Southwest Ohio RAAM
Newsletter
Oxford - Trenton - Lebanon - Blanchester
Race Across AMerica - The
World's Toughest Bicycle Race
www.ohioraam.org
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February 17 2012
114 Days to the start
of RAAM 2012 - 31st Anniversary |
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In This
Issue
- Less than
four months from the start of RAAM
- Racing in
RAAM costs money...a lot
- RAAM race
director George Thomas needs race officials
- Blanchester
(Ohio) Historical Society building creates RAAM display section
in city museum
- Six time
RAAM veteran Marko Baloh (Slovenia) needs your help
- Join OHIORAAM
on Google Plus
- To subscribe
or unsubscribe to this newsletter
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Less than four months
from the start of RAAM and the field is
already growing very competitive. The 2011 winners of the Race
Around Austria for both the men's and women's race, Reto Schoch
and Trix Zgraggen from Switzerland will be at the
start.
The women's solo race will have 2011 winner and course record
holders of the Race Across the West, Joan Deitchman (Canada),
and the Adirondack 540, Cassie Schumacher (USA). Veteran
Janet Christiansen (USA) is also making a return. Janet
came up just shy of winning in 2009. This could be her last RAAM
she has indicated. The women’s field will be very competitive
without a doubt!
In the men's solo race, last year's winner Christoph Strasser
(Austria) will return as will 2009 RAAM "Rookie of the
Year" Matthew Warner-Smith (Australia). Joe
Barr (Ireland),and Valerio Zamboni (Italy), the 2009
and 2011 winners of the Race Around Ireland will be on hand.
Henning Larsen (Denmark), the winner of the Melfar 24
Hour will be racing in his first RAAM.
We expect RAAM two time winner Dani Wyss (Switzerland) and
veteran Gerhard Gulewicz (Austria) to be on hand for the
start. Gerhard has been a top contender in just about every RAAM
he has participated in but has yet to win. A large number of
solo entries will be on hand from Belgium, Denmark, and New Zealand.
One of the largest fields from a country is coming from Germany.
The international reach of this race grows each year.
Racing in RAAM costs
money...a lot, especially when
coming from another country. Depending on the number of crew
members and vehicles costs range from $25,000 to $50,000 for
a solo racer. Many veterans would love to race each year but
cannot because they cannot find enough sponsors to return year
after year. This year we will miss some of the best because they
lack funds.
Consider helping out. Every little bit helps no matter how small.
If every person reading this newsletter would contribute just
$10, a mere lunch, many RAAM qualifiers would be able to race
more often. If you can't give money, then consider donating your
home if you live along or near the course for sleep breaks, laundry,
and showers. You can donate a vehicle, a gas card, a food card,
etc... There are so many ways you can be a part. Check out one
of the racers on our profile page and adopt
a favorite. Join their team. They will appreciate the gesture
and you will feel like you are truly on board with their team
and have a stake in their outcome.
The same can be said for the teams. If you already give to a
certain charity consider giving through one of the RAAM teams.
They raise money for many different charities. You are may find
one that you already support. You may have a friend or family
member who can benefit from their work
Over the past few years several million dollars have been donated
to charitable organizations.
RAAM race director George Thomas needs
race officials. No experience
necessary; they will train you. If you can't devote enough time
for the whole race consider a portion of the United States near
you. They are also interested in those willing to work short
sections of the course.
Many solo racers and teams need crew members. US crew membesr
can save foreign racers money. Crews need drivers, navigators,
nurses, doctors, and bike mechanics. If you can only work a segment
of the race, many teams would be glad to have you.If you are
interested in either of the above roles please let us know.
 Blanchester (Ohio) Historical Society building
creates RAAM display section in city museum
J.W. Simpson,
curator, has collected memorabilia from the 5 years the Blanchester,
Ohio, has hosted a time station for The Race Across AMerica.
The display will be open during the 2012 Race from June 20 -
23rd. (Regular Hours for the museum - Wednesday and Saturday
1-4pm)
The museum is located directly across the street from the time
station. As they pass Time Station 42 Racers, crews, officials
and fans are encouraged to donate articles to the museum.
Six time RAAM veteran
Marko Baloh (Slovenia) needs your help.
He is writing his memoirs. For
a few dollars you could be a part of his team and help him more
then you can imagine. Don't miss this once in a life time opportunity.
With each donation comes a different level of perks. For more
information on his story and perks, see the following link
www.pleasefund.us/projects/marko-balohs-raam-the-book
Videos
of the Month - Click here
Jiri Hledik (Czech Republic), Team Twenty.Six (Germany), RAAM
Media - 2011 Race Recap, Team Donate Life, Dave Elsberry (USA),
Stefan Schlegel (Germany)
 Join OHIORAAM on Google Plus
Don't miss all the latest and most updated news on the Race Across
America. Join Google + now. It is free and a great way to link
in with volunteers, crew members, racers, RAAM veterans, and
with other folks interested in following RAAM. In addition we
will be hosting RAAM friend's hangout groups which give you that
chance to meet them in person. See our website for how you can
join today. Already there are over 500+ people following us in
just a few months online! Go to our page and add us to your circles. You
will receive notifications of hangouts and other events. |
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Oxford Page
Blanchester Page
Raam 2011: Irma Baloh wife
and crew of Marko Baloh (Slovenia) chats with Blanchester Ohio
station captain Amy McFaddin
Jeric Wilhelmsen- Director of RAAM Media at Blanchester
Team works on sore feet of Joshua Kench- New Zealand #414
#319 David "Donkey"
Jones (USA) gets quick nap
Blanchester Historical Society
J. W. Simpson, Curator
Blanchester Historical Society with Marko Baloh memorabilia
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