From Hildburg Bruns
It goes through deserts, over mountains, the wide prairie. Berlin’s Claus-Henning Schulke (57) will only be able to sleep for an hour at night. Otherwise the 5,000 kilometers through America cannot be covered in a maximum of twelve days.
30 solo riders are at the start of the Race across America: June 13, 12 noon, Oceanside in California. Your goal is to arrive in Annapolis (east coast) no later than twelve days later. “I’ve let off steam in marathon and triathlon races so far,” says the engineer, who is a site manager for major projects (including the Berlin Palace). Of course he goes to work by bike, taking every survey with him. He has to climb 50,000 meters through the USA.
Eight helpers support him, a constant escort vehicle is mandatory, it protects him from the rest of the traffic. “Of course, you’re not allowed to drive in the slipstream and only talk to passengers for fifteen minutes a day,” says Schulke. A danger that could get in his way when speed cycling: startled wild animals, such as elk deer.
The Berliner will take his nap in a mobile home. This is also where the 20 drinking bottles for the day are prepared for him. Schulke has experience with little sleep: “It’s easy to get hallucinations.” Two weeks ago, he consulted a sleep researcher at the Charité.
Its two identical bikes are sponsored. They have carbon frames, streamlined rims, tires filled with latex milk and time trial handlebars on which you can rest your forearms – lying down while driving relaxes your muscles.
On the handlebars: Grips for lying down. A drinking device for water and a display for the map, among other things Photo: Ralf Gunther
Schulke put around 50,000 euros into this bike race. “The helpers give me their time, I’ll cover their costs.” If Schulke completes the route within the time limit, he is officially considered a “finisher” – i.e. a participant who has reached the finish – of the Race across America.