In early May, I completed the most important training cycle in preparation for Race Across America (RAAM) – four consecutive long cycling days designed as a rehearsal for RAAM’s 5000 km distance. Over these four days, I covered 1412 km across Estonia, essentially the same distance as driving from my home town Tartu to Berlin.
The goal of this training block was simple: build up enough fatigue and stress during the first three days to test RAAM-level effort on the fourth day. I cycled the first three days without support, and on the fourth, I was joined by the same support team that will accompany me in the U.S.
Training Cycle by the Numbers:
May 1 (Thursday)
- Distance: 200 km
- Moving (neto) time: 6:08:40
- Stops: 5 min
- Avg speed: 32,6 km/h
- Avg heart rate: not recorded (watch battery empty)
- Sleep (according to Garmin watch) from the previous night: 7h 40 min, score 90 (excellent)
- Weather: -4°C in the morning, avg temp below 10°C
May 2 (Friday)
- Distance: 350 km
- Moving (neto) time: 10:35:44
- Stops: 31 min
- Avg heart rate: 115
- Avg speed: 32,8 km/h
- Sleep from the previous night: 5h 51 min, score 69 (fair)
- Weather: around 2°C in the morning, ~10°C during the day
May 3 (Saturday)
- Distance: 357 km
- Movine (neto) time: 10:48:10
- Stops: 31 min
- Avg heart rate: 109
- Avg speed: 33 km/h
- Sleep from the previous night: 6h 44 min, score 62 (fair)
- Weather: a few degrees in the morning, strong westerly winds, ~10°C
May 4 (Sunday)
- Distance: 505 km
- Movine (neto) time: 15:30:16
- Stops: 40 min
- Avg heart rate: 108
- Avg speed: 32,6 km/h
- Sleep from the previous night: 2h 11 min, score 31 (poor)
- Weather: ~0°C in the morning, avg below 10°C, strong cold northerly wind
Two Core Objectives of the Rehearsal
- Maximize riding time: the focus was on being in motion as much as possible, with only essential stops – for food, drink, or clothing changes. Due to the cold, I couldn’t fully test planned stretching breaks (e.g. 5 minutes every 2.5 hours and 15 minutes every 6 hours). The goal is to determine the ideal break pattern that keeps the body functioning so that the body does not break under overload.
- Test day under fatigue: the goal of the final 505 km ride was to simulate a typical day on RAAM, as much as Estonian conditions would allow. The three days prior built up substantial physical and mental fatigue. On day four, my support team joined with two vehicles, handing me food and drink on the move, preparing clothing stops, riding behind me with hazard lights, guiding me in the dark, charging devices, shopping for supplies, and testing items from an experienced RAAM participant. The day revealed key lessons – from organizing gear properly to needing an overview of available nutrition options, so the team can offer food proactively when I’m too tired to decide.
Key Takeaways
- Energy deficit: The cold weather across all four days increased energy demands, especially on the final 505 km day. Even though I ate a lot and nearly nonstop, I couldn’t avoid a deficit – something I’m well familiar with from past challenges. With RAAM, the added difficulty is that most intake must happen on the bike. Based on past riders’ data, completing RAAM requires over 100,000 kcal. Interestingly, it doesn’t matter much whether you finish in 8 or 12 days – the per-kilometer energy cost is roughly the same.
- Navigation errors are costly: fatigue and distraction make it easy to miss a turn. Every detour adds not just distance but mental toll. That’s why it’s crucial that my crew signals turns during daylight hours. At night, RAAM rules require the support car to be right behind me anyway.
- Physical readiness: In the past 7 months, I’ve logged 16,237 km of cycling, consistent gym and bodyweight workouts. The signs are encouraging: no major muscle or position-related issues, even on the longest (505 km) day. That said, I’m under no illusions – RAAM will bring pain. Still, mentally it mattered a lot to get through the rehearsal without any significant problems. This test ride made up just 28% of the full RAAM distance.
- Clothing matters: The cold May weather gave me a great chance to test gear. On the fourth day, I even pulled out old ski jackets! The key is not overdressing, yet avoiding any chill. Undergarments matter just as much as outerwear. My long partnership with moomoo has ensured I’m fully kitted out for all conditions. Back in 2019 at the continuous quintuple ultra triathlon in Austria, I ran out of dry clothes due to rain, which caused major problems. I’m now far better prepared.
With just four weeks left until RAAM, I’ll still have two weeks of high-volume riding. Just yesterday I did a 226 km ride. The final two weeks will be all about tapering – letting my body recover and sharpen before the real thing.