Hard to believe it has been a year since I was crew on RAAM. The first grouping starts today in 5 hours. Since I know first hand how hard, and exciting this race is, am looking forward to tracking the progress of racers. All the comments on ST about how hard an IM or ultra is, sorry, those are just walk in the parks compared to the Solo RAAM riders!!!
Did Team RAAM two years ago, once in a lifetime experience. You’re right, solo RAAM is completely insane, I will be tracking 5 friends who are doing it this year (1 solo, 4 team).
Wow, how many were on your team? Just being on crew last year will be something I will always remember. I had no idea how hard this was, and what I was involved in until after the fact! The mental aspect for both the rider(s) and crew was just amazing. I hope the crazy weather I am seeing this year does not get them. We had plenty of crazy stuff last year, but this year could be worse. I will be tracking as many folks as possible, since I can still see all the pain from that race.
For the fifth year in a row, I’ll be working at Time Station 31 in Camdenton, Missouri. Working at a time station certainly isn’t as interesting as riding or crewing, but it’s still pretty inspiring to see a little sliver of the race from our tent located on a gasoline station parking lot.
I’m especially looking forward to seeing David Goggins come through. Just snapping a photo of him as he rides past without stopping would be a highlight for me.
Jim
Thanks for being at the Time Station! There were a few last year when we got there no one was around. Having those breaks and support was critical. I do not see David on the start list. I hear his heart was not fixed.
YAY!!! Go RAAM and RAW. One of my favorite times of year watching some good buds get from west to east!
May they all get across safely and good times and memories had by all. Thanks to the time keepers too, you volunteers, very important!
Oh, no. I could almost swear that, as of sometime last month or so, David Goggins’ name was listed among the solo racers. I just checked the RAAM website, and you’re correct, h20fun, that he’s not now listed as a racer. I also just checked his blog, and I don’t see any posts more current than March. I’m terribly disappointed. He’s one of the most extraordinary athletes I’ve ever heard of, and his service to his country makes him extra special.
My interest in this year’s RAAM, and working at Time Station 31, has suddenly been deflated. I wish David and his family well.
Jim
Hey Eileen,you may hate me for saying this but I contacted the RD of RAAM and asked if the Double Deca would be an acceptable RAAM qualifying event and guess what? Start saving you pennies for a shot at RAAM!
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Tour Divide starts on the 11th too…
Hmmm…considering that I’ll probably go another year unemployed, maybe I’ll enter next year!
The studs go off in a little under 5 hours. Women are well on their way. So, you going to enter next year?
I crewed for a solo rider in 2006. I’m still recovering… lol
**I contacted the RD of RAAM and asked if the Double Deca would be an acceptable RAAM qualifying event and guess what? Start saving you pennies for a shot at RAAM! **
So all you have to do to qualify for RAAM is finish the Double Deca? 
**I contacted the RD of RAAM and asked if the Double Deca would be an acceptable RAAM qualifying event and guess what? Start saving you pennies for a shot at RAAM! **
So all you have to do to qualify for RAAM is finish the Double Deca?
They will be looking at two things,overall time and the time taken for the 3600k.If they are “reasonable” then yes.
Erik Seedhouse was granted an entry into RAAM a decade or so ago based on his Deca-Iron and Ultraman Hawaii wins.
Sadly Erik finished RAAM outside the cut-off time because he a crew mutiny halfway across the U.S.
The good folks at Badwater are not being so generous…bugger!!!
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Well, the men Solo are off and biking. I can still “see” what they are doing, and I still cannot believe I was involved in such an event. This is the one for real men and women.
Are you trying to qualify for RAAM?
I also understand they have the PAC Tour that crosses the U.S in 19 days and if you finish that by staying with the lead group, you get an entry into RAAM.
Are you trying to qualify for RAAM?
I also understand they have the PAC Tour that crosses the U.S in 19 days and if you finish that by staying with the lead group, you get an entry into RAAM.
I contacted the RAAM organisers and asked the question.They said yes, which now gives me the option of doing RAAM if I do what I plan to do in the DD and they accept my performance.That saves me a bunch of time and cash as I’ll would have to base myself in Oz to work and train over our summer/autumn.
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Nick nick nick- man that’s sweet u got them to look at it as a raamQ but please make sure you know why you’re going down there. No other qualifiers have a very hard swim b4, and a long time on the legs after. Nor are any other qualifiers that flat and that safe (you really can’t get lost). However sweet of them to give a nod.
If I accidentally qualified there, something is really wrong in my game plan and pacing. The run afterwards is going to take everything I have left, not about to leave it on the bike nor in the pool. For you faster guys, many of them will be pleased you asked this.
no on entering, being realistic in my abilities - qualifying would entail not having the doubleD performance I’m looking for. I work close to 60 physically demanding hours a week and train part time (20-30) and that’s not a lot left for real life. I’ve got the most amazing tight knit friends that do a lot of life things (ballet opera art broadway hikes beach ect) and that life takes big time priority over getting faster on a bike.
Now if I do accidentally RQ than training is going better and will re-evaluate. Strength wise though I would rather challenge the trans Europe run or the Atlantic row - both with a partner. Times are changing and my mind is shifting
Maybe a relay team?
honestly nothing intrigues me right now - I’m in too deep. Just getting through what it takes to get to a start line. One guy I can think of I’d say yes to, he’d get great pleasure out of a cross country torture.
I was hoping to see some raam updates here, but guess nothing to report yet.