HISTORY OF RAAM TEAM DIVISIONS
by Danny Chew
The very first transcontinental bicycle race was held in 1982 and called the Great American Bike Race (GABR). It featured 4 solo men all of who finished. The next year, the race was renamed the Race Across AMerica (RAAM), and riders had to finish within 48 hours of the winner to be official. Kitty Goursolle was the first woman entrant, but after 800 miles, she dropped out after her support vehicle was damaged. 1984 featured the first solo women’s division with 3 finishers including a tie for first place (only sprint finish ever in any RAAM division). 1985 had the most (8) unofficial finishers. 1986 featured the first solo men 50+ rider – French Canadian George Helaouet who dropped out after 1,758 miles. Pete Penseyres won his second solo RAAM, and set the speed record of 15.40 mph which has stood for over 20 years! 1987 had the biggest (7) solo women’s starting field. 1988 featured the biggest (39) solo RAAM starting field. This peak was attributed to network TV/media saturation after the first 5 races aired on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, and the fact that the first 7 races were all solo divisions. Solo RAAM had it's first foreign winner in Franz Spilauer of Austria.
In 1989, the first team division came in the form of 4 person HPV teams. 3 out of 4 teams finished, and the winner – Team Lightning/Tim Brummer set the transcontinental record of 5:01:08 (24.02 mph) which still stands today as the fastest crossing in all divisions. 1990 saw the most (22) solo finishers, and the first solo men 50+ finisher – 58 year old Victor Gallo who was given an extra 24 hours for official finisher status. 1990 also featured the first tandem divisions with 3 vehicles starting. Bob Breedlove & Roger Charleville won the men’s division, beating the solo men’s winner Bob Fourney. Lon Haldeman & Pete Penseyres who in 1987 smoked across the country in a non-RAAM effort in 7:14:55 (15.97 mph) {still the fastest crossing where each rider rides the entire distance} were the clear favorites. Lon was his fittest ever, but Pete’s acute mountain sickness and saddle sores stopped their tandem after just 952 miles. It was the only blemish on Pete’s remarkable RAAM career. Ron Dossenbach & Sue Pavlat won the mixed tandem division. When I am asked which is faster – solo bikes or tandems? I answer - it depends who is on them. Although tandems are usually slower (especially on mountainous/hilly routes), I will never forget Lon & Pete’s “perfect crossing” in 1987. Although a women’s tandem record exists, it was done outside of RAAM. Who will be the first women’s tandem to start and finish RAAM? Also in 1990 outside of RAAM, Michael Secrest rode the only under 8 day crossing. His absolute transcontinental time record of 7:23:16 on a 2,915 mile course yielded a 15.24 mph average speed for the second fastest crossing ever.
1992 featured the first solo women 50+ finisher – Bonnie Allison who is the oldest woman to ever finish. 1992 had the first 4 person teams on conventional bicycles. 3 men’s teams finished – the winner Team Manheim was more than two days faster than the solo men’s winner Rob Kish who set the solo RAAM time record of 8:03:11 (note the average speed record of 15.40 mph set by Pete Penseyres in 1986 on a course nearly 200 miles longer). 1992 was a very fast year as winner Rob Kish averaged 14.91 mph. The top 5 solo riders all finished in under 9 days. 1992 also featured the first 8 person team – Team SCOR that included a woman Penny Wadley. Two of the eight 4 person teams in the 1993 RAAM had one woman on them. The oldest person to ever attempt solo RAAM was 63 year old Dr. Ron Bell in 1993, but Shemerneck stopped him after 1,973 miles.
In 1997, two new divisions were created. The 4 tandem (8 person) mixed {4 women} team – Team Two Mixed-Up including two blind people, and the increasingly popular 2 person men’s team – Team Dagger was Perry Stone & Jeff Estes both riding mountain bikes and finishing after the 3rd place solo man Rob Kish. Also in 1997, solo RAAM race director Nick Gerlich brought RAAM online by building the first RAAM website which tracked riders progress across the country at all time stations, and provided photos. In subsequent years, the RAAM website would be a crucial link between riders and fans who used to have to call some hotline phone number to follow the race before the Internet/World Wide Web. Riders also started making their own websites to promote their sponsors & crew. Joe Petersen became the first man to win 4 person team RAAM 3 times.
