RAAM officiating on a Friday!

HAS ANYONE attempted the gruelling 3,000 mile no-stages-no-sleepovers RAAM on a folding bicycle?

Not that we know - but RAAM chief and 6x record holder Lon Haldeman is doing the next best thing - officiating the race on his Air Friday.

We caught up with his wife and RAAM co-legend Susan Notorangelo, first woman transcontinental record holder, just back from Day 3 of RAAM which, this year, is dedicated to her.

Susan, what is Lon doing on a Friday at RAAM?

"Well, he's taking his Air Friday along the entire cross country course, using it to go between headquarters, the hotel and inspection areas, which would be a half mile walk between points least. He finds it really convenient. It's getting a lot of exposure - on top of the car and parked where everyone has to walk by it!"

And Bike Friday isn't even paying him to do that ... that's what we love about our customers - no fanfares or hype - just using your Friday as a tool to go about your business or pleasure.

For the unitiated, please read RAAM 101 and RAAM FAQ on the official site to bone up on this quintessential ultramarathon cycling classic.

This year's race kicked off on Sunday June 14 in Oceanside, CA, for the solo competitors and June 16 for the teams. For 2006 here is a brand new division called Enduro - where solo riders are allowed to have a minimum number of hours sleep. The Traditional category is the notorious "die-harder" challenge which claims so many casualties each year.

However, Susan reports that as of Day 3, three riders have dropped out of each of the Enduro and Traditional categories due to medical problems, proving that neither is the easier option - perhaps with more sleep, competitors are going at it even harder ...

We've already had Friday folks compete, and in some cases win, in triathlons, Paris-Brest-Paris and other hardcore events.

Why not do RAAM on a Friday?'

Follow the results on the official site below, including a blog and photography by Rebecca Haldeman, who is already exhibiting her parents RAAM genes on her single speed!

OTHER LINKS OF INTEREST

2005 RAAM finisher John Palmer popped by the PACTOUR homestead for a 60 mile ride. From L: John Palmer, John Greenfield (Chicago Bicycle Federation), Jim (owner of the Handlebar Cafe in Chicago and La Posada del Arte hotel in Ecuador; Lon on his Air Friday. More pictures.

OTHER LINKS

What Does Lon Haldeman Do On A Friday?

Race Across America official site

What's that bike Lon's riding? Airbikes - our smoothest ride

Lon's PACTOUR trips on a Friday his cross country and other bike tours for the fit cyclist

PACTOUR.COM PACTOUR official site

Route66 on a Friday PACTOUR's most recent trip - the The Galfromdownunder reports

For more information, follow this link http://www.raceacrossamerica.org.