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Ultra Cycling Records "At age 52 I made a list of things I wanted to do while I was still able to do so and high on that list is competing in the 3,000-mile Race Across America." |
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Fred Boethling, who survived prostate cancer, rode across New Mexico in less than 28 hours. In the process, he set the national record for riding from the Arizona border to the Texas border.
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Boethling, 60, is from Boulder, CO. He averaged 14.37 miles for the 402-mile ride on October 1.
He finished in 27 hours, 58 minutes.
Boethling was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early 1998 and had surgery in July 1998. He came "face to face with my own mortality, started to think about all the things that I'd like to do, and realized that I probably hadn't taken care of myself the way I should. At age 52 I made a list of things I wanted to do while I was still able to do so. I had raced bicycles as a young man and high on that list is competing in the 3,000-mile Race Across America. I hadn't ridden in years, had put on weight, and knew I needed to get with the program. "
Unlike the Tour de France, the Race Across America is run in one stage, with no daily stops. Racers ride 20+ hours a day, with minimal time off for sleep and personal needs.
Since 1999 Boethling has trained hard, lost 35 lbs and built both endurance and speed
In June 2005 Boethling competed with Dan Crain, 60, from Irvine, CA on a two-man relay team in the Race Across America. He raced over 100 all-out time trials, recuperating briefly between each effort while his teammate did a short, hard pull. Boethling and his teammate set an age 60+ transcontinental record of 8 dayes 13 hours 34 minutes.
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The UltraMarathon Cycling Association - an international organization that oversees long-distance amateur cycling events - certified him as the new record-holder. Two UMCA officials observed his ride to ensure that he complied with all cycling regulations and traffic laws, including heeding stop signs.
Since no one had set a New Mexico west to east record, Boethling could choose the route. He started his ride US 60 on AZ/NM border east of Springerville, AZ at 9:01 a.m. and followed US 60 to Socorro where he jogged south and then picked up US 380. Darkness fell on the way to Carrizozo but Boethling kept pedaling. In a record attempt the clock doesn't stop for any reason. Boethling rode all night, reaching Roswell after dawn. He finished on US 380 on NM/TX border east of Tatum, NM.
Official Record: 407 miles in 28 hours, 29 minutes, average speed of 14.28 mph
Start: US 60 on AZ/NM state line east of Springerville, AZ
Finish: US 380 on NM/TX state line east of Tatum, NM