Presentation to the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association (GABA), 6 January 2020

Join us to hear ultracylist Eric Pearce share his experiences pursuing qualification for the Race Across America (RAAM) during the 2019 Race Across the West (RAW), an epic 930 mile race across four states, and the 2019 Hoodoo 500 in St. George UT. 
   
 Eric will share some of his experiences exploring the discipline of ultracycling as a masters athlete including training, nutrition, equipment, and logistics. Finally, he will try to share what captivates so many to attempt such colossal challenge that is uniquely RAAM.

Eric Pearce is an Astronomy professor the the UA and a top local masters bike racer. After 35 years of racing, he is discovering a new racing discipline in ultracycling and pursuing his dream of competing in the Race Across America. After a disappointing DNF during the RAW in June 2019 in the extreme desert heat, Eric and his crew regrouped and qualified for RAAM in August at the Hoodoo 500. Now Eric plans to return to RAW in 2020 and make it all the way from Oceanside, CA to Durango, CO in preparation for starting the full 3,100 mile RAAM in 2021 — the year he turns 60 years old.
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The Wide World of Sports spot that sparked my interest in RAAM... 22 men and 3 women started RAAM that year.   Only four men finished officially, and all three women.  Jonathon Boyer won in 9 d, 2 h, 6 m with Michael Secrest just four hours behind.  The 3120 mile course that year ran from Huntington Beach CA to Atlanta City NJ.
Entering Snow Canyon at Hoodoo 500.
Rams Head Road House, Annapolis, MD.  Craig Harper crosses the finish line 3rd in the Solo Male (Under 50).
The finish at the 2019 Hoodoo 500.
To my crew, they keep me safe, light my way, 
and remind me of who am I and who I want to be.
Every finish is a shared accomplishment.

Jack Pearce and CTS (Dirty Kanza 2014)
Cathy Pearce and Karin Hibler (Hoodoo 300 2018)
Cathy and Jack Pearce, Adam Block, Paul Rasmussen, and Maria Crawford (RAW 2019)
Cathy and Jack Pearce (Hoodoo 500 2019)