• Created in 1982, the Race Across America (RAAM) is the longest running ultra-distance bicycle competition in the world. This is not a stage race like the Tour de France, where each day a set distance is covered. In RAAM, the gun fires somewhere on the West Coast (Oceanside, CA in 2006) and the finish line is over 3000 miles away, on the other side of the continent (Atlantic City in 2006.)
• Broadly speaking, categories competing in the race comprise Solo, 2-Person, 4-Person, and 8-Person. Since teams travel faster than solo riders, they start two days later.
• The race spans a dramatic range of elevations. In 2006 the riders descended to 170 feet below sea level (Mecca, CA) and climbed to 10,550 feet above sea level (Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado).
• In addition to the start and finish, the race passes through time stations in 56 different towns and cities, across approximately 15 states, including Maryland and Pennsylvania.
• Riders from 15 countries raced in RAAM 2006: 35 solo racers, 126 team competitors, and 27 24-hour racers.

For more information about RAAM, visit their website at www.raceacrossamerica.org