Southwest Ohio RAAM
Newsletter
Oxford - Trenton - Lebanon - Blanchester
Race Across America - The
World's Toughest Bicycle Race
www.ohioraam.org |
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May 2009 |
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- Less than one month to go!
- Earn a T-shirt
- Solo RAAM
- New web link "Tornado
Alley"
- New Visitors Map
- Now you know….RAAM 101
- Sponsorship and Adopt-a Racer
- A Photo and Video Contest
for 2009.
- RAAM has it's own disease.
- OHIORAAM on Twitter and Facebook
- How to unsubscribe or subscribe.
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Less than one
month to go!
If you have been putting off volunteering until a later moment,
that time has come. Time is running out. It would be a big help
if you would commit sooner rather later. . To volunteer use this form or email one of
the TS managers listed on the right. You can find full information about volunteering
for RAAM including a manual for Time Station workers here.
Newsletter frequency
Beginning with this newsletter and continuing to the
end of the race, frequency of publication may increase with shorter
updates. We will plan a final roundup and review of RAAM 2009
for a July publication.
In our next edition, we will give you the sources to get the
latest updates on the races, their standings and when they will
be in your neighborhood.
Earn
a T-shirt
 Thanks to Tom
Brane and Letterman Press (Oxford) we have a special t-shirt
for time stations 40 and 41. If you sign up to work at least
4 hours at one of the time stations before June 16, you will
receive one of our new t-shirts when you come to work your shift.
T-shirts will also be available at the time stations for a cost
of $5.00.
Solo RAAM
The latest solo racers to register:
Julian Sanz Garcia from Spain. Julian made last year's
race very exciting as he set off on a very fast pace and forced
many racers to pursue early on. For more information on Julian,
see our racer profiles tab. He is also our first Spanish racer
in this year's race and brings the total countries count to twelve
in the solo and team categories.
Jure Robic from Slovenia. Jure is the only four time winner
of RAAM and has returned this year to try to make it a fifth
win. Jure was Rookie of the Year in 2003 (placing 2nd) and won
in 2004 & 2005. He had serious medical problems in 2006 which
required a helicopter evacuation and intensive care. However,
he returned to win decisively in 2007 and 2008. Jure has many
loyal fans. He is a fierce competitor, but living proof that
not all nice guys finish last.
New web link "Tornado Alley"
Check out our newest link to WCPO Channel 9's weather site called
"Tornado Alley". You will find the link on the home
page of the web site.
If you are from outside the United States, you may not be aware
but our time stations are in "Tornado Alley" just as
Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma are. Tornado season typically runs
from April to August, and yes we do get them here from time to
time. In fact, last year we had three separate tornadoes touchdown,
although briefly, near the time stations on the same weekend
the race began. The tornadoes were rated a "1" on a
1 to 5 scale, the lowest rating in terms of strength. However,
we have had our share of much stronger ones. The downed trees,
power lines, and debris were cleaned up just before the first
racers came through.
You will also find in the link useful tips about tornadoes and
what to do if you should spot one or hear the sirens. Finally,
you can find out where the storm chasers are. Hopefully, they
are not behind your follow or support vehicles!
New Visitors Map
See the bottom of our home page for the link to where our visitors
to the website are from. See how much RAAM and the race in Ohio
is watched and followed all around the world. [Link to map here] The map shows the geographic
location of the last 100 visitor to www.ohioraam.org.
Now you know….RAAM 101
- A racer's crew has to call in to HQ within 30 minutes after
reaching a time station or a penalty will be incurred.
- Under certain conditions Spy vehicles are allowed. Spy vehicles
must clearly show RAAM logos and the race number.
- If a racer leaves the course for whatever the reason, they
need to go back to the point of exit to continue on with the
race and inform RAAM officials.
- Alcohol and tobacco sponsors are not allowed to appear on
a rider's jersey. There goes sponsorship from my home state of
Kentucky!
- Firearms are not allowed to be carried by racers or their
crews. Tri-State crew members check your guns at the door!
- Dancing naked outside a support vehicle by a racer or his
crew is not allowed. Obviously rules have been made for a reason.
A Draft version of the 2009 72 page rule book
is found here.
Sponsorship
and Adopt-a Racer
Interested in sponsoring or adopting a racer? Let us help get
you or your company connected to a racer or team. Can you think
of a better place to advertise your business then on a slow moving
RV or follow vehicle that is traveling across the entire country
drawing attention upon itself?
Consider forming your own group of co-workers, cycling buddies,
or friends to adopt a racer. For example for as little as $100
to $125, your group could sponsor the time station of a racer.
Sponsorship gives you perks and more personal reports of their
race progress in many cases. Of course each racer has different
ways to support them as well as the perks they give to their
supporters. Support doesn't have to be just money. It can come
in many forms such as gas cards, donating equipment or supplies,
or providing your personal skills that may be of use in serving
as a crew member. This is a great way to get involved in RAAM
and receive many lasting memories.
A Photo and Video Contest for 2009
Calling all Photographers and Videographers, professional,
amateur or just have a camera in the dresser drawer. Here are the rules for out 2009 photo contest.
RAAM has it's
own disease.
 On the second RAAM (1983),
Dr. Mike Shermer's neck muscles failed. After leaning over his
handlebars for long hours, he could no longer hold up his head.
This condition has become known as "Shermer's Neck."
Over the years, racers have tried many strategies to combat Shermer's
Neck. Crews have invented a variety of braces and straps to physically
hold the rider's head. In some cases, these devices were constructed
from whatever they could find in a local hardware store.
Exercise and physical therapies before and during the race have
reduced the incidence of Shermer's Neck.
We are now a group on Facebook. Join OHIO-RAAM here.
Follow OHIORAAM
on Twitter. |
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Thank you to our Sponsors and Supporters |
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- 7 Hills Racing
- Baymont Inn & Suite
- Beckmeyer Designs
- BioWheels
- BJ's Bikes and Kayaks
- Bronze Photography
- Champions of Faith
- Cincinnati Cycle Club
- Cincinnati Sports Club
- City of Blanchester
- Covington Latin School
- Cowan Lake State Park
- Hannon's Camp America
- Hills Angels - Loveland
- Japanese Karate Do of Cincinnati
- Jeff Jakucyk Photography
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- K&G Bike Centers Xenia-Centerville-Kettering
- Kroger's - Blanchester
- Kroger's - Oxford
- Letterman Printing - Oxford
- McDonald's - Blanchester
- McDonald's - Oxford
- Miami University Recreation & Sports Center
- On-the-Ball Irrigation
- Ross Design
- Skipper's Pub
- Trek Bicycle Store - Cincinnati
- VBL Photography
- Walgreen's - Oxford
- YWCA Greater Cincinnati
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Would you like to join as one of our supporters? For more
information, contact one of the team listed in this newsletter. |
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2008 female soloist, Janet Christiansen (USA) at TS40. Janet
is racing again in 2009.
Photo by Larry Tobias
Printer Friendly Poster
2008 John Schlitter (USA) gets leg massage at TS40
Photo by Ruth and Jerry Winters
Ann Wooldridge (UK) training for her first RAAM
Photo
courtesy of the Ultra Marathon Cycling Ass'n |