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Race Across America experts will tell you that the race lasts ten days or so for the fast solos. But for most racers an assault on RAAM is a commitment of many months or even years with the final push to get ready starting yesterday when RAAM’s Oceanside, California headquarters opened registration check-in at noon.
“We were busy right when we opened the doors,” said RAAM race director Terry Zmrhal. “Technical inspection of all support vehicles is Friday and the experienced riders know how much work it is to get all of their lights installed and stickers applied and they want to get it done and get in some rest time before the start.”
Indeed, Oceanside’s hotel parking lots were buzzing with activity as rider crews readied their vehicles and equipment and applied their sponsor’s logos and the RAAM-required stickers. RAAM’s own crews were busy too, getting radios installed, testing their satellite and cellular uplinks and applying stickers to their vehicles too.
Meanwhile concerned RAAM crews and staff were monitoring the tornado watches in effect in the mid-west. That tornadoes are not to be taken lightly was evident to all RAAM participants last year as the race passed through Greensville, Kansas, a town that was virtually leveled just weeks before RAAM ’07. “Wind and tornadoes are always a concern, especially in Kansas, said Zmrhal. But as it says in the racers’ information package, part of RAAM is being prepared for whatever happens.
RAAM will begin on Saturday, when the solo women and age 60+ men start at noon. The rest of the solo men will start Sunday noon. I'll be along the whole way and will provide updates as I go.
PHOTOS:
1. Swiss rider Martin Jakob's crew readies his follow car and motorhome.
2. Graphic evidence of the power of the tornado that hit Greensville, Kansas just days before RAAM '07.
Bigfoot
“We were busy right when we opened the doors,” said RAAM race director Terry Zmrhal. “Technical inspection of all support vehicles is Friday and the experienced riders know how much work it is to get all of their lights installed and stickers applied and they want to get it done and get in some rest time before the start.”
Indeed, Oceanside’s hotel parking lots were buzzing with activity as rider crews readied their vehicles and equipment and applied their sponsor’s logos and the RAAM-required stickers. RAAM’s own crews were busy too, getting radios installed, testing their satellite and cellular uplinks and applying stickers to their vehicles too.
Meanwhile concerned RAAM crews and staff were monitoring the tornado watches in effect in the mid-west. That tornadoes are not to be taken lightly was evident to all RAAM participants last year as the race passed through Greensville, Kansas, a town that was virtually leveled just weeks before RAAM ’07. “Wind and tornadoes are always a concern, especially in Kansas, said Zmrhal. But as it says in the racers’ information package, part of RAAM is being prepared for whatever happens.
RAAM will begin on Saturday, when the solo women and age 60+ men start at noon. The rest of the solo men will start Sunday noon. I'll be along the whole way and will provide updates as I go.
PHOTOS:
1. Swiss rider Martin Jakob's crew readies his follow car and motorhome.
2. Graphic evidence of the power of the tornado that hit Greensville, Kansas just days before RAAM '07.
Bigfoot
