1. What It's Like to Compete in a Cross-Country Bike Race Andrew Backer 48:17

Andrew Backer decided to enter his first-ever bicycle race–but not just any old competition: the Trans Am Bike Race, a self-supported, ultra-distance ride that takes weeks to complete (21 days, for Andrew).  Not only did Andrew do it, and complete the ride (a feat in itself); he was sixth overall, and the first American to finish!  In this episode he shares what inspired him to go from weekend rider to racing 4200 miles across 10 states; how he figured out the strategies involved in this particular race (how much–and where–to sleep at night; why it's best to buy food at gas station convenience stores); what it was like to bike through hail, sheets of rain, extreme heat, and driving wind; and how the mental game was as important as the physical preparation to get to the finish line.  Andrew also shares snapshots of lovely Americans he met along the route who helped him with encouraging words, an offer to fix a tire spoke, and a meatloaf sandwich.

In this episode:

01:53: What inspired Andrew to take on this challenge
04:06: Describing a “self-supported, ultra-distance” bike race
05:34: Why several racers dropped out, and mechanical issues Andrew faced along the way
12:46: How many miles Andrew rode each day, and how much sleep he got
15:45: The obstacles riders dealt with along the route
18:00: What Andrew ate to fuel himself–but not weigh himself down
21:41: Kind people helping the riders across America
23:33: The times doubt or worry crept into Andrew's mind during the three week-long journey
31:38: How he entertained himself while riding
39:13: Andrew's creative ways to earn money to pay for the race expenses
40:16: “You can't do it alone”
41:38: How it felt to cross the finish line on day 21

Want to know more about Andrew and the Trans Am Bike Race?

  • Watch this interview with him during the race: https://youtu.be/vnLy41GFLwA
  • Check out the Trans Am Bike Race's website: https://transambikerace.com/
Want to know more about “What It's Like To…”?
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Elizabeth Pearson Garr Podcaster

Elizabeth Pearson Garr has spent a lot of her life asking questions. A daughter of a professor and a principal, as a kid she loved sitting at the “adult table” during their dinner parties so she could participate in the “real” conversations.

Elizabeth went on to graduate with honors from Harvard with a degree in History and Literature, and promptly attended professional cooking school to become a food writer. That led to various career opportunities, including becoming one of the first employees of the Television Food Network; writing/producing gigs at networks from PBS to E!; anchoring/reporting at the NBC affiliate in Billings, Montana; earning a graduate degree in Documentary Film & Video from Stanford University; and various and sundry other things. The through-line to all this has been curiosity. Elizabeth is a skilled interviewer who loves diving deep into research, finding connections, and telling good stories.

Elizabeth has a husband, two daughters, and a fluffy white dog who rarely leaves her side.