The Race Across AMerica may be the craziest bike race ever. From the Pacific to the Atlantic, from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland (this year's route). The record for the solo men's division is a little over eight days.
Steven Perezluha, the friend of whom I've written before (biking to Alaska, and racing up Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning), is making his RAAM debut, his substantial crew led by his uncle, Danny Chew, himself a two-time RAAM winner. From today's VeloNews article:
The youngest rider in the field is 20-year-old Steven Perezluha, nephew of 2-time RAAM winner Danny Chew. “My goal is to finish, hopefully in ten days as the top American finisher,” the youngster declared in Oceanside, “I’m going to try to be conservative at the beginning and not blow up,” he added. Yet it was Perezluha who was first to Time Station 1, 50 miles into the race at Lake Henshaw. In the next 20 miles he was passed by Strasser before reaching the “Glass Elevator,” a fast and winding descent down to the desert floor where temperatures approaching 100 degrees awaited the riders. While it is unknown whether Perezluha did indeed “blow up,” what is certain is that he’s slowed considerably, dropping from being the early leader down to 19th overnight.
Taking it easy, if somewhat oxymoronic to say about such a race, will be the smart thing for Steven to do: there's no percentage in abusing his still-developing body when he has so many more years to hit his peak. But he's such a competitor ... who knows what he might accomplish?
Here are some links if you want to follow his progress:
(added 6/17) Very cool page with animated map and stats, great for following the athletes' progress
Live stream (I include this because it has the potential to be interesting, at least for us, although at the time of writing the stops and starts of video and audio make it too painful to listen to for long.)
Steven's website (hosted by Lime Daley!)
Go, Steven! Finish the race! Do well, but don't overdo it!
