8 man wounded team to compete in Race Across America 2012, in 8 days
Over 3,000 miles, east to west America, up to 100,000 ft of climb
Raising money for Help for Heroes
A team of 8 wounded personnel will compete in the 3,051 mile cycle Race Across America on 16th June 2012, in support of Help for Heroes. After completing an intensive mental and physical training program, the final team will comprise of 4 handbikes and 4 upright bikes as well as a dedicated support crew made up of civilian and military personnel.
Every rider in the Help for Heroes Team has been either wounded on operations or injured training for operations, including four double amputees who will be tackling the race on hand bikes. Those who will make up the team include Marine Joe Townsend (East Sussex) Staff Sergeant Steven Arnold (Essex), Sergeant Simon Harmer (Hampshire), Private Steven Richardson (Scotland), Captain Rupert Smedley (London), Mr Mark Allen (Dorset), Marine Don Maclean (Liverpool) and Private Jamie Hull (Bedfordshire).
The Race Across America is one of the most respected and longest running sports endurance races in the world. The race covers 3,051 miles across 12 states with a total climb of over 100,000 vertical feet. The team will cycle 350-500 miles per day, racing non-stop over a distance which is 30% longer than the tour de France, and completed in roughly half the time, there is a reason that this is touted the world’s toughest cycling challenge.
Raising money for Help for Heroes, Team RAAM has been training the wounded personnel who will aim to complete the challenge in eight days. They will be competing against both professional and amateur cyclists, but their biggest competitors will be a team of wounded US Servicemen.
The team will be led by Jonpaul Nevin, who was previously an Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor at DMRC Headley Court and now heads up the Rehab team at Tedworth House Recovery Centre. Jonpaul Nevin says, “By participating in the RAAM we are showing our wounded and injured what they can achieve. The use of sport or outdoor activities has a proven track record to aid successful physical and psychological rehabilitation, providing the foundation for the development of a positive self-image and outlook on life. Successful completion of the RAAM will certainly help in achieving these aims.”
Participating in the challenge on a hand bike is SSgt Steve Arnold (32) who was carrying out search operations in Afghanistan when an IED exploded taking both his legs. Steve is the most recently wounded member of the team, having just passed the anniversary of his accident on Easter Sunday this year, which he spent training with the RAAM team: “Setting myself this challenge is such a positive step forward in my recovery. I am so pleased to have made the final team and can’t wait to tackle the RAAM to prove to myself and others that there is a life beyond injury.”
The team are hugely grateful to all their sponsors including SNR Denton, Airpartner, Endura, Sat Com Global, Schwalbe, Scott, Torq Fitness, Ultimate Sports Engineering , Under Armour, Kask, Beyond the Beaten Track, and SATMAP whose support is ensuring our wounded heroes are able to take in this challenge of a lifetime. Last year’s RAAM winners, Team Strategic Lions have also played a huge role in mentoring Team Battle Back, with their expertise gained from taking part in the race last year.
Text RAAM to 70900 to donate £5 or leave your message of support and donation at www.bmycharity.com/battlebackraam2012. You can also keep up with the latest news from the team via Twitter (@bb_raam2012), Facebook and at www.helpforheroes.org.uk/raam
