Well, Mother Nature was no friend to any racer during the 2021 Race Across the West. Record breaking heat in the desert cut Team Z Cycling's race short about 30 miles from Parker, AZ. The highest temperature we saw was 137 degrees. During the day temps ranged from 105-120 and at night from 90-100 degrees.

Rick was ready physically and mentally. The crew was prepared and knew what to expect on the course. Except for the heat. Rick wasn't eating according to the plan and didn't feel like eating much. Hydration was good but Rick never felt hydrated as evidenced by infrequency of nature breaks. Water retention was going to be a problem.

With roughly 680 miles to go into temperatures that were not forecast to come down – a decision was made to focus on racer and crew safety and stop the race. This decision was also made because, based on our current race progress, it was highly unlikely we would finish by the cut-off time of 92 hours.

Listen in to last minute conversations with crew member Jen Orr (overall 2019 RAW winner), crew chief Steve Barraco and Caryn and Rick as they talk about the race. While extremely disappointing for sure…we're all very proud of our efforts to get to the start line and be in the race!

Show resources:

https://www.facebook.com/saywattpod Or on Instagram @saywattpod

https://www.facebook.com/10BuckBikeClub

Race Across the West: http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/

Race Across America: https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

Join Rick and Caryn in their last episode before Race Across the West. They each share what they've been up to in preparation over the last couple weeks as rider and crew, and Rick walks us through his race plan. Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of many, many incredible people, and Rick offers his appreciation to those who have generously supported him in going after his dream.

Show resources:

Follow Rick's Race starting June 15th at 1:00 p.m. PT:

https://www.raceacrossthewest.org/live-tracking

https://www.facebook.com/saywattpod Or on Instagram @saywattpod

https://www.facebook.com/10BuckBikeClub

View the RAW budget, sponsor a time station, or donate: https://www.zraam2021.com/gofundme

Race Across the West: http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/

Race Across America: https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

What does an endurance athlete, police officer and Black woman do when her various identities collide with a national tragedy, all while she's training for the Police Unity Tour in honor of fallen officers? If she's Alisha Zellner, she pedals her full-self into the forefront of critical social justice conversations by bringing her local community together to ride bikes and begin a conversation on the issues that impact her life and the lives of so many others.

Join us as Alisha discusses what it's like to live at the intersection of her sometimes contradictory identities, what she's doing to help through her organization Bike Ride for Black Lives, and of course, about her cycling and triathlon plans for the coming year. In this candid and fun conversation, Alisha shares a number of very practical ideas for how we can all work to make the sport we love so much more inclusive—including something you're already doing…riding your bike!

Show resources:

Pledge to Ride 400 Miles this July, join Alisha's community awareness ride, or support organizations working to preserve Black history: https://www.bike4blacklives.com/about

Learn more about and support the Police Unity Tour: https://www.policeunitytour.com/

View the RAW budget, sponsor a time station, or donate: https://www.zraam2021.com/gofundme

Race Across the West: http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/

Race Across America: https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

What a treat! Our first in-person episode since the pandemic and what incredible guests to help us ease back toward "normal." Heath Saffer and Omar Baloch are riding their bikes across the country raising money and awareness of teen suicide in memory of their friend, Devon Rubenstein. Heath and Omar's path brought them through Longmont where Rick and Caryn caught up with them about their friend, the nonprofit they are supporting and, of course…bikes!

From snow-covered passes to the windy roads of Wyoming to a beautiful sunset while riding down Colorado's Front Range, these two twenty-somethings are having the adventure of a lifetime, and we are happy to showcase their efforts in honor of Mental Health Awareness month. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story guys!

Show resources:

Support Omar and Heath's fundraiser for the David C. Rubenstein Foundation and Our Minds Matter: https://bit.ly/3fhziAL

Infinity Bike Seat: https://infinitybikeseat.com/?v=7516fd43adaa Use Code: ZRAAM for a discount!

