JOE BARR put in a very strong ride to win the age 60-69 men’s category of this 38th annual Race Across America.
This was the third RAAM for, Barr, who turned 60 two days into the race. His record now stands at two finished and one DNF.
This year’s solo field endured an extreme amount of rain, wind, flooding, hail—heck, everything but locusts, with Barr being right in the thick of it.
Had it not been for that, Barr might have been able to better the 60-69 age record of 11.27 mph set by David Jones in 2008, a RAAM that had much more favorable weather conditions.
Barr is among the few pro road cyclists to do RAAM, his first being in 2012, an endeavor that was on his mind since Jonathon Boyer’s (the first American in the Tour de France) 1985 RAAM win.
This has been the toughest race of his 43 year cycling career. He’s survived the scorching heat of the Californian and Arizona deserts. Conquered the altitude of the Colorado rockies. He’s fought against the strong headwinds of Kansas and dominated in the Applachians.
He suffered major sleep deprivation to cross 3070 miles of the United States in just over 11.5 days.
Barr’s 9 person crew were with him for every pedal stroke. Ensuring his nutrition and physical performance was at its maximum potential. They looked out for his well being and built him back up when he was mentally broken. They provided a safety net for him so he was able to perform at his best.
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