RAAM Challenge Race

Congratulations to Lara Sullivan for completing the first Minnesota RAAM (Race Across America) Challenge this past weekend, August 19-20. Lara rode 376 miles in 26:34 on a course that looped around the Twin Cities, starting at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, passing through Cambridge, North Branch, Somerset, Wi, Wabasha, Northfield and Jordan before returning to Lake Rebecca. She is now RAAM qualified for the third year in a row.

RAAM qualified means that you can enter the full cross country Race Across America. RAAM Challenges are races, with each rider having a support vehicle with them for the whole ride. This makes things easier for the rider as all food, water, etc. is immediately available, but takes a good deal of coordination with the crew members. For Lara’s RAAM Challenge, Ron Pruitt and Rob Welsh crewed.

As an indication of the difference between randonneur brevets and RAAM races, Lara was off her bike for only six minutes in the first 11 hours. She took a few breaks over the next several hours, then finished very strong – a great ride for her and a fun experience for the crew.

The RAAM organization is planning to run another RAAM Challenge again next summer. Check out

http://www.raamchallenge.com/rs/index.php?N_webcat_id=267

for more details. Riders can enter as solo entrants or teams of different sizes. It is a great challenge, and a lot of0 fun.
 

Tags: RAAM, Race Across America