One Million Pedal Strokes

Book excerpt: The Race Across America (RAAM) is a nonstop, 3,000-mile bicycle race with a twelve-day limit. The race course traverses deserts and mountains in all kinds of conditions including extreme temperatures, wind, rain, and fog. Racers typically sleep less than four hours per day. The Race Across America is the toughest ultracycling race in the world. It requires physical and mental toughness, but also organization, planning, and an efficient, dedicated, well-trained crew. "One Million Pedal Strokes" tells the story of how rookie Keith Wolcott completed RAAM in 2014, with his wife Ellen as his crew chief. It gives racer, crew chief, and crew perspectives of the race. It contains details about planning and details about decisions that must be made, with sections on potential problems, strategy, training, the mental aspect, a goal pace, crew training, nutrition, clothing, equipment, and recovery---all aimed to be useful for prospective RAAM racers.