E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSIn just one week a group of four women traveled 3,000 miles, demonstrating that age is just a number – and raising money for two important causes. NBC's Michelle Franzen reports.
By Elyse Perlmutter-Gumbiner
NBC News
Seven days and 36 minutes. That’s how long it took four women to travel 3,000 miles in what’s considered by many cyclists to be one of the most difficult races in the world: the Race Across America.
The Love, Sweat and Gears team members range in age from 48 to 62. Together, they raised more than $45,000 for LiveWell Colorado obesity research, and nearly $6,500 for Utah Austim Give, while also demonstrating that age isn’t a limiting factor.
“Part of our motivation is we really want to show that people, you can start at any time,” said Julie Lyons, 54. “[Even if] you didn't do sports as a child or you haven't been active your whole life, you can start anytime you want. You don't have to ride across America, you can ride to the grocery store, and you can ride around the block. You can accept challenges and you can achieve them, even if you're not in your 20s.”
These women are quick to say they aren’t lifelong athletes. Lyons, a resident of Littleton, Colo., picked up biking at 41, but didn’t get serious until her kids got into high school and began leaving for college. She says she almost drowned during her first triathlon.
“A friend says, ‘Come on, you can do this,’ and I say, ‘But I don't know how to swim,’ and she says, ‘But you know how to run, come on,’” recalled Lyons. “I did one, and the minute I crossed the finish line, I thought, 'I can do this better,' and that is where the addiction lies.”
'I needed to do something to change my life'
Dina Hannah of Salt Lake City, Utah, who at 48 is the youngest rider, began cycling just eight years ago. At 40 years old, 5’6" Hannah weighed 230 pounds.
“I was just walking down the hall one day, and I felt a pop in my foot and a bone broke, just from the weight of my body,” Hannah recalled. “I decided I needed to do something to change my life.”
Cyclist Julie Lyons tells NBC's Michelle Franzen about the team's hopes for the race, how they cope with sleep deprivation and why the team gels so well.
She joined a commuter challenge at work, and began cycling to her office every day. Soon she began taking longer and longer rides, and the weight melted off. She was hooked. Within two years after her first ride to work, she was biking in 100-mile races.
“I always strive for more, no matter where in my life,” said Hannah. “Ever since I did my first century [100-mile race], I've bought long-distance cycling books and they talk about RAAM, and I would lie in my bed reading those chapters over and over again — it’s something I've wanted for a really long time.”
Completing their goal wasn’t easy. Teams must have someone on the road at all times. That means at 3 p.m., when the sun is blistering, they’re peddling away. At 4 a.m., when most people are sleeping, the hardcore cyclists in Race Across America (RAAM) are catching a cool breeze at their backs.
Fourteen crew members helped Love, Sweat & Gears as they completed their trek across the country. The crew lived together in very close quarters for seven days while cooking, cleaning, fixing bikes and doing everything necessary to help the women finish the race.
The women biked in pairs, with each pair taking a four-hour shift comprised of 20-minute spurts. Riders go as hard as they can for 20 minutes before switching out with the other rider. A support van following close behind takes the biker to the next exchange point.
“If you look at the whole goal, you'll get overwhelmed, but if you look at a little bit of the time, 'This is all I have to do and then I get to rest for 20 minutes and then I do it again, and then I get to rest, and have fun,'” said Hannah. “It's all in the mind.”
'There will be some dark times'
While one pair is biking, the two riders on their off-shift head to the trailer. In four hours, they must eat, shower, get massages and most importantly, sleep. Since the riders get no more than two hours of sleep during their off shift, they face sleep deprivation.
“You can't prepare for that, so consequently do I think…I might have some dark places where I really don't want to be on this bike anymore,” said 62-year-old Amy Shonstrom, a Denver cyclist who is the oldest on the team. “But I can also tell myself that, ‘Hey, it's going to end, it's not forever, there will be some dark times, no doubt about it.’”
She knows it is probably the last time she can attempt a race of this magnitude.
“I trained hard for this, and to be in this condition that I am at my age, is a wonderful feeling -- it's great,” said Shonstrom. “I broke my kneecap a year ago, and you know there are two ways I could have handled that. I could have said ‘Oh gee’, or just keep going and I think you just have to keep moving.”
