Wrapping up RAAM 2023
Well…we did it.
4828km, 12 states, 7 days.
As a team and crew, we had the most incredible, yet, intense journey. A journey which could truly be described as a bucket list moment.
Plan for the worst and prepare to be surprised - that's some good advice!
Throughout the race, there were moments of pure joy and laughter, and many of sheer exhaustion and fatigue, yet through it all, we came out the other side as one big dysfunctional family…who overall, got the job done!
Like most riders and crew that compete in RAAM, it’s very hard to navigate how best to describe a week which encapsulates both one of the best and worst weeks when it comes to experiences.
The route pushed our team (and crew) to the very limit as we traversed three major mountain ranges (Sierra, Rocky and Appalachian), crossed four of America’s longest rivers, and raced through iconic US landmarks including the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, Monument Valley, Great Plains and Gettysburg.
For riders and crews alike, RAAM is more than just a race; it's a transformative journey that challenges not only physical limits but also the depths of the human spirit which realistically, is putting it mildly… it was REALLY.BLOODY.TOUGH.
For the riders, RAAM represented the ultimate test of endurance. Pedalling across vast stretches of terrain, battling fatigue, weather extremes, and the relentless ticking of the clock, the crew watched each rider delve deep into the reservoirs of their strength, determination, and mental fortitude.
But, behind every rider's triumph lies the unwavering support and dedication of their crew!!
From navigating intricate routes to providing nourishment and (a lot of) encouragement along the way, the crew members are also winners…some may say - the unsung heroes of RAAM, orchestrating a symphony of logistics to ensure their team's success.
Through tireless efforts it was clear from day one that the team of both riders and crew for Team NZBLUE epitomized the true spirit of teamwork, reinforcing the notion that victory in RAAM is massively a combined effort!
Yet, amidst the physical exhaustion and logistical nightmares, it was the intangible moments that truly defined the RAAM experience for Team NZBLUE. It was the shared laughter and tears, the bonds forged through adversity, and the profound sense of accomplishment that helped the team cross the finish line.
The experience taught each member of the team that they were stronger than they originally gave themselves credit for.
Each member of the team discovered they were stronger and more resilient than they ever knew they could be.
That was the secret sauce to the success of Team NZBLUE, who after 7 days crossed the finish line as the first-ever New Zealand team to complete RAAM and on top of that, 2nd in their age group!
...Pretty awesome, right?
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt.
The burning question is, however, would we do it again?
Well, all we can say is for some it's maybe given them a taste of what's to come.
Watch this space!