The race started in Oceanside, California and covered 3000miles across 12 states arriving in Annapolis, Maryland on the east coast after 6 days of non-stop cycling.
For 36 years RAAM has been challenging ultra-cyclists from around the globe to push their physical and mental limits to the farthest reaches. The route traverses three major mountain ranges (Sierra, Rocky and Appalachian), crosses four of America’s longest rivers (Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio), the Great Plains, and also passes through such iconic American landmarks as the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, Monument Valley, and Gettysburg. It is open to amateur and professional racers, in solo, 2-, 4- and 8-person relay teams, and has become a huge platform for racers to raise awareness and money for charities of their choice. The racers have raised a total of over $2 million per year, for the past 5 years.
The Team New Forest from Hampshire is a 4 man relay team, and 2 of the racers were professional members of the Institute, Ian Patterson and Lee Spoor. The other two cyclists were John Sibley and Nick Buis. There was also an 11 strong supporting crew, and again two of which were also professional members of the Institute, Andrew Patterson and David Horrocks.
Team New Forest finished in 6 days 3 hours and 56 minutes and ahead of their rival American team by just under 3 hours. In total the team raised over £7,500 (+£1200 in gift aid) for their chosen charity, Cancer Research UK.