1998 featured two 4 person men’s 70+ teams. 1999 has the first 2 person mixed team – Team Met-Rx featuring Brandi Lueken & Keith Duguid, but they dropped out after 1,239 miles. 1999 also featured the first 4 person mixed 60+ team. Seana Hogan won her 6th and final solo RAAM. I won my second solo RAAM in 1999 - a fast year as the top 5 solo riders all finished in under 9 days (like in 1992).
In 2001, 60 year old Peter Lekisch became the first solo men’s 60+ finisher. 2001 featured the first 2 person women’s team – The Twin Team who were also 58 year olds and finished a half a day after the solo men’s winner. 2001 also featured the first 2 person men’s 50+ team – Team E-Caps composed of 2003-2006 RAAM race director Jim Pitre & Peter Pop who finished 28 hours faster than the solo men’s winner. 2002 featured the first 4 person mixed 60+ team – Twin PAC Team.
2003 was the start of the 8 person corporate teams: Team Insight beat Team Ride to Remember. In 2004, several team records were set and broken. The jinx of the 2 person mixed team was finally broken when Team Velowear.com/Co-Motion finished and established a time of 7:18:05 (15.9 mph). The old 2 person men’s team record was broken by a wide margin by Team Coast to Coast Against Cancer finishing in 6:14:07 (18.71 mph). The 8 year old 4 person men’s team record set by Kern Wheelmen in 1996 was just barely beaten by 0.02 mph by Team Action Sports finishing in 5:08:17 (23.06 mph). The old 4 person men’s 70+ record was shattered by Team Grand PAC Masters finishing in 7:16:31 (16.03 mph). There were three 8 person corporate teams with Team Ride to Remember – Kaiser Permanente beating out the previous years winner Team Insight. RAAM had it's first fatality: While leading the 4 person team race on his Vail - Go Fast team, Brett Malin was killed riding in New Mexico. In 2004, Rob Kish finished his 19th solo RAAM.
In 2005, 100 riders (not including the 35 riders in the 24 Hour
Corporate Challenge) started team RAAM. Three new divisions were created.
The 4 Person Recumbent with two teams, the 2 Person Men 60+, and the 24 Hour
Corporate Challenge (ending in Flagstaff, AZ) consisting of five teams of 6-8
riders. RAAM had it's second fatality: While leading the solo 50+ race,
Dr. Bob Breedlove was killed riding in Colorado.
In 2006, a record 122 riders (not including the 29 riders in the 24 Hour
Corporate Challenge) started team RAAM. Of the 122, 32 were either team (29) or
solo (6) RAAM veterans. Six new divisions were created.
The 2 Person Recumbent, the 2 Person Mixed 50+, the 4 Person Mixed 50+, the
4 Person (2 Tandem) Mixed, the 6 Person HPV, and the 8 Person Corporate
Challenge Men 60+. Also introduced was the solo Enduro which required
riders to log at least 40 hours of off bike time at officiated time stations.
Enduro riders had the flat time limit of 12 Days, 2 Hours to finish officially.
The old solo race became known as Traditional, and riders had to finish within
48 hours of the winner for official finisher status. Daniel Wyss became only
the second ever rookie to win solo RAAM when he won Traditional. Enduro winner
Jonathan Boyer was the first to ever win solo RAAM as a rookie back in 1985.
Both solo divisions started at the same time, but Traditional winner Wyss finished
13 hours ahead of Enduro winner Boyer who was the 5th solo rider to reach
Atlantic City, NJ. Enduro rider's official finishing times included all of
their off bike time, but the total amount of time they officially logged at
time stations was tracked and posted on the RAAM website during and after
the race. Linda Guerrette became the first woman to win 4 person team RAAM 3 times.
There are separate categories within divisions like Rookie-of-the-Year for solo men and women. The youngest starter in the solo men’s race was 17 year old Scott Fortner who dropped out of the 1984 race after 2,641 miles. The youngest finisher was 18 year old Alaskan Ben Couturier in 2005. Chris Kostman had held the previous record of age 20 set back in 1987 when Couturier was born. The youngest winner was 24 year old Lon Haldeman in the first race in 1982. The oldest starter in the solo men’s race was 63 year old Dr. Ron Bell. The oldest finisher was 60 year old Peter Lekesch in 2001, until current RAAM President/CEO Fred Boethling finished at age 61 in 2006. The oldest Traditional winner was 43 year old Pete Penseyres in 1986. The oldest (and first) Enduro winner was 50 year old Jonathan Boyer in 2006. In the solo women’s race, the youngest winner was 24 year old Shelby Hayden-Clifton in 1984. The oldest starter was 54 year old Rebecca Smith in 2003. The oldest finisher was 50+ Bonnie Allison in 1992.
