Race Across America

Team Ethos is proud to be supporting the first British female, wounded, injured and sick (WIS) team to enter one of the toughest bicycle endurance events in the world – the Race Across America (RAAM). Follow their progress here.

The team are the first British female, wounded, injured and sick (WIS) team entry for the race. They have already overcome their own huge personal challenges with life changing conditions amongst them, including paralysis, amputations, spinal-chord injuries, strokes and PTSD. Many of them are either currently serving, or are veterans of the UK military.

The physical and mental challenges that these women have already experienced is a true testament of their ability to overcome personal barriers. They will be supported by 11 crew members from both civilian and serving, or veteran, HM Forces communities.

Following the Leadership Challenges model, the team will work together to go from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans, from Oceanside in California to Annapolis in Maryland, cycling non-stop in shifts over 3,000 miles, crossing 12 states, climbing over 190,000 feet across both the Rockies and the Appalachians, and passing through deserts in temperatures that can reach 45 degrees Celsius.

The objective of this immense challenge for the team will be to re-discover their focus and confidence, creating an environment of inspiration for themselves, their team-mates, for other women who would like to take up cycling as a sport and for anyone who suffers with mental and physical health challenges.

Challenging Myself – Anna Pollock

If you ever ask why the Mind Over Matter team are putting themselves through the Race Across America, here’s a short clip filmed by Anna, during one of her training preparation sessions ready for her imminent challenge cycling across America. Anna, like the other team members, struggles with daily life and this short film gives us an insight to her feelings around her disability, but more importantly, the self-belief that is shining though.

KEY RAAM FACTS
  • Starts in Oceanside, California and ends in Annapolis, Maryland.
  • Riders can compete solo or in teams of two, four or eight.
  • RAAM is a race, but there are no stops. It’s one continual stage from west to east coast USA.
  • RAAM is around 30 per cent longer than the Tour de France, but racers must complete the distance in around half the time allowed for the French Tour.
  • Solo racers ride between 250 and 350 miles each day, balancing speed with the need to sleep.
  • For teams, work rates may be split any way the team riders choose.
  • Support crews accompany all teams and solo riders, providing essentials such as navigation, fluids, food, clothes, medical care, bike maintenance and all other logistical solutions. Riders are able to put all their focus into riding.
  • RAAM riders are both amateur and professional; they come from all over the world and from all walks of life. They are unified by their passion for cycling.
  • Over the 35-year history of the race, over 35 countries have been represented at RAAM.
  • Approximately 50 per cent of the racers are from outside the US. Around 18 per cent of racers are female.