Oceanside CA— On Tuesday, individual competitors left the start line, at the Oceanside Pier, for Annapolis MD in the Race Across America (RAAM). On Saturday, June 17, at 12noon, the team riders will depart from the pier. Among them is Vietnam Veteran, Randy Horton. Randy has been a longtime supporter of Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP), and his team of veterans and law enforcement officers are all in their mid-60s. Their goal is ambitious – less than a week from Oceanside, California, to Annapolis, Maryland, all while raising funds and awareness for WWP.
Open to amateur and professional racers, in solo, 2-, 4- and 8-person relay teams, there is no other race in the world comparable to RAAM. RAAM is a cross country bicycle race, that is not only 30 percent longer than the Tour de France, but it must also be completed in half the time. The Race has become a global icon, having had over 35 countries represented. Not only has RAAM proved to be one of the most challenging races in the world, but has become a huge platform for racers to raise awareness and money for charities of their choice. Racers have raised over $2 million per year over the past 5 years. Competitors from 27 countries, including 10 world cycling champions, will face 175,000 feet of vertical climb during the race. And there are no days of rest in between. Each team is allowed supporter vehicles in tow so every four to six hours, riders can eat, shower, change, and rest for their next rotation. To see the RAAM ride in action, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyBLtEO1xU4.
By the time the Randy and his teammates reach the East coast, their hope is to have ended the ride in less than six days, 14 hours, and 18 minutes – the current record for their age group.
Previously, Randy rode coast to coast in support of WWP, averaging 100 to 120 miles per day. By the time it was over, he had ridden over 3,000 miles – from Newport Beach Pier to the pier in St. Augustine.
Also departing on Tuesday were riders in the ‘Race across the West'(RAW). Just before 5:00pm(PST), on Thursday, Team San Diego Sports Medicine/ZOCA Sports Clothing arrived in Durango, CO, covering the 953.2 mile course at an average speed of 18mph.
You can track all of the riders across the country on the RAAM website. http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/live-tracking.html