In comparing different divisions, it may be asked which are the most difficult. I would say those, which require each rider to complete the full distance. These would be solo and single tandem. Which of these is tougher? The advantages of tandem over solo are: You can go faster on the flats and down hills. You have somebody to talk with to help pass the time and stay awake. If one rider is feeling down, the other can compensate for this. The stoker (rider in the rear) can lean their head on the captain and zone out while still rotating their legs. The disadvantages of tandem over solo are: Tandems don’t climb as well. Both riders may not want to sleep at the same time. Tandems get whipped around in crosswinds more than solo bikes. You may start getting on your partner’s nerves and drive them crazy by the end. One person’s problems become the tandem’s problem, and could lead to a DNF. Both riders having to stop for bathroom breaks at different times. Arguments over what type of music is played by your support follow vehicle. You need a bigger crew and more equipment for tandem compared to solo.
Team RAAM allows people to participate in RAAM who can’t sacrifice all the time needed to train for solo RAAM. It gives people an introduction to RAAM, and qualifies them for solo RAAM. Some Team RAAM riders have ridden other team divisions and even the solo race. Dieter Weik and George Thomas went from the 4 person team in 1994 to solo in 1995 finishing both. Thomas also did another 4 person team, two tandem RAAMs, and a 2 person mixed team finishing them all. Katie Lindquist went from a mixed tandem finish to a solo DNF. Jeff Bell went from a 4 person team finish to a solo finish. Rickey Wilson went from a mixed tandem finish to an unofficial solo finish. Peter Lekisch went from a 4 person team finish to a solo 60+ record. Brazil’s Michel Bogli has gone from three 4 person team RAAMs to a 2 person team victory in 2001 back to a 4 person team in 2004 finishing them all. Brazil’s Jose Pinto Filho went from a 2 person team victory to a 4 person team finish. Brazil’s Ricardo Arap went from a 2 person team finish to a 2 person team DNF to two solo DNFs. Russ Goodwin, Tracy McKay, and John D'Elia went from 2 person team finishes to solo DNFs. Bob Kimber went from an 8 person (4 tandem) mixed team finish to a solo DNF. Bob Baur went from four 4 person team RAAMs (including 1 DNF) to a 2 person team DNF. Don Beck went from two 4 person team finishes to a 2 person team DNF. Tom Pettus went from a 4 person team finish to a 2 person team DNF. Urs Koenig went from a 4 person team finish to a solo DNF. Joey Kelly went from a 2 person team finish to a 4 person mixed team finish to a 2 person mixed team finish. Uli Weber went from a 2 person team finish to a 4 person mixed team finish. Tom Hooker went from two 4 person team finishes to an 8 person (4 tandem) team finish to a 4 person HPV team finish to a 4 person (2 tandem) mixed team finish. Tim Skipper went from a 4 person team finish to two 8 person (4 tandem) team finishes to a 4 person HPV team finish to a 4 person recumbent team finish to a 4 person (2 tandem) mixed team finish. Joe Petersen went from seven 4 person team finishes to a 2 person team win and record. Kevin McNulty went from a 4 person team finish to a 2 person team win and record. Shanna Armstrong went from a 2 person mixed team win to a solo finish/win. Guy Wells went from a 2 person mixed team win to a solo DNF. Fred Boethling went from a 2 person team finish to a solo oldest (61) finisher to the current RAAM President/CEO. Kevin Wallace went from a 2 person team win and record to a solo finish. Derek Slife went from two 8 person corporate team finishes to a 2 person team finish. Eric Tidd went from an 8 person corporate team finish to a 2 person team finish. Chris Shaw went from a 4 person mixed team finish to a 2 person team finish. Kirk Gentle went from a 4 person mixed team finish to a 2 person team finish. Terry Dutton went from a 24 hour corporate challenge finish to a 2 person mixed team finish.
