Racer Bio

​My interest in ultracycling dates back when I first started seriously riding a bike in college in the early 1980s.  I remember watching RAAM coverage on Wide World of Sports and imagining someday I would be able to attempt such a challenge.  In 1986, I entered my first bike race in Los Alamos NM, and quickly fell in love with the sport.  Ultimately, I upgraded to USCF Category 2, and developed into a successful local and regional racer, and placed on the podium at the Masters National Championships in the criterium in 2006 and 2011. 

More recently, I have begun to explore my early interests in ultracyling with the 2014 Dirty Kanza, finishing before sunset in 13:54:04.  In August 2018 I completed the 309 mile Hoodoo 300, finishing in 19:04.  After a disappointing DNF at RAW 2019, we returned to Hoodoo and completed the 500 in just over 42 hours--qualifying for RAAM. Currently my plan is to take one more year preparing with RAW 2020 and the Hood00 2020 before attempting the full RAAM the year I turn 60.  Taking 35 years of training and race experience, figuring out what knowledge and experience is relevant, what can be adapted, and what must be learned to perform in a new discipline of the sport has been amazingly rewarding and challenging.

Cycling and elite training has always had a deep meaning to me.  Through sport, I believe we develop the courage and character not only for the competition at hand, but also for all aspects of life.  Through our training and racing, we develop, rehearse and test those skills.  For me, ultracycling is a new exploration of those ideals.

​Athletic Background and Data

​Residence:                       
Racing Age:                     
USCF Category:              
Racing Experience:       
Height:                              
Weight:               
​Tucson, Arizona
59 in 2020
Cat 2
35 years
5’ 10’ (178 cm)
144 lbs (65 kg)

​Notable Race Results and Accomplishments

2018 Tour of the Gila Stage Race, NM                 
2018 Valley of the Sun Stage Race                        
2018 Oracle Road Race                                            
2017 Colossal Cave Road Race                              
2016 SLR Road Race, Bonsall CA                          
2013 Tour of the Battenkill, NY                             
2013 Longsjo Classic Criterium, MA                    
2007 Battenkill-Roubaix, NY     
​2nd GC 55+ (first 55+ in 4 of 5 stages)
2nd GC 55+
1st 55+
1st 55+
1st 55+
2nd 50+
1st 50+
1st 40+
2011 US Masters Championship Criterium       
2006 US Masters Championship Criterium        
​5th 50+ 
3rd 45+
2014 Dirty Kanza 200
​2018 Hoodoo 300
​2019 RAW
​2019 Hoodoo 500
203 miles in 13:54:05
​309 miles in 19:04
DNF after 342 miles
512 miles in 42:20
14/56 50-54, 114/465 overall
​2nd 50+, 3rd overall

2nd 50+, Qualified for RAAM

Career and Family

​In my professional life, I am a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Arizona.   I am married to my wife of 36 years, Cathy Pearce, who is a competitive masters runner and my Crew Chief for the 2020 RAW.  Cathy and I have been blessed with three adult sons, Christopher, Benjamin, and Jack.
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Contact me by e-mail: eric@ecpearce.com
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Downloadable Bio for Sponsors and Media
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Riding to support the Arizona Greyhound Rescue Capital Campaign for Sol Dog Lodge.

Photos

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See more photo albums on our Facebook Page @pearceteamRAW2019