You've ridden centuries, doubles and brevets; you're feeling confident and looking for a new challenge. Whether your ultimate goal is RAAM or simply pushing your personal envelope, going for a UMCA record is both challenging and fun.

A visit to the state records can be fascinating. The UMCA keeps records for each state in four directions (N-to-S, S-to-N, E-to-W and W-to-E). There are categories based on age, gender and bike type. The combination of these variables results many possibilities for challenging an existing record or establishing a new one. On my first visit to the UMCA website it wasn't long before I'd pulled out my atlas and begun exploring the possibilities.

More than likely, you'll find an appealing ride close to home. Adrian Harris (New Jersey) established seven records in his home state. Or, if you like to travel, you'll have little difficulty finding a challenge anywhere you want to go. Kevin Zelenka established records in Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Colorado. Four other riders each have records in three separate states.

If you're planning on challenging an existing record, you must use the end points already established, but are free to ride any route you choose between those end points. To learn the endpoints go to the state records and click on the state you are interested in. Or, if you're planning on establishing a new record, you're free to choose both the end points and route.

Some records have been repeatedly challenged, seven times in the case of the California W-to-E record. But, more than 50 records remain unbroken. Some remain unbroken for good reason, like Nick Gerlich's 1994 S-to-N ride across Kansas, 229 miles in 8 hours 19 minutes, average speed over 27 mph! Oh what fun a good tail wind can be. Some beg to be challenged, like Rich Lindsey's 1994 S-to-N ride across Wyoming, average speed 11.32 mph, or my 2003 N-to-S effort over the same route at 11.54 mph.

The greatest names in our sport can be found in the UMCA records. Lon Haldeman set the Wisconsin N-to-S record in 1979, 407 miles in 23:07, 17.64 mph. Make no mistake, that's a very good ride; but a good rider, with good weather, could knock off that record. Imagine that, beating Lon Haldeman! Pay your respects to Lon by attending his Midwest Camp in Wisconsin, then go knock off his record!

Finding a place to establish a new record is easy. Maine and Mississippi have no records at all; more than two dozen states have no record in at least one direction. My favorite candidates are New Mexico W-to-E, Florida W-to-E, Utah N-to-S, Nevada N-to-S, Minnesota N-to-S and Maine W-to-E. Play by the rules, finish the ride and you'll be in the record books.

The rewards of a successful record attempt include refining your ultra skills (food and hydration management, maximization of effort over longer distances, planning and crew management) as well as seeing your name in the record books and getting a great plaque for your wall. One successful record attempt and you'll be hooked. Bill Moser has nine UMCA records!

No, no wait, it was Wyoming in 2003, south of Medicine Bow. In the middle of the night a pronghorn antelope wandered out in front of me. I kept slowing, thinking he was going to move out of my path. Coming to a complete stop, my PSV with crew and official directly behind me, the antelope continued up the road towards me. At the last second, the antelope no more than a few feet away, I slowly turned to avoid falling off my bike. The antelope continued on, right into the front of the stopped PSV! The puzzled antelope then slowly walked off into the night. None of us could believe it.

I'm ready for my next record attempt. I've got a place all picked out for another one of those great plaques! Maybe there's a record for the most records.

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