RAAM Day 3

Another fantastic performance from our Strategic Lions during day 3 of the RAAM2012 sees them running in 3rd place in the race to Annapolis.

Despite the heat and head winds testing the physical and mental strength of all of the riders, they have maintained an average speed of 23 mph for the 2500 miles already covered.

In an attempt to catch arch-rivals Team 4Mil who are in 2^nd place the team have worked out and are implementing new race strategies, and yesterday the Lions' Team A rode for a staggering 311 miles at an average of over 25 mph, enabling them to reduce the gap to their rivals by almost 16 minutes.

Temperatures, humidity and head winds have battered the team, and crew, for the majority of the first 4 days, and it seems set to continue to be the case right to the end. It would seem that Team ViaSat from the USA have a commanding lead and look set to win the 8 man team event, but the Lions are not giving up without a fight, and are hunting down their Team 4Mil prey to snatch that second place

Tweet

Strategic Lions are on course to beat the RAAM Race Record

Reynolds sponsored Strategic Lions are on course to beat the RAAM Race Record after 1325 miles of the 3000 total race distance…unfortunately so are their two main rivals.

Currently running third on the road, this year’s event, behind Team ViaSat and Team 4Mil of the United States.

Two very strong, well prepared teams of world class cycling athletes, including existing World endurance and World Triathlon cyclists

Team ViaSat are well out in front, two hours ahead of the Lions, with Team 4Mil just 40 minutes up the road in second place.

Putting this into perspective, Strategic Lions are over 30 minutes ahead of their time at the same stage in the 2011 event, in which they

missed the RAAM race record by only 11 minutes, comparatively, Team 4Mil are over 3 hours faster than last year at this stage.

The team have reported searing, lung busting and strength sapping 115 degree temperatures through the desert in Arizona, lasting well

into the early hours, and a series of logistical and mechanical problems with both team and crew resources is testing their resolve and

determination as they travelled through Utah and Colorado.

Day 3 of this gruelling event will see them cross Kansas and enter Missouri, and having spoken to the members of the team, they are working together

to haul in Team 4Mil and close the gap on Team ViaSat.

Tweet

Mike Hall completely smashes round the world record

Yorkshire man and Reynolds sponsored rider Mike Hall completely smashed the round the world record on Monday completing 18000 miles in 91 days, 18hrs returning to Greenwich on his 31^st birthday.

Some great press here:

bikeradar.com

RCUK

road.cc

Mike was riding with Attack rims (on DMR disc hubs) hand built by our very own Liam Cave and as expected totally stood up to this amazing test

He even stopped off at Reynolds in SLC on his trip for breakfast and a general bike service

Reynolds Facebook - mike hall pics  

The race is far from over though, you can follow it here www.worldcycleracing.com

Tweet

Reynolds sponsored Strategic Lions take on the RAAM. Please show your support for HELP THE HEROES and donate now!

Departing Saturday 16th June 2012, I will be competing in a team of 8 in the world famous RACE ACROSS AMERICA cycle race! Teaming up with other elite cyclists, including former triple National Road Champion & Olympian John Tanner & Time Trial Legend Kev Dawson as the “Strategic Lions Cycling Team” Riding SCOTT Bikes (Plasma TT & CR1) with a mixture of Reynolds wheels including the RZR92, 81, 46 and Element  we will be a mobile advert crossing the states!

RAAM is 30% longer than the Tour de France with a route stretching over 3000 miles. Starting in California and ending in Maryland, We will cross 14 states and climb over 100,000 feet.

Typically in the team race, riders will cross the country in 6 to 9 days; averaging 350 to over 500 miles per day! However we don’t intend just to win the race. The current team record stands at 5 days 9 hours and three minutes, which our team is hoping to beat, to set a new World Record.

We will ride in a relay format and race 24 hours a day - in RAAM, once the clock starts on the west coast, it doesn't stop until each racer reaches the finish line on the east coast. We race 24 hours a day.

We are doing all this to raise a bucket load of money for Help For Heroes! If you can spare a couple of quid please (remember that hard to find bike I found, or the cheap shoes…..!!)

Could you log on to the site we have set up, we get gift aid on donations, although if you would rather give me cash/cheque that is fine also. Oh & I encourage you to leave a message!

http://www.bmycharity.com/strategiclions

During the race we will be blogging about it on the team web page  http://www.strategiclions.com/ you can also follow real time on the official RAAM site http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

Thanks for taking the time to read this mail, and if you can donate Cheers! As an ex serviceman Help For Heroes is a charity close to my heart. if you want any more info on the project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch

Regards

Keith Murray

Northern Area Sales Manager

SCOTT Sports SA (UK Branch)

Tweet

Swede victory for Team UK Youth in Redditch

Reynolds RZR46 Teams doing their bit. A win for Niklas Gustavsson http://www.tourseries.co.uk/ArticleView.asp?Id=466last night in Redditch, Team UK Youth move up to 2^nd place.

Tweet