Rocketman Trans Am

Johnny "Rocketman" Williams recounts the story that let to his decision to drop out of the Trans Am Race at the Bent Rider forum here. 

This is a must read story.

Excerpt from Johnny's story on Bent Rider:

"I walked across the street to an small medical clinic where I was promptly informed their not an immediate care facility. They asked what was wrong, however, and had a nurse check out my pulse/bp. Within the next minute, they had called 911 and within three minutes I was on an 80 mile ambukance ride to the nearest large medical facility in Rexburg, Idaho. Throughout the 90minute drive, my heart would 'convert' between rhythms...150-160 and then back into the 60's."

Hooked on the TA Bike Race

Currently there are two races crossing the country, the well established RAAM (Race Across America) and the inaugural Trans Am Bike Race. In both races recumbent cycling is represented. I enjoy tracking both races but I am hooked on the Trans Am Bike Race. It captures the spirit of not only adventure cycling but cycling in general.

The RAAM is comprised of racers who have qualified via other races and distant events. It requires a substantial investment and is heavily supported by team personal and follow vehicles. It represents the ultimate in long distance racing and is a fantastic event to follow.  It is a race pure and simple.

On the other hand the Trans Am Bike Race is a race but at it's core is adventure. It's an adventure that every cyclist can dream of participating in, all that's needed is the will and the legs. Anyone can race and the investment is small and the prize is huge...bragging rights. Support is prohibited, no help from friends or family. It's a lonely 4000 miles. The basic rules are simple you start and you finish and no support in between except for what any racer can commercially pick up along the way. Although the route is mapped out the official route is the shortest possible route between the start and finish.

The Trans Am Bike Race represents the true spirit of cycling. What cyclist hasn't felt the cool breeze in their face and wished they could ride on forever. I have and maybe someday I will, when my body stops breaking down on me. For now I'll ride vicariously with an eclectic group of cyclists racing across country with nothing but sky above and their thoughts to guide them.

Some of the Trans Am racers may not be the fastest and some not the youngest but they're all out racing for the adventure and the prize. 

Follow Johnny Williams "Rocketman" on the Trans Am Bike Race here (my post with links).

Trans Am Race Starts

The Trans Am Bike Race started early this morning. Bent rider Johnny Williams aka Rocketman started out strong on his Gold Rush. Check for updates and information by clicking on the Trans Am Bike Race poster in the right hand column of my blog or click here.

GO "ROCKETMAN"!!

Trans Am Race 2014

RACE STARTS June 7th 5:00am Astoria, Oregon. 

Bent rider Johnny Williams aka Rocketman is riding his Gold Rush long wheel base recumbent bike in the inaugural Trans Am Bike Race. Unlike the RAAM (Race Across America) this is an non-supported race, every racer is on their own!

Links

- Track Johnny live here at Track Leaders via Spot.

- Johnny "Rocketman" Williams blog here.

- Trans Am Bike Race 2014 website  here.

- Trans Am Bike Race Facebook here.

- Follow the filming of the Trans Am Race    "Inspired to Ride" on their Facebook page here. 

- Bent Rider forum Trans Am thread here.

UPDATES 

6/17/14
Johnny was forced to drop out for medical reasons. Check Bent Rider here for details.
Well done Johnny!!
You.re still the Rocketman!!

6/14/14
Johnny checked in at his blog and updated his here.

6/13/14
Good update by CarbonBob at Bent Rider here.

6/12/14
Some serious climbing ahead. Checkout the "Elevation Plot" on the live tracker here.

6/8/14
Johnny is at Mile 397 as of 8:30 this morning. He is in the middle of the pack while the two leaders (half Johnny's age) are approaching the 700 mile mark. It looks like he is currently 17th place out of 43 riders. Checkout the live tracker here.

6/7/14
Trans Am Bike started this morning and Johnny is out with a strong start. His official start time is 05:00:33am (PDT) Now just a few thousand miles more to go!
Track Johnny here via Spot

6/6/14
Johnny "Rocketman" final preparation from Johnny's  blog post June 5th.

Left Coast Velomobile Gathering with Rocketman

Rocketman took a break from TransAm Bike Race prep to tour the "left Coast". See the post here on his TransAm with Rocketman blog. And here is the official Left Coast Velomobile Gathering website.

Velos at Cayucos Beach, one of my favorites stops along the Central Coast.

Trans Am with Rocketman

Bent rider Johnny Williams aka Rocketman has entered into the inaugural Trans Am Bike Race. Coached by Jim Verheul at JBV Coaching the 63 year old Rocketman has started a blog "Trans Am with Rocketman" to cover his training and the race. Unlike the RAAM (Race Across America) this is an non-supported race, every racer is on their own!! This should be interesting!!

Click here for "Trans Am with Rocketman" Blog