HELP with Race Across AMerica
Thread started by
katerpillar at 05.25.11 - 3:25 pm
My team, The Team Hope, is in need of two more crew members! We're participating in the 30th Annual Race Across AMerica (or "RAAM") next month. We are a 4-person relay team with 13 crew members (currently have 11 crew).
RAAM is a non-stop, 3000-mile race that starts in Oceanside, CA and finishes in Annapolis, MD. We are hoping to finish the race in 6 days. We have 4 vehicles (2 vans to follow the racers, an RV and a "chore" vehicle to get groceries).
You need to be available from June 15-27. If you can pay for your own flight from Annapolis, that's super awesome...If not, we'll find a way to pay for your flight back home.
To learn more about the team, go to www dot theteamhope dot com
Check out this trailer from Bicycle Dreams http://youtu.be/alEHvr-zKm0
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Btw.... if you're interested in crewing, contact me at kat.espino@theteamhope.com
THANKS!
katerpillar05.25.11 - 3:25 pm
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One day I will do this race.
But how the hell will u do a 3000 mile rave in 6 days? That's 500 miles a day?
Dean453705.26.11 - 9:07 pm
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yeah I cant wrap my head around this one... but it sounds fun!
Roadblock05.26.11 - 10:02 pm
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There's 8-person teams who have completed the race in 5 days....4-person teams (which is what we are) usually finish in 6 days. And yes, 500 miles a day. But it's not like we have our racers all out on the road at the same time. We have a pair of racers out on the road doing their 4-hour shift and the other pair of racers are sleeping in the RV, going ahead of the other racers. Within that pair of racers that are riding, they also do 15-20 minute pulls, so they can maintain a higher speed. They will keep leapfrogging each other until their 4-hour shift is done and they meet up with the RV for their sleep break. Then the next two go out for their 4-hour shift. Keep in mind, however, during this 4-hour "sleep" break, the racers have to get cleaned up, put on new clothes, eat, sleep, wake up and get ready for their next 4-hour shift. While this does sound INSANE, this is the most common method for a 4-person team. Sometimes teams will even put all 4-racers in a relay when doing crazy climbs, like over the Rockies...
katerpillar responding to a
comment by Dean4537
05.28.11 - 9:52 am
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It's really tough to wrap one's head around how you do RAAM. It's my 3rd year in crewing for this race and there's always something new to learn. Btw, I really hope you consider crewing with us Roadblock...I e-mailed you the info via FB.
-Kat
katerpillar responding to a
comment by Roadblock
05.28.11 - 9:54 am
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Btw.....if you come out to our "Ride-In Movie Night" on 06.07.11 ~~~~~~~>
you can learn more about the Race Across AMerica and meet some members of the team!
The ride will start & end at "The Block" in Lancaster! We'll have food & beverages too!
katerpillar05.28.11 - 9:58 am
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Hey MR! The Team Hope FINISHED the Race Across AMerica in 7 days, 21 hours and 31 minutes. We did have two 15-minute penalties, but also received an hour credit for helping another team (a racer was hit by a semi-truck and survived).
We experienced sleep deprivation (for me as the crew chief, I would sometimes go over 24 hours without sleeping), lack of food (our food prep person would sometimes make peanut butter, jelly & LETTUCE sandwiches), constant schedule changes, shattered RV window, two crew members dropped out of the team during the race, etc. But despite all of our challenges, we made it to the end AND finished before the cut-off time (which isn’t bad for a totally rookie team)!!!
For pictures and videos of our RAAM crossing, go to: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Team-Hope/249965686468
katerpillar07.6.11 - 3:33 pm
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WWWOOOWWW!!! BRAVO!!! I will check out this FB for sure!! I only dream to do something like this someday... Don't know when I could though...sounds quite complex and costly. Maybe in 3-5yrs.
FIXMYLIFE07.6.11 - 3:51 pm
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You can make your dream a reality! Start thinking about if you want to do the race as a soloist or as a team (2-, 4- or 8-person team). And start thinking/planning how you will raise the money for your expenses. For a soloist, it can cost around $15,000+, depending on how many vehicles, crew members, etc you have. For a 4-person team, you're looking around $25,000+...again, depending on how many vehicles, crew members, etc. And it also depends on how bare bones or fancy pants you wanna roll. Some teams have spent as much as $60,000 on their RAAM crossing. There's a TON of logistics involved, but if you start planning early, you can get it done. The riding is the easy part.
katerpillar responding to a
comment by FIXMYLIFE
07.6.11 - 4:18 pm
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I sent you an email at your yahoo.com email. :)
Girl Power responding to a
comment by katerpillar
07.6.11 - 4:52 pm
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We have to talk Kat, I know you're recovering so take your time, but i definitely have to pick your brain about RAAM. Followed you guys most of the way. Good Job and yeahhhhh, let's talk...Crew chief...Hint...LOL
ridetime07.7.11 - 5:05 pm
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I NOMINATE FOR RIDERS OF THE WEEK!!!
palucha66 responding to a
comment by katerpillar
07.7.11 - 5:23 pm
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@Ridetime - lemme know when you wanna meet up. all i do is think/dream (some may call them nightmares) about RAAM. lol...
katerpillar responding to a
comment by ridetime
08.1.11 - 2:00 pm
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