2003 Race Across America
The RAAM Start Line Banner was lit up very impressively even at 11:00 P.M. Saturday Night.
It was HUGE: bridging a very wide two car lane road beneath!!

These photos were taken from the 2003 Race Across America at the start in San Diego, California on June 15, 2003
by Chuck Bramwell with his Sony Cybershot DSC-U20 Digital Camera.

There are 46 Photos HERE showing the start in Downtown San Diego and the real start 21 Miles out in El Cajon.
Click on any of the small thumbnails to bring up the medium size version.
Click on the medium size version to bring up the large size version.
Seven of my favorite photos are included on this page.

In a Saturday, June 14, 2003, article in the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper entitled
"Cyclists to start in paradise, finish in pain", staff write Don Norcross wrote:

"Nineteen cyclists will set out on a spiritual and physical journey tomorrow morning at the Embarcadero.

If successful, that quest will end, 2,922 miles later in Atlantic City, N.J.

The fastest will traverse the continent in eight or nine days, pedaling an average
of 350 miles and 21 hours a day. They'll nap in motor homes and subsist on
carbohydrate-loaded fluids. And if history is any indicator, they'll be chased
by dogs, pelted with beer cans, maybe even shot at.

It's call the Race Across America, or RAAM.

John Howard calls it pure hell..."

You can follow the Race Across America in detail at www.RaceAcrossAmerica.org

The organizers of this year's Race Across America are to be congratulated
on an exciting, well organized, and very impressive start of the Race!!

RAAM Vet Mark Patten in his Red, White, and Blue Jersey talks with Rob Kish in his
Yellow and White Jersey just moments before the gun goes off in San Diego.


There was lots of excitement at the Start Line. It was a huge turnout with lots of spectators
to see the Race Start and at least 200 cyclists to ride out with them.


We had a police motorcycle escort through downtown San Diego, up to Balboa Park, and out
to El Cajon. We didn't have to stop at any of the many lights because the San Diego Policemen
worked every intersection for us!! This photo was taken very near the real start which was
21 miles out from San Diego in El Cajon.


Lee Mitchell helps Rebecca Smith with her Windbreaker just moments before the real gun
goes off at the Race Across America. Rob Kish is on the left in his Yellow and White Jersey.
Fabio Biasiolo is on the right in his White Outfit.


Steve Born is a true long distance cycling nutrition wizard and has helped so many of us
figure out what fuels work best for big rides. RAAM is the ultimate test of many factors ...
not the least of which is nutrition. Steve was helping out as a RAAM Race Official.


The RAAM Riders were at the real start just long enough for a roll call
and then they were off. The road you are looking at will carry these cyclists
some 2,960 miles, climb 83,000 feet and cross fourteen states.


You can follow the Race Across America in detail at www.RaceAcrossAmerica.org

The organizers of this year's Race Across America are to be congratulated
on an exciting, well organized, and very impressive start of the Race!!


[ Race Across America Web Site  | California Triple Crown Web Site ]