Going from solo to team may be an easier or more natural transition. Pete Penseyres went from 3 solo finishes (including 2 wins) to a non-RAAM tandem record to a 4 person HPV team victory to a tandem DNF to a 4 person team 50+ record to an 8 person corporate men 60+ finish. Pete’s brother Jim Penseyres went from 2 solo finishes to a 4 person HPV team victory to another solo finish to an 8 person corporate men 60+ finish. Michael Shermer went from 4 solo RAAMs (including 1 DNF) to a 4 person HPV team DNF. Roger Charleville went from a solo DNF to a tandem finish. Bob Kimber went from a 4 tandem (8 person) mixed team finish to a solo DNF. 2003-2006 RAAM race director Jim Pitre and Dwight Bishop went from solo DNFs to 2 person team finishes. Poor Tom Seabourne went from 3 solo RAAMs (including 2 DNFs) to a 4 person team DNF. Poor Roger Mankus went from a solo DNF to a tandem DNF. Byron Reiper went from two solo DNFs to a 2 person team finish. Peter Pop went from two solo finishes to a 2 person team finish. Charles Liskey went from a solo finish to two 2 person team finishs. John Williams went from a solo DNF to a 4 person team finish to an 8 person (4 tandem) team finish to a 4 person HPV team finish to a 4 person recumbent team finish. Ron Bell went from a solo 60+ DNF to three 4 person team finishes. Victor Gallo went from a solo 50+ finish to a 4 person team 60+ finish. Lon Haldeman went from 5 solo RAAMs (including 2 wins & 1 DNF) to many tandem RAAM and non-RAAM transcontinental crossings. Bob Fourney went from 3 solo RAAMs (including 2 DNFs) to a 4 person HPV team victory to 3 solo RAAMs (including 2 wins) to a solo HPV drop out to another 4 person HPV team victory in 2004. Tim Woudenberg went from a 4 person HPV victory to a 4 person recumbent victory to a 2 person Recumbent finish. Dr. Bob Breedlove went from 2 solo finishes to 2 tandem finishes to another solo finish to a non-RAAM solo 50+ record to a solo DNF when he was killed in 2005. Somewhere in there along with a solo RAAM he also has the current double transcontinental record. This all makes him the greatest RAAM rider to never win the solo race. Ed Kross went from 2 solo finishes to a solo DNF to another solo finish to a 4 person team finish. Patrick Autissier went from a solo DNF to a 4 person team finish. Rich Kondzielaski went from a solo finish to a 4 person team finish. Twins Dr. Barbara Warren & Angelika Castaneda went from a 2 person women’s 50+ team finish to a 4 person mixed 60+ team finish. Iva Hradilova and John Wagoner Sr. went from a 4 person mixed team finish to a 2 person mixed team finish. Peter Dammerer went from two 4 person team finishes to a 2 person team victory. Peter Schwab went from a 4 person team victory to a 2 person team vitory. Pratt Rather went from a 4 person mixed team finish to an 8 person corporate team win and record.
Tim Skipper has ridden 6 divisions - 4 person men, 8 person (4 tandem) men, 8 person (4 tandem) mixed, 4 person HPV, 4 person recumbent, & 4 person (2 tandem) mixed
The following 2 men have ridden 5 divisions:
Pete Penseyres - solo, 4 person HPV, tandem men, 4 person men 50+, & 8 person corporate men 60+ {Pete DNFed his 1990 tandem RAAM with partner Lon Haldeman}
John Williams - solo, 4 person men, 8 person (4 tandem) men, 4 person HPV, & 4 person recumbent {John DNFed his 1994 solo RAAM}
The following 2 men have ridden 4 divisions:
George Thomas - 4 person men, solo, tandem mixed, & 2 person mixed
Tom Hooker - 4 person men, 8 person (4 tandem) mixed,
4 person HPV, & 4 person (2 tandem) mixed
After completing 8 solo RAAMs (including 2 wins) perhaps I should consider coming back to race Team RAAM. To figure a riders total RAAM miles, add up all the miles they have ridden in every division including the miles ridden before dropping out. For example, George Thomas has ridden one solo RAAM, two tandem RAAMs, one 2 person mixed RAAM, and two 4 person team RAAMs. So he has:
1 + 2(1) + 0.5 + 2(0.25) = 4
So he has ridden the distance of 4 solo RAAMs even though he has finished all 6 RAAMs he has started. Obviously RAAM legend Rob Kish has ridden the most RAAM miles (57,377) with his 19 solo finishes and one DNF.