Encountering extreme temperatures and high winds
Ann Lantz, of Centennial, Colo., is the team’s second-youngest member at 49. She rode horses her whole life, until the combination of kids and life got in the way. At 36, a co-worker dared her try a triathlon. She’s now a Triathlon World Champion and a member of the Colorado Sportswomen Hall of Fame.
The women of Love, Sweat & Gears spent a year training for the different elements they faced along the 3000 mile route. They biked through blistering heat in Arizona and climbed the hills in the Rockies, all while dealing with severe sleep deprivation.
“They say the six inches between your two ears is the most important part of this,” said Lantz. “I believe that's true because… everyone can train the same and have the same capabilities, but it's that little switch in your brain.”
The women braved the elements during their 3,000 mile ride. They faced 100-plus degree temperatures in the Arizona desert, a 10,000-foot climb in Colorado and winds hard enough to blow Lantz off her bike in Kansas.
Despite the obstacles, the women completed their goal in seven days and 36 minutes; about six hours shy of the record for women over 50. In the history of the race, they are the eighth group of women to finish in their age category.
“I like to go fast," Lantz said, laughing. “I love that part. I love the adrenaline, I love the rush, and I love the power. Yeah, let's just get this down, and then another time in my life, I'll recreate across the country.”
Leave a Comment:
Women's sports? Who freaking cares!?!?
But I still think it is great. So many Americans are just plain fat and out of shape. Maybe this will inspire someone to become healthy and get off their arse and quit whining.
Who care's? what kind of moron are you?
Sammy, I'm willing to bet that you could not ride a bike 50 miles in one stretch. These women could probably kick your butt.
Well, Sammy, I was rather hoping a few more fatties would get the spirit, expecially the tens of thousands who are playing their games, or on their free phones (in many cases), etc.. So goes todays obese teen. Humm. Your envy is striking. Those women performed an incredible feat.
These ladies certainly deserve our respect. I love to see these things. I began training three weeks ago for a cross nation trek on March 5, my 70th birthday. I'm currently cycling about 100 miles a week, and will be adding additional miles each week. I intend to cure my diabetes while promoting a novel I've written.
All communities across the nation should set aside/build bicycle paths to key points around their communities that would be accessible to most, if not all citizens. It's healthy, it's fun, it helps clean the environment, it saves fuel, and the mileage you get is fantastic! What's not to like?
If the numbers are correct it means each rider pedaled for about 750 miles. This is just over 100 miles per day for 7 days. When you break it down it seems like a lot of noise and expense for very little accomplishment
...
what a sexist idiot you are...and many of us do NOT want to watch overpaid, crotch picking, spitting violent immature MEN either...so who cares about men's sports!!! These women COULD kick your butt, so while you judge behind your computer- HOW about getting your fat critical butt of fthe sofa and do what they did...coward.
Grunts saying stupid things, who cares!
Sammy Johns "Women's sports? Who freaking cares!?!?"
Tens of millions of people are inspired by them, unlike the almost none who care about what you think.
As an avid cyclist for many years all I can say is ..great damn job ladies !! Thats one tough ride !! I';; bet there's not an once of fat on those ladies !!
"Seven days and 36 minutes. That’s how long it took four women to travel 3,000 miles..."
"The women biked in pairs, with each pair taking a four-hour shift comprised of 20-minute spurts. Riders go as hard as they can for 20 minutes before switching out with the other rider. A support van following close behind takes the biker to the next exchange point."
Misleading.
Yeah, they actually only biked 25% of the country, the rest was in a van. But whatever, if they want to be proud of themselves well good for them, it doesn't mean that I have to though, right?
redbundy, I bet you couldn't pedal your way down the street, much less what they did.
emlit
It's still 750 miles each in only 7 days - over 100 miles a day for 7 straight days.
Impressive by any measure.
figure so
Wow! Nice job. Anyone who bikes should be impressed with this. Try driving across the country non stop and it will really bring home how impressive this is. Not a whole lot of guys sitting in the bar reminiscing about high school could do this well.
