What It's Like to Compete in a Cross-Country Bike Race

What It's Like To...

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Andrew Backer decided to enter his first-ever bicycle race--but not just any old competition: the Trans Am Bike Race, a self-supported, ultra-distance ride that takes weeks to complete (21 days, for Andrew). Not only did Andrew do it, and complete the ride (a feat in itself); he was sixth overall, and the first American to finish! In this episode he shares what inspired him to go from weekend rider to racing 4200 miles across 10 states; how he figured out the strategies involved in this particular race (how much--and where--to sleep at night; why it's best to buy food at gas station convenience stores); what it was like to bike through hail, sheets of rain, extreme heat, and driving wind; and how the mental game was as important as the physical preparation to get to the finish line. Andrew also shares snapshots of lovely Americans he met along the route who helped him with encouraging words, an offer to fix a tire spoke, and a meatloaf sandwich.
In this episode:
01:53: What inspired Andrew to take on this challenge
04:06: Describing a "self-supported, ultra-distance" bike race
05:34: Why several racers dropped out, and mechanical issues Andrew faced along the way
12:46: How many miles Andrew rode each day, and how much sleep he got
15:45: The obstacles riders dealt with along the route
18:00: What Andrew ate to fuel himself--but not weigh himself down
21:41: Kind people helping the riders across America
23:33: The times doubt or worry crept into Andrew's mind during the three week-long journey
31:38: How he entertained himself while riding
39:13: Andrew's creative ways to earn money to pay for the race expenses
40:16: "You can't do it alone"
41:38: How it felt to cross the finish line on day 21
Want to know more about Andrew and the Trans Am Bike Race?

• Watch this interview with him during the race: https://youtu.be/vnLy41GFLwA
• Check out the Trans Am Bike Race's website: https://transambikerace.com/

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