Got this today from Allesandro Colo who just arrived in Phoenix from Italy to prepare for RAAM.
Training in Arizona Desert.
four loop of 48 miles
Scottsdale Rd
Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd
Shea Blvd
Rio Verde Rd
Scottsdale Rd
No drink
No eat
temperature 104F very hot
Climbimg 4/5% of 21 miles easy
Start Ride 06.15 morning
To day only sun
What’s the point of no drink?
it’s not crazy, it’s plain stupid
.
What’s the point of no drink?
Don’t ask me. General mental “toughening” I suppose. RAAM is as much mental as physical, at least I believe because I will never know.
Is he on pc’s?
I sponsored a 4 man team at raam this year as well, actually 2 of the 4 on Kern Wheelmen
Is he on pc’s?
I sponsored a 4 man team at raam this year as well, actually 2 of the 4 on Kern Wheelmen
Yes, I suspect that ride was done on PC’s as he is the guy who did the 11 day (264 hr) trainer ride a month or so ago I posted about. Remember “buns of steel”? His intent is to do the RAAM on the PC’s and collect our incentive.
Not drinking is just completely stupid. A double century in the desert with nothing to drink? Sounds like a great way to end up in the hospital on an IV.
Has he ever ridden in the desert before? Does he realize how quickly you dehydate in that dry heat? There is nothing like it in Europe. Nothing.
And I know what I’m talking about, my wife has done RAAM. I have a picture from the last day. In the background is a bank thermometer that reads 98 degrees. We were thrilled that day because it was so cool.
Not drinking is just completely stupid. A double century in the desert with nothing to drink? Sounds like a great way to end up in the hospital on an IV.
Has he ever ridden in the desert before? Does he realize how quickly you dehydate in that dry heat? There is nothing like it in Europe. Nothing.
And I know what I’m talking about, my wife has done RAAM. I have a picture from the last day. In the background is a bank thermometer that reads 98 degrees. We were thrilled that day because it was so cool.
He did RAAM last year and has done furnace creek a couple of times so is very experienced. Did I say this was smart? I was simply reporting what I received as being of extraordinary interest.
Hey, I am a physician. Many years ago I had a friend who died from undiagnosed kidney failure 7 days after a marathon.
I wouldn’t be so quick saying there is nothing like this in Europe…
Ever been in the desert of Almeria in Spain??
Pretty dry and hot there…
been to both…pretty much the same…
Figures if I get carried away like this I might be wrong. Anyway, if the desert of Almeria has extremely low humidity and temps regularly get to 110-120F then it would be the same and I stand corrected.
No offense Frank, not ranting at you, just don’t want anyone else to think that riding a double century in the desert with nothing to drink, if in fact that is what he is doing, is anything to emulate or that it is common practice when training for RAAM to do this. Are you sure he isn’t heading off for an unsupported double century with just what he carries with him, which might mean a full camelback and two bottles, which on a 10 hour ride should keep him out of the hospital, but still leave him somewhat dehydrated, presumably intentionally?
Figures if I get carried away like this I might be wrong. Anyway, if the desert of Almeria has extremely low humidity and temps regularly get to 110-120F then it would be the same and I stand corrected.
No offense Frank, not ranting at you, just don’t want anyone else to think that riding a double century in the desert with nothing to drink, if in fact that is what he is doing, is anything to emulate or that it is common practice when training for RAAM to do this. Are you sure he isn’t heading off for an unsupported double century with just what he carries with him, which might mean a full camelback and two bottles, which on a 10 hour ride should keep him out of the hospital, but still leave him somewhat dehydrated, presumably intentionally?
Nobody supports proper hydration more than I. The bigger problem now is water intoxication with people drinking too much of the wrong stuff and not what this guy is seemingly doing. It is dangerous. I would have predicted it would be impossible to ride 200 miles in 100 degree heat with no fluids let alone actually do it and not end up in the hospital.
All I know he is training for RAAM.
**All I know he is training for RAAM. **
Stupidly.
The crazy part is the roads they chose for this. Apparently part of their training is riding roads with no bike lane and getting buzzed by traffic at 60mph. Those roads are ridden pretty often I guess, but they are among the most dangerous in my experience. I guess starting at 6:15 they wouldn’t finish until 5pm or so? Geez that sounds like hell.