Race Director Peter Lekisch congratulates David Glasgow after qualifying for RAAM at Fireweed.

"Why do you ride extreme events like the Race Across America?" the e-mail read. "I ride centuries and have even done one in 5 hours 20 minutes but you guys are crazy!"

"Let me explain," I responded. "Back in 1974 I rode the Primavera century. The next year I took on the Mt. Hamilton 200 km. That was harder, but I loved the feeling of accomplishment as I lay on the lawn at the end.

"The following year I rode the Davis Double Century, and that became my annual challenge-how fast could I do 200 miles? I also rode the Mt. Lassen double. The 200 miles over snowy Mt. Lassen were beautiful and refreshing compared to the hot Davis double.

"In 1979 I read about the Paris-Brest-Paris 1200K. "1200K-that's less than four double centuries in four days. Couldn't be too hard." I thought. I made up my own brevets (qualifying rides). But when I finished PBP I was SO tired I just leaned my bike against the front of the hotel and crawled up three flights of stairs to bed.

"In the 1980s I rode more double centuries and took two-week tours in the mountains carrying all my camping gear. In 1987 I went to France and rode a very wet Pars-Brest-Paris.

"March 1988: 'Lon Haldeman & Susan Notorangelo's Pacific-Atlantic Cycling Tour (PAC Tour): 17 days and 2,649 miles across the country.' the ad read. On television I had watched Lon and Susan each winning the Race Across America (RAAM). Ride with them across the country-you bet! That September we rode155 miles a day on PAC Tour and I was in heaven riding with my heroes!

"The next spring RAAM founder John Marino put on a 508-mile race through Death Valley, a race to qualify for RAAM. I raced 300 miles and just before dawn threw down my bike in disgust. Crew chief Lee Mitchell got me back on my bike and I raced another 208 miles to win and qualify for RAAM.

"I was hooked on ultra cycling. I went on to set a course record at the Boston-Montreal-Boston 1200 km, win the Furnace Creek 508 again, set several UMCA-sanctioned point-to-point records, and compete in RAAM twice.

"Why was I doing this? For the same reason you try to ride a faster century. We're each trying to find our personal limits and push beyond them."

I am now director of the UltraMarathon Cycling Association. Our mission is to help distance riders push their limits, which could be:

• riding a century every month in the Year-Rounder Challenge.
• completing a series of 200, 300, 400 & 600K brevets.
• finishing a 1200K randonnée such as Paris-Brest-Paris.
• competing in 12- or 24-hour race or a qualifier for the Race Across America.
• setting a cross-state or other cycling record.
• racing as a solo or relay team rider in the Race Across America.

About the UMCA
The purpose of the UMCA is to challenge cyclists to excel in one or more programs. The UMCA:

	Organizes the UMCA Year-Rounder Challenge. The Year-Rounder showcases consistent performance in cycling throughout the year. The Y-R includes the Larry Schwartz award which recognizes riders who complete (at least) a century every month. Riders earn certificates, medals and plaques and top riders are recognized in UltraCycling.
	Sponsors the Ultracycling Cup Competition. The UCC is a series of races to determine the best ultra racers of the season, with divisions based on age and gender. Riders earn medals and plaques and are eligible for prizes. Top riders are recognized in UltraCycling.
	Certifies ultra cycling records. Setting a record is a significant achievement for an endurance cyclist and a great way to prepare for racing. Records are categorized by age and gender and may be set by solo riders, tandem riders and 2- or 4-person relay teams. Record setters are awarded plaques.
	Sanctions qualifying for RAAM. Qualifying for the Race Across America is the highest achievement for an ultra cyclist other than finishing RAAM itself. RAAM-qualified riders receive a UMCA plaque. The UMCA also sanctions the Race Across America.
	If you want to push your limits as an endurance cyclist and are looking for authoritative information join the UMCA.
	Publishes UltraCycling magazine six times a year, which provides information on: upcoming events and event results training equipment nutrition technique mental preparation

UMCA is an international membership organization, which promotes endurance bicycling, also known as ultra cycling, around the world. We have members in over 20 countries. The UMCA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the members. To support the growth of ultra cycling and endurance cyclists the UMCA: