It’s often said that fixed gear bikes aren’t any good for distance riding. Tell that to Jeff Bauer and Kevin Kaiser, the two-man team who just completed the Race Across America. The team each rode a Salsa Casseroll with 48×17 gearing, finishing in a time of 8 days, 4 hours and 21 minutes.
And let’s not forget Team Adventures for the Cure, who rode Surly Steamrollers. One of their riders is shown in the video below doing 36mph on a fixie. For more RAAM news, results and photos, visit www.raceacrossamerica.org.
I think this is awesome, I did my 80 miler a few weeks ago 49×18 brakeless and everyone said I was insane Just like they did a few years ago 46×15 with brakes for a 60 miler.
I wouldn’t say that they ‘won’ RAAM. They did finish though, and that’s amazing enough. They came in fourth of four in the two-man category, but they were the only fixed gear team. Because of that, they also started a few days before the rest of the two-man teams.
I’ve been following RAAM this year for the solo recumbent rider, John Schlitter.
But really, anyone that’s even willing to START this race is amazing.
Oh, thanks for the head’s up. I have a confession—sometimes I blog late at night with a beer in my hand.
Since they didn’t “win,” I added some coverage of the four-man team that rode Surly Steamrollers, too.
Lets be honest here, if you finish RAAM, you win. You finish RAAM on a fixed gear, you are a grand champion. You don’t believe me? Leave you’re job next summer for a couple of weeks and either race it yourself or crew for a team. RAAM is a hell of a race, it is as intense as a race gets.
Well done gents, now get some ice bags on those knees.
I volunteered at the RAAM finish in Atlantic City a few years ago. I didn’t know much about that race, but sure learned a lot in the control room. That shits is intense and am surprised it doesn’t get more coverage. The finish was so incredibly lackluster, I felt bad for the particpants. It was awesome to watch though. Yea for the fixie racers.