| The | Most | RAAM | Miles | Ridden |
| # Rank | Name of Rider | Solo Miles | Team Miles | Total Miles |
| 1 | Rob Kish | 57,377 | 0 | 57,377 |
| 2 | Danny Chew | 23,545 | 0 | 23,545 |
| 3 | Gerry Tatrai | 22,703 | 0 | 22,703 |
| 4 | Fabio Biasiolo | 21,153 | 0 | 21,153 |
| 5 | Lon Haldeman | 13,370 | 7,552 | 20,922 |
| 6 | Wolfgang Fasching | 20,700 | 0 | 20,700 |
| 7 | Seana Hogan | 19,575 | 0 | 19,575 |
| 8 | Michael Secrest | 17,753 | 0 | 17,753 |
| 9 | Bob Fourney | 15,165 | 1,468 | 16,633 |
| 10 | Bob Breedlove | 9,932 | 5,841 | 15,773 |
| 11 | Rick Kent | 15,254 | 0 | 15,254 |
| 12 | Dave Kees | 15,191 | 0 | 15,191 |
| 13 | Mark Patten | 15,083 | 0 | 15,083 |
| 14 | Pat Ward | 14,311 | 0 | 14,311 |
| George Thomas | 2,912 | 8,899 | 11,811 |
14 riders have ridden over 14,000 miles. This is the equavalent of finishing almost 5 solo RAAMs. Only 2 riders (Chew & Fasching) on the top 14 list have never dropped out. With his 5th finish (out of 10 starts) in 2006, Fabio Biasiolo has moved from 7th up to 4th on the list with 21,153 solo RAAM miles. Although well short of 14,000 miles, George Thomas is on the list because he has the most team miles, and no DNFs.
Two and Four person team riders have the solo RAAM distance divided equally by 2 and 4. Riders on the list with additional non-RAAM transcontinental mileage are Haldeman, Secrest, & Breedlove. Riders who might have made the list had I included their non-RAAM transcontinental miles are Pete Penseyres and Susan Notorangelo. 'Slow' PAC Tours don't count.
| Size | of | RAAM | Field | ||||||
| Year | # Solo Entrants | # Team Entrants | Total | ||||||
| 1982 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||
| 1983 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||
| 1984 | 23 | 0 | 23 | ||||||
| 1985 | 25 | 0 | 25 | ||||||
| 1986 | 26 | 0 | 26 | ||||||
| 1987 | 33 | 0 | 33 | ||||||
| 1988 | 39 | 0 | 39 | ||||||
| 1989 | 28 | 16 | 44 | ||||||
| 1990 | 33 | 6 | 39 | ||||||
| 1991 | 29 | 4 | 31 | ||||||
| 1992 | 28 | 28 | 56 | ||||||
| 1993 | 24 | 34 | 58 | ||||||
| 1994 | 31 | 64 | 95 | ||||||
| 1995 | 22 | 60 | 82 | ||||||
| 1996 | 23 | 70 | 93 | ||||||
| 1997 | 21 | 46 | 67 | ||||||
| 1998 | 23 | 50 | 73 | ||||||
| 1999 | 19 | 18 | 37 | ||||||
| 2000 | 23 | 24 | 47 | ||||||
| 2001 | 18 | 24 | 42 | ||||||
| 2002 | 18 | 34 | 52 | ||||||
| 2003 | 18 | 48 | 66 | ||||||
| 2004 | 19 | 74 | 93 | ||||||
| 2005 | 26 | 100 | 126 | ||||||
| 2006 | 29 | 122 | 151 | ||||||
|
|||||||||
The solo field peaked at 39 riders in 1988, and has stayed between 18-29 since 1995. The # of team entrants column is a rider count, not the # of teams. Starting in 1989, the team field peaked at 70 riders in 1996, dipped to 18 riders in 1999, and with the new 8 person corporate teams, reached a new peak of 122 riders in 2006. The 24 Hour Corporate Challenge teams are not included in 2005 or 2006.
The team field 'caught' the solo field in 1992 (both having 28 entrants), moved way ahead of the solo's in the mid 1990's, dipped below the solo's by one rider in 1999, and have been increasing their lead ever since.
