Four-Wheelin' It: From Oceanside to Annapolis: RAAM 2013 -- My Second Time Around

This is my second time working at RAAM, the Race Across America. This year, my race experience will be a lot different from last year, primarily because I'm driving and riding solo, instead of riding along as as passenger in Jody's car.

This year it'll be harder for me to take pictures, harder to talk to the riders, and harder to navigate, for instance. However, because RAAM is using a GPS-based tracking system this year, it's a piece of cake to know exactly where the riders and officials are. Instead of having to calculate a rider's position based on his/her average speed and last known location, all I have to do is look at the map on my phone and voilà, there is his/her position. Even though it's great to have that information readily available, it takes away some of the fun of trying to figure out where the riders are.

Another difference between this year's race and last year's race is that I won't be in the lead car, at least not for now. I'm supposed to be in the fourth car, but maybe that will change and I'll be able to move up a bit. I really don't know.

I'm a bit tired, so I'm going to briefly talk about some of what has been going on today, so far.

-- I followed Reto up a particularly tough climb early on in the race and got to see him leave many a racer in his dust. He was absolutely flying up the hill, whereas most racers were struggling.

-- Most of my officiating so far has consisted of reminding drivers to turn their headlights on, reminding cyclists to pull well off the road when they stop, directing traffic at a huge traffic circle so that riders would be sure of which turn to take, and making sure that the follow vehicles are indeed following their riders.

-- I'm back on the liquid diet for RAAM 2013.

-- I've already gotten friendly with this year's Italian team, which includes a member of last year's team, and that has resulted in one cup of coffee so far.

-- Jody scored one biberli so far, but I haven't scored any.

-- Reto is planning to finish the race in under 8 days, which would be absolutely amazing. If he succeeds, I'd hate to miss that celebration, but it looks like I will, unless I go way forward, especially later in the race. One of his main strategies for success has to do with going on the liquid diet for the entire race.

-- Just a little while ago, I talked to one solo rider who is competing in RAW, the Race Across the West (which finishes in Durango, Colorado) who has already lost a crew member due to illness.

-- I rented a Nissan Yaris, which is a pretty small car, so I'm not sure how fun sleeping in it will be. (I will find out soon.)