RAAM - yes that RAAM

[JEFFREY KOONTZ]

Hi all,

As many of you already know, after qualifying at the November 2024, World 24 Hour Time Trial championships, I registered for the 2026 Race Across America in the Solo division.

Just a quick description, etc. It’s a supported race (I have a race crew/follow vehicles, multiple bikes etc). It begins on June 16th 2026 in Oceanside, CA (just north of San Diego), and finishes in Atlantic City, NJ with a maximum time limit of 12 days (June 28th).

There will be live tracking etc during the event - and my goal is to try to podium in the mens 50-59 category.

I am looking for people to crew for me, which might involve driving (a lot at 15 mph), navigating, problem solving, etc. I know it’s a lengthy time commitment but if anyone is interested in an adventure of a lifetime, please drop me a note. People who finish RAAM could not have done it without their crew, and people who Crew will feel a tremendous amount of accomplishment in the effort as it is truly a team endeavor.

Anyhow, not to throw too much info all at once, I’ve been working on nutrition for the event, finding the best rate of carb intake etc, and to that end, I am doing a roller challenge this weekend. Starting 4pm Friday, I plan to ride rollers for 24 hours in attempt to accomplish the 1975 24 hour roller distance standard set first by Jack Simes at 681 miles, and then beat by Len Vreeland later that year at the opening of the Lehigh Valley Velodrome at 717 miles. I’ll be using rollers with no resistance, and a wheel speed sensor with a rollout of the wheel for measuring distance (not zwift miles). I’ll finish up at 4pm on Saturday - hopefully with a decent chunk of those miles (if not all of them).

Thanks for reading along and again, let me know if you have any interest in participating in RAAM!!.

Best regards,
Jeff


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