Spiegel Bikes Poland

3-TIME RAAM FINISHER KABIR RACHURE TO RETURN IN 2025

Here’s a great video about Kabir Rachure (India), a lawyer from India who is also a very fast ultra-cyclist who has completed the Race Across America three times and has gotten faster each time. His first RAAM in 2019 took him 11 days, 22 hours, and 43 minutes (10.71 mph average). He chopped off nearly 11 hours in 2022 when he rode in 11 days, 11 hours, and 30 minutes.

In 2023 he cut off a huge chunk--10 Days, 19 Hours, 21 Minutes (11.71 mph average) and finished second in the under-50 solo male category. Will 2025 be the year he trims even more time and finishes in under 10 days? If he can, he might even take one more step up on the podium.

Rachure is fast and capable, but he’s also a super nice guy with a sense of humor. In 2023, when he finished, he rode under the finish line arch wearing a Garfield the Cat shirt, sandals, and casual shorts—much to the amusement of his crew. “I was tired of wearing bike shorts,” he said with a shrug.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaQTExtrflE

MARKO BALOH DOUBLES DOWN
Race Across the West & Race Across the East

Last year, when we announced our new Race Across the East (RAE), Marko Baloh (Slovenia) was among the first to register for the 628-mile race from Blanchester, Ohio, to Atlantic City, New Jersey. After 10 starts in the Race Across America (that included some 2nd-place finishes and a win in the 50-59 class) and a few times in the Race Across the West (RAW) (also with wins!), he welcomed something new.

Baloh was on his way to a strong finish in that inaugural RAE when a patch of gravel in a corner sent him to the ground. He was basically okay, though he did suffer deep bruises, shallow abrasions on his forearms, and some deep ones on his face and right leg that required some stitches. He even visited the Atlantic City Boardwalk to see other riders finish.

We traded a few messages with Baloh about his upcoming double challenge. He half-jokingly told us, “The first thing I thought when I heard of RAE was, ‘I wonder when they are going to start the mid-part race, from Durango to Blanchester? 😉’ But pretty soon, the idea of double had crossed my mind.”

He plans to race to the RAW finish in Durango and catch a flight to Cincinnati. That tactic will give him a better recovery than if he drove to Ohio. His wife, Irma, will be his crew chief, and she’s the only one accompanying him for both races. “It will be Irma, one of my trusted Slovenian crew persons, and the others will be Americans.

When asked how having done RAW would affect his RAE speed, he replied, “ I actually don't have a clue. For sure, it will affect it. I would guess the first 10-12 hours will probably be slower compared to 2024. As for the Appalachians, we will see. As far as I remember, I wasn't very "sparky" last year on the fresh legs, either. 😉 Anyway, it remains to be seen. For sure, I hope to be competitive in both.”

We’re sure he will. We wish him the best of luck to become the first racer to complete RAW and RAE in the same year.

Marko Baloh
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Władysławowo - wrzesień 2024 .
Na fotce Spiegel San Marino disc.
Zaraz po MRDP Wschód
1252km