Non-stop??? Did you read the article or just the headline? They went in groups of 2 on four hour shifts. 20 minutes each rider then rotate. I'll admit I don't know if I could handle only getting sleep for 2 hours every 4, but still the headline is a little misreading...
redbundy... Gou daifu DIDN'T say they biked non-stop... they said, "Try DRIVING across the country non stop & it will really bring home how impressive this is." Did you read their comment? Someone has a problem with this being an impressive race... just sayin'.
At first glance I thought it was the 'dyke on a bike' contest! I hate to criticize this, but cmon, driven around by a tour van? There are people that do this sort of thing unaided and it takes them 5-6 months to finish a cross-USA bike tour! This seems kinda pre-fabricated to me! But whatever it takes to raise money I guess...
There is a lot more to this ride than you take it for granted for. There are rules and regulations according to RAAM (Race Across AMerica) they must follow or they will be disqualified. And yes, they have to PLAN on they will complete this within the alloted time.
working_class, you obviously know nothing about RAAM. Try doing a little research first before you post your ignorance for everyone to see.
Gumps, are you an idiot man? I cross-country bike all the time, unaided! I know the trick behind the female riding BS! Like I've said before, its a nonsense competition that cuts corners by all means! Look up the guys that took months to do this sort of thing unaided! Couple femmes cycling while the other ones are sleeping and getting footsie rubbs does not consist of a serious competition! Strike it off as a joke actually! Some Americans are naive and retarded when it comes to knowledge of real challenges...Like I've said, sleeping in the desert for months at a time crossing the Southern Tier is the real deal! Sleeping in an airconditioned van while stuffing your face and getting rub downs is a bit of a sick joke that puts small children to sleep! I can almost visualize all the feminist supporters that clap like idiots smiling through their teeth at the borred out of their mind morons that donate to make believe foundations! I cannot believe that this crap can still go on even this day with all the unemployment we are faced with out there! There are more worthy causes to spend money on, such as our ailing vet and homeless population! There are unkown troopers that cycle the world on their own dime and get not one ounce of recognition for what they do! But yeah, go ahead and pray upon the gullable fat public and the presstitute media fed ignoramuses that don't even know what a century is! Way to go guys! Blow this out of proportion for money!
?? You've got to understand. We know HOW it was done. Minimizing a feat like this is missing the point. Fun while raising eventually over $50,000. They were obviously thinking about someone else. You oughta try it.
thanks working_class for shedding light on this "spectacular" feat. lol
nonetheless, it is a somewhat inspiring story. i just wish this story did not contain the b.s. that you highlighted. but, this is the usa, so i shouldn't expect anything different.
Not surprised that working_class has to resort to name calling. So you slept in the desert - big whoop. This isn't about you. Grow up.
"I hate to criticize..." Methinks you love to criticize. So your pic shows you sitting on a crotch rocket, is this what you mean by "...cross country cycling all the time"? 750 miles over a week is a little over 100 miles per day. Do the math, then get back under your bridge, Troll.
impressive i think way to go ladies. wish this old had your spunk. congratulations and keep up the great work.
Ahem, I have done it, half the coast of California, Monterey Bay to San Diego...500 miles in one full week, that's 7 full days! No tour van, I had broken spokes along the way touring with about 50 - 75 lbs of load on my Trek Tourer. Don't say that there are no guys doing this, there are plenty that do alot more than you think, it is just that we don't like to brag about it like some of the feminazzis do! There is a guy that did tip of Alaska to tierra del fuego, crossing the Atacama desert, Chile! This same guy, Mark Beaumont set the world record, circumnavigating the world! He even pulled off the cross-usa southern tier! One of my european friends just finished Los Angeles to B.C. with a female companion and they crossed the Yosemite ranges by bike! There are plenty of people that do this sort of thing, they do it the hard way and just don't brag about it! Under this administration everything is sugarcoated and a complete fluffed up lie...
working_class, I'm not sure what you're really trying to communicate here. That guys can do bigger, better things and don't brag about it? I don't think that was what was going on here. There is no comparison to what you did versus what they did. I know this because I too have ridden solo down the California coast (twice) - both times on a fully loaded bike, from San Jose to L.A. - 400 miles in three days. But that is nothing compared to doing RAAM, either solo or as a team. I know this because I was a mechanic for a guy who did RAAM some years back. Believe me, riding day in and day out is only part of it. Living in close quarters, dealing with all manner of obstacles, weather and personality clashes...