Starting out with just 4 riders in 1982, the total field increased every year to 44 in 1989. After a slight drop to 31, it peaked at 95 in 1994. Dropping to 37 in 1999, it has rebounded nicely to a new peak of 151 in 2006.
| 2006 | RAAM | EXISTING | RE- | CORDS | BRO- | KEN | BY |
| Division or Category | Name of Team | Name of Rider(s) | Year | AVS in MPH | Time (D: H: M: ) | Distance (miles) | MPH |
| 8 Person | |||||||
| old record | |||||||
| 8 Person Corporate Team | R2R Kaiser Permanente | Reid Jolin & Brian Potter | 2004 | 19.84 | 6:05:07 | 2,959 | |
| Michael S. Jaffe & Mark Meyer | |||||||
| Tom Paluch & Jonathan Polikoff | |||||||
| Warren James & Andy Blumenfeld | |||||||
| new record | Type 1 Diabetes | Phil Southerland & Pratt Rather | 2006 | 22.36 | 5:16:04 | 3,043 | 2.52 |
| Linda Demma & Jay Hewitt | |||||||
| Robert Heyer & Troy Willard | |||||||
| Joe Eldridge & Steve Holmes | |||||||
| 2 Person | |||||||
| old record | |||||||
| 2 Person Team Men | Coast to Coast Against Cancer | Jeff Rushton & Kevin Wallace | 2004 | 18.71 | 6:14:07 | 2,959 | |
| new record | BodyXchange/Garden Pathways | Joe Petersen & Kevin McNulty | 2006 | 19.58 | 6:11:24 | 3,043 | 0.87 |
| Solo | |||||||
| old records | |||||||
| Men 50+ | Tom Davies, Jr. | 1995 | 11.83 | 10:06:14 | 2,912 | 0.8 | |
| Men 50+ (non-RAAM) | Dr. Bob Breedlove | 2002 | 12.26 | 9:19:47 | 2,868 | 0.37 | |
| new record | Jonathan Boyer | 2006 | 12.63 | 10:00:52 | 3,043 | ||
| old record | |||||||
| Men 60+ | Peter Lekisch | 2001 | 9.66 | 12:20:50 | 2,983 | ||
| new record | Fred Boethling | 2006 | 10.31 | 12:07:03 | 3,043 | 0.65 | |
| 4 Person | |||||||
| old record | |||||||
| 4 Person Team Women 50+ | Motorola/W4 | Phyllis Cohen & Celeste Callahan | 1996 | 15.66 | 7:17:30 | 2,905 | |
| Sharon Koontz & Jeanette Marsh | |||||||
| new record | Red Helmets | Melinda Yelton & Paula Larsen | 2006 | 15.99 | 7:22:15 | 3,043 | 0.33 |
| Sharon Koontz & Celeste Callahan | |||||||
| 2 Person | |||||||
| old record | |||||||
| 2 Person Team Men 50+ | Team E-Caps | Jim Pitre & Peter Pop | 2001 | 15.56 | 7:20:27 | 2,983 | |
| new record | eXtreme | Charles Liskey & Steve Winfrey | 2006 | 15.82 | 8:00:23 | 3,043 | 0.26 |
| 2006 | RAAM | NEW | RE- | CORDS | ESTAB- | LISHED | |
| Division or Category | Name of Team | Name of Rider(s) | Year | AVS in MPH | Time (D: H: M: ) | Distance (miles) | |
| Solo | |||||||
| Enduro Men | Jonathan Boyer | 2006 | 12.63 | 10:00:52 | 3,043 | ||
| Team | |||||||
| 2 Person | |||||||
| 2 Person Team Recumbent | Volae Wolf Pack | Thomas Kingsbury & Tim Woudenberg | 2006 | 16.56 | 7:15:47 | 3,043 | |
| 2 Person Team Mixed 50+ | Racing Against Diabetes | Terry Dutton & Patty Riddle | 2006 | 10.74 | 11:19:14 | 3,043 | |
| 4 Person | |||||||
| 2 Tandem {4 Person} Team Mixed | JDRF | Tim Skipper & Brenda Barnell | 2006 | 15.37 | 8:05:56 | 3,043 | |
| Tom Hooker & Rachel MaGrady | |||||||
| 4 Person Team Mixed 50+ | Emily's Team | Dan McGehee & Laurence Burns | 2006 | 18.56 | 6:19:59 | 3,043 | |
