ULTRACYCLING - Reto Schoch
ULTRACYCLING - Reto Schoch
ULTRACYCLING - Reto Schoch
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<strong>ULTRACYCLING</strong><br />
the voice of ultramarathon cycling<br />
SUMMER 2012<br />
The Recumbent Perspective p. 22<br />
<strong>Reto</strong>’s RAAM p. 5<br />
Marilyn Hayward on Freedom, Power & Grace p. 16
REALIZING MILESTONES<br />
WITH PASSION<br />
By <strong>Reto</strong> <strong>Schoch</strong><br />
My enthusiasm for long distance<br />
cycling took fire when I was a teenager. I wanted to explore<br />
my limits and the expanse of Europe. I biked west<br />
/ south from Switzerland through France and Italy until<br />
I was stopped by the North Atlantic Ocean and the<br />
Mediterranean Sea. Later when I worked as a postdoc<br />
at Stanford University from 2008-2009 and decided to<br />
go back to Switzerland, I did the first half of my trip by<br />
bike. I started in Palo Alto, CA and rode unsupported<br />
along the TransAm Route to Washington D.C. It took<br />
me 24 days to travel the 5,717 km, followed by the flight<br />
over the ocean to my home country.<br />
Back in Switzerland I successfully participated in<br />
the long-distance mountain-bike racing scene, in which I<br />
have been active for many years.<br />
Towards the end of long races<br />
and trainings I always knew<br />
that I could go further.<br />
I registered for the hardest one-day bicycle race of the<br />
world, the Race Across the Alps (RATA), to learn more<br />
about my own potential. I was very surprised to be in<br />
the lead at the second mountain pass, and ended up<br />
winning the RATA 2011 with a new track record. Having a<br />
small, lightweight build I am a good climber, but when I<br />
participated at the Tortour around Switzerland two<br />
months later I didn't think my chances were so strong<br />
since the race only had about half the meters of height<br />
per length compared to the RATA. To my surprise, I also<br />
won that race and this accomplishment sparked my interest<br />
in trying the Race Across America.<br />
My goal for RAAM was to considerably improve my<br />
personal transcontinental time of 24 days and achieve a<br />
top ranking. I am fascinated how the time to cross the<br />
US with natural power decreased over the years from<br />
months to days - by horse and cart, to horse races,<br />
high-wheel bicycles, to bicycle races. While studying<br />
the history of transcontinental crossings I was wondered,<br />
"Can the coveted eight-day barrier be broken?"<br />
In October 2011 my father and I started to form a team<br />
member report<br />
and prepare for RAAM. I like to plan big projects and<br />
milestones, but I was challenged by the short preparation<br />
period of only 9 months. We managed to build a<br />
very strong team with an incredible spirit, which turned<br />
out to be a substantial pillar for me. For example; when<br />
I broke my collarbone because a car didn’t see me<br />
when he turned left in January 2012 on Tenerife, my<br />
team encouraged me on and never talked about changing<br />
my plans for RAAM.<br />
For my RAAM preparation I had two training camps<br />
during spring: height training on 2500 meters above sea<br />
level following the principle “living high – training low”,<br />
and my most important preparation: driving along the<br />
RAAM route in April 2012. I rode about 65% of the<br />
track from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD by bike<br />
and the remaining section in an RV. This allowed me to<br />
memorize and visualize all uphills, downhills, flat passages,<br />
etc. and go through all sections in my mind again<br />
and again.<br />
Riding RAAM was one of the most beautiful experiences<br />
I have ever had. I love cycling - it relaxes me and<br />
makes me deeply happy. I was eager to be on the bike<br />
for multiple days. Of course, there were also difficult<br />
times, especially during the never-ending nights. The<br />
sleep deprivation was the biggest challenge for me as I<br />
slept only 6 hours during the entire 8 days. I was happily<br />
surprised, however, to find that I had a clear mind<br />
and no hallucinations throughout the race.<br />
My team and I planned many potential emergency<br />
scenarios, but we were still caught off guard when I developed<br />
an aversion to my liquid food after a few days.<br />
This forced me to eat pasta, Riz Casimir, sandwiches etc.,<br />
and my team had to work even harder because they<br />
were forced to cook my food. In addition, the RV always<br />
had to be relatively close to me since the increased<br />
amount of natural food also led to many more trips to<br />
the bathroom. In all, I lost 6 kg during RAAM, but since I<br />
started with 3-4 kg excess weight this was acceptable.<br />
My victory at RAAM taught me many great lessons.<br />
Every milestone is achievable if you really want it. Be<br />
focused, prepare well, set priorities – and you will realize<br />
your dreams!<br />
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