Note how many female teams their age actually completed RAAM. So don't belittle their accomplishment.
I am near 80 now, but still figure 100miles+/day minimum. Grades are a big figure especially if you start in the PNW. Otherwise I calculate(est) this with an average seed of 11mph. Not so fast anymore, and get off the bike more often now. Natural padding is gone, and the left hand becomes painfully numb at times. Am also grateful to the thousands of drivers who give us a little room. Thanks. Have neveer peddled in CA, but would like the short jaunt, the Cabrillo highway, Monterey to San Simeon. Less chance of rain too.
Gumps, you can believe what ever you want! To me guys like Mark Beaumont is the real deal...If those femmes slept in the desert for a few months crossing the southern tier, I would clap and hold the flag for them! This RAAM thing is BS...It is another weak excuse for people to make claim to fame for something that it takes anonymous others months of endless effort and struggle to pull off! It puts to shame all the real troopers that go crosscountry, carrying their own food and water + tents and what have you and sleep under the stars towing heavy trailers and they get not one ounce of recognition for what they do! I know where you are going with it, shame on you! To me this is a joke competition period! I'm heading out for that Adventure Biking route trans-us southern tier in the cooler months so that I can finish this unaided with a 50-75 lbs bob trailer towed behind me! While I bust my proverbial ass to do the real deal I'll be thinking about you and the hotel style rub downs shown in the video! Fake is the new tough! Good job man!
Working class, to get the distance they said, each rider would have to average 288 miles a day in 16 hours of riding 4 hours on road and 2 off. Riding during the day and middle of the night with sleep depravation. This is considered the hardest road race in the world for a reason. A few years back, a team lost a rider to fatigue when he fell asleep and rode into the path of a pickup truck. So, this is a test of true endurance, regardless of how many massages or the lack of cargo. I have toured my share of 500 mile tours, the last being San Fran to LA and I know what we do is hard. What these women did was INSANE by comparison! More power to them, let's not diminish their accomplishment to make ours seem more significant. We ALL rock!
Working class, Here's your medal now shutup and let these women have their day !!
Paul and Johnm - Thank you! Working_Class sounds like he is in his 20's - 30's and WAY too full of testosterone (diplomatically speaking - I'd like to say he sounds like an arrogant ass). These women are ages 48 - 62, when you do not have the "young person" hormones to sustain you. At 55, having done cycling myself, I can guarandamntee you the RAAM would be a totally different experience for women of their age than for men in their 20's. These women did it on guts as much or more than strength. Let Working_Class attempt the RAAM in his 50's when "the warranty expires" on his body, and then revisit this article. As they said, it is more about the six inches between the ears - and for THAT there is no substitute for age and experience. "You go, ladies - and THANK YOU for raising $51,500 for charitable causes!"
Working Class, you said you biked from Monterey to San Diego which according to you is 500 miles. MMM now are you completely sure about the mileage? So exactly how many hrs did you ride each day? We would all like to know the answer to that question. Because I want to be the one to tell you, your story is full of holes and BS. So let's see you *MAN UP* (snicker), and answer, and please no drawn out story, just answer the questions.
HOW MANY HRS PER DAY? INCLUDING MINS THAT YOU TOOK FOR BREAKS.
ALSO HOW MANY MILES IS IT FROM MONTEREY TO SAN DIEGO?
R1974, the distance is a car is 450 miles. When you factor in necessary detours for cycling, 500 is correct. If you factor in the week he said, you are looking at 70 miles a day. Which would translate to about 6-8 hours on a bike. Working class is being honest with you, as I have done the same route. Difficult, yes? On par with RAAM, of course not, but it is still a feat worth recognizing!
Paul, actually the correct distance is 431.67 to be exact. The miles he rode each day was 61. So let's take the 61 miles divide it by 8 hrs (giving him the benefit of doubt) that would mean he rode 7.625 miles an hr, but now remember that is not including his breaks. Which for some reason there is no answer, so I'm going to say he took a 15 min break every 2.5 miles. So let's see how you break it down, please include the breaks, and I'm sure he didn't spurt for 20 mins straight. So he needs to put up or shut up. These women did 3000 miles in 7 days, where as it took him 7 days to ride 431.67 miles. How much sleep did he get?? If he only rode 6 hrs per day. He got 8 hrs of sleep each day. So are you telling me that his 8 hrs of sleep compare to their 2 hrs of sleep...I would surely hope now. I'm not being a *itch with you, I'm just pointing out facts as working class is telling, but he's not telling all of the story, so I see no reason to question him. Do you?
