Yeah that’s how I feel right now. Jure Robic you stink. Go hit the showers! In the closest Race Across America race in recent years you or your crew decided to pull out of the race on Time Station 51? What the _______ ? Are you a sore loser? So you got penalties that you feel are questionable. So you don’t think you can win because your penalties are greater than your lead over Dani Wyss. But quitting? Come on!

Maybe it’s because I will never win something like RAAM, the Furnace Creek 508 or a local crit. But to DNF a race when I still have the capacity to continue is beyond my comprehension.

Jure Robic, I respected you and admired you and your four RAAM titles but I now find your lack of sportsmanship appalling. You’re a great endurance cyclist but in my opinion your withdrawal from the race and the asterisk that will denote your withdrawal in 2009 will be an indelible stain on your all but fantastic RAAM record.

All hail the 2009 Race Across America Solo Champion. Dani Wyss.

From the RAAM website.

WONDERFUL WYSS

Truth be told, 2am Australian time, when I went to bed, I said to someone that I thought Robic would pull away. I look today and I see Wyss do the unbelievable.

Arriving in Annapolis, MD after completing 3021 miles, Dani Wyss won the solo male division with the second fastest time in RAAM history. 8 day, 5 hours and 45 minutes. Dani is now a two time winner of RAAM. He averaged a mammoth speed of 15.28mph.

When I was asked if I was interested in help covering RAAM this year, I jumped at the opportunity. Before this year, I only knew little about RAAM. Truth be told, I thought that Robic would win this year.

Robic has not finished the race yet, but he also hasn’t pulled out. He has until Monday to officially finish the race.

This win by Dani was gritty. It was couragous. He was a determined man. The Swiss rider impressed me throughout the race. His ability to stick close to Robic and not let Robic pull away was admirable.

Well done Dani Wyss! 2009 RAAM CHAMPION!

Early in the fall, I received an email from Race Across America with news about the 2008 race.

15-October-2007 Taos or Bust – A New 1000 Miles race to Taos, NM, for 2008

Over time RAAM, has added pieces to the race which enable more racers to experience the journey that is RAAM. In the 90s, 4-Person teams were added. Just five years ago, 8-Person teams were added and more recently the 24 Hour Challenge was started.

Just as with the 24 Hour Challenge and the teams, 1000 mile racers will race directly against those going to Annapolis across the beautiful western portion of the course. It’s truly a chance for racers to test themselves in a new distance and see if they want to step up to the ultimate race – RAAM!

Expect a great event as RAAM brings its experience and history to this unique distance.

The idea of this race immediately appealed to me and after much thought and deliberation, I have taken the plunge and registered for Race Across the West .

The feeling of being part of the RAAM experience last year was amazing and something that I knew that I wanted to continue with as I work toward my ultimate goal of SOLO RAAM. In thinking about how I wanted to take part in RAAM in 2008, I considered doing another team race, but ultimately decided that my idea of being an ultra racer means suffering alone. The sense of accomplishment I feel from my solo races is beyond anything I would feel as a team racer. The contrast between my experiences in the 2007 two person RAAM team and my succesful Furnace Creek 508 fixed gear race in October 2007 helped me to realize that I work best and I am happiest when I am racing solo. I believe that Race Across the West is the next logical step in my preparation toward SOLO RAAM.

I am providing you with links to both the Time Stations and a worksheet if you chose to keep track of us and our goals.

Here is the Route with Time Stations from the Race Across AMerica

Here is our Time Station goals. Print this out and fill in the blanks —keep track of us you might have fun doing it.

Slowly the reality is sinking in. Today we loaded the RV with most of our supplies, no perishables. Put up all the signage and I defaced my bikes. I put reflective tape all over the bike and wheels but it is what it is. It’s getting so close. Tomorrow the solo riders head out and soon it will be the eve before I roll out. Am I nervous? Yes. Am I anxious? Yes. I just can’t wait to get started.