| Marvin Atwood & Pamela Atwood | |||||||
| 6 Person | |||||||
| 6 Person Handcycle Team Men | RC - Enjo Vorarlberg | Philipp Bonadimann & Thomas Bechter | 2006 | 12.67 | 10:00:12 | 3,043 | |
| Jurgen Egle & Hubert Kilga | |||||||
| Kiaus Salzmann & Wolfgang Wimmer | |||||||
| 8 Person | |||||||
| 8 Person Corporate Team 60+ | Cycling for Chaffey | Pete Penseyres & Jim Penseyres | 2006 | 17.23 | 7:08:36 | 3,043 | |
| Ron Mittino & Gary Spencer | |||||||
| Carl Skvarna & Gary Byrne | |||||||
| Chuck Gilbert & Don Flanigan |
| RAAM | RECORDS | FOR | ALL | OF | THE | DIVISIONS |
| Division or Category | Name of Team | Name of Rider(s) | Year | AVS in MPH | Time (D: H: M: ) | Distance (miles) |
| Solo | ||||||
| Enduro Men | Jonathan Boyer | 2006 | 12.63 | 10:00:52 | 3,043 | |
| Men | Pete Penseyres | 1986 | 15.40 | 8:09:47 | 3,107 | |
| Rookie Men | Jonathan Boyer | 1985 | 14.31 | 9:02:06 | 3,120 | |
| Men 50+ | Jonathan Boyer | 2006 | 12.63 | 10:00:52 | 3,043 | |
| Men 60+ | Fred Boethling | 2006 | 10.31 | 12:07:03 | 3,043 | |
| Women | Seana Hogan | 1995 | 13.23 | 9:04:02 | 2,912 | |
| Rookie Women | Muffy Ritz | 1993 | 12.49 | 9:16:29 | 2,910 | |
| Women 50+ | Bonnie Allison | 1992 | 8.48 | 14:07:27 | 2,911 | |
| TEAM | ||||||
| 2 Person | ||||||
| Tandem Men | Lon Haldeman & Bob Breedlove | 1992 | 14.55 | 8:08:08 | 2,911 | |
| Tandem Men (non-RAAM) | Lon Haldeman & Pete Penseyres | 1987 | 15.97 | 7:14:55 | 2,921 | |
| Tandem Women (non-RAAM) | Estelle Gray & Cheryl Marek | 1984 | 11.32 | 10:22:48 | 2,975 | |
| Tandem Mixed | Ron Dossenbach & Sue Pavlat | 1990 | 11.15 | 10:22:40 | 2,930 | |
| Tandem Mixed (non-RAAM) | Lon Haldeman & Susan Notorangelo | 1986 | 12.16 | 9:20:07 | 2,871 | |
| 2 Person Team Recumbent | Volae Wolf Pack | Thomas Kingsbury & Tim Woudenberg | 2006 | 16.56 | 7:15:47 | 3,043 |
| 2 Person Team Men | BodyXchange/Garden Pathways | Joe Petersen & Kevin McNulty | 2006 | 19.58 | 6:11:24 | 3,043 |
| 2 Person Team Men 50+ | eXtreme | Charles Liskey & Steve Winfrey | 2006 | 15.82 | 8:00:23 | 3,043 |
| 2 Person Team Men 60+ | Team 60+ | Fred Boethling & Dan Crain | 2005 | 14.85 | 8:13:34 | 3,052 |
| 2 Person Team Women 50+ | Twin Team | Dr. Barbara Warren & Angelika Castaneda | 2001 | 13.03 | 9:13:00 | 2,983 |
| 2 Person Team Mixed | VeloWear.com/Co-Motion | George Thomas & Terri Gooch | 2004 | 15.90 | 7:18:05 | 2,959 |
| 2 Person Team Mixed 50+ | Racing Against Diabetes | Terry Dutton & Patty Riddle | 2006 | 10.74 | 11:19:14 | 3,043 |
| 4 Person | ||||||
| 2 Tandem {4 Person} Team Mixed | JDRF | Tim Skipper & Brenda Barnell | 2006 | 15.37 | 8:05:56 | 3,043 |
| Tom Hooker & Rachel MaGrady | ||||||
| 4 Person Team HPV Team | Lightning/Tim Brummer | Pete Penseyres & Jim Penseyres | 1989 | 24.02 | 5:01:08 | 2,911 |
| Bob Fourney & Michael Coles | ||||||
| 4 Person Team Recumbent | ALS - Bacchetta | Tim Woudenberg & John Quarterman | 2005 | 20.70 | 6:03:26 | 3,052 |
| Phil Plath & Karta Purk Atehortua | ||||||