R1974, as a touring cyclist I can tell you that most cyclist would take a 15-30 minute break every two hours, not every 15 minutes (not including photo ops of course). But, the fact remains the same.....RAAM is 100x harder than any self supported touring.
Should have put the money toward breast research. All 4 of these ladies need to research finding a set.
And you sir need to get first aid for your knuckles - they seem a bit scabbed.
Educated, Is that from them dragging their knuckles !!?
Troglodites usually do drag their knuckles.
misleading and a joke. the title of this story is something that should never allow this person to do so again. 100% to try to promote something that did not happen. Also on a side note. To do so for childhood obiesity? Stop giving that kid crap to eat all the time. problem solved.
"While one pair is biking, the two riders on their off-shift head to the trailer. In four hours, they must eat, shower, get massages and most importantly, sleep. Since the riders get no more than two hours of sleep during their off shift, they face sleep deprivation."
Misleading. They are making it look that all four of them went the entire distance only on pedal-power with no gaps in the riding.
I congratulate the effort but be forward on how you actually did it instead of making people think you pedaled the entire distance in the time claimed.
It wasn't the ladies writing this story. If you're going to blame anyone for misleading the readers, blame the writer of the article.
Yes, the article was so poorly written that the author misspelled the name of one of the charities as "Utah Austim Give". It should be Autism. MSN needs new reporters and editors.
That said, working class -- you have no class. Get off your whiny, misogynistic soap-box.
Thats the same way all the race across America races were done if I'm not mistaken ..at least the team races ..
You go ladies!! Bummed that I didn't get to see you come through the Oxford time station. A friend of mine is talking about doing this as a solo and I hope he does it!!
Great job, ladies. I love cycling and can ride a good 50 miles but afterwards my legs are done for a while and the saddle sores are hell. I can't imagine cycling all that way day after day. You definitely got props, ladies.
Wow, the critics on this vine ... Get a life!
Awesome job ladies!
That's approx 100 miles per day per person It is quite an accomplishment I had a hard time going from Cincinnati to Las Vegas in 48 hours and I was driving
Pretty impressive time to get across the entire country.
Wonder what their sammich making time is?
Yup, just stuffing my face here and getting a footsie rub with a bit of scented gel! A little higher up on the thigh there Marry! That feels nice! I just wonder if they even got some nice love making in that van between rides, just to freshen them up a bit! Fake is the new Tough! LAME...What else can be expected from a weak minded liberal society?
working_class is a troll. Don't feed the trolls.
Awesome feat! another group (veterans) are departing Ocean Shores, Wa. and cycling to Washington, D.C. July 15, 2012 to Nov. 15th, 2012. called longroadhomeproject.com. Help our veterans by helping them.
This gives a whole new meaning to,"You go girl!"
Congratulations.
nice going ladies, certainly all/most of the negative stuff is from lard a&&ed bag feeders watching "reality" crap.this should inspire people to start something and be thankful that they aren't too old or challenged to start. am planning to walk the appalachian trail in the spring; this just makes me want to train harder.
Good Evening Kate, A fine broadcast this evening as always. You did a great job filling in for Mr.Williams this week.
First of all with regards to this posting of Michelle Franzen's "Making A Difference" report about these four women is truly inspirational. Travelling 3000 miles in 7 days and 36 minutes is remarkable along with raising $45,000 for LIVE WELL COLORADO and $65,000 for Utah Autism Give. These four women have accepted challenges and achieved them. This group called, "Love, Tears and Gears" is a wonderful organization and the four women are too.
On another note it is always great to see Richard on the broadcast reporting from Istanbul about being inside Syria. As Richard stated Syria was much different from the last time he was in the country. Travelling around the region without seeing any Syrian Troops. Travelling and speaking with the opposition rebels is appears the Assad regime is in serious trouble and having to consolidate the government forces to the cities instead of the villages. Hearing he rebels are well organized may be an encouraging sign of the regime crumbling. Time will tell in the coming months
Excellent Reporting as Always Richard!
