Mode sad cycling news - Death in RAAM

john schmidt

2005-06-24



This is sad news indeed. I rode with Dr Breedlove in 24 hour race in

Illinios... in 1990 (or 89 or 91 ?), I was 18 yrs old and my brother and

I were there to help our friend and frequent riding partner Al Muldoon.

The race rules were like a normal road race, meaning riding together is

allowed, so we stuck in the "pack" for the day loop (140 miles) in order

take turns setting pace for Al for the night loop (20 miles).



Well Bob and Al stayed together and set the coarse record that year.

each riding 505 miles. Yes, 505 miles, thats a 21 mph average for 24

hours ! including any piss breaks, food intake, any time off the bike

or, etc, etc. (so it actually meant a 25-30 mph average for the first

100 miles or so, and then trying to maintain 22-23 mph avg for the rest

of the race... Just to give you a better appreciation of how hard this

is, 21 mph takes nearly TWICE the power ouput of going 17 mph)



I remember Bob and Al encouraging each other, and Bob being super

appreciative of my brother and I setting a nice even pace (but we had it

easy we had an hour break every other hour).



And he was also just super excited to be breaking 500 miles in a days

ride... a claim very few can make...



Obviously, I didn't stay in touch (being only 18..), but definitely

didn't forget Bob either, he was a great guy...









jo-@aracnet.com wrote:

 

See link below:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/229896_raam24.html



Joe



jo-@aracnet.com

2005-06-24