| 4 Person Team Men | Action Sports | Kerry Ryan & Kerry Classen | 2004 | 23.06 | 5:08:17 | 2,959 |
| Sean Nealy & Nat Faulkner | ||||||
| 4 Person Team Men 50+ | Team Bicycling | Pete Penseyres & Ed Pavelka | 1996 | 22.12 | 5:11:21 | 2,905 |
| Fred Matheny & Skip Hamilton | ||||||
| 4 Person Team Men 60+ | Team PAC Masters | Lee Mitchell & Dr. Ron Bell | 1995 | 17.71 | 6:20:27 | 2,912 |
| Victor Gallo & Ian Sandbach | ||||||
| 4 Person Team Men 70+ | Team Grand PAC Masters | Lee Mitchell & Dr. Ron Bell | 2004 | 16.03 | 7:16:31 | 2,959 |
| Chris Stauffer & Bob Kash | ||||||
| 4 Person Team Women | Team Florida | Jane Sheeder & Cathy Coveney | 1996 | 18.57 | 6:12:28 | 2,905 |
| Laura Williams & Joyce Gogola | ||||||
| 4 Person Team Women 50+ | Red Helmets | Melinda Yelton & Paula Larsen | 2006 | 15.99 | 7:22:15 | 3,043 |
| Sharon Koontz & Celeste Callahan | ||||||
| 4 Person Team Mixed | Ideo/Fat City | John Lake & Brad Melmon | 1994 | 19.50 | 6:04:44 | 2,901 |
| Lynette Ross & Diane Young | ||||||
| 4 Person Team Mixed 50+ | Emily's Team | Dan McGehee & Laurence Burns | 2006 | 18.56 | 6:19:59 | 3,043 |
| Marvin Atwood & Pamela Atwood | ||||||
| 4 Person Team Mixed 60+ | The Twin PAC | Dr. Ron Bell & Walt Chapman | 2002 | 15.22 | 8:04:35 | 2,992 |
| Dr. Barbara Warren & Angelika Castaneda | ||||||
| 6 Person | ||||||
| 6 Person Handcycle Team Men | RC - Enjo Vorarlberg | Philipp Bonadimann & Thomas Bechter | 2006 | 12.67 | 10:00:12 | 3,043 |
| Jurgen Egle & Hubert Kilga | ||||||
| Kiaus Salzmann & Wolfgang Wimmer | ||||||
| 8 Person | ||||||
| 4 Tandem {8 Person} Team Men | Team TwoCan | John Williams & Tim Skipper | 1996 | 19.77 | 6:02:55 | 2,905 |
| Brian Stark & Terry Wilkinson | ||||||
| Pat Jesson & Michael Kanter | ||||||
| Anny Beck & Jeff Sale | ||||||
| 4 Tandem {8 Person} Team Mixed | Two Mixed Up | Tim Skipper & Tom Hooker | 1997 | 18.31 | 6:21:13 | 3,025 |
| Bob Kimber & Ray Collins | ||||||
| Katrin Teal & Tiffany Tretschok | ||||||
| Kathy Urschel & Marlee Sondgeroth | ||||||
| 8 Person Corporate Team | Type 1 Diabetes | Phil Southerland & Pratt Rather | 2006 | 22.36 | 5:16:04 | 3,043 |
| Linda Demma & Jay Hewitt | ||||||
| Robert Heyer & Troy Willard | ||||||
| Joe Eldridge & Steve Holmes | ||||||
| 8 Person Corporate Team 60+ | Cycling for Chaffey | Pete Penseyres & Jim Penseyres | 2006 | 17.23 | 7:08:36 | 3,043 |
| Ron Mittino & Gary Spencer | ||||||
| Carl Skvarna & Gary Byrne | ||||||
| Chuck Gilbert & Don Flanigan |
Bold face text means the records were broken/set or established in the most recent (2006) RAAM.
Two more solo records worth mentioning. In 1990 outside of RAAM, 1987 RAAM winner Michael Secrest rode the only under 8 day crossing. His time of 7:23:16 on a 2,915 mile course yielded a 15.24 mph average speed for the second fastest crossing ever. Rob Kish won the 1992 RAAM in 8:03:11 on a 2,911 mile course producing a 14.91 mph average speed for the third fastest crossing ever. Bold face indicates records either broken or established in the 2006 RAAM.