Again, with regards to Michelle Franzen's report it was uplifting to hear one of the women speak about deciding to do something different and making a change. The challenges faced in the 3000 mile bike ride of mountains, extremely high temperatures and winds along with little sleep was staggering. Yet, they all achieved getting to the finish line and it was great. A nice piece!
Thank You for the broadcast Kate! Have a wonderful weekend! Peace to You and to All!
Be Well Everyone!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
Take Extra,Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
Lisa
they are old and lost their looks, so this was a good way to get some attention, they used to get just with plain looks.
This year while driving long haul I saw several different groups of two or more crossing the desert from California to El Paso on I-8 and I-10 Some pulled trailers. No telling how far they had been or were going. This was not an organized thing but just individuals on a ride. It was already hot and I envied not a single rider. This part of the country is unforgiving. Not once did I see any kind of "backup" vehicle trailing these riders. I also noticed that a few were indeed 60+ at least...
Yup, exactly my point! Many a times, I am one of those guys, crossing the desert with my 75 lbs Bob Ibex Trailer! Nobody even waves, yet alone make a big media stint about it...Like I've said before...Fake is the new Tough in the liberal mind!
Kudos to the ladies...riding sprints is a very demanding exercise. And to the haters (you know who you are)...this isn't the Tour de France...While you have to pedal a certain distance and time, you also get about a six to eight hour rest period to rest, relax and regroup. If you can't say anything nice, then spare the rest of us your strife and keep it for an appropriate column.
Oh, and congrats also to the charities...which is another win for the good guys and girls!
Great job ladies. Cycling is a fantastic life sport! 1 reporting error though, a Century (100 mile ride) is NOT a race, it's just a ride. But you still have to do 100 miles, and that's an accomplishment.
Fake is the new Tough! Way to go ROMANS!
24*7 = 168. About 3000 miles, they must have averaged close to 20 mph. I'm a 63 year old male and with my one speed bike, I can get up to 9 mph max. To me this seems very impressive. Back in 2005, I went home to Missouri from California to help my mom sell her house before she relocated to live with my sister. When I was at home, I drove past a van on Highway 94 in Mo. that said UC Davis. At first, I just thought to myself that's just down the road from where I live and then I realized I wasn't in California any more. My curiosity got the better of me so I turned around and asked them what they were doing in Missouri. They said they were doing an Across the USA bicycle race. I bicycle every day and walk as my doc told me to lose weight or get diabetes, so I try to do 1000 calories of activity a day. I lost 35 lbs. and got my blood sugar back in the normal range. The only thing to watch out for bicycling in my town are the cops as they put an article in the local paper saying "If you see bicycle riders in your area, call the cops" and another article in the paper said the cops had a name for bicycle riders of SOBs standing for Scum on bicycles. Yeah they've taken my picture twice biking, put a decoy car in front of my walking path and when they couldn't get me to steal anything, they tried drugs by dropping a bag labeled "Medical" off perfectly centered on my driveway and hid a block down the street and when I drove past them ignoring the bag they went and picked it up. Insane. Mitt Romney might be right there anyway when he said we don't need any more cops. I disagree with his assessment of teachers and firefighters however.
There alway have been and always will be those who build themselves up by tearing others down. Thankfully there are also those who build others up through their own accomplishments and by including others in their thoughts. Thank you Love Sweat and Gears - class act, mission accomplished!
T411 Crew - Here, Here! This story is not simply about a big bike ride. It is about four women (including one world class triathloner) of an age most of their peers are sitting home with their grandchildren, who have done what only 7 other women's teams have been able to do - ride across America in 7 days in all kinds of conditions. The format of the ride was likely set forth in the RAAM rules and regulations to allow riders to make it across the country in that time frame without killing themselves trying. They made it AND raised over $50,000 for charities (something people like "working_class" would never think to do). Their message was "You CAN do it - No matter what your age, get out there, get cycling, and get fit!" When someone rides alone and thinks of no one but themselves, grinding through ESM (Every Single Mile), or EFM, just to prove their own machismo, that is no accomplishment. Kudos to these ladies, who did it for OTHERS as well as themselves! It IS a newsworthy story.