Robson Ranch Residents Race Across America

Randy Catron

Several Robson Ranch residents recently crewed for cycling race teams during the world’s longest competitive bike race, called the Race Across America (RAAM).

RAAM is a non-stop, around-the-clock racing event held in June, starting in Oceanside, Calif., and finishing in Annapolis, Md. The total distance is just over 3,000 miles, and it typically takes a four-person team seven to eight days to complete the race.

Robson residents Randy Catron, John Jordan, and Scott Lasater crewed for a four-person, aged 50-plus, all-male team “Sonoma Creamery” in 2022. This year, Randy Catron and Robson resident Lewis Smith crewed for a four-person, 60-plus, mixed team called “It’s Another Day in Paradise.”

The crew members are responsible for keeping the riders safe during the ride by following them in a support vehicle during the day and night. During the day, the support vehicle will “leapfrog” the rider, passing him or her, then waiting for them to catch up. Between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., the support vehicle will drive directly behind the rider with the vehicle lights on.

During the past two years, each of the teams had a recreational vehicle for the riders and crew to sleep and rest in when not actively racing. There were also two race support vehicles for the riders. Both years the riders and crew were divided into two teams, so 24 hours per day there were always riders racing and always crew supporting the riders.

Catron served as crew chief both years and said the team goals were to keep the riders and crew safe and to always have a bike moving down the road.

Both teams that the Robson residents crewed for in 2022 and 2023 won their race categories. There was no prize money for the wins, just pride from having accomplished a challenging goal and safely finishing the race.