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RAAM is considered as world's most toughest endurance race. Riders need to be qualified in RAAM qualifiers for entry to race.
(In India, Deccan cliff hanger and Desert 500 are RAAM Qualifying events.)
As mentioned in it's website it starts in Oceanside. RAAM spans 3000 miles (4600 Kms), climbs 175,000 feet, crosses 12 states and finishes in Annapolis, Maryland.
A support car is always supposed to follow the rider.There are many rules for that.
The fastest rider usually finishes under 9 days and for official finisher medal one needs to finish under 12 days.
There are many categories like solo, 2,4,8 person teams.
RAAM is more than a cycle race. It is more mentally challenging than physical. Race passes through hot deserts and cold mountains and very steep uphills and downhills. Taking very minimal sleep ,riding whole day and repeating it for 9-12 days at above 20 kmph is something beyond words can express.
There will be happy, sad and tragic incidents along the course. Sad to mention that RAAM has even deaths of riders. So this tells the passion of cyclists who wish to be part of RAAM and finish it. Salute to all brave hearts. RAAM solo started on 14 th June and as I'm typing this around 22 hours have been clocked.
Last year Mahajan brothers from Nashik have successfully finished the event.
This year Army doctor Srinivas Gokulnath is representing our country in solo category. He holds a place in Limca book of records for fastest North-South cycling in India. Also he finished many tough brevets like Bangalore - Belgaum -Banglaore 1000 Km brevet and Bliss in the hills , a 1200 Km brevet ( toughest in India)
More about him in below link.
Limca Book of Records
Army doctor to ride in toughest cycle contest in June - Times of India
He can be tracked in RAAM at : Srinivas_Gokulnath - RAAM 2016 individual history by trackleaders.com
All riders can be tracked here : Live Tracking
Jure Robič ( who is no more
) is considered to a be a legend in RAAM finishing it for 5 times in a row.
I found a very interesting blog about taking part in RAAM, go thorough it if you are keen to know about what one goes through for attempting RAAM.
Remembering Jaron: To RAAM, Or Not To RAAM?
Bicycle dreams is documentary on RAAM 2005. I bet that one will be in tears as movie finishes.
As of now Srinivas rode 285 mi ( 458 Km) and in lead is Stefan Schlegel from Germany at 434.5 mi (698 km)
698 km under 24 hours and still moving , aiming to finish 4800 Km ! What to say, I have no words. This is RAAM.
(In India, Deccan cliff hanger and Desert 500 are RAAM Qualifying events.)
As mentioned in it's website it starts in Oceanside. RAAM spans 3000 miles (4600 Kms), climbs 175,000 feet, crosses 12 states and finishes in Annapolis, Maryland.
A support car is always supposed to follow the rider.There are many rules for that.
The fastest rider usually finishes under 9 days and for official finisher medal one needs to finish under 12 days.
There are many categories like solo, 2,4,8 person teams.
RAAM is more than a cycle race. It is more mentally challenging than physical. Race passes through hot deserts and cold mountains and very steep uphills and downhills. Taking very minimal sleep ,riding whole day and repeating it for 9-12 days at above 20 kmph is something beyond words can express.
There will be happy, sad and tragic incidents along the course. Sad to mention that RAAM has even deaths of riders. So this tells the passion of cyclists who wish to be part of RAAM and finish it. Salute to all brave hearts. RAAM solo started on 14 th June and as I'm typing this around 22 hours have been clocked.
Last year Mahajan brothers from Nashik have successfully finished the event.
This year Army doctor Srinivas Gokulnath is representing our country in solo category. He holds a place in Limca book of records for fastest North-South cycling in India. Also he finished many tough brevets like Bangalore - Belgaum -Banglaore 1000 Km brevet and Bliss in the hills , a 1200 Km brevet ( toughest in India)
More about him in below link.
Limca Book of Records
Army doctor to ride in toughest cycle contest in June - Times of India
He can be tracked in RAAM at : Srinivas_Gokulnath - RAAM 2016 individual history by trackleaders.com
All riders can be tracked here : Live Tracking
Jure Robič ( who is no more
) is considered to a be a legend in RAAM finishing it for 5 times in a row.I found a very interesting blog about taking part in RAAM, go thorough it if you are keen to know about what one goes through for attempting RAAM.
Remembering Jaron: To RAAM, Or Not To RAAM?
Bicycle dreams is documentary on RAAM 2005. I bet that one will be in tears as movie finishes.
As of now Srinivas rode 285 mi ( 458 Km) and in lead is Stefan Schlegel from Germany at 434.5 mi (698 km)
698 km under 24 hours and still moving , aiming to finish 4800 Km ! What to say, I have no words. This is RAAM.
.
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