In the frozen hour before dawn on Sunday, February 17, 2007, riders pedaled up and down the dark, frosty racetrack, trying to get blood flowing, often quickly pulling on leg and arm warmers. “This is Florida?” many were asking. The racers soon warmed, as excitement began to pulsate as riders lined up at the starting gate, ready to begin by racing three laps around the famous Sebring racetrack. Just as riders merged onto the racetrack, the faint light of dawn broke over the race pit area, and by the time riders had completed the required three laps around the racetrack, a rosy light was bathing the surroundings. Pelotons of riders formed, and a few of the faster, determined riders took off to make the most of the first frosty hours. The open roads were relatively travel-free, utilizing a picturesque route, winding through small groups of houses, lots of orange orchards, and acres of cattle range. The roads are surprisingly rolling, where racers climb a small hill to see vistas of orange groves or a sparkling little lake on the down side.

John and I enjoyed a stress-free ride to the turn-around, marveling at the scenery. It was striking to see the orange trees with icicles. The trees were being watered as part of an effort to keep the fruit from being damaged by the extreme cool temperature (for Florida). We saw two of the faster pelotons on their return trip as we neared the 50-mile turn-around. The second leg was just as picturesque, but the back side of the 109 mile loop became very windy and took a little longer, demanding extra energy for the pull into the race track and headquarters.

Ann Wooldridge, UK, describes her ride, “I was pleasantly surprised to do the first 100 in 5 hours 28 minutes. I really like the route out through the orange groves, and those icicles...a lasting memory. The day started out freezing, and I made sure I had my knee warmers and gloves on. This is the first 12 hour (I have ridden 15) that I have kept my gloves on for the whole event. Then came the tough middle section, with strong headwinds. I went to Sebring this time to ride the 12-hour event and to use it as a training ride as part of a gradual build up for my aim later on in the season. As a result I didn't bring my Pinarello (which has a double chain ring), but used my older heavier time trial bike, which had a chain ring of 53 and a 7-speed block of 12-18! I knew it would be hard, especially on the middle loop in the afternoon, but then I am used to that.”

John Jurczynski tells about his race start, “with ten minutes until the start I raced outside to drive my van to a strategic location in order to easily access my food, gear, etc. during the race. It is a loop course. When I get to the car there is ice on my windshield — I didn't plan for this in southern Florida! Sticking my head out the window, I drove my van through the starting area, where all of the racers are already lined up. I parked my van, threw the cooler outside, put my front wheel on my bike and rode to the start at 6:29 a.m. I said a quick hello to a few friends and the race was on. I was so relieved to finally be in the race that the first 100 miles seemed effortless at four hours and 36 minutes.”

It was great to watch the 12-hour racers stay strong and press hard for the entire 12 hours. John Jurczynski, James Kern on his recumbent, Dan and John Fuoco, racing together as brothers and partners for the entire 12 hour race, made it interesting and enjoyable as racers passed each other with cheery shouts of encouragement through different lap sequences.

John Fuoco describes his experience for the 12-hour race, “It was such a pleasure to get there and see and race with all the ultra junkies, especially my brother Dan. He and I rode together the whole time. I think I held him back at times but it was truly a plus having company when the wind kicked up in the afternoon. I was not very fit this year due to various viruses, so I was very pleased to squeeze 233 miles out of my sad self.”

The RAAM riders kept on their determined, individual quests to achieve their goals, while in the other divisions many small groups formed pelotons to help with the afternoon wind. It was a pleasure to watch the Sorella team and lots of fun to take turns at pulls in several of the larger groups as we neared the end of the 12-hours.

As the sun began to set, the riders pushed for the last final lap. John Jurczynski turned in top mileage for the conventional singles with 245.5 miles. He describes his ride “it was a pleasure; my ride was a breeze, compared to my 34 hour trip to get to the race.” James Kern, Jim Verheul and John Tanner turned in 251.5 miles each on their flying recumbents for their 12 hours. The brothers' team of Dan and John Fuoco, each turned in 233.5 for the day's work. Dan's comments “Hats off to everyone that participated. It was a great day. But I'm really glad I got to stop at 12 hours. It got too cold for my thinned blood after sunset. Those that stayed on their bikes through the night have to be commended.”

