nriaca
> b.0&ts=S0250&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raceacrossamerica.org%2F&id=preview>)
> offers real-time, 24/7 coverage from roving reporters along the road,
> capturing all the drama, challenges, elation and heartbreak of this nonstop,
> coast-to-coast competition--in words (updated every 30 minutes), thousands
> of still photos, and several action-packed video clips per day. Tune in
> today to watch the most dramatic stories of RAAM heroism unfold.
> 
> Here are some of the stories for these racers in jepordy:
> 
> John Spurgeon -  38, OR. Spurgeon  is attempting to complete RAAM on a
> combination of two, single speed bicycles. He claims sanity by saying he's
> not crazy enough to attempt RAAM on a a fixed gear, but rather has brought
> two freewheeled, single speed rigs - one for climbing, and one for all else.
> Wow!
> 
> John Jurczynski - 50, NH.  In January he pedaled 87 hours setting a new
> record, which was broken several months later by two other RAAM riders. RAAM
> will be his fourth time across the country having toured across three times
> in the 1980s. He is riding to support the American Diabetes Association and
> many people are supportive and inspired by his efforts towards the RAAM and
> the charity.
> 
> David Jones - 61, CA.  On track to make a new 60+ record!!  He is also on
> his second attempt at RAAM, having failed at his first, last year.
> 
> Larry Optis - 28, Canada. . He started with cycling early with a trip from
> Toronto to Florida when he was just 18. On that trip he realized what he was
> capable of and what possibilities lay ahead.  In 2004 he finished first at
> the National 24 Hour Challenge riding 470 miles and in 2005 qualified for
> RAAM as the Adirondack 540 finishing 1st. As part of a program that uses
> cycling to raise awareness for health and wellness in local school, he hopes
> his participation in RAAM will inspire others.
> 
> Jim Rees - 44,Shefford, Great Britain.  Rees is an Executive Coach and
> Keynote Speaker, married with six children.  Rees is motivated ride in the
> solo division after his fourth-place finish on a four-person team in 2004.
> Rees is inspired to help others to reach their own greatness and leads by
> example.
> 
> Patrick Autissier- 45, MA. A Flow Cytometry Specialist educated at Grenoble
> Medical School, France, he is married with two children. He was attracted to
> ultra events because, longer is better, and he it would be an original way
> to visit America. RAAM is nothing new to Patrick having finished 2nd in Team
> RAAM last year.
> 
> 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://www.raceacrossamerica.org<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=zfbsebcab.0.0.a8nriacab
> .0&ts=S0250&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raceacrossamerica.org%2F&id=preview>
> .
> 
>      [image: RAAM Logo]
>    Webcast Editor
> raamreports at gmail.com
> 
> Press Inquiries
> news at raceacrossamerica.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Carboload your mind at http://www.readytoride.biz


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From: "David Rowe" <david.readytoride at gmail.com>
Subject: [OrRando] Heroic RAAM Racers struggle to beat Friday afternoon
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