View the RAW budget, sponsor a time station or donate: https://www.zraam2021.com/gofundme

Race Across the West: http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/

Race Across America: https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

Join Rick and Caryn for a quick release update on all things Race Across the West. Hear updates on Rick's recently completed big training week and changes to Race Across the West and Race Across America due to the global pandemic, as well as what the crew is up to these days as we inch ever closer to the big event on June 15th.

Show resources:

Support Rick's 2021 RAW race: https://www.zraam2021.com/gofundme

10 Buck Bike Club: www.10buckbikeclub.com

Race Across the West: http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/

Race Across America: https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

After a quick catch-up on Rick's Race Across the West training, 10 Buck Bike Club, and a smattering of other appetizers, we get to this episode's main course—an interview with 2021 Bessies Creek 12-hour winner, Adam Ashwill.

Adam's been a part of the ultra-cycling scene for years as his family hosts the infamous Race Across America Time Station 30 in Fort Scott, KS. Inspired by the racers and crews coming through town each summer, Adam decided to give this whole long-distance riding thing a try and has made quite the splash in his first couple years. Despite being new to the sport (or perhaps because of it), he offers remarkably wise and important advice for those who are just getting started, while giving those who have been grinding the gears for decades a reminder of the enthusiasm and energy of their early racing days.

Show resources:

rossmönster Van Rentals: https://rossmonsterrentals.com/

Support Rick's 2021 RAW race: https://www.zraam2021.com/gofundme

10 Buck Bike Club: www.10buckbikeclub.com

Race Across the West: http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/

Race Across America: https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

Next Day Podcast: www.nextdaypodcast.com

Size Inclusive Cycling Clothing:

Machines for Freedom: https://www.machinesforfreedom.com/collections/womens-cycling-jerseys

RSport: https://www.rsportlife.com/

Troy Lee Designs: troyleedesigns.com

FOX: foxracing.com

Welcome to the Say Watt? Podcast conversation with 2015 Trans Am Bike Race finisher and inspirational rider and runner, Gavaskar Josephs. Rick and Caryn chat with Gavaskar about how he transitioned into ultra-cycling, what inspired him to tackle the incredibly challenging, self-supported Trans Am, and what he's up to for the coming race season. Gavaskar's insights into the mental side of intense, long rides, what he tells potential ultra-cyclists, and his thoughts on how to increase diversity in cycling bring a fresh perspective to the pod.

Show resources:

Body Health: https://bit.ly/3tto6Fl

Support Rick's 2021 RAW race: https://www.zraam2021.com/gofundme

Race Across the West: http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/

Race Across America: https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

Next Day Podcast: www.nextdaypodcast.com

10 Buck Bike Club: www.10buckbikeclub.com

It's 2021 and we're back with a Say Watt? first – an episode focused on the team aspect of Race Across America. Our guests Eleanor Allen and David Fellows (rider and crew, wife and husband of Team EA/Water for People) join us to share stories from their 2019, 4-person mixed team crossing. Check out the inside story of how teams actually work (it may be different from what you'd think!), what it's like to crew for more than one rider, why you might want a project manager on your crew, and how it feels to cross the finish line with your teammates.

Eleanor and David are switching gears in 2021 and riding together on a two-person Race Across the West team. They'll share where they are in their training, logistics planning and mental prep for this year's race. Check out the links below for more info. on Team EA/Water for People and how you can contribute to its goal of bringing awareness and raising funds to help solve the global water and sanitation crisis through endurance cycling.

Show resources:

Water For People: https://www.waterforpeople.org/

Cycling For Water - our fundraising site for RAW: https://www.cyclingforwater.org/

Cycling For Water FB page: https://www.facebook.com/cyclingforwaterorg

2019 RAAM video: https://youtu.be/TDL85pljdmQ

Support Rick's 2021 RAW race: https://www.zraam2021.com/gofundme

Race Across the West: http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/

Race Across America: https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

Next Day Podcast: www.nextdaypodcast.com

10 Buck Bike Club: www.10buckbikeclub.com