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Hardest
Ever?
by
John Hughes
director, UltraMarathon Cycling Association
On August 4 and 5, our club mate Bob Fourney took fourth in the Round
Czech Republic RAAM (Ride Across America)
qualifier. Afterwards Bob told me that it was the hardest race he's ever done. The
race covers 1,246 kilometers (774 miles) with 11,500 meters of climbing (38,000
feet). Bob finished in 54 hours 34 minutes (14.2 mph), only 10 minutes out
of third place.
Bob Fourney during the Round Czech
Republic race
At
the finish of Round Czech
Republic race with his crew and directors of the race. On the left Petr Bezecny,
right Radek Kysely
Granted, that's a tough course, but Bob is a true ultra athlete, blessed with a
very short memory. Last year Bob raced in Team RAAM as part of an Human
Powered Vehicle ( HPV) team
that crossed in 5 days 7 hours, averaging 23.14 mph. That's less than a
mile per hour slower than the RAAM HPV record of 24.02 mph, which Bob helped set in
1989 in the first RAAM relay team event.
In between he won solo RAAM twice (1990 and 1991). Bob and RAAM legend Rob
Kish are the only men to score back-to-back victories. In 1990 Bob crossed
in 8 days 11 hours, averaging 14.40 mph, one of the top 10 fastest crossings!
In addition to racing speed and ultra determination, Bob loves an adventure. In
2002 he set a new winter trans-Alaska record, taking only 14 days 7 hours 40
minutes to ride from Anchorage
to Nome. He spent several winters in Alaska training sled
dogs for Joe Redington and ran several 200- and 300-mile Iditarod Qualifiers
with sled dog teams as well as nine Iditasport runs.
Bob
Fourney in Alaska on Anchorage - Nome
In addition to his ultra racing prowess, Bob is an active member of the RMCC.
I've driven to ride planning meetings at Charlie Henderson's. Bob rides
down - with lights - and then rides home.
Bob does most of our brevets. Last year he helped out a club member who'd
forgotten his lights by loaning his spare light. He often rides the
brevets in his fully faired recumbent - a bit slow on Left Hand canyon, but then
he flies.
Our Last
Chance 1200k was inspired by one of
Bob's standard RAAM training rides. He'd ride to Kansas, take a nap under
a tarp somewhere, and then ride home. We use the same route, out US 36,
although most riders prefer to sleep in motel rooms. Ever the enthusiast,
last year he came out to Kansas to cheer on the randonneurs.
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