Fred Boethling leaving Wyoming. The start of a long journey.

When Fred Boethling signed up for Enduro RAAM 2006 he knew it would be a very tough race. Boethling is 61 and he has to finish RAAM in 12 days, including at least 40 hours of off-the-bike time. RAAM has a level playing field — racers 20 years younger have the same time constraints.

Last year Boethling and Dan Crain set the age 60+ two-man relay team RAAM record of 8 days 13 hours 34 minutes. That was relatively easy — every day each rider covered about 175 miles and had 12 hours of recovery time. To finish Enduro RAAM Boethling will need to cover 250 miles a day and cut his recovery time to four hours a night.

As final preparation Boethling attempted a Colorado double-crossing: racing 315.5 from Wyoming south to New Mexico, taking a sleep break, and then racing back to Wyoming.

Boethling looking relaxed during his Colorado record.

After a good night's sleep in Cheyenne, WY Boethling was on the road at 6:30 a.m on Saturday, May 20. Accompanying him were two of his RAAM crew: Ashley Bechel and Rick Boethling. Victor Gallo, who finished RAAM at age 58 and holds several ultra records, was the official.

Per the ultracycling rules, a record challenger is required to start and finish at the same locations as previous record holders, but he is free to choose what he believes will be the best route. He started where US 85 crosses the Wyoming-Colorado border. Other than heavy traffic skirting the Denver and Colorado Springs metro areas, the first 200 miles were uneventful. Even though the temperature was a record 91 degrees Boethling reached the 200-mile mark in 12 hours 30 minutes.

About half-way to New Mexico RAAM crew member Chad Pinson took over driving the pace van and Rick headed back for some sleep. A storm cell moved in south of Colorado Springs and wind and rain slowed the rider and his mood. His mood continued south with his bike. In the wee hours it was so cold that the crew put heavy socks on his hands, but then he couldn't eat so that didn't work either.

At 4:15 a.m. he passed through Trinidad, only the 11-mile 2300 feet climb to Raton Pass remained. Considering the time and the 300 miles in his legs he climbed quite well and at 5:38 a.m. reached Raton Pass and the New Mexico line. Boethling set the age 60+ north-south record of 23 hours 8 minutes.

Boethling during a very long night on the bike.

As I walked out of the motel they pulled in at 6 a.m. — time for the sleep break. Ashley gave him a massage as he immediately fell asleep.

Talking at home a four-hour break with three hours sleep seemed ample, so Chad woke his father-in-law at 9:45 a.m. Fred, dressed in riding clothes, came downstairs wondering "What's for breakfast?" He decided that ham and eggs with toast and an order of biscuits and gravy would hit the spot — and Chad persuaded him to order it "To go."

On Saturday afternoon I had driven south to officiate the north-bound leg. I passed Boethling and his crew when he had about 90 miles to go. Despite the storm squall he was making good progress and expected to reach New Mexico about 4 a.m. When I got up at dawn Victor wasn't in our motel room and Boethling's pace van wasn't visible from the window. I feared the worst.

While he ate the crew drove him back up to Raton Pass and at 10:51 a.m. on Sunday morning he started back north.

On Raton Pass UMCA offical John Hughes clarifies for Boethling the way to Wyoming.

The weather was cooler; however, he had a slight headwind and was visibly struggling. After hours of effort and slow progress he stopped and complained that "I can't make the bike go."

The crew reminded him that on much of RAAM he could have a headwind and would be riding even more slowly. So, he'd best quit wasting time and get on his bike.

Rick Boethling drove back south Sunday morning, shopped for supplies, and then relieved Chad who headed home. During the afternoon the crew kept Boethling focused on his nutrition and hydration and minimizing off-the-bike time (and planned for a long night).

In the early evening as the day cooled his mood improved and he rode well around the congested Colorado Springs. North of the Springs he had to climb back up to Monument Ridge — overall as long a climb as Raton Pass.

Boethling riding north on I-25. Not much fun.

After the climb when the crew called a pit stop at 2:30 a.m. Boethling was joking about how much fun he was having and how good he felt! He rode well all night and when he reached the long uphill stretch north of Greeley he was rewarded with overcast skies and a nice tailwind.

At 9:05 a.m. he reached the Wyoming border. Despite a discouraging spell Sunday afternoon he had achieved a negative split: his northbound time was almost an hour faster than the southbound ride the previous day! Boethling set the age 60+ south-north record of 22 hours 14 minutes, and set the overall Colorado north-south-north record of 2 days 2 hours 35 minutes for 631.7 miles.

The UltraMarathon Cycling Association - an international organization that oversees long-distance amateur cycling events - certified him as the new record-holder.

Congratulations!

Two UMCA officials observed his ride to ensure that he complied with all cycling regulations and traffic laws, including heeding stop signs.

Official record: May 20, 2006, North-South, 315.5 miles, 23 hours 8 minutes, 13.64 mph.
Start: US 85 at CO/WY state line
Finish: Raton Pass on I-25 at CO/NM state line

Official record: May 21, 2006, South-North, 316.2 miles, 22 hours 14 minutes, 14.22 mph.
Start: Raton Pass on I-25 at CO/NM state line
Finish: US 85 at CO/WY state line.

Official record: May 21, 2006, North-South-North, 631.7 miles, 2 days 2 hours 35 minutes, 12.49 mph.