The Race Across America (RAAM) is the toughest and longest ultra-endurance bicycle race on the planet. Spanning 3,000 miles (5,000 km), it cuts the United States of America in half. It starts on the Pacific coast in Oceanside, California, and finishes on the Atlantic coast in Annapolis, Maryland. The route profile climbs around 115,000 feet (35,000 meters) of positive elevation gain.
The time limit is ruthless: just 12 days. Statistics show that only 50% of solo riders manage to cross the finish line. But this is just the technical description you find on any cycling website. The reality is far different.
I have followed this race since 2013 as a crew member and Crew Chief. For over six years, RAAM has given me unforgettable moments. Every time I say goodbye at Washington airport to head back to Italy, I feel a deep sense of emptiness.
It is the "mal di RAAM" (RAAM sickness). A strange feeling. At night, driving on highways back home in Romagna and seeing an illuminated gas station, my mind flies back to the States. I picture swapping the cooler or changing drivers in the pitch black of Arizona or Kansas.
1. The Decision and the Trust Pact
The project starts in September or October. This is when the rider decides to register for what they call the hardest non-stop race in the world. They call you and say, "I'm ready for RAAM." That is when you meet.
The interview is short. You can see right through their eyes whether they have the determination to make it to the end. Then, you analyze their past randonnée and ultra-endurance experiences to get a clear picture. The way they talk about the race reveals if the real conditions to succeed exist. Anyone can start from Oceanside.
A handshake seals the deal. That is the moment the rider places their trust in you. And we in the crew place our trust in him. This pact must endure throughout the entire preparation and, above all, during the darkest hours of the race.
A few days after the start, the rider isolates from the outside world. They hallucinate, seeing things that exist only for them. Letting go and surrendering completely to the crew's hands is the minimum requirement to succeed. Without this trust, every crack on the asphalt becomes a bottomless pit. Falling in is easy, escaping is nearly impossible.
The shared goal is the green "OFCL" (Official) label on the official website. That marker in the rightmost column certifying the time, average speed, and 100% Finisher status.
2. The Crew's Role and Logistical Setup
While the rider pedals, the Crew Chief organizes the logistics of the American expedition. This role represents the rider's shadow for the 12 days of the race. Flights, vehicle rentals, and crew selection must be planned carefully.
There are two primary support vehicles. The Follow Car, which drives constantly behind the rider at low speed to ensure safety. And the RV (motorhome), which drives ahead to wait for the rider at scheduled rest stops to prevent exhaustion.
I advise that at least half of the crew should have ultra-endurance experience. Close friends and family are important for emotional support, but managing them technically during the coast-to-coast can get complex. Being part of the crew is a privilege, not a holiday.
Twelve days in an RV with minimal space and microwaved meals can turn into hell. If your mind doesn't adapt quickly to the dynamics of RAAM, the race is over. Driving at 12 mph (20 km/h) for 12-hour shifts, often at night, is grueling. Many drivers collapse after their first shift, creating major safety issues.
The rider's preparation requires completing rides of 1000 or 1200 km with at least two consecutive nights of riding. European races like the Race Across Italy in April or the Race Around Slovenia in May are excellent tests. They also help the crew learn to live together under stress.
However, no race in Europe can replicate the actual conditions of the United States. We do not have the scorching heat of the Arizona desert or the alienating monotony of Kansas. The Race Around Ireland (2,200 km) or Paris-Brest-Paris are good tests, but RAAM remains unique. Those who rush the process out of pride pay a very high price.
3. Borrego Springs and the Western Deserts
You open the Road Book to page 13 to reach the first Time Station. A marker in hand signals the start of a life-changing adventure. The risk of a DNF is present from the very first hours.
You leave the California coast to descend the Glass Elevator. It is a steep 13-mile (21 km) drop that marks the boundary between the cool ocean air and the desert heat. Temperatures quickly shift from 85°F to over 115°F dry heat.
You arrive in Borrego Springs, the gateway of hell. Arizona welcomes you with sandy deserts and crushing heat exceeding 110°F. Ice poured on the rider's neck evaporates instantly. The stomach shuts down from the heat, preventing nutrition. Many dropouts occur here, just 48 hours from the start.
The Crew Chief must schedule the Prescott climb during the cooler hours. Stopping at Congress Time Station, perhaps cooling off in the inflatable pool set up by volunteers, is a key step. The heat is the same for everyone, but RAAM quickly searches for its first victims.
You then cross Utah via Flagstaff, Tuba City, Kayenta, Montezuma Creek, and Cortez. Passing through Monument Valley offers one of the most stunning landscapes in the world, recalling classic Western movies.
4. The Rocky Mountains and Time Management
The high desert temperatures give way to the cold of Colorado. Here you tackle three alpine passes in the Rocky Mountains: La Veta, Cucharas, and Wolf Creek Pass. Long climbs punish fatigued bodies. The sudden shift from desert heat to freezing temperatures at the top of Wolf Creek Pass causes unexpected DNFs, even among leading riders.
At Wolf Creek Pass, we are halfway through: 1,500 miles (2,400 km) covered. We celebrate as briefly as possible and restart. At RAAM, every second lost is a step toward failure. The math is simple: if you lose 5 minutes at each of the 54 Time Stations, you waste 4.5 hours. Riders have lost the race by just 8 minutes.
5. The Kansas Plains and the Humid East
Crossing the mountains makes you think it's all downhill from there. But reality presents Kansas. It is the land of absolute monotony, endless plains, and two-mile-long pivot irrigators. Interminable straight roads run alongside cattle ranches.
Headwinds can make the days endless, while tailwinds fly the bike at 30 mph (50 km/h). There is also the threat of tornadoes. The crew must choose the perfect moment to shield the rider with the Follow Car. After 370 miles (600 km) of this agony, you enter Missouri.
Green fields and humid heat replace the dry Kansas landscape. Neat lawns with no fences line the road, but no people are in sight. No kids playing or dogs barking for over 600 miles. You cross the Mississippi River and quickly touch Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia, before reaching Pennsylvania.
The rider now pedals on autopilot. They have become one with the bicycle. If they paced themselves well in the beginning, they can maintain a steady rhythm to secure the finish. Nearly half of all dropouts happen in this second half of the route, proving that the real race starts here.
6. The Appalachians and the Annapolis Finish Line
The Appalachians present a continuous, irritating roller coaster. The climbs are short but steep. Rain often makes the road slick and frustrating. The crew is exhausted: some haven't slept in days, sitting in the car for 24 consecutive hours, getting only a few minutes of micro-sleep.
At Time Station 54 in Annapolis, the officials stop the clock. The competitive race is over. The final ceremonial ride to the harbor, escorted by official vehicles, is a mix of relief and disbelief. You hug the rider, the crew, and realize you did the impossible.
We completed the Race Across America. Rider and crew united for 12 days through scorching deserts, alpine climbs, and endless plains. This experience is summarized by a few core rules I learned on the road:
- ✦ Know the rider by working together at least 8 to 10 months before the start.
- ✦ Believe every single day in the final goal on the Atlantic coast.
- ✦ Choose and understand the strengths and weaknesses of every crew member.
- ✦ Plan every logistical detail without leaving anything to chance.
- ✦ Ensure safety and rest for the entire team to prevent sleep-deprived driving.
There is no cure for Race Across America. This is the truth. The mutual respect and bond forged between rider and crew over these 3,000 miles makes you experience every edition as if it were your first. Even though the road is the same and that damn Kansas is waiting in the exact same spot.
My RAAM and RAW History
My journey in the American ultra-endurance is built on miles, sleepless nights, and strategic decisions taken from a Follow Car seat:
- ☑︎ 2013: Crew for Mario Fraternali at RAAM
- ☑︎ 2014: Crew for Paride Miglio at RAAM
- ☑︎ 2015: Crew Chief for Franco Micolini at RAAM
- ☑︎ 2016: Crew Chief for Walter Cadamuro at RAW and support Team 2 at RAAM
- ☑︎ 2017: Crew Chief for Marcello Luca at the Race Across The West (Historic Win)
- ☑︎ 2022: Crew Chief for Giovanni Prosperi at the Race Across The West
- ☑︎ 2024: Crew Chief for Giovanni Prosperi at the Race Across The West
- ☑︎ 2025: Crew Chief for Giovanni Prosperi at the Race Across America