Ann tells of her adventure after her successful ride of 209.5 miles. “I never ran out of steam. I stopped about eight minutes before 18.30 and went back to my van to prepare it and everything in it to take over to the pits ready to support Terry (Lansdell) and Chris (Hopkinson) overnight in the 24 hour. So I never really had a break for another two hours. Now that was the hardest part of the event, as I was badly in need of a hot drink and food to recover!!! But I couldn't have a break until I had made sure my two riders were kitted up for the night and had enough supplies to keep them going for a while. At this point my legs were ‘screaming’ as was my mind! After that the remainder of the night went okay, I made sure I was warm and ate and drank hot things to keep my core temperature up, and tended to the needs of my riders. The rain didn't help!! I was very pleased to be joint first...209.5 miles!”

Other females with top mileage were Mari-Lee Baxter, Marie Balistreri, and Paula Mazzola, all riding 209.5 for joint first in the 12-hour division.

While the 12-hour racers slept or supported other riders, the non-drafting racers trying to qualify for RAAM and the other 24-hour racers stayed the course and continued to race around the track. The track was lit up with very helpful red reflectors; however, by the end of the night only about half the reflectors were in one piece, illustrating how beneficial the reflectors were for keeping the racers on track, so to speak.

Chris Hopkinson, UK, describes his challenge “As for Sebring, oh dear, at exactly 250 miles at 12 hours, feeling great, 16 hours, 320 miles. Then I started to go temporarily blind, possibly weather and dehydration related. I had been on target for about 465 miles and had no loss of power, but just couldn’t see where to direct it! In the last two hours, I couldn’t see anything, I only managed three laps and must have run off the track at least ten times, falling off my bike each time. One fall, I twisted my knee, any sane person would have stopped.” At 426.8 miles, Hopkinson still had a great ride, but he was a bit disappointed after his strong start.

RAAM qualifiers triumphed, with Julie Gazmararian, supported by family and friends, racing 401.9 miles to RAAM qualify at Sebring. It was thrilling to watch her father calling out her splits and her two little boys running to her for hugs after the event. Peter Oyler, 37, qualified with 429.6 miles, Brett Walker, 40, 467.5 miles, Alan Smudz, 43, 437 miles, Joel Sothern, 50, 401.9 miles.

Sara Kay Carrell had an outstanding recumbent ride, with 367.7 miles, and Gerry Goode, with 301 miles, did a great job. Timothy Carroll, 48, was first of the male 24-hour racers, with 378.8, and I turned in 309.5 for first in the female 24-hour division.

This was a difficult year for the 24-hour racers, as the night was cold and a chilly rain poured down for the last two hours, encouraging many racers to turn in their chips earlier than planned. I, for one, was ready to gather in the warm pit area, enjoy the complimentary coffee and goodies the race promoters provided, and share stories with other racers.

Each year, the Rotary Club improves on an already great race. The racers were provided food, clear road markings, traffic support where needed and valet service for the 24-hour riders for their support vans. It is a beautiful course, has great friendly volunteers and is a wonderful spring training boost.

Complete results

RAAM Qualified riders:

Julie Gazmararian	45	single	Decatur, GA, USA	401.9
Dennis Grelk	28	recumbent	Donnellson, IA, USA	522.0
Peter Oyler	37	single	Toronto, ON, CANADA	429.6
Richard Rupp	64	single	Angola, IN, USA	390.8
John Schlitter	51	recumbent	St. Petersburg, FL, USA	479.5
Alan Smudz	43	single	Monroe, MI, USA	437.0
Joel Sothern	50	single	Laguna Niguel, CA, USA	401.9
Brett Walker	40	single	Salisbury, NH, USA	467.5
Timothy Woudenberg	50	recumbent	Moss Beach, CA, USA	412.0

More information

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