A self-funded, eight-man panel have become the first Irish team to complete one of the world’s toughest endurance races – the 5,000km Race Across America (RAAM).
The event, which has been running since 1981, is known for the high drop-out rate as every year many participants succumb to heatstroke, dehydration, saddle sores and sickness.
However, Generali Cycling Team - Pat Doocey, PJ Nolan, Michael Mills, Brian Hehir, Colm Baldwin, Tomas Scullion, Blair Clinton and Alan Heary - battled through the conditions to complete the challenge in an impressive time of six days.
One of the main organizers, Alan Heary, told the42.ie just how much went into the preparations.
“We approached Generali PanEurope last November with the idea of putting the team together with a member of their staff (Tomas Scullion) becoming one of the cyclists," he said.
“They had competed in Race Around Ireland as a corporate team so we wanted to take it a step further by training him as one of the squad for RAAM.
“So we started the official training in January. We did four weekend camps during the year - we were fitness-tested and practiced the logistics, field tested equipment and trained on the Race Around Ireland route,”
At a cost of €40,000, the pressure was on the team from the start.
The trip took them through California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and finally Maryland before reaching their destination on June 26.
And the team set a new Irish record upon finishing the trip with an average speed of 18.69 mph, beating the previous record of 16.42 mph, set by Team Youghal in 2012.
