Highest Point

When I first cycled across America, I discovered that the days I liked best were the big ones. I got into a rhythm, I kept going and got better and better. I have discovered that I am not like most people. The longer and harder the event, the faster I seem to go. You see, I don’t suffer on a bike, I know what suffering really is and this isn’t it. I can really push myself and go into some mentally challenging places on a bike but no matter how hard it gets or how much I go through I know there’s an end. It’s not suffering, there’s a goal, a finish and no matter what, I’m going to get there.

For 38 years RAAM has been challenging ultracyclists from around the globe to push their physical and mental limits to the farthest reaches. Starting in Oceanside, under one of the longest piers in California, RAAM spans 3000 miles, climbs 175,000 feet, crosses 12 states and finishes at City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland, the east coast sailing mecca.
 
The route travels west to east, traversing three major mountain ranges (Sierra, Rocky and Appalachian), crosses four of America’s longest rivers (Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio) and the Great Plains. Also, passing through such iconic American landmarks as the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, Monument Valley, Great Plains and Gettysburg.
 
There is no other race in the world comparable to RAAM, not only has it 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. Becoming an official RAAM finisher means claiming ultra-racing’s most coveted jersey and medal, and for the lucky few that win their race division, the prized USA plaque to join the elite family who call themselves RAAM Finishers. 

Before I take on the RAAM 2022 though, I need to be in the best shape of my life. As part of the build up, I’ve had my sights set on taking back the record I broke in 2017 and in June 2021 I aim to ride more than 3,505km over 7 days in the UK. This will be part of a training week where my support team and I will be testing strategy surrounding sleep and nutrition planned for use at RAAM.

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, RAAM 2020 had to be cancelled and postponed to 2021. But then due to travel uncertainties we decided it would be safest for all of us to delay our own efforts to 2022. This was a tough one to take after all of the training, plans and preparation from the whole team. By 2022 we won’t have been together for three years, so it’ll be great to build up again with some big training blocks using some of the logistics I’ve been thinking about. I’ve always known there’s much more in the tank and together with the team we’ve decided that the 7-day plan would be great preparation for RAAM 2022 and to see where we are with one year to go.

What’s also exciting is that riders can join me on this 7-day trial ride. Wherever or whenever, riders will be able to join me on the RGT Cycling platform virtually on the loop I plan to use. Hopefully it will give other riders some perspective as to what kind of riding I’ll be aiming to do over the course of the week. It could also help people fundraise for the charities that mean so much to me” For details please see your RGT app, or visit:

https://www.rgtcycling.com

“No matter

what, I’m

going to get

there”