anyone following RAAM 2017?

[josephr]

Been checking in on the RAAM folks this year and, phenomenal Christopher Strasser looks like he's got a chance to be the fastest ever...averaging 15.77mph and 500 miles or so to go. Still has to get over the Appalachians which may slow him down a bit. Maybe if he descends like Sagan?

Shout out to a local legend from here in Alabama - Brian Toone --- second year and in 4th place overall (in his category)...but still two states behind Strasser. Still amazing the training and grit these folks have!

[guido]

I've been following the Trans Am race. Evan Deutsch is on track to finish today breaking the mens record. Janie Hayes is the first woman, third overall. She is a touch behind the womans record but is still doing one heck of a ride. This race is similar to RAAM except it is entirely unsupported...

https://transambikerace.com/

[ptourkin]

Strasser is behind his record pace. Won't break it this year. They did have a good break as the solo start was before the heatwave we're having. The team start is right in the midst of it.

I was in between the team vans Saturday on their way to Anza Borrego as our 400k route took us along the route to Borrego. I actually was chased down by a race official when I continued toward Warner Springs because they thought I was a racer and had gone off course.

I am watching Sarah Cooper in RAAM. She's a rookie solo and until she began experiencing health problems was riding in 4th overall, keep pace with veteran Marko Baloh. She's a beast who puts on her own Gravel Ultra in Iowa.

Trans Am has been tragic this year with a number of incidents and one vehicle caused death, in Kansas of course. I have reconsidered this type of racing for myself because this keeps happening.

[guido]

I saw the huge drop out rate but I didn't hear about the fatality. Sad news indeed. Are there any good sources of information on the race? Lots of good stuff on Tour Divide, but far less on this race...

[ptourkin]

I saw the huge drop out rate but I didn't hear about the fatality. Sad news indeed. Are there any good sources of information on the race? Lots of good stuff on Tour Divide, but far less on this race...

If you click on the Facebook link on the website, that group has been posting most of the news from the official (Nathan) standpoint. He's out riding though, so this one: https://www.facebook.com/groups/524758520982933/ has a lot more info.

Social media is the only thing fast enough to cover the fluidity of this race. All of the race leaders were bitten by the same pit bull in Kentucky - hopefully there have been enough warnings by now.

After a report of a fatality in Kansas, the dot watchers figured out who it was but waited for word that the family had been notified. I expect that some racers have dropped out since.

Evan is within 20 miles of the finish right now.

[ptourkin]

Also, keep an eye on Andre Kajlich in RAAM. San Diego-based effort by a solo handcyclist. It will be the first for RAAM. He is an inspirational and humble guy making a ridiculous effort. I could not believe how relaxed he was pre-race. He's being helped by RAAM solo vet Matt Hoffman and the Challenged Athlete Foundation.

http://trackleaders.com/raam17i.php?name=Andre_Kajlich

[Bruce K]

I thought I read about a fatality in Trans-Am in Kansas.

BK

[Clean39T]

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/06/competitor-eric-fishbein-killed-vehicle-ultra-endurance-race-across-america/

RIP [emoji17]

[guido]

Very sad news! He will be missed!

[fiamme red]

Also, keep an eye on Andre Kajlich in RAAM. San Diego-based effort by a solo handcyclist. It will be the first for RAAM. He is an inspirational and humble guy making a ridiculous effort. I could not believe how relaxed he was pre-race. He's being helped by RAAM solo vet Matt Hoffman and the Challenged Athlete Foundation.

http://trackleaders.com/raam17i.php?name=Andre_KajlichWhat an amazing achievement! He was an official finisher, averaging 10.09 mph.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p057fdpb

http://news.wfsu.org/post/one-kind-world-record-holder-visits-capital-city

[soulspinner]

What an amazing achievement! He was an official finisher, averaging 10.09 mph.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p057fdpb

http://news.wfsu.org/post/one-kind-world-record-holder-visits-capital-city

Wow:hello: