3000 miles. 12 days. I am riding my bike across America.
Starting in Oceanside, CA, on June 9, 2010, and finishing in Annapolis, MD, The Race Across America (RAAM) has been described as “the toughest bike race in the world.”
I am officially entered in the 2010 RAAM. In September 2009, I qualified for this race by riding 422 miles in 24 hours. In the 28 years RAAM has been held, less than 200 individuals have been able to complete the race solo in less than the 12-day time limit. Approximately one half of the riders who start the solo race do not finish.
I finish what I start.
So why do I want to attempt something so “extreme”?
I’ve participated in running and biking endurance sports since 1971. My first 20 years as an endurance athlete was as a runner. In 1991, a knee injury led me to biking. Recently I participated in an Ultra Cycling Event (400+ mile bike race), and I found the challenge of it to be something I love. I had fun and it made me feel good. I want to test myself…in the “toughest bike race in the world.”
But this event is about more than just a personal goal. It’s also about bringing attention and assistance to two issues: cardiovascular disease research (Sanford Cardiovascular Research Center) and chemical dependency education and treatment (Dick Beardsley Foundation).
My goal is to raise $30,000 to help these two organizations.
3,000 miles on a bike? In 12 days? Is he sane?
Former runner Mike Dunlap is eager – and quite rational
Mike Dunlap says people who climb Mount Everest are nuts.
“Why do people climb Mount Everest?” he asked recently and rhetorically. “I’ve never figured that one out. It’s dangerous, they can’t breathe when they get up there, and it’s blizzarding up there every day all day.”
This from a man who in June will take part in a 3,000-mile bike race across U.S. deserts and mountains that requires participants to finish in 12 days.